DUKE 

UNIVERSITY 


LIBRARY 


i 


\ 


■ 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https://archive.org/details/pastpresentofgre21fair 


PAST  AND  PRESENT 

u 

OF 

GREENE  COUNTY 

MISSOURI 

Early  and  Recent  History  and  Genealogical  Records 
of  Many  of  the  Representative  Citizens 


BY 

JONATHAN  FAIRBANKS 
AND 

CLYDE  EDWIN  TUCK 


VOLUME  II 


ILLUSTRATED 


1915 

A.  W.  BOWEN  & COMPANY 
INDIANAPOLIS 


DEDICATION. 


This  work  is  respectfully  dedicated  to 
THE  PIONEERS, 

long  departed.  May  the  memory  of  those  who  laid  down  their  burdens  by 
the  wayside  ever  be  fragrant  as  the  breath  of  summer  flowers, 
for  their  toils  and  sacrifices  have  made  Greene  county 
a garden  of  sunshine  and  delights. 


FOREWORD 


All  life  and  achievement  is  evolution;  the  wisdom  of  today  comes  from 
past  experience,  and  present  commercial  prosperity  is  the  result  of  former 
exertion  and  sacrifice.  The  deeds  and  motives  of  the  men  that  have  gone 
before  have  been  instrumental  in  shaping  the  destinies  of  later  communities 
and  states.  The  development  of  a new  country  was  at  once  a task  and  a 
privilege.  It  required  great  courage,  privation  and  suffering.  Compare  the 
present  conditions  of  the  people  of  Greene  county,  Missouri,  with  what  they 
were  three-quarters  of  a century  ago.  From  a trackless  wilderness  and  a 
virgin  prairie,  less  than  a century  ago,  it  has  been  transformed  into  a center 
of  prosperity  and  advanced  civilization,  with  millions  of  wealth,  modern 
railroad  facilities,  great  educational  institutions,  splendid  industries,  and 
immense  agricultural  productions.  Can  any  thinking  person  be  insensible  to 
the  fascination  of  the  study  which  discloses  the  incentives,  hopes,  aspirations 
and  efforts  of  the  early  pioneers  who  laid  so  firm  a foundation  upon  which 
has  been  reared  the  magnificent  prosperity  of  later  days?  To  perpetuate 
the  story  of  these  people  and  to  trace  and  record  the  social,  political,  and 
industrial  progress  of  the  community  from  its  first  inception  to  the  present 
time  has  been  the  function  of  our  historians.  A sincere  purpose  to  preserve 
facts  and  personal  memoirs  that  are  deserving  of  perpetuation,  and  which 
unite  the  present  with  the  past,  is  the  motive  for  this  publication.  While 
the  actual  writing  of  most  of  the  work  was  done  by  Clyde  Edwin  Tuck,  the 
data  was  gathered  by  many  trained  assistants  and  the  finished  product  ap- 
proved by  competent  local  authorities,  to  prevent  possible  errors,  Jonathan 
Fairbanks  being  the  principal  editorial  advisor,  while  special  chapters  were 
written  by  Edward  M.  Shepard  and  others  well  equipped  to  prepare  such 
articles.  A specially  valuable  department  has  been  devoted  to  the  sketches 
of  representative  citizens  of  this  county  whose  records  deserve  perservation 
because  of  their  worth  and  accomplishments.  The  publishers  desire  to  ex- 
tend their  thanks  to  all  who  have  aided  in  any  way  in  making  this  under- 
taking a success,  and  to  express  their  gratitude  for  the  uniform  kindness  with 
which  the  citizens  of  Greene  county  have  regarded  their  efforts  and  for  the 
many  services  rendered  in  obtaining  necessary  information. 

In  placing  “Past  and  Present  of  Greene  County,  Missouri,”  before  the 


citizens,  the  publishers  can  conscientiously  claim  that  they  have  carried  out 
the  plan  as  outlined  in  the  prospectus.  Every  biographical  sketch  in  the 
work  was  submitted  to  the  party  interested,  for  correction,  and  therefore 
any  error  of  fact,  if  there  be  any,  is  solely  due  to  the  person  for  whom  the 
sketch  was  prepared.  Confident  that  our  efforts  to  please  will  fully  meet 
the  approbation  of  the  public,  we  are, 

Respectfully, 


THE  PUBLISHERS. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I— PREHISTORIC  RACES  IN  GREENE  COUNTY 25 

Evidence  of  Cave  Dwellers  and  Mound  Builders — Indian  Implements — - 
Characteristics  of  the  Osages,  Delawares  and  Kickapoos — Indian  Trails — 
Early  Explorers — First  Settlers — Under  Flags  of  Spain  and  France — The  Old 
Louisiana  Territory. 


CHAPTER  II— GEOLOGY,  LOCATION  AND  TOPOGRAPHY 59 

Altitudes — The  Ozarks — Various  Rivers  and  Streams — Caves — The  Differ- 
ent Formations — The  Geological  Ages — An  Interesting  Region  for  the  Stu- 
dent of  Geology  and  Archaeolgy. 

CHAPTER  III— ECONOMIC  GEOLOGY  85 

Water — Springfield  Water  Supply — Mineral  Waters — Building  Stones — 
Sandstones— Limestone — Ornamental  Stones — Lime — -Soil — Road  Material — 
Coal — Iron — Lead — Zinc — Copper — Silver — Gold — Petroleum — Local  Mines. 

CHAPTER  IV— ORGANIZATION  OF  COUNTY 120 

Official  Acts  Connected  with  Its  Formation — Beginning  of  the  Various 
Townships — Giving  Greene  County  a Legal  Existence — Unique  Court  Docu- 
ments. 

CHAPTER  V— EARLY  SETTLEMENT  : 129 

Where  the  Pioneer  Settlers  Emigrated  From — Where  They  First  Effected 
Their  Settlment — The  Early-day  Mills — Early  Roads — Pioneer  Schools — 
Churches — Customs  and  Manners — Going  to  Market — Mail  Facilities. 

CHAPTER  VI— COUNTY  GOVERNMENT  156 

First  Set  of  Officers — -Pioneer  and  Later  Court  Houses — Jails  and  Care  for 
the  Unfortunate  Poor — Bond  Issues — Roads  and  Bridges — Finances  at  Dif- 
ferent Periods — A Glimpse  of  Early  Court  Proceedings. 

CHAPTER  VII— TRANSPORTATION  185 

Railroad  Building  and  Freighting — How  Early  Merchants  Obtained  Their 
Goods — First  Train  Into  Springfield — Old  Gulf  Railroad- — The  Bolivar 
Branch — Springfield  Traction  Company — Stage  Coaches. 

CHAPTER  VIII— FARMING  AND  STOCK  RAISING 196 

Pioneer  Methods  of  Farming — Old  Time  Implements — Smaller  Farms  Now 
— Greater  Diversity  of  Crops — Improved  Methods — Stock  Raising — Products 
Shipped  Out  of  the  County. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  IX— VARIOUS  DIVISIONS  OF  GREENE  COUNTY 204 

History  of  Each  Township — The  Original  Townships — Changes  in  the  Civil 
Subdivisions — Population  at  Various  Periods — Early  Settlement  of  Each 
Township — History  of  Towns  and  Villages — Special  History  and  Events. 

CHAPTER  X— COUNTY  GROWTH  AND  PROGRESS 211 

Miscellaneous  Events  of  Interest — Population  by  Decades — Population  by 
Last  Federal  Census  by  Townships  and  Precincts — First  Events  in  the 
County — Market  Quotations  at  Different  Periods — The  “Rough  Side  of  Life.” 

CHAPTER  XI— MILITARY  HISTORY 229 


Revolutionary  Soldiers — Indian  Troubles — Soldiers — The  Mexican  War — 
Beginning  of  the  Civil  War — Coming  of  General  Lyon — Battle  of  Wilson’s 
Creek  in  Detail — -Springfield  Under  Federals  and  Confederates — Zagonyi’s 
Charge — The  Battle  of  Springfield — Trials  and  Troubles  of  the  People  Dur- 
ing the  Long  Struggle — Conditions  Immediately  After  the  War— Greene 
County’s  Part — The  Spanish-American  War. 

CHAPTER  XII— HISTORY  OF  PUBLIC  EDUCATION  IN  SPRINGFIELD — 409 
First  Public  Schools — High  School  and  Various  Ward  Schools — Number  of 
Pupils — Drury  College — State  Normal  School — Old  Normal  School — Carne- 
gie Public  Library — Other  Schools  of  the  county. 

CHAPTER  XIII— BENCH  AND  BAR 443 

Prominent  Early  Lawyers  and  Jurists — Characteristics  of  the  Members  of  the 
Greene  County  Bar  in  Pioneer  Days  and  the  Present — Names  and  Records 
of  Attorneys  and  Judges  During  the  Entire  History  of  the  Local  Bar. 

CHAPTER  XIV— THE  PRACTICE  OF  MEDICINE  IN  GREENE  COUNTY-  485 
Growth  of  the  Science — Names  and  Characteristics  of  the  Pioneer  Doctors 
— Later  General  Practitioners,  Surgeons  and  Specialists — Dentists — Veter- 
inarians— Osteopaths — Chiropractors — Hospitals. 


CHAPTER  XV— BANKS  AND  BANKING 509 

Amount  of  Deposits — Annual  Clearing  House  Figures — First  Bank — First 
National  Banks — Names  of  Leading  Bankers  of  the  Early  Days — History 
of  Various  Banks  of  the  Past  and  Present. 

CHAPTER  XVI— THE  NEWSPAPERS  OF  THE  COUNTY 519 

The  First  Published  in  What  Was  Originally  Greene  County — Names  of 
Early  and  Later  Publications — A Brief  History  of  Each — Names  of  the 
Publishers. 

CHAPTER  XVII— SECRET  SOCIETIES  524 


History  of  Masonry  and  Its  Co-ordinate  Branches  in  Greene  County — Var- 
ious Lodges — Sons  of  the  Revolution — Grand  Army  Organizations — National 
Cemetery — Confederate  Organization — Confederate  Cemetery — First  Decora- 
tion—Y.  M.  C.  A.— Y.  W.  C.  A. 

CHAPTER  XVIII— WOMEN’S  CLUBS  560 

Interest  Manifested  in  Intellectual  Development  After  the  Civil  War — Names 
of  Charter  and  Present  Members  of  the  Various  Organizations — The  Growth 
of  the  Club  Movement — Some  of  the  Things  Accomplished. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XIX— CHURCH  DENOMINATIONAL  HISTORY 579 

The  Methodist,  Baptist,  Christian,  Presbyterian,  Congregational,  Evangeli- 
cal, Lutheran  and  Other  Churches — Colored  Churches — Catholic  Church 
History. 

CHAPTER  XX— MANUFACTURING  663 

Its  Beginning,  Growth  and  Present  Condition — Early  Plants  and  Shops — 
Modern  Mills,  Foundries  and  Other  Centers  of  Activity — A Comparison  Be- 
tween Pioneer  and  Modern  Methods. 

CHAPTER  XXI— CITY  OF  SPRINGFIELD  682 

Its  Founders — Incorporation — Early-day  Business  Interests — Growth — Re- 
cent Years — City  Governments— List  of  Mayors — Street  Making — Fire  De- 
partment-Water Works — Electric  Light  and  Power  Plants — Other  Items 
of  Interest. 


HISTORICAL  INDEX 


Agriculture  196 

Altitude  of  Springfield 59 

Ash  Grove 208 

Banks  and  Banking 508 

Growth  of  Banks  in  Springfield — 508 

First  Banks 510 

National  Banks  512 

North  Side  Banks 515 

Trust  Companies 516 

Banks  of  the  Smaller  Towns 516 

Baptist  Young  Men’s  Organization-  652 

Baptist  Young  People’s  Union 617 

Bench  and  Bar 443 

Early  Lawyers  443 

Early  Judges  443 

Brief  Mention  of  Former  and 

Present  Practicing  Lawyers 471 

Criminal  Court  451 

Congressmen  464 

Lawyers  in  Springfield  Before  the 

War  457 

List  of  Present  Active  Practition- 
ers   483 

Oldest  Member  of  the  Bar 469 

Bois  D’Arc  210 

Boone,  Nathan  140 

Brotherhoods  617 

Campbell  Camp  552 

Carnegie  Public  Library 428 

Cave  Spring  208 

Chiropractors  499 

Christian  Endeavor  616 

Churches,  Catholic  618 

Immaculate  Conception  619 

Sacred  Heart  Parish  622 

St.  Agnes  635 

St.  Joseph’s  638 

Churches,  Protestant  579 

Christian  585 

Baptist  595-650 

German,  and  others 608 


Methodist  Episcopal 579-600-639-644 


Methodist  Protestant  584 

Congregational  603 

Protestant  Episcopal  607 

Presbyterian  588-646 

Colored,  Baptist  611 

Other  Denominations  660 

Country  Churches  639 

Civil  War  239 

Before  the  War  Began 239 

News  of  Ft.  Sumter 242 

Federal  Troops  245 

General  Lyon  249 

Expedition  to  Forsyth 252 

Engagement  at  Dug  Springs 253 

Confederate  Troops 256 

Federal  Account  of  Battle  of  Wil- 
son’s Creek  257 

Battle  in  Detail 266 

Death  and  Burial  of  Gen.  Lyon 270 

Col.  Sigel  274 

Confederate  Account  of  Battle 281 

McCulloch’s  Fight  with  Sigel 288 

Losses  290 

Care  of  Wounded  and  Burial  of 

Dead  292 

Greene  County  Men  in  Battle 293 

Federals  Evacuate  Springfield 295 

Confederate  Troops  Enter  Spring- 

field  297 

Influence  of  Battle 300 

Col.  T.  T.  Taylor 309 

Gen.  John  C.  Fremont 311 

Major  Zagonyi  312 

General  Hunter  324 

Gen.  Sterling  Price 307 

State  Militia  336 

Greene  County  Men  at  Pea  Ridge_  337 

Military  Hospital  341 

Fortifications  342 

Battle  of  Springfield 344 

Col.  Sheppard’s  Account 360 

Losses  362 

Provisional  Regiment . . 368 

Gen.  J.  B.  Sanborn 378 


HISTORICAL  INDEX. 


After  the  War 382 

Farewell  to  the  Military 387 

Clans,  Gathering  of 244 

Confederate  Cemetery  : 554 

Confederate  Monument  555 

County  Government 156 

Permanent  County-seat 158 

First  Court  House  Burned 161 

Historic  Court  House  Torn  Down  164 

County  Court  167 

Plans  and  Construction  of  Present 
Court  House  169 

Daughters  of  the  American  Revolu- 
tion   577 

Delaware  Indians,  The  38 

Dentists  496 

De  Soto  48 

Divisions  of  Greene  County,  The 

Various  204 

Drake  Constitution,  The  385 

Drury  College  417 

Organization  417 

Location  419 

Scholarships  422 

Presidents  424 

Early  Explorations  44 

Early  Hunters  and  Pioneers 52 

Early  Settlement  129 

Pioneer  Settlers 129 

Settlements  131 

Delawares  131 

Frontier  Life 143 

Early  Roads  145 

First  Churches ‘ 147 

Log  Cabin  Schools 149 

Early  Travelers,  Record  of 46 

Ebenezer  207 

Education  409 

First  School  Building  in  Spring- 

field  409 

First  Public  School 410 

Movement  to  Establish  a System 

of  Public  Education 410 

Present  School  Buildings 414 

Enrollment  in  Schools 415 

Teachers  416 

Members  of  Board  of  Education 416 

Epworth  League 617 

Fair  Grove  208 

Farming  : 196 

Pioneer  Methods  196 


Smaller  Farms  199 

Improved  Methods  200 

Products  Shipped  Out 202 

Crop  Failures  221 

High  Prices  221 

Federation  of  Churches 614 

“Firsts”  in  Greene  County 216 

General  Election  in  Autumn  of  1864  380 

Geology  66 

Stratigraphy  66 

Cambro-Ordovician  Age  66 

Stones  67 

Devonian  Age  69 

Carboniferous  70 

Tertiary  Age  77 

Pleistocene  77 

Geology,  Economic  85 

Springs  85 

Springfield  City  Water  Supply — 89 

Mineral  Waters ! 90 

Stones  90 

Soils  94 

Coal  101 

Road  Material  100 

Clays  101 

Moulding  Sand 104 

Iron  104 

Lead  and  Zinc 106 

Mines  Worked  Long  Ago 107 

Deposit  of  Ore 110 

Local  Mines  113 

Copper,  Gold  and  Silver 118 

Petroleum  119 

Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 546 

Greene  County  Sunday  School  As- 
sociation   661 

Growth  and  Progress  of  County — 211 

Statistics  211 

Guerrilla  Raiders,  The 375 

Headlee  Murder,  The 226 

Hospitals  500 

Springfield  501 

Burge  Deaconess  — 503 

Southwest  505 

St.  John’s 506 

Frisco  Employee’s  507 

Indian  Implements  29 

Indian  Trails  41 

Ingram’s  Mill  138 

Journal,  A Pioneer’s — 135 


HISTORICAL  INDEX. 


Kickapoo  Indians,  The 39 

Kickapoo  Settlement  40 

Levy-Wolf  Dry  Goods  Company — 1685 

Manufacturing  663 

Early  Growth 664 

Primitive  Industries  666 

Metropolitan  Improvements 672 

Public  Service  Corporations 675 

Medical  Profession  485 

Pioneer  Physicians 486 

Present  Active  Physicians 488 

Mexican  War  235 

Survivor,  The  Only 237 

Military  History  229 

Mob  Violence 222 

National  Cemetery 548 

First  Decoration  550 

Newspapers  519 

Nichols  210 

Organization  of  County 120 

Boundaries  of  First  Townships 125 

Formations  of  New  Townships 205 

Osage  Indians,  The 30 

Dress  31 

Characteristics  32 

Lodges  36 

Favorite  Haunts  36 

Treaties  37 

Osage  War  230 

Osteopaths  498 

Pawnee  Indians,  The 41 

Percy  Cave  946 

Piankashaw  Indians,  The 41 

Poorhouse,  The 177 

Prehistoric  Races  in  Greene  County  25 

Cave  Dwellers  25 

Mound  Builders  26 

Regulators,  The  224 

Republic  Township  702 

Republic  209-703 

Public  School  704 

Flour  Mills  705 

Banks 705 

Custom  Mill  706 

Revolutionary  Soldiers  229 

Rough  Side  of  Life,  The 222 

Salvation  Army,  The 618 

Sampson  Bass’  Mill 151 


Sanitarium,  Johnson 1622 

Sarcoxie  War 233 

Schools  of  Greene  County  and  Out- 
side of  Springfield 430 

First  School  432 

Schools  of  the  Different  Town- 
ships   434 

Sequiota  Cave  955 

Societies,  Secret 524 

Fremasonry  524 

Odd  Fellows  531 

Woodmen  533 

Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 

of  Elks  536 

Improved  Order  of  Red  Men 537 

Knights  of  Columbus 539 

American  Yeomen  540 

Court  of  Honor 541 

Loyal  Order  of  Moose 542 

Eagles  542 

Knights  of  Pythias 543 

Sons  of  the  Revolution 544 

Spanish-American  War 388 

Maine  Disaster  390 

Roosevelt’s  Rough  Riders 391 

National  Guard  Requirements 393 

Farewell  Reception  394 

Off  for  Chickamauga 396 

Epidemic  of  Typhoid 398 

Officers  of  Company  K 404 

Officers  of  Company  M 406 

Springfield  682 

First  Settlers  682 

Incorporation  690 

Traveling  Facilities  692 

After  the  War 695 

Municipal  Bonds 697 

Wholesale  Center  701 

Springfield  Baking  Company,  The 680 

Springfield  Jobbers’  and  Manufac- 
turers’ Assn.  673 

Springfield  Normal  School,  The 428 

Springfield  Wagon  Works 676 

St.  Agnes  School 637 

Stage  Coaches  692 

State  Normal  School 426 

Enrollment  426 

Graduates  426 

St.  De  Chantal  Academy 1907 

Strafford  209 

Topography  59 

Watercourses  60 


HISTORICAL  INDEX. 


Hydrography  63 

Caves,  Sinks  and  Natural  Bridges  64 

Transportation  184 

Steamboats  184 

First  Railroad  180 

Stages  187 

First  Train  188 

Old  Gulf  Railroad 190 

Bolivar  Branch  193 

Missouri  Pacific  Railroad 193 

Springfield  Traction  Company 195 

Townships,  Original  Boundaries  of_  125 

Tucker-Ferguson  Warehouse  and 

Transfer  Co.  1926 


Under  Three  Flags 57 

Union  League,  The 377 

Veterinarians  497 

Walnut  Grove  209 

Water  Power  144 

Welsh  Packing  Company 678 

Willard  210 

Woman’s  Missionary  Union 615 

Women’s  Clubs  560 

Young  Women’s  Christian  Associa- 
tion   558 


Young  Men’s  Christian  Association.  557 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX 


Abbott,  Alfred  S 1273 

Albert,  Jake  1896 

Albright,  M.  D.,  Wm.  E 1871 

Alden,  John  850 

Allebach,  Newton  V 1291 

Allen,  Charles  H 443 

Allen,  John  D 1071 

Anderson,  Henry  S 1699 

Anderson,  Joseph  G 1911 

Andrew,  Paul  E 1533 

Anthony,  George  W 711 

Anthony,  James  854 

Armstrong,  Frederick  W 1882 

Armstrong,  Tom  W : 1255 

Arnett,  R.  L 1290 

Atherton,  M.  D.,  J.  LeRoy 1550 

Atherton,  M.  D.,  Mary  Jean 1556 

Atteberry,  James  O 1789 

Atwood,  George  Albert 936 

Atwood,  George  Hammond 936 

Aumoth,  Joseph  G.  822 

Ausherman,  Martin  8i76 

Bacon,  Rev.  John  T 1522 

Bair,  James  1356 

Baker,  J.  454 

Baker,  S.  A 1664 

Banfield,  Lewis  F.  920 

Banister,  Theodore  988 

Barnes,  M.  D.,  George  W 1436 

Barrett,  John  1840 

Barrett,  Robert  Franklin 1252 

Barron,  Willard  M 1704 

Barton,  James  H 776 

Barton,  William  H 778 

Bass,  Sampson 1008 

Bassett,  Louis  N 1092 

Bassett,  Samuel  H 1093 

Bates,  Percy  J 1305 

Baxter,  Hendry  1727 

Baxter,  Kirk  989 

Beal,  Daniel  N 772 

Beal,  M.  D.,  Edward  L 764 

Beal,  George  T 764 


Beal,  Capt.  George  T 771 

Beatie,  Maj.  John  W.  F 1676 

Beckerleg,  John  1799 

Bennett,  PI.  S 867 

Benson,  Richard  H 1733 

Berry,  James  A 1120 

Berry.  James  Blaine 1333 

Berry,  Gustavus  F 1756 

Beyer,  Frank  A 1050 

Billasch,  William  C 1195 

Bishop,  Franklin  T 1722 

Bissett,  James  1124 

Blanchard,  Green  I 1846 

Bodenhamer,  Andrew  J 1496 

Bodenhamer,  Emsley  L 1091 

Bodenhamer,  Joseph  J 1499 

Bodenhamer,  Louis  F 1498 

Bomgardner,  D.  V.  S.,  George  I 1399 

Bon,  Ira  Carl 1310 

Booth,  Waldo  Cornwell 1669 

Bowland,  Robert  A 1187 

Bowman,  Benjamin  1570 

Boyd,  M.  D.,  John  R 970 

Boyd,  S.  H 447 

Boyer,  Ray  C 1841 

Bradley,  Thomas  H 1047 

Brazill,  James  B 1749 

Briggs,  Cecil  Alvin 1504 

Bright,  John  C 1823 

Brower,  Madison  A 1845 

Brown,  Addison  1875 

Brown,  Frank  E 1588 

Brown,  Plarry  F 1334 

Brown,  James  M 1317 

Brown,  John  D 1044 

Brown,  Joseph  Addison 1043 

Brown,  Thomas  T. 1472 

Brown,  M.  D.,  William  McF 1040 

Bryant,  Arthur  W 1221 

Burge,  Mrs.  Ellen  A 708 

Burge,  George  W 707 

Burge,  James  T 709 

Busch,  Charles  R 1314 

Butler,  Nelson  Garrett 1502 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX. 


Butler,  Stephen  E 1303 

Butts,  James  M 1344 

Camp,  Warren  N 1811 

Camp,  William  P 1738 

Campbell,  Irvin  PI 1194 

Campbell,  John  Polk 1478 

Cantrell,  James  T 1374 

Carroll,  Frank  P 1299 

Carter,  Charles  W 1613 

Carter,  M.  D„  William  C 1697 

Cass,  Dudley  1768 

Cass,  Mason  1768 

Chaffin,  John  C 1741 

Chalfant,  Ephraim  893 

Chappell,  Lewis  E 1660 

Clark,  M.  D.,  James  W 1818 

Clark,  Clarence  M 906 

Chavose,  Charles  C 1901 

Claypool,  Luther  M 1888 

Chrisman,  John  Maloney 1632 

Christman,  Matthias 1294 

Childress,  James  G 1806 

Clements,  M.  D.,  Christopher  C 1428 

Clements,  Oscar  S 845 

Cloud,  Daniel  E.  1539 

Cloud,  William  B 1643 

Coffelt,  M.  D.,  Theodore  A 1245 

Cole,  Stephen  Plenry 1495 

Collier,  P.  V 1163 

Colvin,  Hugh  P 1804 

Condon,  George  W 1147 

Constance,  Walter  1323 

Coon,  Walter  A 781 

Cooper,  George  1307 

Cooper,  Harry  1597 

Cornell,  William  C 1214 

Counts,  Benjamin  B 1834 

Cowan,  John  993 

Cowan,  John  Maxwell 992 

Cowden,  James  S 1798 

Cowden,  M.  D.,  William  PI 1409 

Cowell,  John 1337 

Crane,  M.  D„  Thos.  V.  B 1873 

Crawford,  A.  B : 918 

Crawford,  William  J., 1161 

Crenshaw,  Louis  A.  D., 1406 

Crenshaw,  Thomas  T 1711 

Crow,  J.  W 945 

Crowdus,  Charles  1645 

Culler,  George  W j 942 

Curran,  Rev.  Father  Francis 623 

Curry,  Rev.  Father  George 628 


DeBoard,  Elisha  1856 

DeGroff,  Moses  R 840 

DeLange,  William  1886 

DeWitt,  Edward  J 1843 

Dabbs,  Thomas  E. 1675 

Dade,  Davney  C 870 

Daggett,  William  A 1226 

Daigler,  George  759 

Dale,  Harris  K 1858 

Dando,  Charles  E 1283 

Daniel,  William  R 980 

Danzero,  Domino  1219 

Darby,  Ezra  Faucett 1170 

Darby,  D.  D.  S.,  Robert  Ezra 1168 

Dark,  Melville  E 1552 

Davis,  Emil  O 1812 

Deaton,  John  P 856 

Deaton,  John  W 856 

Deeds,  James  C 1748 

Delaney,  T.  J 460 

Delzell,  M.  D.,  William  A 1554 

Demuth,  Capt.  Albert 808 

Dennis,  Benjamin  F 1760 

Dennis,  John  E 1672 

Dennis,  William  A 833 

Devereaux,  James  864 

Devereaux,  Mrs.  Mary 865 

Dewey,  M.  D.,  James  E 1765 

Diffenderffer,  David  M 1714 

Diffenderffer,  David  R , 1714 

Diffenderffer,  Harry  W 1715 

Diggins,  Hiram  W 1642 

Dillard,  George  E 1779 

Dingeldein,  Edward  P 1509 

Dingeldein,  Sebastian  1216 

Donnell,  Francis  M 1894 

Donovan,  William  F 1394 

Doran,  Thomas  H 1682 

Douglass,  Gaylard  1877 

Dozier,  Duerrett  W 848 

Dozier,  John  848 

Draper,  Charles 825 

Draper,  John  824 

Draper,  Joseph  N 824 

Dritt,  John  R 1302 

Drury,  Charles  J 1094 

Dulin,  James  E 1102 

Duncan,  Andrew  B . 1826 

Durst,  Harry  D 1752 

Eagleburger,  Joseph  S 1625 

Earnest,  C.  W 1535 

Earnest,  James  Howard 1460 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX. 


East,  Howard  B 787 

East,  Sidney  788 

Eaton,  Henry  1362 

Edmonson,  Walton  E 1529 

Eisenmayer,  Andrew  J 1380 

Elson,  Edwin  Wiggins 1006 

Elson,  William  Penn 1064 

Emerson,  Walter  P 982 

Emery,  Alonzo  W - — 1101 

Emery,  Edgar  T.  1628 

Ennis,  Edgar  E 1619 

Ernst,  Louis  P _ 1531 

Esling'er,  Jas.  E __ 1766 

Eslingery  Samuel  L 1766 

Evans,  M.  D.,  E.  L 1074 

Evans,  Owen  M 1188 

Everett,  Richard  E 1610 

Fairbanks,  Jonathan  — : __ 961 

Fallin,  Walter  Augustus 1011 

Fallin,  Wilbur  M 1010 

Farmer,  Edward  1318 

Farmer,  Oscar  F. — 1583 

Farmer,  Samuel  A 1594 

Farmer,  William  C._ 1640 

Farrington,  J'.  S._ — . 456 

Fawcett,  Leonard  1431 

Fay,  Edwin  L. 1 : 1788 

Fellows, " Erast u-  ______ 737 

Fellows,  Col.  Homer  F 1364 

Fellows,  Norris  W._ 736 

Fenton,  Jeremialt  : 1917 

Ferguson,  Ernest  N._ 1890 

Ferguson,  George  W 1758 

Ferguson,  John  R 1115 

Fielder,  Benjamin  F 1128 

Finch,  Edward  Swayzee 997 

Finch,  Harry  H 1430 

Fine,  Alphonsus  F._ 1055 

Fink,  Charles  H 752 

Fink,  Richard  M 752 

Finley,  Elder  Newton 882 

Finney,  Frank  L 1621 

Fitch,  James  W 1571 

Fogarty,  Thomas  1500 

Fortune,  Rev.  Father  T.  J 626 

Foster,  Jr.,  Jesse  J 1455 

Fowler,  J.  W 1627 

Frame,  M.  D.,  Homer  G 1470 

Freeman,  John  Guy 1651 

Freeman,  Rederick  F 1648-49 

Freeman,  William  1648 

Freeman,  William  B 1648 


French,  John  1331 

Frey,  Frank  A 1184 

Fricke,  George  W 842 

Fry,  William  A 1512 

Fulbright,  Charles  R 757 

Fulbright,  John  L 741 

Fulbright,  John  Y 758 

Fulbright,  William  741 

Fulbright,  Wiliam  H 740 

Furrow,  Calvin 1005 

Gallagher,  Francis  A 1138 

Galloway,  Jesse  E 1696 

Gann,  J.  W 1288 

Gardner,  James  Coleman 1037 

Garton,  Jacob  W 1708 

Garton,  John  H 1536 

George,  C.  M 1149 

Gideon,  James  J 1131 

Gideon,  Thomas  J 722 

Gideon,  William  C. 722 

Gifford,  M.  D.,  Anson  H 1537 

Glass,  Albert  M 1820 

Glass,  John  Baker 896 

Glassmoyer,  Howard  S._ .1850 

Goode,  R.  L 455 

Goodwin,  Oliver  Smith 880 

Gorman,  Daniel  C , 790 

Gorsuch,  William  R 1341 

Gosney,  Napoleon  1206 

Granade,  John  A 912 

Grant,  William  W 1475 

Gray,  James  H 1336 

Gray,  Josiah  J : 1584 

Green,  George  1293 

Greenwade,  John  T 1384 

Greenwade,  Weldon 1386 

Grier,  Azzo  B 1104 

Grier,  Samuel  S 1328 

Griffin,  John  P 1688 

Groblebe,  Charles  I. 1067 

Grubel,  Frank  1254 

Gustin,  Walter  P 1899 

Hall,  John  M.__ — ; 1376 

Hall,  William  Alexander 1417 

Halstead,  Capt.  John_ 1925 

Hammond,  Clyde  L 1898 

Hankins,  William  T._ 1296 

Hannah,  Ezra  F 844 

Plansell,  Jefferson  E 1. 1166 

Hansell,  William  M 1783 

Hanson,  Albert  N 1076 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX. 


Hanson,  M.  D.,  Richard  H 984 

Harman,  M.  D.,  William  Roby 904 

Harrison,  John  B 1098 

Hart,  Andrew  Thomas 1510 

Hart,  Roswell  K 1630 

Hartt,  John  W 1209 

Hasler,  Thomas  L 1117 

Hasten,  John  H 1150 

Haswell,  Alanson  M 720 

Haswell,  James  M 720 

Maun,  George  ft 1719 

Haun,  Walter 1463 

Hawkins,  Kirk 929 

Hayden,  John  C 850 

Hayden,  Joseph  H 853 

Haynes,  Ernest  D 1389 

Hayward,  Hubert  H 1923 

Headlee,  Blondville  D 1034 

Headlee,  Claude  Leslie 1033 

Headlee,  Judge  Elisha 1411 

Headlee,  James  Ward 1034 

Headlee,  Samuel  W 1032 

Headley,  Frank  E 933 

Healy,  Rev.  Father  D.  L 632 

Heckart,  Henry  M 1197 

Heckenlively,  James  L 1837 

Fledges,  James  FI 716 

Hegarty,  John  872 

Henderson,  Walter  FI 1782 

Hendricks,  Littleberry  445 

Flendrickson,  George  W 1229 

Henshaw,  John  E 1566 

Flerman,  Daniel  H 1027 

Herrick,  Samuel  1848 

Fliatt,  Reuben  J 1803 

Flibler,  Elihu  1227 

Hickman,  Isaac  M , 909 

Hilderbrand,  James  N 782 

Hinerman,  J.  H 1618 

Hobbs,  John  J 1424 

Hogeboom,  M.  D„  R.  W 495 

Holden,  Harry  Clyde 991 

Holland,  Charles  1827 

Holland,  Gen.  Colley  B 1744 

Holland.  T.  Blondville 976 

Flood,  James  D 1520 

Hooper,  Samuel  A 1932 

Hoover,  John  W 1573 

House,  Merton  C 1842 

Houston,  Jerome  A 1324 

Howard,  Harvey  W 1448 

Howell,  William  1403 

Flubbell,  Lucius  W 1377 


Hubbard,  W.  D 449 

Hudnall,  John  R 828 

Hudnall,  M.  D.,  M.  L 828 

Flummel,  Lynn  897 

Hurd,  Rev.  Fayette 1144 

Ingler,  Hugh  B.  1702 

Jackson,  George  W 1691 

Jackson,  John  S.  C 1700 

James,  David  1088 

James,  Jason  R 1089 

James,  Nancy 1090 

James,  Thomas  1089 

James,  William  C 900 

James,  Winfrey  1090 

Jaquith,  Jesse  D.  1297 

Jared,  Flemin  T 1516 

Jenkins,  Robert  1222 

Jennings,  William  T 799 

Jewell,  Harry  Sanford 1371 

Johnson,  John  H 1 836 

Johnson,  M.  D.,  Samuel  A 1622 

Johnson,  Silas  M 1791 

Johnson,  U.  G 479 

Johnston,  A.  J 1808 

Johnston,  James  B 1634 

Jones,  Capt.  George  M 792 

Jones,  Henry  B 1889 

Jones,  Henry  T 794 

Jones,  James  792 

Jones,  John 1807 

Jones,  John  II 1154 

Jones,  Joshua  L 1703 

Jones,  William  J 1602 

Kanning,  Charles  F 1258 

Kauffman,  Stanley  K 1900 

Keller,  W.  Robert 1785 

Kelley,  Prof.  Edwin  H 1562 

Kelley,  Jesse  Marion 1559 

Kelly,  John  1276 

Kemmling,  Ernst  1725 

Kennedy,  Henry  F 863 

Kennedy,  Lee  C 1743 

Kerr,  Andrew  B.  1099 

Kerr,  Charles  W 1449 

Kerr,  M.  D.,  Ulysses  F 1922 

Kershner,  Capt.  Wm.  H 797 

Kilkenny,  Rev.  Father  Peter 627 

King,  Charles  L 1208 

King,  M.  D.,  Thomas  M 1526 

Ivinser,  Jefferson  1739 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX. 


Kinser,  John 1739 

Kirby,  Guy  D 975 

Kirkey,  William'  L 1332 

Kirkpatrick,  Robt.  A 1770 

Kissick,  Robert  F _ 1029 

Kite,  Robert  B 1575 

Klingensmith,  Peter  1862 

Klingner,  John  W 1408 

Klingner,  M.  D.,  Thomas  O 1238 

Knabb,  M.  D.,  Enoch 1586 

Knelle,  George  885 

Knighten,  Ammon  1824 

Knowles,  M.  D.,  John  T 739 

Knox,  Alexander  1024 

Kohler.  Edward  F 1557 

Kucker,  L.  S 1038 

LaBounty,  Charles  F 1918 

LaFollette,  Ransom  S , 1763 

Lane,  John  M 1157 

Langsford,  John  1565 

Langston,  Jackson  P.  C 1218 

Lee,  Bert  S.  1666 

Leedy,  Joseph  W. 766 


McCutcheon,  L.  C 847 

McCutcheon,  O.  J 847 

McDonald,  Alexander  873 

McElhany,  George  LaFayette 1440 

McGinty,  William  H 1736 

McGuire,  Guy  H 1139 

McHaffie,  M.  D.,  Charles  H 735 

Mcllvin,  James  S 1018 

Mclntire,  Cyrus  B 830 

Mcjimsey,  Elmer  E.  E 1345 

McKay,  Elmer  A 1926 

McKee,  Roy  1379 

McKerall,  William  1000 

McLinn,  Albert  S 1452 

McMaster,  Cyrus  J 1426 

McMaster,  Walter  Weir 1396 

McMehen,  John  A 1165 

McMehen,  William  A 1158 

McMillan,  Otho  D 958 

McMurtry,  James  Gilmer 1353 

McNabb,  John  T 1488 

McNeill,  E.  B 1289 

McQuiston,  Brandt  1118 


Leeper,  George  1590 

Lehr,  John  Henry 1122 

Levy,  M. 1685 

Lilly,  Rev.  Father  John  J 621 

Lincoln,  Azariah  W 1230 

Linney,  William  Burts  1387 

Lloyd,  Charles  Lee __1929 

Lloyd,  Samuel  Mack 1422 

Love,  Robert 1048 

Love,  D.  V.  S.,_  Robert  B 1051 

Love,  Thomas  B. 784 

Love,  Col.  Thomas  C 784 

Lowe,  M.  D.,  H.  A 1490 

Luper,  James  E 1810 

MacElveny,  Andrew  W 1647 

McAfee,  Judge  Charles 922 

McCammon,  John  P 1351 

McCarty,  Luther  Q 1056 

McClernon,  Hugh  1515 

McCluer,  James  H 755 

McCluer,  John  756 

McCollum,  George  A 826 

McConnell,  John  Aaron 1568 

McConnell,  Milton  C 1713 

McCraw,  Gabriel  1735 

McCrory,  James  1729 

McCroskey,  Charles  W 1904 

McCurdy,  Thomas  1121 


Mack,  Clarence  S 1087 

Mack,  Clyde  B 1260 

Mack,  J.  W.  D.  L.  F 458 

Mack,  Rowan  E.  M 996 

Maddox,  Elisha  B 1780 

Magill,  James  G 1860 

Major,  .Will  J 1014 

Malley,  John  P.__ 1 1301 

Martin,  Harry  E 1205 

Mason,  James  H.: 1717 

Mason,  John  F 1831 

Mason,  Robert  T 1717 

Massey,.  Frank  R 1914 

Massey,  Richard  1927 

Maxwell,  William  M 1624 

Mellon,  Henry  G 919 

Mercer,  Carver  O 1541 

Meyer,  B.  E 1372 

Meyer,  John  F 1816 

Miller,  William  S 1797 

Mills,  Andrew  D 1287 

Ming,  Emmett  M 1068 

Minto,  Robert  1775 

Mitchell,  Harry  H 901 

Mitchell,  Obadiah  C 1192 

Moornaw,  H.  M 1152 

Moon,  James  A 1518 

Moore,  Anderson  T 1916 

Moore,  George  W.-- 1105 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX. 


Moore,  Robert  A 986 

Morckel,  Charles  W 1921 

Morgan,  Harry  C 1066 

Morice,  Leon  1635 

Morton,  William  M 1549 

Moser,  John  A 1329 

Murry,  Harvey 1223 

Murray,  Thomas  1404 

Murphy,  William  C 1480 

Murray,  William  Penn 1080 

Murphy,  Lawrence  J 744 

Murphy,  Michael  J 1285 

Nee,  Daniel  Martin 1241 

Nelson,  Marion  A 1183 

Newbill,  John  Glenn 1433 

Newton,  Edward  F 1360 

Newton,  Job  1786 

Nichols,  A.  D 763 

Nichols,  Capt.  Danton  H 760 

Nichols,  George  W 883 

Nichols,  Matthias  H 760 

Niederhuth,  George  W 1135 

Noland,  George  L 1450 

O’Bryant,  George  W 1456 

O’Bryant,  James  H 973 

O’Byrne,  James  1178 

Olendorf,  George  F 1270 

O’Neal,  Andrew  J 1694 

O’Neal,  George  W 1686 

O’Neill,  Rev.  Father  Francis 622 

O’Reilly,  Rev.  Father  J.  J 629 

Ormsbee,  M.  D.,  James  L 725 

Orr,  W.  J 480 

Orr,  William  J 866 

Ott,  Theodore  1146 

Owen,  Charles  J 1605 

Owen,  John  S 1878 

Owen,  Joseph  L 1592 

Owen,  Stephen  A.  D 1596 

Owens,  Jerry  W 1919 

Page,  Judge  Alfred 1350 

Patterson,  M.  D.,  Wm.  P 746 

Paxson,  Ely  1016 

Peak,  M.  D.,  Oscar  L 1062 

Pepperdine,  George  467 

Perkins,  Leonard  B 858 

Perkins,  Judge  Wm.  H 1339 

Peterson,  Harvey  E 953 

Phelps,  Hon.  John  S 1175 

Phillips,  Lorenzo  1039 


Pickering,  Charles  B : 1893 

Pickering,  Clayton  R 1801 

Pierce,  M.  D.,  Charles  E 1693 

Pigg,  Herbert  W 1653 

Pike,  M.  D.,  Columbus  J 1212 

Pipkin,  Lewis  F 1853 

Pollack,  Calvin  1545 

Porter,  Henry  Webb 1654 

Potter,  M.  D.,  Ambrose- 1474 

Potter,  James  Elmer : : i 1358 

Potter,  Nicholas  : : — 1476 

Potter,  W.  C -1368 

Potter,  W.  H.  F ' 878 

Powell,  William  P 1311 

Preston,  L.  W — — _1659 

Price,  Isaac : — _1321 

Price,  Thomas  W 1867 

Price,  W.  C 444 

Proserpi,  Henry i 1136 

Prugger,  August  F J. — 1507 

Pursselley,  M.  D.,  Walter  L._ 1524 

Putman,  Mansel  : 1160 

Quinn,  John  1600 

Quinn,  James 1600 

Race,  Edward  F 1865 

Ragsdale,  Howard  1012 

Ramsey,  James  A : 1608 

Ramsey,  Robert  L 979 

Rathbone,  B.  F 1163 

Rathbone,  William  H 1468 

Rathbun,  Col.  George  S 889 

Rauch,  Fred  William 1022 

Raum,  Egmont  1493 

Raymond,  George  E 1880 

Redfearn,  Jesse  O 1851 

Rebori,  Louis  L 1680 

Reed,  Samuel  A 1398 

Reilly,  James  W 1211 

Renshaw,  Moses  M 1553 

Rhodes,  Clarence  J 1275 

Rhodes,  C.  L 1256 

Rhodes,  Eugene  J 1107 

Rhodes,  Jr.,  Eugene  J 1263 

Rhodes,  Ira  G 1107 

Ricketts,  Lemuel  C 1002 

Risser,  Omer  E 1190 

Ritter,  Aaron  M 1864 

Ritter,  David  M 1832 

Robberson.  M.  D.,  Edwin  T 718 

Robberson,  Walter  B 713 

Roberts,  John 1046 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX. 


Roberts,  Prof.  John  R 1348 

Robertson,  Charles  L 1232 

Robinson,  David  H 832 

Robinson,  Henry  D 1343 

Roper,  William  Fry  _ 1 5 1 3 

Rosbaek,  John  1772 

Rose,  John  W. 1277 

Rose,  Reuben  R.  1684 

Ross,  Bennette  J 804 

Ross,  David  Edward 1443 

Ross,  J.  B.  ’ 926 

Ross,  LaFayette  A. 1248 

Ross,  M.  D.,  Leonidas  C 1242. 

Roudebush,  Marshall 959 

Ruffin,  J.  B 1114 

Rule,  Charles  W 1577 

Rullkoetter,  William  1638 

Rupprecht,  George  C 1086 

Russell,  Columbus  B 1678 

Ryan,  Rev.  Father  James 625 

Salts,  Robert  A 1823 

Sanders,  Emiel  1434 

Sanford,  William  B 800 

Sanford,  Wyatt  801 

Sartain,  James  S 983 

Scharff,  Max  1180 

Schofield,  Albert  L 1320 

Schofield,  Thomas  1143 

Schreiber,  William  H 1910 

Scott,  Andrew  J. 868 

Self,  William  R 1773 

Shackelford,  John  H 1236 

Sheedy,  Mike  1269 

Shelton,  W.  B 916 

Shepard,  Edward  M 728 

Shepard,  Harriett  E 732 

Sherman,  M.  D.,  David  LT 1662 

Sheridan,  Rev.  Father  J.  M 636 

Shumaker,  George  M 754 

Sidman,  Wesley  C 1225 

Sidman,  Rev.  Wm.  D 1202 

Sisk,  John  M 1616 

Sjoberg,  John 1486 

Skelley,  William  W 1312 

Small,  George  W 1217 

Smith,  David 1282 

Smith,  Harrison  Milton 1416 

Smith,  Isaac  N 1777 

Smith,  James  E 1084 

Smith,  James  M 810 

Smith,  M.  D.,  John  R 1280 

Smith,  Mitchell  C 1383 


Smith,  M.  D.,  Onas 1390 

Smith,  Russell  G 1391 

Smith,  William  F 1306 

Smith,  M.  D„  William  M 1234 

Smith,  William  Y 1673 

Snider,  Otis  Everett 1438 

Southworth,  Marvin  H 1724 

Spandri,  John  1072 

Spencer,  Edward  A 875 

Spencer,  George  W 940 

Spencer,  James  D 888 

Squibb,  Elmer  D 1829 

Squibb,  James  Caleb 1581 

Stafford,  Bertha 1758 

Stafford,  S.  R ^ 1757 

Stahl,  Charles  H 1252 

Stahl,  William  F I 1251 

Staley,  Weldon  E.  1543 

Stancill,  Godfrey  C 1266 

Starks,  Charles  L 708 

Steinert,  John  A 1721 

Stemmons,  F.  B 1173 

Stephens,  John  G 1742 

Stephens,  William  M ; 1906 

Steury,  Rudolph  1615 

Stewart,  William  R 1446 

Stone,  M.  D.,  Murray  C 727 

Stoughton,  James  A 886 

Studley,  Joseph  1903 

Stutzman,  Frank  P 1272 

Tatlow,  W.  D — 472 

Tefft,  M.  D„  J.  £ 487 

Tegarden,  Benjamin  F : 1883 

Terry,  M.  D.,  Norman  F 714 

Thompson,  Abner  D 1458 

Thompson,  William  E 1547 

Thurman,  George  W 1689 

Tillman,  Joseph  A.  M 1731 

Tillman,  Samuel  T 1731 

Tracy,  Isaac  T 1869 

Trenary,  Alvin  B 1279 

Trevitt,  Claudius  E 1728 

Triece,  George  1035 

Trogdon,  John  Parker 1504 

Trogdon,  William  C 1528 

Tucker,  Edward  G 1822 

Turk,  Joseph  Henry 1030 

Turner,  Granville  W 1078 

Turner,  M.  D.,  William  L 1657 

Underhill,  John  F 1730 

Underwood,  Flavius  . J 1082 

Underwood,  John  J 1814 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX. 


Van  Bibber,  Alfred  H 1572 

Van  Bibber,  James  D 1563 

Vaughan,  Judge  James  R 449-1413 

Vestal,  Charles  W 837 

Vinton,  Madison  C 1112 

Vogel,  Rev.  Father  William 628 

Waddell,  James  S 1637 

Waddill,  John  S 446 

Wadlow,  Charles  E 1466 

Wadlow,  Elijah  G 775 

Wadlow,  Elmer  G 774 

Wadlow,  John  W 1454 

Walker,  James  T 1392 

Walker,  Leonard  1400 

Walker,  Robt.  H 1754 

Wallis,  John  A 1870 

Walsh,  James  T 1421 

Washburn,  Mason  C 1579 

Watson,  Gilbert  R 779 

Watson,  James  928 

Watson,  M.  D.,  Lorenzo 813 

Watson,  William  R 1792 

Watts,  Henry  T 1181 

Watts,  James  812 

Watts,  James  W 820 

Wear,  A.  H 462 

Wear,  Sam  M 1930 

Weaver,  Samuel  768 

Weaver,  Maj.  Wm.  M 768 

Westmoreland,  H.  H 1264 

Whalen,  Jr„  Richard  F 1326 

Whaley,  William  W 1261 

White,  J.  A a. 972 

Whitlock,  Arthur  L 1096 

Whitlock,  Lambert  L 1097 

Whitlock,  Thomas  J 1096 


Whitlock,  Williamson  P 861 

Wilder,  Frederick  C 1025 

Wiley,  George  P 807 

Wilhoit,  Sidney  Edwin 1268 

Wilkerson,  M.  D.,  James  M 1462 

Williams,  Elwood  A. 1019 

Williams,  Frank  B.  : 1200 

Williams,  John  W 750 

Williams,  M.  D.,  N.  C ^ 1243 

Williamson,  John  P 1855 

Willier,  Thomas  E 1913 

Wingo,  Irvin  W.  1155 

Winters,  George  F 1198 

Wilson,  Alfred  H 914 

Wolf,  David 1750 

Wolf,  Martin  V 1750 

Wood,  Albert  1204 

Wood,  James  G 816 

Wood,  John  816 

Woodson,  James  A 1126 

Woodward,  Jacob 1836 

Woodward,  Ransom  B 1835 

Woodruff,  John  T 473 

Wooldridge,  Edward  W 1140 

Wright,  Foster  P 444 

Wright,  Marion  D 1603 

Wrightsman,  Timothy  J 1003 

Wygal,  Frank 1201 

Yancy,  Charles  S 444 

Yeakley,  George  1491 

Yeakley,  John  1483 

Yeakley,  Thomas  1482 

Young,  Henry  C .-1794 

Young,  Walter  B 1710 

Youngblood,  James  P 747 

Youngblood,  Theodric  B 748 


r 


BIOGRAPHICAL— Continued 


JONATHAN  FAIRBANKS. 

The  name  of  Jonathan  Fairbanks  recalls  the  history  of  the  public  school 
system  with  which  he  has  been  identified  for  forty  years  and  the  successful 
development  of  which  is  due  largely  to  his  untiring  efforts  and  capable  ad- 
ministration as  superintendent.  A man  of  enlightened  views,  he  has  been 
eminently  practical  while  liberal  in  his  consideration  of  the  various  proposi- 
tions which  enter  into  the  scheme  of  modern  education.  His  pupils  and 
those  who  have  been  under  his  general  care  as  head  of  the  schools  are  filling 
places  of  honor  and  trust  in  all  the  walks  of  life  in  this  community  and  else- 
where. Some  who  have  been  prepared  in  these  schools  for  prosecution  of 
their  studies  in  higher  institutions  of  learning  in  a manner  which  has  re- 
flected credit  upon  all  concerned  while  the  great  majority  whose  period  of 
tutelage  ended  with  the  completion  of  courses  in  the  common  schools  have 
found  themselves  well  equipped  on  entering  the  University  of  Life  to  con- 
tinue their  progress  in  a maner  which  has  given  an  insight  into  its  lessons 
enabling  them  to  reach  attainments  in  which  they  are  not  far  behind  the 
graduates  of  many  colleges. 

Early  in  his  career,  “Professor”  Fairbanks,  as  the  head  of  the  schools 
was  called  in  the  old  days,  made  his  mark  as  a disciplinarian.  And,  yet,  he 
was  gentle  while  firm.  He  insisted  on  strict  observance  of  the  rules  and 
regulations  prescribed  for  the  students  but  he  was  so  human  in  his  treatment 
of  dereliction  that  he  won  the  good  will  as  well  as  the  esteem  of  all.  No 
stickler  for  the  text,  he  was  insistent  on  a knowledge  of  the  principles  of 
the  subject  with  the  result  that  the  pupils  of  the  schools  became  imbued  with 
the  love  of  knowledge  for  its  own  sake  rather  than  with  the  desire  for  credits, 
diplomas  and  degrees,  the  value  of  which  is  problematical.  This  disposition 
has  been  made  manifest  also  to  those  who  have  come  in  contact  with  him 
in  his  capacity  of  county  superintendent  and  the  various  associations  of 
school  teachers.  Always  a student,  he  will  be  found  today  reading  scientific 
works  embracing  the  latest  discoveries  of  the  world’s  specialists  on  all  that 
relate  to  the  problem  of  life  in  its  various  aspects.  This  is  the  habit  of  a 
(61) 


962  GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 

life-time  and  he  has  always  given  freely  of  what  he  has  received  from  what- 
ever source.  In  fact,  he  has  regarded  himself  more  as  an  instrument  for 
the  transmission  of  knowledge  than  as  the  possessor  of  it.  He  has  been  a 
fellow  student  with  his  pupils  and  teachers,  rather  than  a preceptor,  just 
as  in  his  discipline  he  appealed  to  the  self-esteem  and  ambition  of  all  to 
keep  them  from  delinquency  and  attain  high  standards  of  deportment. 

He  is  public  spirited  to  a degree  and  has  forgotten  more  about  politics 
than  has  ever  been  learned  by  some  who  have  attained  leadership  in  differ- 
ent parties.  He  is  progressive  in  his  views  on  this  subject,  but  as  on  all 
others,  he  has  never  permitted  himself  to  become  dogmatic  in  his  expressions 
thereon.  He  is  a modest,  kindly  man  whose  open  friendship  for  all  he 
meets  has  won  him  favor  on  every  hand.  He  is  a humanitarian,  a student,  a 
teacher,  all  that  is  implied  in  the  fullest  significance  of  these  words. 

The  boys  and  girls  of  other  days  in  Springfield  have  in  the  course  of 
their  lives  and  in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge  met  various  teachers,  professors 
and  eminent  specialists  but  the  quiet  unpretentious  man  who  directed  them 
early  in  the  paths  of  learning  holds  a place  in  their  memory  and  claims  an 
influence  on  their  careers,  greater  perhaps  than  that  of  any  other  with  whom 
they  have  come  in  contact.  The  people  at  large,  in  view  of  the  visible  re- 
sults, are  prone  to  believe  that  Jonathan  Fairbanks  is  entitled  to  a niche  in 
the  local  hall  of  fame  which  shall  bear  testimony  for  many  years  to  his 
efficiency,  general  worthiness  and  the  great  popular  esteem  in  which  he  is 
held  by  all  classes  of  people  in  the  city  of  Springfield,  in  Greene  county, 
and  wherever  he  has  been  known. 

The  man  who  has  thus  endeared  himself  to  the  people  here,  comes 
of  one  of  the  oldest  New  England  families  whose  members  have  displayed 
singular  talents  and  virtues  wherever  their  lots  have  been  cast  in  the  great 
country  to  which  they  have  assisted  in  bringing  the  blessings  of  civilization 
during  a period  of  three  hundred  years.  Hardy  pioneers,  they  have  been 
noted  for  patriotism,  public  spirit,  devotion  to  the  ideals  of  the  republic  and 
persistent  application  to  tasks  through  which  they  sought  the  attainment  of 
the  higher  ends  of  life.  A well  kept  book  of  their  genealogy  brings  the 
record  of  their  lives  in  orderly  precision  and  ample  detail  down  to  the  present 
time  showing  that  they  have  been  prominent  in  each  succeeding  generation 
of  people  who  in  the  proper  conduct  of  business  and  the  manifestation  of 
care  for  the  general  welfare  have  led  in  the  upbuilding  of  communities  and 
the  development  of  the  country  in  various  ways,  A majority  of  them  have 
followed  the  pursuits  of  agriculture  returning  thereto  often  after  adventures 
in  business  which  have  not  proven  profitable,  sustaining  reverses  with  equa- 
nimity, and  bravely  beginning  the  reconstruction  of  their  fortunes  after  the 
failures  which  so  often  come  in  the  magical  changes  of  American  life  for 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  963 

which  none  are  so  well  prepared  as  those  who  are  imbued  with  the  spirit  of 
the  patriot  pioneers  which  has  been  the  making  of  the  Great  Republic. 

Their  work  in  this  country  was  begun  by  an  immigrant  family  the  head 
of  which  is  known  in  their  genealogy  as  Jonathan  Fairebank  (Fairbank, 
Fairbanks),  of  Dedham,  Massachusetts,  a town  which  he  helped  to  establish 
after  coming  to  Boston  from  England  in  1633.  He  came  from  Sowerby 
in  the  West  Riding  of  Yorkshire.  He  was  born  prior  to  1600.  The  family 
had  an  interesting  history  in  the  old  country,  mementoes  of  which  are  found 
among  the  heirlooms  of  the  old  Fairbanks  home  at  Dedham,  built  in  1(136, 
and  now  preserved  as  a memorial  after  having  been  continuously  occupied 
by  the  builder  and  his  lineal  descendants  longer  than  any  other  homestead 
in  New  England.  The  first  Jonathan  Fairbanks  passed  from  the  scene  of 
pioneer  activities  to  another  life  at  Dedham  in  166S.  In  the  fifth  generation 
another  Jonathan  Fairbanks  was  born  at  Holliston,  Massachusetts,  March 
29,  1 755-  He  was  a soldier  of  the  Revolution  and  died  after  a long  and 
useful  life  at  Sudbury,  Massachusetts,  February  28,  1840.  One  of  his  sons 
was  Joseph  Bradley  Varnuni  Fairbanks,  father  of  our  Jonathan,  who  engaged 
in  wool  manufacturing  at  Andover,  Massachusetts,  and  Fort  Edwards,  New 
York.  With  the  assistance  of  two  brothers,  he  built  up  an  extensive  busi- 
ness but  when  they  were  stocked  up  with  a surplus  they  were  bankrupted 
by  a change  in  the  tariff  in  1833.  Joseph  Bradley  Varnum  Fairbanks  mar- 
ried Miss  Margaret  Hadden  in  1827.  She  was  born  in  Scotland,  February 
25,  1803.  They  had  three  children,  Jonathan,  born  in  Andover,  Massa- 
chusetts, January  7,  1828;  James  Dexter,  born  in  Monroe.  New  York,  August 
19,  1830;  Joseph  Bradley  Varnum,  Jr.,  born  in  Sudbury,  Massachusetts, 
August  29,  1833.  The  head  of  the  family  never  recovered  from  the  shock 
of  his  disastrous  failure  in  business.  He  died  at  Monroe,  New  York, 
shortly  afterward,  May  20,  1833.  The  youngest  child  followed  soon  after- 
ward, October  31,  1833.  The  mother  had  taken  him  to  Boston,  where  she 
had  gone  to  live,  the  two  elder  boys  being  placed  in  charge  of  relatives.  The 
family  had  thus  been  reduced  from  affluence  to  poverty  and  broken  up  in  a 
very  short  time.  The  widow  made  her  home  in  Boston  for  a number  of 
years  and  afterward  moved  to  Worcester,  Massachusetts,  where  she  died 
October  19,  1865. 

Jonathan  Fairbanks  was  just  five  years  old  when  with  his  younger 
brother,  James  Dexter,  he  went  to  live  with  James  Quinn  and  his  wife,  an 
aunt  of  the  boys.  Beginning  to  learn  the  hardships  of  country  life  at  this 
tender  age,  he  mastered  all  the  details  of  the  work  so  thoroughly  that  his 
relatives  parted  with  him  reluctantly  when  the  time  came  for  him  to  leave 
the  farm  at  the  age  of  nineteen.  He  had  up  to  that  time  received  no  com- 
pensation for  his  labor  except  his  board  and  clothes  and  the  privileges  of  the 
district  school,  taking  advantage  of  the  meager  advantages  thus  afforded  for 


964 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


obtaining  an  education  with  such  earnestness  that  there  was  little  left  for 
him  to  learn  there. 

Realizing  the  necessity  of  seeking  a betterment  of  his  condition  he 
struck  out  for  himself  with  resolution.  In  starting  away  he  passed  through 
a field  in  which  James  Reilly,  a nephew  of  his  wife’s  husband  was  working. 
“Where  be  y’  going  ‘Jonton,’  ’’  said  the  Irish  lad.  “To  look  for  a job.” 
“But  y’  have  no  moneys,  here’s  a ‘sovron’  for  you.’  ” 

The  gift  was  accepted  in  proper  spirit,  for  the  boys  were  somewhat  of 
comrades.  It  was  the  first  money  Jonathan  Fairbanks  had  ever  received 
and  he  took  it  with  the  intention  of  returning  it,  although  he  had  spent  all 
the  years  of  his  young  life  in  labor  on  the  farm  which  Reilly  was  to  inherit. 
Jonathan  went  to  Boston,  where  he  called  on  his  mother  and  remained  five 
days,  after  which  he  returned  to  the  neighborhood  in  which  he  had  been 
raised  and  went  to  work  on  the  farm  of  another  relative,  Nelson  Fairbanks, 
who  paid  him  wages  at  the  rate  of  ten  dollars  per  month. 

In  the  meantime  James  Dexter  had  left  the  Quinn  farm  after  remaining 
there  a short  time  and  gone  to  Concord  where  he  grew  up,  learning  the 
painter’s  trade  in  shops  where  he  was  under  the  tutelage  of  skilled  work- 
men and  became  an  expert,  afterward  making  his  mark  in  the  business. 
Fie  was  wounded  while  serving  a second  term  as  a veteran  volunteer  in  the 
Civil  war  and  died  October  19,  1864.  Ide  had  married  Olive  Green,  Novem- 
ber 2,  1855.  They  had  five  children.  The  widow  moved  to  Worcester, 
Massachusetts,  where  she  died  June  11,  1886. 

Jonathan  remained  with  his  cousin,  Nelson  Fairbanks,  a year,  working 
eight  months  of  the  time  and  attending  school  four  months.  He  had  an 
excellent  tutor  here,  who  in  addition  to  assisting  Jonathan  to  rapid  advance- 
ment, induced  him  to  prepare  for  entrance  to  the  academy  at  New  Ipswich, 
an  institution  famous  as  a training  school  for  teachers  and  preparing  students 
for  college.  Blither  the  two  journeyed  together  the  next  year,  master  and 
pupil,  to  complete  their  education  in  the  same  excellent  school.  Jonathan 
took  with  him  fifty  dollars,  the  savings  from  his  first  year  of  work  as  a wage 
earner.  He  had  received  eighty  dollars  for  eight  months’  work  and  had 
spenty  thirty  dollars  for  clothing,  books  and  other  necessities.  He  was  now 
twenty  years  of  age.  He  remained  at  New  Ipswich  two  years,  working  his 
way,  and  at  the  completion  of  his  course  there  started  out  as  a teacher.  He 
was  successful  in  his  first  application  for  a position.  He  spared  no  pains 
when  he  entered  upon  his  work  at  Ashby.  He  taught  night  school  four 
nights  in  the  week  for  the  benefit  of  ambitious  students,  specializing  in  arith- 
metic, penmanship  and  rhetoricals  and  preparation  for  a great  exhibition  at 
the  end  of  the  year.  The  people  said  that  they  had  never  had  such  a school 
and  that  the  young  tutor  would  never  teach  such  another.  They  took  it  for 
granted  that  he  was  working  for  a reputation,  when  as  a matter  of  fact  his 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


965 


single  purpose  had  been  to  do  all  he  could  for  his  pupils.  But  that  first 
year’s  work  opened  the  way  to  great  opportunities.  The  president  of  the 
school  board  at  Wilmington,  Delaware,  had  written  to  his  father-in-law  at 
Ashby  to  send  him  the  name  of  some  young  man  whom  he  could  recommend, 
.some  up-to-date  teacher  who  could  come  down  to  \\  ilmington  and  “wake 
’em  up.”  Jonathan  Fairbanks  was  mentioned  in  complimentary  terms  and 
correspondence  led  to  his  employment  at  Wilmington.  He  says,  speaking 
of  his  experience  at  that  place : “I  spent  four  years  at  Wilmington.  It  was 
like  a heaven  on  earth.  I was  told  that  if  I would  get  married  and  settle 
■do wm  in  Wilmington  the  people  would  build  me  a house.  I formed  lifetime 
friendships  there  and  have  corresponded  with  one  of  my  pupils  of  those  days 
for  sixty  years." 

But  he  was  persuaded  to  go  west  with  his  old  teacher,  George  G. 
Parker,  and  so  they  went  together  to  Ohio,  as  they  had  gone  to  attend  the 
academy  at  New  Ipswich.  Air.  Parker  stopped  at  Dayton  but  there  was  no 
school  for  his  friend  to  be  found  at  that  place.  Never  dismayed  Jonathan 
Fairbanks  continued  his  quest  and  began  seeking  a country  school.  Finally, 
after  meeting  Mr.  Parker  again  at  Piqua,  he  was  informed  of  an  opening 
at  St.  Mary’s  and  started  over  in  company  with  Ardivan  Rogers.  Passing 
through  the  Ohio  woods,  a land  of  leaf  and  moonshine,  he  seemed  to  come 
under  a mystical  influence  in  which  he  received  an  impression  of  something 
unusual  about  to  happen.  He  was  in  no  desperate  straits  but  repeated  fail- 
ures to  find  employment  at  this  time  had  been  discouraging.  He  arrived 
in  a canal  town,  St.  Mary’s,  at  3 :oo  A.  M.  There  he  was  informed  that 
they  wanted  an  assistant  teacher.  Without  waiting  to  sleep  after  his  long 
ride  he  called  on  the  members  of  the  board  as  soon  as  they  were  awake,  with 
the  result  that  he  was  engaged.  Rogers  was  employed  as  principal  and 
instituted  an  unusual  division  of  the  pupils.  The  boys  of  the  school  who 
worked  on  the  canal  part  of  the  time  had  the  name  of  being  a hard  lot 
The  people  said  they  knew  when  school  was  let  out,  because  they  could  hear 
for  a distance  of  two  miles  the  noise  made  by  the  boys  as  they  came  down 
stairs.  One  teacher  after  another  had  failed  to  restrain  the  disorder  and  it 
was  said  that  nobody  could  discipline  that  school.  Now  the  principal  turned 
over  the  boys  whom  he  could  not  handle,  the  larger  ones  in  a body  to  his 
assistant,  himself  taking  charge  of  the  older  girls  while  the  smaller  boys 
and  girls  were  left  in  charge  of  lady  teachers.  The  first  thing  Mr.  Fair- 
banks did  was  to  get  well  acquainted  with  his  boys  and  explain  to  them  the 
advantages  of  having  order  in  the  school,  showing  how  it  would  promote 
their  advancement  and  the  interests  of  all  concerned.  The  boys  fell  in  with 
his  ideas  and  he  soon  had  them  coming  in  and  going  out  in  orderly  fashion 
with  their  arms  crossed  behind  them.  This  kept  their  hands  from  meddling 
with  those  in  front  of  them.  After  a couple  of  days  there  entered  school  a 


966 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


taciturn  stubborn  boy  and  there  were  knowing  smiles  when  the  teacher  began 
to  question  Luther  Bradley,  who  it  was  soon  learned  had  been  the  leader 
in  mischief  in  the  school.  Luther  was  cross-eyed  and  the  teacher  could  not 
tell  where  he  was  looking,  at  him  or  the  grinning  boys.  To  the  questions, 
have  you  studied  this  and  have  you  studied  that  he  answered  a reticent 
“yes,  sir”  or  “no,  sir"  without  any  particular  respect  in  voice  or  manner. 
Lie  was  told  to  take  his  place  and  after  a little  was  dismissed  for  recess  with 
the  rest  of  the  boys.  When  they  came  back  all  entered  in  order  with  their 
arms  crossed  behind  them,  all  except  Luther,  who  despite  instructions,  came 
swinging  his  arms.  The  new  teacher  stepped  up  to  him  quickly.  The  boy 
was  stocky  and  almost  as  large  as  the  teacher,  but  the  wiry  little  man  grabbed 
the  delinquent  by  the  coat  collar,  gave  him  a jiu  jitsu  twist  and  the  lad’s  feet 
flew  out  from  under  him.  He  went  up  in  the  air  and  bumped  his  head  hard 
on  the  floor  as  he  came  down.  It  was  a hard  jolt  but  he  was  not  hurt  badly, 
but  all  the  rebellion  had  been  knocked  out  of  him.  The  punishment  was 
more  severe  than  the  teacher  had  intended.  He  merely  meant  to  give  the 
boy  a good  shaking  but  lost  his  hold  on  the  coat  collar  with  the  result 
described.  After  helping  Luther  to  his  feet  the  teacher  restored  order  and 
everything  moved  smoothly  during  the  rest  of  the  day. 

1 hat  evening  some  one  on  the  street  who  had  heard  of  the  occurrence,, 
asked  one  of  the  reputed  tough  boys  how  they  were  getting  along  with  the 
new  teacher.  “I  dunno,  he  don’t  punish,  he  kills  ’em.’’ 

Mr.  Fairbanks  never  had  to  “shake”  another  boy  in  that  school.  But 
the  irrepressible  Luther  Bradley  came  in  for  it  just  one  more  time.  Passing 
along  in  front  of  the  class  looking  out  of  the  corner  of  his  eye,  the  teacher 
saw  Luther  drop  a paper  wad  into  his  pocket.  Quick  as  a flash  he  turned 
and  grabbed  Luther  and  shook  him  till  his  teeth  chattered  and  the  bones  in 
his  body  seemed  to  be  unjointed.  Never  again  did  Luther  trouble  the 
teacher,  but  on  the  contrary  they  became  fast  friends.  At  the  end  of  the 
year,  Mr.  Fairbanks  was  offered  fifty  dollars  a month  to  teach  the  school  in 
the  summer  time  but  he  had  made  an  engagement  to  teach  at  the  Piqua  high 
school,  an  exclusive  private  institution.  There  he  had  for  pupils  fifty-seven 
fine  boys  and  it  was  a pleasant  and  profitable  year  for  all  concerned.  Then 
he  returned  to  St.  Mary’s  as  principal  of  the  schools.  He  remained  there 
seven  years,  leaving  behind  him  an  enviable  reputation  when  he  resigned  for 
the  purpose  of  engaging  in  another  business.  Fie  had  acquired  an  interest 
in  a new  patent  steam  engine  and  was  to  put  it  on  the  market.  The  time 
was  not  propitious  however.  The  Civil  war  had  upset  business  throughout 
the  country.  Mr.  Fairbanks  then  accepted  an  invitation  to  return  to  Piqua, 
where  he  remained  teaching  during  the  next  five  years.  At  the  end  of  that 
time  he  received  all  kinds  of  offers  to  continue  teaching.  Almost  any  position 
in  the  public  schools  of  Ohio  was  open  to  him.  But  he  had  other  ideas. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


967 


The  best  that  was  offered  to  the  school  teacher  in  those  clays  in  the  way  of 
remuneration  was  but  meager  compensation  compared  to  the  rewards  of 
.ability  and  energy  in  business.  Mr.  Fairbanks  had  received  a flattering  offer 
from  the  West,  a place  called  Springfield,  in  the  heart  of  the  Ozark  region 
and  the  principal  city  of  southwest  Missouri,  from  J.  C.  Wilber,  who  was 
■close  to  Col.  John  M.  Richardson,  then  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  city. 

The  school  teacher,  who  was  bent  on  changing  his  vocation,  arrived  in 
Springfield,  November  10,  1866.  He  found  a prosperous  town  of  two  thou- 
sand in  the  midst  of  a region  of  such  great  resources  that  he  was  satisfied 
there  would  be  extraordinary  development.  There  was  so  much  building  in 
progress  that  there  was  an  unprecedented  demand  for  lumber  and  when  Fair- 
banks and  Wilber  opened  up  in  the  sawmill  and  planing  business  they  had 
all  the  orders  they  could  attend  to.  They  increased  their  facilities  and  their 
business  expanded  rapidly.  Mr.  Fairbanks  worked  early  and  late.  Some 
weeks  he  would  leave  home  Monday  morning  and  eat,  sleep  and  work  at 
the  mill  until  Saturday  night.  He  and  his  partner  prospered  for  nine  years, 
wrhile  his  family  grew  up  around  him,  he  built  a comfortable  home  and  the 
prospects  of  life  were  fair  from  every  point  of  view.  Then  came  the  hard 
times  following  the  panic  of  1873,  in  which  men  possessed  of  property  amply 
sufficient  to  secure  all  their  obligations  under  ordinary  circumstances  were 
made  bankrupt  before  they  knew  it.  Mr.  Wilber  had  borrowed  fifteen  hun- 
dred dollars  and  Mr.  Fairbanks  had  signed  a note  for  the  amount  and  in  the 
general  crash  of  credits  he  was  called  upon  to  meet  the  obligation  for  its 
payment.  Friends  tried  in  vain  to  help  him.  The  holder  of  the  note,  per- 
haps himself  pressed  by  creditors,  was  inexorable  and  the  money  had  to  be 
forthcoming.  The  real  estate  owned  by  Mr.  Fairbanks  embraced  one  hundred 
and  ten  acres  located  in  what  is  now  a populous  part  of  the  city  between 
Washington  avenue  and  the  National  boulevard.  Different  tracts  and 
numerous  town  lots  estimated  at  the  time  to  be  worth  eight  thousand  dollars 
were  sold  to  satisfy  the  note  for  fifteen  hundred.  John  M.  Richardson  pur- 
chased much  of  the  land,  which  was  resold  at  great  advances.  Mr.  Fair- 
banks, acting  as  agent  for  Colonel  Richardson,  afterward  sold  forty  thousand 
dollars  worth  of  property.  He  bought  back  his  old  homestead  from  the 
Richardson  heirs  and  still  lives  there.  Following  the  climax  of  his  mis- 
fortunes which  came  in  1874,  Mr.  Fairbanks  made  preparations  to  leave 
Springfield.  He  was  on  the  point  of  returning  to  Ohio,  when  Hon.  John 
McGregor,  president  of  the  Springfield  school  board,  following  a suggestion 
made  by  FTon.  L.  IT  Murray,  came  to  him  with  a proposition  to  take  charge 
of  the  schools  of  this  city.  Mr.  Fairbanks  accepted,  assuming  the  duties  of 
.superintendent  the  next  year.  From  that  time  down  to  the  present,  forty 
years,  his  work  in  connection  with  the  schools  of  this  city  is  well  known. 


968 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


However,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  recall  some  of  the  incidents  connected 
with  this  part  of  his  extraordinary  career. 

There  had  been  half  a dozen  superintendents  of  education  during  the 
years  immediately  preceding  the  beginning  of  the  forty  years  administration 
of  Jonathan  Fairbanks.  The  chairman  of  the  school  board  complained  that 
the  board  had  been  called  together  nearly  every  week  for  a while  to  consider 
cases  which  should  have  been  disposed  of  by  the  superintendent.  On  com- 
ing into  office  one  of  the  first  things  which  Superintendent  Fairbanks  noticed 
was  the  absurdity  of  some  of  the  rules  which  had  caused  trouble. 

The  pupils  were  forbidden  by  one  of  these  from  entering  the  school 
building  after  a certain  number  of  minutes  during  the  noon  hour  when  a 
number  of  them  who  lived  at  a distance  had  no  other  place  to  eat  their 
lunches.  This  rule  was  quickly  abrogated,  the  children  being  left  free  to 
enter  the  building  at  the  noon  hour  and  special  provision  was  made  for  their 
comfort  in  other  ways.  The  students  of  the  high  school  were  put  on  their 
honor,  the  pupils  of  the  lower  grades  were  treated  with  consideration,  the 
schools  were  in  a manner  reorganized  on  a basis  of  reciprocal  justice  and 
kindness.  Changes  were  made  in  the  course  of  study  by  which  the  interests 
of  practical  education  were  conserved  with  continuous  progress  in  liberal- 
izing and  otherwise  improving  it.  Various  other  changes  were  made  to 
meet  the  demands  of  the  times  and  the  efficiency  and  popularity  of  the 
schools  continued  to  increase  from  year  to  year.  The  teachers  of  the  Spring- 
field  schools  welcomed  the  change  to  an  enlightened  administration  at  the 
beginning  of  Superintendent  Fairbank’s  first  term  and  became  loyal  sup- 
porters. He  was  re-elected  without  opposition  for  another  term,  and  again 
and  again  until  his  re-election  at  the  end  of  each  consecutive  year  became  a 
mere  matter  of  formality.  In  politics,  Mr.  Fairbanks  has  been  a Republican 
all  his  life,  though  liberal-minded,  progressive  and  independent  in  his  views. 
In  view  of  this  fact,  the  Greenbackers  having  made  great  progress  in  this 
section  in  1878,  and  wishing  to  put  out  a strong  county  ticket,  sent  a com- 
mittee to  Mr.  Fairbanks  soliciting  him  to  allow  them  to  use  his  name  as 
their  candidate  for  county  school  commissioner.  As  a concession  to  the 
spirit  of  reform  represented  by  their  movements,  he  gave  his  consent  with 
the  result  that  he  was  elected  by  a majority  of  four  hundred.  Results  similar 
to  those  which  had  followed  his  assumption  of  the  duties  of  city  superin- 
tendent followed  throughout  the  county.  The  teachers  of  the  country 
schools,  as  those  of  the  city,  had  soon  felt  the  inspiration  of  Jonathan  Fair- 
banks' presence  and  helpfulness  in  all  their  works.  So  he  was  re-elected 
county  commissioner  at  the  end  of  the  term.  Fie  was  re-elected  continuously 
during  a period  of  twenty  years  until  the  office  was  merged  in  that  of  county 
superintendent. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


969 


In  the  last  election  he  received  one  thousand  seven  hundred  majority 
over  three  other  candidates  for  county  commissioner.  In  the  administration 
of  that  office  he  did  much  toward  the  complete  systematization  of  the  county 
schools.  Among  other  things,  he  kept  a complete  record  of  the  proceedings 
of  the  boards  and  everything  done  in  connection  with  the  county  during  the 
twenty  years  of  his  incumbency.  The  record  was  unfortunately  lost  in  a 
fire  in  Superintendent  Bradley’s  office  in  recent  years. 

Superintendent  Fairbanks  never  made  a practice  of  punishing  boys  for 
fighting.  His  plan  for  dissipating  this  kind  of  trouble  was  to  call  them  up 
and  make  them  explain  their  differences  and  come  to  some  kind  of  an  under- 
standing. Some  interesting  stories  are  told  in  this  connection.  Other 
problems  which  have  vexed  less  capable  minds  were  disposed  of  in  a similarly 
happy  manner. 

Summarizing  his  observations  on  the  subject  of  discipline  Superintend- 
ent Fairbanks  said  in  a recent  conversation:  “Teachers  should  assume  as  far 
as  possible  that  there  are  no  bad  pupils.  Boys  and  girls  will  do  the  best 
they  know  how.  The  thing  to  do  is  to  make  clear  to  them  the  reasons  for 
the  requirements  made  of  them.  They  often  do  wrong  when  they  think 
they  are  doing  right.  Reason  and  consideration  will  go  farther  in  securing 
compliance  with  the  wishes  of  the  teacher  than  anything  else.  There  is 
not  nearly  leniency  enough  in  the  world.” 

The  Jonathan  Fairbanks  of  today  is  as  busy  as  though  he  had  but  begun 
his  life’s  work  at  the  end  of  the  three-score  years  and  ten  allotted  to  man. 
He  is  still  a student  teacher  and  reader,  though  no  longer  under  necessity 
of  hearing  sixteen  recitations  a day,  the  first  one  at  7 A.  M.  and  often 
continuing  his  tasks  by  lamplight  and  then  getting  up  at  2 A.  M.  to  go  over 
the  lessons  in  advance  of  his  classes  in  preparation  for  the  work  of  the  fol- 
lowing day  as  he  used  to  do  at  the  beginning  of  his  career  as  superintendent 
of  the  Springfield  schools. 

Much  of  the  success  and  happiness  of  this  venerable  man’s  life  is  at- 
tributed to  the  helpfulness  of  the  excellent  woman  who  became  his  wife  in 
youth  and  journeyed  with  him  far  toward  the  final  rewards.  Jonathan  Fair- 
banks and  Miss  Angie  Bowker  were  married  September  3,  1856,  in  Sudbury, 
Massachusetts.  She  was  born  there  June  13,  1832.  She  was  a daughter 
of  the  Puritans,  her  parents,  Samuel  N.  and  Mary  Earl  Bowker.  being 
descended  from  early  settlers  of  New  England,  of  Scotch- Welsh  extraction. 
Children  of  Jonathan  Fairbanks  and  Angie  (Bowker)  Fairbanks:  Grace 

Ida,  born  in  St.  Mary’s,  Ohio,  June  4,  1857,  died  October  1,  1858'.  Joseph 
Maybin,  born  in  St.  Mary’s,  Ohio,  March  12,  1859,  died  May  19,  1865. 
Mary  Caroline,  born*in  St.  Mary’s,  Ohio,  April  7,  i860,  died  February  5, 
1862.  Alban  Bradley,  born  in  St.  Mary’s,  Ohio,  June  22,-  1862,  died  in 
1911.  Annie,  born  in  Piqua,  Ohio,  March  20,  1866,  died  June  21,  1809. 


>97© 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


George  Bowker,  born  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  April  16,  1868.  John  Wilber, 
born  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  November  13,  1870.  James  Otis,  born  in 
Springfield,  Missouri,  October  30,  1873.  George  Bowker  Fairbanks  is  en- 
gaged in  the  general  merchandise  business  at  Foose,  Dallas  county,  Missouri. 
He  married  Sarah  Davis,  July  31,  1910.  Two  children  have  been  born  to 
them,  Perrv  George  Fairbanks,  September  23,  1911,  who  died  March  11, 
1913;  and  an  infant  daughter,  Harriet. 

John  Wilber  Fairbanks  married  Annie  Jugram,  June  5,  1902.  They 
have  one  child,  John  Howard  Fairbanks,  born  March  10,  1904.  James 
Otis  Fairbanks  married  Miss  Golden  Sands,  January  13,  1913. 

Mrs.  Fairbanks  died  December  29,  1912.  She  was  a consistent  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  church. 


JOHN  R.  BOYD,  M.  D. 

It  is  not  always  easy  to  discover  and  define  the  hidden  forces  that  move 
a life  of  ceaseless  activity  and  a large  professional  success;  little  more  can 
be  done  than  to  note  their  manifestation  in  the  career  of  the  individual  under 
consideration.  In  view  of  this  fact,  the  life  of  the  physician  and  public- 
spirited  man  of  affairs  whose  name  appears  above  affords  a striking  example 
of  well  defined  purpose  with  the  ability  to  make  that  purpose  subserve  not 
only  his  own  ends  but  the  good  of  his  fellow  men  as  well.  Doctor  Boyd  has 
long  held  distinctive  prestige  in  a calling  which  requires  for  its  basis  sound 
mentality  and  intellectual  discipline  of  a high  order.  In  his  chosen  field  of 
endeavor  Doctor  Boyd  has  achieved  success  and  his  present  eminent  standing 
among  the  leading  medical  men  of  southwest  Missouri  is  duly  recognized  and 
appreciated,  not  only  in  Springfield  and  Greene  county,  where  he  has  been 
engaged  in  the  practice  for  the  past  score  of  years,  but  also  throughout  this 
section  of  the  state. 

Dr.  John  R.  Boyd  was  born  in  Logan  county,  Kentucky,  December  16, 
1854.  He  is  the  son  of  R.  G.  H.  and  Isabella  (Herndon)  Boyd,  both  natives 
of  Kentucky. 

'The  father  was  a land  owner  and  ranked  among  the  leading  citizens  of 
his  community.  His  wife’s  people,  the  Herndons,  were  also  extensive  land 
owners  in  the  Blue  Grass  state.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Boyd  occurred  when  her 
son,  John  R.,  was  only  six  weeks  old.  She  was  a devout  member  of  the 
Baptist  church.  To  R.  G.  H.  Boyd  and  wife  four  sons  and  four  daughters 
were  born.  Three  sons  and  one  daughter  survive.  The  living  daughter 
makes  her  home  in  Lawton,  Oklahoma.  Our  subject’s  surviving  brothers  are 
engaged  in  farming  in  Kentucky  and  Oklahoma. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


971 


Doctor  Boyd  grew  up  on  the  farm  and  received  his  early  education  in 
the  common  schools  and  in  Auburn  Academy.  He  remained  in  Kentucky 
until  1879,  when  he  came  to  Jackson  county,  Missouri,  where  he  taught  school 
and  began  reading  medicine,  hie  spent  one  year  in  the  Bellevue  Medical  Hos- 
pital College  of  New  York  City  and  completed  his  medical  education  in  the 
University  of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  with 
the  class  of  1886,  later  taking  a post-graduate  course  from  the  Post  Graduate 
School  in  Chicago,  also  a post-graduate  course  from  the  Polyclinic  Institute 
of  Chicago.  He  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Butler,  Bates  county, 
Missouri,  in  1886,  where  he  remained  until  1895,  when,  seeking  a larger 
field  for  the  exercise  of  his  talents,  he  removed  to  Springfield  and  has  since 
been  successfully  engaged  in  the  general  practice  of  medicine,  being  success- 
ful from  the  first,  and  during  this  period  of  nearly  twenty  years  has  occupied 
an  envied  position  among  his  professional  brethren. 

In  1901  Doctor  Boyd  was  elected  state  medical  director  of  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America,  which  important  office  he  still  holds  with  much  credit 
to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  He  was  one  of  the  promoters  of 
the  Missouri  Fidelity  and  Casualty  Company,  at  the  organization  of  which 
he  was  elected  a director,  also  medical  director,  and  in  1912  was  elected  presi- 
dent of  the  company.  He  is  now  a director  of  the  Southern  Surety  Company 
of  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  Several  years  ago  he  was  president  of  the  Greene 
County  Medical  Society  for  one  term.  He  still  holds  membership  in  the 
Greene  County  Medical  Society,  the  Southwest  Missouri  Medical  Society, 
and  the  Missouri  State  Medical  Association.  Doctor  Boyd  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Springfield  Hospital,  and  has  been  aidirector  in  the  same  from 
the  first,  and  for  the  first  few  years  was  treasurer  and  is  now  secretary  of 
the  same. 

He  maintains  a modern  suite  of  rooms  in  the  Holland  building,  Spring- 
field.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  a financial  way  and  has  been  interested 
in  numerous  business  enterprises  and  has  been  influential  in  the  latter-day 
upbuilding  of  the  Queen  City.  Politically,  he  has  always  been  a stanch  Demo- 
crat, and,  fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order,  including  the  Council 
and  the  Royal  Arch  degrees.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  has  always  been 
actively  interested  in  lodge  affairs. 

Doctor  Boyd  was  married  in  1883  to  Nannie  M.  Montgomery,  of  Leba- 
non, Kentucky,  in  which  state  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  her  edu- 
cation. She  is  a daughter  of  a farmer  and  stockman  and  an  excellent  old 
family.  She  has  been  prominent  in  the  best  social  circles  since  coming  to 
Springfield,  and  is  an  active  member  of  several  clubs. 

The  union  of  Doctor  Boyd  and  wife  has  been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  one 
daughter,  Lillian  Boyd.  She  is  a young  lady  of  exceptional  talent  and  refine- 
ment. She  was  graduated  from  the  Academy  of  Drury  College  and  after- 
ward received  the  degree  of  A.  B.  Cum  Lauda  from  that  college. 


972 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Miss  Boyd  spent  a year  at  the  College  of  Hawaii,  Honolulu,  Territory 
of  Hawaii,  where  she  specialized  in  science,  taking  the  degree  of  B.  S.  She 
was  an  enthusiastic  member  of  the  college  fraternities,  Mu  Beta  and  Pi  Bi 
Phi. 

The  Doctor  is  a gentleman  whom  it  is  a pleasure  to  meet,  at  once  im- 
pressing you  with  his  polished  Southern  manners,  his  directness,  frankness 
and  learning,  also  his  unpretentious  simplicity. 


J.  A.  WHITE. 

The  automobile  business  is  a comparatively  new  line  of  human  endeavor. 
It  has  not  been  so  very  many  years  ago  since  the  first  automobile  made  its 
appearance  in  Springfield.  The  business  has  grown  with  perhaps  greater 
strides  than  any  other  line  in  the  twentieth  century.  These  autos  are  not 
only  to  be  found  in  the  larger  cities,  but  in  almost  every  city  and  town  in 
the  Union,  and  even  on  the  wide  plains  of  the  West  and  in  mountainous  dis- 
tricts. One  finds  them  in  many  of  the  rough,  poor  sections  of  the  Ozarks. 
People  not  only  enjoy  riding  in  them,  but  they  realize  that  they  are  time 
savers  and  thus  in  many  instances  money  makers.  Those  engaged  in  this 
line  of  business,  whether  in  manufacture,  selling  or  repairing,  are  making  a 
success.  One  of  this  number  is  J.  A.  White,  manager  of  the  Western  Motor 
Car  Company  of  Springfield. 

Mr.  White  was  born  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  August  21,  1879.  He 
is  a son  of  J.  A.  and  Lou  (Proctor)  White.  The  father  was  a native  of 
Tennessee  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Louisville,  Kentucky.  They  left  their 
native  states  when  young  and  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  they 
were  married,  and  here  J.  A.  White,  Sr.,  engaged  successfully  in  the  con- 
tracting and  building  business.  During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  at  Leaven- 
worth, Kansas,  in  the  Twelfth  Kansas  Cavalry,  and  made  a gallant  soldier 
for  the  Union,  being  promoted  for  meritorious  conduct  to  second  lieutenant. 
He  went  out  the  first  year  of  the  war  and  remained  in  the  service  over  three 
years,  taking  part  in  many  engagements  and  campaigns.  Politically,  he  was 
a Democrat  and  was  active  in  party  affairs.  He  was  at  one  time  a member  of 
the  city  council  of  Springfield.  His  death  occurred  here  in  1884.  His  widow 
is  still  living  in  this  city.  Three  children  were  born  to  these  parents,  namely: 
J.  A.,  Jr.,  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  May  Costella,  and  George  P. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  city,  and  here 
he  attended  school,  receiving,  however,  only  a meager  education.  He  first 
engaged  in  the  bicycle  business  in  Portland,  Oregon,  being  naturally  of  a 
mechanical  turn  of  mind,  and  believing  that  the  Par  West  held  greater  op- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


973 


portunities  than  his  own  country.  He  was,  however,  later  convinced  that 
this  was  not  the  fact,  and  after  spending  four  years  there,  during  which  he 
got  a start  in  life,  he  returned  to  Springfield  on  October  8,  1900,  and  here 
he  continued  the  bicycle  business  until  1905  with  much  success,  and  in  that 
year  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  automobile  business,  and  during  the  ten 
years  that  he  has  been  engaged  in  this  line  he  has  met  with  ever-growing  and 
excellent  success.  He  was  first  connected  with  Holland  Keet.  He  is  now 
manager  of  the  Western  Motor  Car  Company,  and  is  agent  for  the  Chalmers 
machine.  His  place  of  business  is  located  at  411-13-15  South  Jefferson 
street,  where  he  has  one  of  the  largest  and  most  complete  and  modernly 
equipped  repair  shops  in  the  Southwest.  He  is  prepared  to  do  promptly  and 
well  all  kinds  of  repairing  and  has  in  his  employ  a number  of  practical  and 
highly  skilled  mechanics.  He  also  maintains  here  a charging  station  for  elec- 
trics. He  is  doing  a large  and  lucrative  business,  and  he  enjoys  the  good  will 
and  confidence  of  his  hundreds  of  patrons,  who  know  him  for  a prompt,  hon- 
est and  obliging  man  of  affairs. 

Mr.  White  was  married  on  June  28,  1904,  to  Alzora  Sedgwick,  a native 
of  Kansas  and  a daughter  of  A.  C.  and  Anna  (Palmour)  Sedgwick.  To 
this  union  one  child  has  been  born,  Charles  S.  White,  whose  birth  occurred 
August  17,  1910. 

Politically,  Mr.  White  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  order,  including  the  Knights  Templar  and  the  Ancient  Arabic  Or- 
der of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  prominent  in  local  club  life,  be- 
ing a member  of  the  Springfield  Club,  the  Young  Men’s  Business  Club,  the 
Country  Club  and  the  Springfield  Gun  Club. 


JAMES  H.  O’BRYANT. 

There  is  an  habitual  tendency  in  human  nature  to  live  in  and  for  that 
which  is  perishing,  hence  the  necessity  for  something  that  shall  remind  us 
of  what  is  abiding,  something  that  shall  enable  us  to  realize  our  larger  duties 
and  higher  destiny.  1 he  life  of  the  masses  of  the  people  tends  to  become 
commonplace,  and  the  only  way  to  give  color  and  zest  and  interest  and 
beauty  to  the  things  around  us  is  to  be  able  to  view  them  from  the  inside 
of  a rich,  splendidly  furnished  intellectual  home.  This  is  possible  no  matter 
in  what  line  of  work  we  are  engaged.  James  H.  O’Bryant  is  one  of  the 
citizens  of  Springfield  who  realized  these  facts  long  ago,  and  he  has  thus 
sought  to  develop  his  mind  along  general  lines  while  engaged  in  his  routine 
of  daily  tasks. 

Mr.  O’Bryant  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  August  20,  1866. 


974 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


He  is  a son  of  George  W.  and  Mary  C.  (Howard)  O'Bryant,  natives  of 
Tennessee  and  North  Carolina,  respectively,  the  father’s  birth  occurring  in 
1823,  and  the  mother’s  in  1830.  They  received  limited  educations  in  the 
old-time  subscription  schools,  and  when  young  they  accompanied  their  par- 
ents from  their  respective  communities  in  the  South  on  the  long  overland 
journey  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  both  the  O’Bryants  and  Howards  being- 
pioneer  settlers  here,  and  here  the  parents  of  our  subject  were  married. 
Georp-e  W.  O’Bryant  was  a successful  farmer  and  stock  raiser  and  became 
owner  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  good  land  near  Republic,  and 
there  his  death  occurred  in  1866.  His  widow  survived  about  thirty-seven 
years,  dying  in  July,  1903,  at  the  old  homestead  in  Brookline  township  at  an 
advanced  age.  Mr.  O’ Bryant  was  a member  of  the  State  Militia  during  the 
Civil  Avar  and  was  an  active  Union  man,  but  served  only  in  one  important 
engagement — the  battle  of  Springfield,  fought  on  January  8,  1863.  His  fam- 
ily consisted  of  ten  children,  namely:  Sarah  Jane  is  deceased;  Mary  Frances 

lives  in  Polk  county;  John  C.  is  deceased;  Martha  A.,  deceased,  was  the  wife 
of  Judge  Phillips,  of  this  county;  William  and  Delila,  twins,  both  live  in  Re- 
public; Alice  A.  is  deceased;  Nancy  C.  lives  in  California;  George  W.  lives 
near  Republic,  and  James  H.,  of  this  sketch,  who  is  the  youngest  of  the 
family. 

James  PI.  O’Bryant  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Brookline 
township  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  He  remained 
on  the  home  farm,  of  which  he  owned  one  hundred  and  forty  acres,  until 
1899,  when,  after  a successful  career  as  general  farmer,  he  sold  out,  and 
in  that  year  was  appointed  superintendent  of  the  Greene  County  Farm,  serv- 
ing four  years  in  a manner  that  reflected  much  credit  upon  himself  and  to 
the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned,  doing  much  the  meanwhile  to  improve  the 
general  condition  of  the  farm  and  inaugurating  an  excellent  system  of  man- 
agement. In  February,  1903,  he  began  working  as  salesman  for  the  J.  T. 
Carter  Vehicle  Company.  Since  then,  or  for  nearly  eight  years,  he  has  been 
engaged  in  the  mail  messenger  service  in  Springfield. 

Mr.  O’Bryant  was  married  May  24,  1891,  in  Republic,  to  Maggie  L.  E. 
Hood,  who  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  July  31,  1873.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  James  D.  and  Mary  E.  (Clack)  Hood.  Her  father  was  born 
in  this  county  on  December  31,  1848,  and  here  he  attended  school,  married 
and  has  spent  his  life.  He  is  still  living  on  a farm  northwest  of  Republic. 
His  wife  was  born  in  Tennessee,  in  1856.  These  parents  have  always  lived 
on  the  farm.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  O’Brvant  eight  children  have  been  born, 
namely:  Nellie  A.,  born  March  21,  1892,  is  teaching  school  in  the  state  of 

Washington;  Earle  J.,  born  December  30,  1893,  lives  in  Oregon;  Leta  F., 
born  December  25,  1895,  is  married  and  lives  in  Kansas  City;  Elias  B.,  born 
November  9,  1897,  died  August  15,  1900;  Mary  T.,  born  February  15,  1902, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


975 


is  attending  school;  John  R.,  born  August  15,  1005,  died  May  3,  1910;  Helen 
L.,  born  September  19,  1907;  Hazel  C,  born  September  30,  1911. 

Politically,  Mr.  O’Bryant  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 
the  Masonic  order,  including  the  Chapter  and  the  Order  of  Eastern  Star,, 
while  Mrs.  O’Bryant  is  a White  Shriner  and  was  treasurer,  also  worthy 
matron  in  the  Order  of  Eastern  Star,  and  is  very  active  in  lodge  work.  Our 
subject  and  wife  belong  to  the  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


GUY  D.  KIRBY. 

As  a lawyer  Guy  D.  Kirby,  now  judge  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  Greene 
county,  for  many  years  stood  at  the  front  of  his  profession  at  the  Springfield 
bar,  his  career  being  noted  for  strength,  fidelity  and  honor  in  his  character. 
The  relations  between  him  and  his  clients  are  ever  I03M  and  genuine.  He  is 
ever  steadfast,  sure  and  true.  Among  his  professional  brethren  he  is  noted 
for  his  thorough  knowledge  of  the  law,  not  only  of  its  great  underlying  prin- 
ciples, but  also  for  its  niceties  and  its  exacting  details,  and  for  his  faculty  of 
clearly  presenting  to  court  and  jury  the  law  and  facts  of  the  case.  On  the 
bench  his  painstaking,  laborious  review  and  study  of  each  case,  and  his  accu- 
rate recollection  of  precedents  alwa)rs  keep  him  in  thorough  preparation,  and 
his  profound  legal  erudition  and  sound  judgment  prevent  him  from  resting 
on  any  hazardous  or  uncertain  ground.  In  every  sphere  he  demonstrates  the 
individual  unit  and  creation  of  himself.  Rectitude,  moral  force,  integrity, 
innate  love  of  justice,  exalted  sense  of  honor,  and  unflinching  advocacy  of 
that  which  is  right,  are  well  defined  elements  of  his  personal  character.  Add 
to  these  industry  and  mental  equipment,  and  we  have  the  key  to  his  success 
as  a lawyer  and  as  a judge. 

Judge  Kirby  was  born  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  March  3,  1873.  He  is 
a son  of  William  M.  and  Virginia  (Parrish)  Kirby,  the  father  being  born  in 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  in  1846,  and  the  mother’s  birth  occurred  in  Springfield, 
Missouri,  in  1847.  William  M.  Kirby  spent  his  earlier  years  in  the  Monu- 
ment City  and  received  a good  practical  education,  and  when  a young  man 
came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  ran  a drygoods  store  here  for  several 
years,  then  held  various  positions  under  county  officers  for  a number  of 
years,  and,  in  1881,  began  his  long  career  as  traveling  salesman,  which  he 
has  continued  to  the  present  time,  being  one  of  the  most  widely  known  com- 
mercial salesmen  in  the  Southwest.  On  December  22,  1870,  he  and  Vir- 
ginia Parrish  were  married  here.  She  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  edu- 
cated in  her  native  county,  receiving  an  excellent  education.  To  the  parents 
of  our  subject  four  children  were  born,  namely:  William  C.  is  deceased;  Guy 


976 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


D.,  of  this  sketch;  Anne  L.  and  Lellah  V.  These  children  were  all  given 
excellent  educational  advantages  in  the  Springfield  schools. 

Judge  Kirby  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  city  and  here  attended  the 
ward  and  high  schools,  later  was  a student  in  Drury  College.  Leaving- 
school  in  1895,  he  began  the  study  of  law  with  the  late  John  O’Day  as  pre- 
ceptor, and,  having  made  rapid  progress,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Decem- 
ber, 1896.  After  that  he  continued  studying  law,  but  did  not  begin  the 
practice  of  his  profession  until  1900.  He  continued  active  practice  in  the 
local  courts  for  ten  years  with  much  success,  or  until  he  was  elected  judge 
of  the  circuit  court  in  1910,  since  which  time  he  has  discharged  the  duties 
of  this  important  position  in  a manner  that  has  reflected  much  credit  upon 
himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  constituents  and  all  concerned,  being 
generally  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  men  ever  on  this  bench. 

fudge  Kirby  has  remained  unmarried.  Politically  he  is  a stanch  Demo- 
crat and  active  in  local  political  affairs.  He  belongs  to  the  Baptist  church. 


T.  BLONDVILLE  HOLLAND. 

True  biography  has  a more  noble  purpose  than  mere  fulsome  eulogy. 
The  historic  spirit,  faithful  to  the  record;  the  discerning  judgment,  unmoved 
by  prejudice  and  uncolored  by  enthusiasm,  are  as  essential  in  giving  the  life 
of  the  individual  as  in  writing  the  history  of  a people.  Indeed,  the  ingenuous- 
ness of  the  former  picture  is  even  more  vital,  because  the  individual 
is  the  national  unit,  and  if  the  unit  be  justly  estimated  the  complex  organism 
will  become  correspondingly  intelligible.  The  world  today  is  what  the  lead- 
ing men  of  the  past  generation  have  made  it,  and  this  rule  must  ever  hold 
good.  From  the  past  comes  the  legacy  of  the  present.  Art,  science,  states- 
manship and  government  are  accumulations.  They  constitute  an  inheritance 
upon  which  the  present  generation  have  entered,  and  the  advantages  se- 
cured from  so  vast  a bequeathment  depend  entirely  upon  the  fidelity  with 
which  is  conducted  the  study  of  the  lives  of  the  principal  actors  who  have 
transmitted  the  legacy.  This  is  especially  true  of  those  whose  influence 
has  passed  beyond  the  confines  of  locality  and  permeated  the  larger  life  of 
the  state.  To  such  a careful  study  are  the  life,  character  and  service  of  the 
late  T.  Blondville  Holland  pre-eminently  entitled,  not  only  on  the  part  of 
the  student  of  biography,  but  also  of  every  citizen  who,  guided  by  example, 
would  in  the  present  build  wisely  for  the  future.  In  studying  a clean- 
cut,  sane,  distinct  character  like  that  of  the  subject,  interpretation  follows 
fact  in  a straight  line  of  derivation.  There  is  small  use  for  indirection  or 
puzzling.  His  character  is  the  positive  expression  of  a strong  nature.  As 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


977 


has  been  said  of  him,  “he  was  distinctively  one  of  the  notable  man  of  his 
day  and  generation,  and  as  such  is  entitled  to  a conspicuous  place  in  the 
annals  of  his  city,  county  and  state."  Mr.  Holland  was  a member  of  one 
of  the  oldest,  best-known  and  most  influential  families  of  Greene  county, 
Missouri,  and  in  his  lifetime  had  engaged  widely  in  various  business  pur- 
suits, and  as  head  of  the  great  banking  company  which  has  long  borne  his 
name,  he  wielded  a potent  influence  in  financial  circles  of  the  Southwest. 
Despite  the  fact  that  his  father  was  a wealthy  man,  he  began  early  to  make 
his  own  way.  He  traveled  by  horse  long  distance  in  his  youth  in  live  stock 
deals  and  by  exceptional  ability  in  his  efforts  became  wealthy  in  his  own 
right.  His  name  had  become  a household  synonym  of  conservativeness, 
as  trustworthy  as  a gold  bond. 

Mr.  Holland  was  a son  of  Gen.  C.  B.  and  Emiline  H.  (Bigbee)  Hol- 
land, the  latter  a daughter  of  Capt.  John  S.  Bigbee.  T.  Blondville  Holland 
was  born  in  Robertson  county,  Tennessee,  January  i,  1836.  He  immigrated 
to  Springfield,  Missouri,  with  his  parents  in  the  spring  of  1841,  and  here 
spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  The  family  made  the  tedious  journey  from  across 
the  Tennessee  plains  and  the  rugged  range  of  the  Ozark  mountains.  At 
that  time  Springfield  had  only  a few  small  log  huts,  one  of  which  the  father 
of  our  subject  rented.  As  no  furniture  could  be  bought,  the  elder  Holland 
made  his  own  furniture  put  of  walnut  rails  from  a fence  nearby  which  he 
purchased  from  John  P.  Campbell,  who  donated  the  original  townsite  where 
Springfield  now  stands.  With  General  Holland  and  family  also  came  John 
L.  Holland,  his  brother,  who  still  lives  in  Springfield  at  the  advanced  age 
of  ninety-five  years.  He  and  the  General  were  among  the  first  merchants 
in  this  city.  The  two  brothers  married  sisters.  Lee  Holland,  a son  of 
J.  L.  Holland,  was  a double  cousin  to  T.  B.  Holland. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  war  our  subject  enlisted  in  the  Union 
Army  under  his  father,  Gen.  C.  B.  Holland,  and  served  with  distinction 
throughout  the  war.  He  was  at  one  time  offered  and  refused  an  officer’s 
commission.  He  took  much  pride  in  the  military  history  of  his  ancestors 
and  was  a member  of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution.  His  father 
being  a self-made  man,  he  believed  in  boys  assuming  responsibilities  in  early 
life,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  T.  B.  Holland  started  in  a small 
mercantile  business  for  himself  at  a point  which  at  that  time  was  in  Taney 
county,  now  near  the  town  of  Rome,  Douglas  county,  Missouri.  Although 
the  business  proved  successful,  after  two  years  he  disposed  of  same  and  re- 
turned to  Springfield,  where  he  later  entered  into  a partnership  business  with 
his  father  under  the  firm  name  of  C.  B.  Holland  & Son,  which  proved  suc- 
■cessful.  Both  dealt  in  live  stock  also,  and  later  added  the  banking  business. 

(62) 


9/8 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


The  partnership  was  continued  until  the  death  of  the  father  in  1901.  During 
the  early  partnership  before  the  war  our  subject  several  times  drove  horses 
and  mules  overland  clear  through  from  Springfield  to  New  Orleans.  After 
the  war  a general  mercantile  business  was  conducted  in  Springfield  by  C.  B. 
Holland  & Son  which  was  continued  until  1870.  In  the  year  1875  the 
hanking  business  was  established  as  a private  bank,  which  was  likewise 
conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  C.  B.  Holland  & Son  and  continued 
until  1896,  when  it  was  incorporated  as  the  Holland  Banking  Company 
and  has  been  conducted  under  that  name  ever  since.  Our  subject  was 
associated  with  the  bank  until  his  death  and  was  president  of  the  same 
the  latter  years  of  his  life.  Mr.  Holland  was  a strong  character  of  sterling 
worth  whose  integrity  and  honor  was  his  religion,  and  it  was  largely  these 
characteristics  injected  into  the  business  that  won  the  Holland  Banking  Com- 
pany the  high  standing  in  the  community  which  it  enjoys  today.  Mr.  Hol- 
land was  the  first  president  of  the  Springfield  Clearing  House  Associa- 
tion. 

The  domestic  life  of  T.  B.  Holland  began  in  i860  when  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Matilda  Dade,  a young  lady  of  St.  Louis  and  a sister 
to  the  late  Dabney  C.  Dade,  of  Springfield,  and  a daughter  of  Judge  John 
Dade.  She  died  in  1875.  This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  five  children, 
two  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and  two  sons,  T.  D.  and  W.  C.,  died  after 
reaching  manhood.  The  eldest  daughter,  Cora  B.,  died  in  1901.  She  was 
the  wife  of  William  B.  Sanford,  now  president  of  the  Holland  Banking 
Company.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs..  Sanford  one  child  was  born,  Grady  H.  San- 
ford. T.  B.  Holland  was  remarried  in  1877  to  Miss  B.  A.  Hamilton,  who- 
survives  him,  with  four  children,  all  living  and  married : they  are : Charles, 
proprietor  of  the  Holland  Stock  and  Dairy  Farm  near  Springfield;  Mrs. 
Will  Darby,  who  resides  with  her  mother  in  Springfield ; Mrs.  Manney 
Simmons,  and  Mrs.  Clifford  Jarrett. 

In  1911  Mr.  Holland  sold  a controlling  interest  of  stock  of  the  Holland 
Banking  Company  to  William  B.  Sanford. 

Mr.  Holland  was  prominently  identified  with  the  making  of  Springfield, 
doing,  as  much  as  any  other  man  for  the  material  upbuilding  of  the  city 
in  which  he  always  had  implicit  faith  and  took  so  great  a delight.  He 
was  a large  contributor  to  all  public  enterprises  and  charities  but  avoided 
publicity  therewith.  He  was  a member  of  the  first  board  of  trustees  of  Drury 
College  and  remained  a close  friend  of  this  institution  throughout  his  life, 
especially  through  its  early  struggles  until  it  was  well  on  the  road  to  success. 
In  the  big  fire  that  visited  the  heart  of  the  business  district  of  Springfield 
in  the  spring  of  1913,  Mr.  Holland  was  the  heaviest  property  loser,  be- 
having accumulated  considerable  property  in  this  section  of  the  city. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


979 


After  a period  of  ill  health  T.  Blondville  Holland  was  summoned  to 
close  his  earthly  career  at  the  Holland  home  on  St.  Louis  street,  Springfield, 
on  July  30,  1913,  in  his  seventy-eighth  year,  after  a long,  useful,  successful 
and  honorable  life,  fraught  with  much  good  to  his  county,  city,  himself, 
family  and  the  world,  and  the  young  man  of  today  might  well  emulate 
his  example,  not  only  in  a business  way  but  in  all  walks  of  life,  for  his 
career  presents  to  the  contemplative  mind  many  lessons  of  value. 


ROBERT  L.  RAMSEY. 

In  his  efforts  he,  who  essays  biographical  or  memorial  history,  finds 
much  of  profit  and  much  of  alluring  fascination  when  he  would  follow  out, 
in  even  a cursory  way,  the  teachings  of  an  active,  rightly  lived  life,  seeking 
to  find  the  keynote  of  each  respective  personality.  These  efforts  and  their 
resulting  transmission  cannot  fail  of  value  in  an  objective  way,  for  in  each 
case  may  the  lesson  of  life  be  conned,  line  upon  line,  precept  upon  precept. 
The  late  Robert  L.  Ramsey  was  a man  who  lived  to  good  purpose  and  while 
laboring  for  his  own  good  and  that  of  his  immediate  family,  helped  others 
on  the  road  that  leads  to  the  mystic  goal  ahead. 

Mr.  Ramsey  was  born  in  Lewis  county,  Missouri,  in  1836.  He  was  a 
son  of  Silas  and  Elizabeth  (Brown)  Ramsey,  natives  of  Kentucky,  where 
they  grew  up  and  were  married  and  from  there  removed  to  Missouri,  being 
among  the  early  settlers  of  Lewis  county,  where  the  family  has  been  well 
and  favorably  known  to  the  present  time.  Seven  children  were  born  to 
them,  all  now  deceased  but  one.  namely:  John:  Martha  is  the  only  survivor; 
Thomas:  Sarah:  Lucy;  Robert  L.,  of  this  sketch,  and  Samuel,  the  youngest. 
Silas  Ramsey,  the  father,  was  twice  married,  our  subject  having  been  by 
his  first  union.  He  became  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Lewis  county,  and 
owned  three  sections  of  fine  land  there. 

Robert  L.  Ramsey  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  county  and  assisted 
his  father  with  the  work  on  the  farm,  and  he  received  a fairly  good  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools.  He  was  by  nature  an  excellent  mathematician. 
He  began  life  for  himself  as  a farmer,  but  believing  that  the  business  world 
held  greater  inducement  for  him  he  went  to  Canton,  county-seat  of  Lewis 
county,  when  a young  man,  about  1869,  and  there  began  his  mercantile 
career,  which  he  continued  with  ever-increasing  success  for  over  twenty 
years,  enjoying  an  extensive  trade  with  the  town  and  surrounding  country. 
He  always  carried  a good  stock  of  merchandise  and  dealt  fairly  and  cour- 
teously with  his  customers,  and  thereby  retained  their  confidence  and  good 
will.  His  health  failing,  he  retired  from  active  life  three  or  four  years 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


980 

prior  to  his  death,  being  at  that  time  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  known  mer- 
chants in  Canton. 

Mr.  Ramsey  was  married  in  his  native  county,  February  3,  1859,  to 
Sarah  E.  Ray,  who  was  born  in  Lewis  county,  Missouri,  March  22,  1839. 
She  is  a daughter  of  Judge  M.  and  Sarah  ( Brown)  Ray,  the  former  a native 
of  Tennessee  and  the  mother  of  Kentucky. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ramsey  six  children  were  born,  two  of  whom  are 
living,  namely:  M.  Beatrice;  Mattie  L. ; Lula  E. ; Roberta;  Sarah  and  Eliza- 
beth, twins,  are  the  only  survivors ; Sarah  married  Walter  W.  Baxter,  who 
is  mentioned  in  the  sketch  of  Kirk  Baxter  on  another  page  of  this  volume ; 
Elizabeth  married  George  H.  Baxter,  who  is  living  a retired  life  in  Spring- 
field. 

The  death  of  Robert  L.  Ramsey  occurred  in  Canton,  Missouri,  Sep- 
tember 19,  1900,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years.  ITis  widow  subsequently 
removed  to  Springfield,  this  state,  to  live  with  her  two  daughters.  She 
purchased  a home  on  South  Fremont  street,  and  there  spent  the  rest  of  her 
days,  being  called  to  join  her  husband  in  the  Silent  Land  on  April  13,  1914. 
The  daughters  now  occupy  the  cozy  home  she  left. 

Mr.  Ramsey  was  a Democrat,  and  religiously  he  was  a member  of  the 
Baptist  church.  Fraternally  he  belonged  to  the  Masonic  Order,  and  his 
father-in-law  was  the  first  Mason  in  Lewis  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ramsey 
were  excellent  people,  religious,  neighborly  and  charitable  and  were  beloved 
by  all  who  knew  them. 


WILLIAM  R.  DANIEL. 

No  matter  what  line  of  work  one  is  engaged  in  he  should  strive  to 
become  an  expert  in  it,  which  will  not  only  result  in  better  remuneration, 
but  a greater  degree  of  satisfaction  and  pleasure  all  around.  If  one  goes  at 
his  work  in  a half-hearted,  slip-shod  manner  very  little  good  will  be  accom- 
plished and  little  satisfaction  gotten  out  of  it.  In  fact,  it  is  not  too  much 
to  say  that  poor  work  should  never  be  done,  for  it  is  very  often  worse  than 
nothing — detrimental.  William  R.  Daniel,  the  skilled  coach  carpenter  in  the 
Frisco’s  new  shops  at  Springfield,  realized  these  facts  when  he  made  up  his 
mind  when  a young  man  to  become  a carpenter.  He  knew  the  world  was 
full  of  wood  workers  in  various  lines  and  that  to  achieve  anything  really 
worth  while  he  would  have  to  become  a superior  workman.  Years  of  patient 
and  careful  work  have  made  him  one. 

Mr.  Daniel  was  born  on  October  5,  1857,  in  Savannah,  Tennessee.  He 
is  a son  of  Calloway  and  Caroline  (Hutton)  Daniel,  natives  of  Tennessee 
and  Alabama,  respectively.  They  grew  up  in  the  South,  attended  school 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


981 

and  were  married  in  Tennessee,  from  which  state  in  1861  they  removed  to 
Illinois,  where  they  lived  during  the  Civil  war,  and,  in  1865,  came  to  New 
Madrid  county,  Missouri,  where  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  on  a farm, 
dying  near  the  town  of  New  Madrid,  the  father  in  1883,  and  the  mother  in 
1893.  Politically,  Calloway  Daniel  was  a Democrat,  and  he  belonged  to  the 
Granger  order.  His  family  consisted  of  ten  children,  namely : Emily  and 
Elsie  are  living;  Thomas  is  deceased;  James  is  living;  Patrick  is  deceased; 
William  R.  of  this  sketch;  Jane,  Alice,  Benjamin  and  George  are  all  de- 
ceased. 

William  R.  Daniel  was  four  years  old  when  he  left  his  native  state  of 
Illinois  and  was  about  nine  years  old  when  his  parents  brought  him  to  New 
Madrid  county,  Missouri,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  on  a farm  and  there 
worked  during  the  summer  months,  attending  the  district  schools  in  the 
winter.  He  followed  farming  in  that  county  until  1884,  when,  on  August 
1 2th  of  that  year,  he  came  to  Springfield,  this  state,  and  engaged  in  car- 
penter work  for  a few  years.  On  November  23,  1890,  he  went  to  work 
for  the  Frisco  System  at  the  old  North  Side  shops,  in  the  coach  department 
as  a carpenter,  where  he  remained  until  1909,  when  the  new  shops  were 
opened,  at  which  time  he  was  transferred  to  the  latter  and  promoted  to 
coach  carpenter,  which  position  he  still  holds,  giving  eminent  satisfaction, 
for  he  is  not  only  exceptionally  skillful,  but  is  a fast  and  painstaking  work- 
man, always  conscientious  in  his  work. 

Mr.  Daniel  was  married  on  December  22,  1880,  in  New  Madrid,  Mis- 
souri, to  Fanny  V.  Edmondson,  who  was  born  there  June  26,  1864,  and  was 
reared  and  educated  at  that  place.  She  is  a daughter  of  John  and  Lavina 
S.  (Freeman)  Edmondson.  Her  father' was  born  in  Louisville,  Kentucky, 
November  10,  1820,  and  her  mother  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  December 
1,  1834.  They  grew  up  in  the  South,  were  educated  and  married  there, 
finally  removing  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  the  death  of  Mr.  Edmond- 
son occurred  on  February  3,  1901 ; his  wife  died  in  Kansas  City,  May  8, 
1904;  they  are  buried  in  Springfield.  Mr.  Edmondson,  who  devoted  his 
life  principally  to  agricultural  pursuits,  was  a well-read  man.  Politically  he 
was  a Democrat.  His  family  consisted  of  four  children,  namely : Mrs. 
Elizabeth  J.  Warrington  lives  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri;  Laura  is  deceased: 
Fanny  V.,  wife  of  Mr.  Daniel  of  this  sketch,  and  William,  who  is  the 
youngest. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  two  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Laura 
Lavina,  was  born  in  1882,  and  died  when  a year  old;  the  second  child  died 
in  infancy,  unnamed. 

Mrs.  Daniel  is  a well  educated  and  accomplished  woman,  who  is  prom- 
inent in  local  club  life.  She  is  an  active  and  influential  member  of  the 
Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union.  She  also  belongs  to  the  Progressive 


9§2 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Workers’  Club.  She  was  first  vice-president  of  the  Children’s  Home  when 
it  was  first  organized  in  Springfield.  She  is  a member  of  the  Pickwick  Sew- 
ing Club,  and  is  a member  of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association 
Auxiliary,  and  belongs  to  the  Second  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  Mr. 
Daniel  is  also  a member  and  an  elder.  Fraternally  he  is  a member  of  the 
Masonic  Order,  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men  and  the  Maccabees.  Polit- 
ically he  is  a Democrat. 

Mr.  Daniel  owns  a cozy  home  on  Weller  street,  Springfield. 


WALTER  P.  EMERSON. 

One  of  the  enterprising  and  deserving  young  men  of  Fair  Grove,  Greene 
county,  is  Walter  P.  Emerson,  who  is  filling  very  acceptably  the  position  of 
postmaster  and  is  also  conducting  a store  there.  He  was  formerly  a resi- 
dent of  Springfield  and  has  spent  most  of  his  life  in  this  county. 

Mr.  Emerson  was  born  in  Jasper  county,  Missouri,  November  14,  1880. 
He  is  a son  of  James  Daniel  and  Sarah  Ann  Frances  (AVheeler)  Emerson. 
The  father  was  born  in  1852,  in  Greene  county,  this  state,  spending  his  first 
years  in  Franklin  township,  in  fact,  with  the  exception  of  one  year  spent 
in  Jasper  county,  he  spent  his  entire  life  in  his  native  county,  and  made 
general  farming  his  vocation,  owning  a good  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres,  all  under  improvement,  in  Jackson  township,  and  there  his 
death  occurred  in  May,  1904.  Politically  he  was  a Democrat,  and  while 
active  in  the  affairs  of  his  party  was  never  an  office  holder.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South,  at  Fair  Grove,  in  which 
he  took  much  interest,  and  in  which  he  was  a deacon  for  years.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Fair  Grove.  His  wife 
was  a native  of  Tennessee,  and  when  young  in  years  she  came  to  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  with  her  parents,  James  T.  and  Nancy  A.  (Andrews! 
Wheeler.  This  was  during  the  period  of  the  Civil  war.  The  family  located 
at  Hickory  Barrens,  and  secured  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  good  land 
in  that  vicinity,  where  Mr.  Wheeler  carried  on  general  farming.  During 
the  war  he  was  a private  in  a Missouri  regiment  in  the  Union  army,  later 
being  promoted  to  corporal  and  was  honorably  discharged  and  mustered  out 
as  such.  He  saw  considerable  service  and  had  a horse  shot  from  under  him 
in  an  engagement.  He  was  in  St.  Louis  at  the  close  of  the  war.  He  en- 
listed on  the  road  from  Tennessee  to  Missouri  and  his  wife  continued  on  to 
Greene  county,  where  he  joined  her  after  the  war  and  resided  the  rest  of 
his  life. 

Three  children  were  born  to  James  D.  Emerson  and  wife,  namely: 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  983 

Walter  P.,  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Mary  Alexander  Yancy,  and  John  Reed, 
who  is  one  of  the  country  school  teachers  of  this  county. 

Walter  P.  Emerson  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  and  assisted  with  the 
general  work  there.  He  was  one  year  old  when  his  parents  brought  him 
from  Jasper  county  to  Franklin  township.  He  was  educated  in  the  district 
schools  here,  later  taking  a course  in  the  Springfield  Business  College,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1902.  He  lived  in  Springfield  six  years,  work- 
ing as  a street  car  conductor  for  four  years,  and  as  a teamster  for  two 
years.  He  moved  to  Fair  Grove  in  March,  1908,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
He  has  for  some  time  been  conducting  a small  general  store,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1914  took  the  civil  service  examination  and  was  appointed  post- 
master at  Fair  Grove  the  following  July.  He  is  discharging  the  duties  of 
the  office  in  a highly  acceptable  manner  to  the  department  and  the  people. 
His  store  is  next  door  to  the  office.  He  is  an  honest,  obliging  and  courteous 
young  man,  and  his  appointment  to  this  office  was  highly  pleasing  to  the 
citizens  of  Fair  Grove  and  vicinity. 

Mr.  Emerson  was  married  October  9,  1901,  to  Pearlie  Blair,  a daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  A.  and  Malinda  (Sharp)  Blair.  To  this  union  five  children 
have  been  born,  namely:  Audra  Preston,  James  Thomas,  Zelma  Hazel, 

Elma  Dazel  and  Claude  Elwyn. 

Politically,  Mr.  Emerson  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Woodmen  of  the  World,  both  at 
Fair  Grove,  and  his  wife  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  church. 


JAMES  S.  S ART  AIN. 

From  the  great  Prairie  state,  where  lived  such  renowned  men  as  states- 
men, warriors,  men  of  business  and  authors,  comes  James  S.  Sartain,  en- 
gineer of  the  Fruit  Dispatch  Company,  of  Springfield.  He  has  not  tried  to 
emulate  in  his  life  work  the  eminent  men  of  his  native  state  only  in  that  he 
has  tried  to  do  something  well,  not  desiring  the  plaudits  of  the  world  in  a 
public  way,  and  so  he  has  done  his  allotted  work  on  earth  just  the  same  as  if 
his  name  was  inscribed  high  on  the  honor  roll  of  the  nation,  for  all  good 
work  by  mankind  is  viewed  as  a part  of  the  plan  of  creation,  and  we  are 
taught  that  “each  thing  and  person  in  their  place  is  best.’’ 

Mr.  Sartain  was  born  October  18,  1868,  in  Pike  county,  Illinois,  He 
is  a son  of  Charles  and  Matilda  (Ham)  Sartain.  The  father  was  born  in 
North  Carolina,  in  1845,  an(l  the  mother  was  born  in  Pike  county,  Illinois, 
in  1854.  These  parents  received  common  school  educations  and  were  mar- 
ried in  Pike  county,  Illinois,  whither  the  father  removed  from  the  South 


9S4 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


when  young.  He  devoted  his  active  life  to  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing. He  remained  in  Illinois  until  1880,  when  he  removed  to  Bates  county,. 
Missouri.  During  the  Civil  war  he  served  a full  term  of  enlistment,  par- 
ticipating in  a number  of  battles,  and  was  captured  at  Arkansas  Post.  His- 
death  occurred  in  Bates  county,  this  state,  in  1909.  His  family  consisted  of 
nine  children',  seven  of  whom  are  still  living. 

James  S.  Sartain  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Bates  county  and  the  high  school  at  Adrian, 
that  county.  He  lived  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old, 
then  engaged  in  the  threshing  business  for  several  years.  He  also  became  a 
stationary  engineer.  In  1908  he  moved  to  Springfield  from  Butler,  Bates 
county,  and  here  he  has  since  been  running  an  engine,  at  the  present  time 
being  engineer  at  the  plant  of  the  Fruit  Dispatch  Company.  He  is  regarded 
as  an  expert  in  his  line  and  likes  the  work ; moreover,  he  has  proven  to  be  a 
thoroughly  trustworthy  employee. 

Mr.  Sartain  was  married  on  November  18,  1889,  in  Adrian,  Missouri, 
to  Eulalia  McCraw,  who  was  born,  reared  and  educated  there,  the  date  of  her 
birth  being  February  27,  1874.  She  is  a daughter  of  James  and  Margaret 
(Calland)  McCraw,  who  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  but  who  came  West 
in  early  life.  The  father  is  still  living,  but  the  mother  is  deceased. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sartain,  namely:  Grace, 
born  February  3,  1892,  and  Fred,  born  May  2,  1894. 

Politically,  Mr.  Sartain  is  a Democrat,  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
Knights  of  Pythias. 


RICHARD  HENRY  FI  ANSON,  M.  D. 

It  was  the  great  Thoreau  who  said  that  men  would  be  better  if  they  had 
sufficient  vision  to  look  below  the  surface  of  things.  This  vision  is  not 
vouchsafed  to  many,  but  one  of  the  favored  in  this  respect  is  Dr.  Richard 
Henry  Hanson,  a well  known  homeopathic  physician  of  Springfield,  whose 
long  and  useful  career  has  been  an  interesting  and  varied  one  and  of  much 
good  to  humanity.  We  find  that  he  was  a gallant  soldier  in  the  defense  of 
the  Union,  a worthy  minister  in  the  Methodist  church  for  many  years,  an 
effective  worker  for  the  cause  of  temperance,  a potent  influence  in  the  state 
legislature  where  he  served  two  terms,  and  enterprising  merchant  and  for 
more  than  three  decades  a successful  man  of  medicine,  both  a pharmacist 
and  physician,  and  withal  a true  gentleman  who  deserves  the  high  respect  in 
which  he  is  universallly  held. 

Doctor  Hanson  was  born  in  Peru,  Clinton  county,  New  York,  June  1, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


985 


1842.  He  is  a son  of  Cyrus  and  Lucinda  (Hill)  Hanson,  natives  of  New 
England,  the  father  born  near  Dover,  New  Hampshire,  and  when  a boy  he 
ran  away  from  home  and  went  to  V ermont  and  later  removed  to  near  Peru, 
New  York,  where  he  followed  farming  the  rest  of  his  life.  The  mother  of 
our  subject  was  reared  in  Vermont  and  her  death  occurred  in  Minnesota. 

Dr.  Richard  PI.  ITanson  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  New 
York  state  and  there  he  received  a common  school  education,  later  attending 
Malone  Academy,  at  Malone,  N.  Y.  He  remained  on  the  farm  until  he  was 
twenty  years  of  age,  then  studied  chemistry  and  photography,  the  daguerreo- 
type method.  When  the  Civil  war  came  on  he  enlisted  in  Company  L,  Sixth 
New  York  Heavy  Artillery,  and  saw  considerable  hard  service.  He  was 
among  the  troops  which  was  detailed  to  guard  the  wagon  trains  of  the  Federal 
army  during  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek,  but  the  company  he  was  a member 
of  was  annihilated.  However,  he  effected  his  escape,  was  taken  sick  and 
spent  the  latter  part  of  the  war  in  a hospital  in  Philadelphia.  After  he  was 
honorably  discharged  from  the  army  he  returned  to  his  home  in  New  York 
state  and  soon  thereafter  bought  a country  store,  which  he  conducted  a few 
years,  then  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  the  early  seventies.  Later  taking 
up  the  ministry  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  he  joined  the  St.  Louis 
conference  and  spent  thirteen  years  in  the  ministry,  during  which  time  he 
was  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  earnest,  faithful  and  able  members  of  the 
conference  and  a leader  in  this  denomination  in  southern  Missouri.  He  was 
for  a time  connected  with  the  school  of  this  denomination  at  Marionville, 
and  among  his  charges  were  Ash  Grove,  Marshfield,  Windsor,  Sedalia, 
Bloomfield,  Iberia,  Dixon  and  Hartville.  In  all  these  places  he  did  a most 
commendable  work  and  greatly  strengthened  the  church  in  each.  During  the 
latter  part  of  his  ministry  he  studied  medicine  and  finally  abandoned  the 
pulpit,  much  to  the  regret  of  those  who  had  occasion  to  know  of  his  splendid 
work  in  the  gospel,  and  took  up  the  practice  of  homeopathy,  which  he  has 
continued  with  pronounced  success  for  the  past  thirty  years,  and  is  one  of 
the  best-known  men  in  this  branch  of  medical  science  in  the  Southwest.  He 
was  duly  licensed  as  a homeopath  and  was  also  given  a pharmacy  license, 
having  made  himself  familiar  with  that  profession  also.  While  living  in 
Wright  county  he  served  as  coroner  for  a period  of  eight  years  in  an  emi- 
nently successful  manner.  He  led  the  campaign  for  local  option  in  Wright 
county,  which  won  by  a majority  vote  of  over  twelve  hundred,  the  credit 
for  this  victory  being  due  very  largely  to  him.  On  the  strength  of  his  labors 
in  this  line  he  was  elected  representative  from  Wright  county  to  the  state 
legislature  on  the  Republican  ticket,  and  his  record  there  was  so  highly  sat- 
isfactory and  commendable  that  he  was  elected  for  a second  term  by  a much 
larger  majority  than  previously.  Lie  was  an  ardent  supporter  in  locating 
the  State  Normal  School  at  Springfield,  also  was  chairman  of  the  emigration 


986 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


committee,  which  appropriated  $10,000  toward  bringing  emigration  to  Mis- 
souri. In  fact,  for  many  years  Dr.  Hanson  has  been  a power  in  the  Repub- 
lican party  in  southern  Missouri. 

Dr.  Hanson  located  in  Springfield  in  November,  1912.  He  is  a member 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  of  which  he  is  past  chaplain. 

Dr.  Hanson  owns  and  runs  a sanitarium  on  North  Main  street,  which 
is  a spacious,  fine  building,  with  a fine,  well-kept  yard  and  grove.  Dr.  Han- 
son also  has  a fine  500-acre  farm  in  Wright  county,  Missouri,  which  is  also 
very  valuable  mineral  land. 

Dr.  Hanson  was  a teaher  in  Aurora,  Missouri,  and  taught  on  ground 
that  has  since  proven  to  be  rich  mineral  land. 

The  doctor  was  married  in  Bolivar,  Polk  county,  Missouri,  in  1878,  to 
Zillah  F.  Holt,  a daughter  of  John  L.  and  Joanna  Holt.  Her  father  was  a 
spy  for  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  war.  He  devoted  his  life  to  cabinet 
making,  and  was  surveyor  of  Lawrence  county  for  a number  of  years.  Five 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanson,  Viola,  widow  of  Edward 
McNealy;  Perry  L.  lives  at  Hartville,  Missouri;  Golden  lives  at  home,  now 
Mrs.  William  Curry;  Galen  lives  in  Springfield  and  Daisy  lives  at  home. 


ROBERT  A.  MOORE. 

Eminent  business  talent  is  composed  of  a combination  of  high  mental 
and  moral  attributes.  It  is  not  simply  energy  and  industry ; there  must  be 
sound  judgment,  breadth  of  capacity,  rapidity  of  thought,  justice  and  firm- 
ness, the  foresight  to  perceive  the  drifting  tides  of  business  and  the  will  and 
ability  to  control  them,  and,  withal,  a collection  of  minor  but  important  cjuali- 
ties  to  regulate  the  details  of  the  pursuits  which  engage  attention.  Robert 
A.  Moore,  superintendent  and  manager  of  the  Moore  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany, of  Springfield,  affords  an  exemplification  of  this  talent,  if  not  in  its 
highest  development,  yet  an  extraordinary  character,  and  notwithstanding  the 
somewhat  limited  theater  of  his  operations  he  has  achieved  a reputation 
which  places  him  in  the  front  rank  of  Greene  county’s  progressive  successful 
men  of  affairs. 

Mr.  Moore  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  New  York,  May  11,  1846.  He 
is  a son  of  Robert  N.  and  Sarah  ( Pollok)  Moore.  The  father  was  born  in 
Duchess  county,  New  York,  in  1818,  received  a good  education  in  his  native 
state  and  there  married  and  engaged  in  farming,  later  becoming  a capitalist 
and  was  a promoter  in  agricultural  lines  in  the  South  until  the  war.  His 
death  occurred  at  Burlington,  Iowa,  in  1876.  His  wife  was  a native  of 
Wayne  county,  New  York,  and  the  date  of  her  birth  was  1823.  She  grew 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


987 


to  womanhood  in  her  native  locality  and  received  an  excellent  education,  in- 
cluding a course  in  the  Elmira  Seminary,  from  which  institution  she  was 
graduated.  She  was  a woman  of  culture  and  many  praiseworthy  attributes. 
Her  death  occurred  in  Richmond,  Virginia,  in  1858,  when  still  a young 
woman.  To  Robert  N.  Moore  and  wife  four  children  were  born,  namely: 
James  Z.,  Robert  A.,  Frank  P.  and  Mary. 

Robert  A.  Moore  received  a limited  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  state,  but  this  early  deficiency  has  more  than  been  made  up  by 
wide  home  reading  and  contact  with  the  world  in  later  years.  He  found  it 
necessarv  to  leave  school  when  he  was  sixteen  years  old,  and,  taking  Horace 
Greeley’s  advice,  went  West  to  seek  his  fortune.  He  located  in  Burlington, 
Iowa,  in  1863,  and  there  began  railroading  with  the  bridge  and  civil  engineer- 
ing department  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & Quincy  Railroad  Company,  with 
which  department  he  remained  for  five  or  six  years,  then  took  up  contracting, 
which  he  followed  until  the  death  of  his  father  in  1876.  He  remained  in 
Burlington  working  as  a millwright  and  superintendent  until  1886,  when  he 
came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  continued  to  work  as  millwright. 
In  1892  he  opened  a manufacturing  business  at  600  East  Phelps  avenue,  be- 
ginning the  manufacture  of  school  and  church  furniture.  The  business  was 
a success  from  the  first  and  it  was  incorporated  in  1893.  He  has  continued 
in  this  line  of  endeavor  to  the  present  time  with  ever  increasing  success,  and 
the  Moore  Manufacturing  Company  is  now  widely  known  throughout  the 
Southwest  and  has  a capital  stock  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars.  Its  prod- 
ucts find  a very  ready  market  owing  to  their  high-grade  workmanship,  finish 
and  quality,  seating,  fine  cabinet  work  and  machinery  being  specialties ; also 
school  and  church  furniture,  office  fittings,  tables,  desks,  law  cases,  opera 
chairs,  assembly  chairs,  hall  seatings,  railroad  seatings,  lawn  seatings,  etc. 
In  connection  with  the  wood  work  the  company  handles  machinery  for  vari- 
ous kinds  of  wood  work  manufacturing  and  a large  trade  is  also  enjoyed  in 
this  department.  The  plant  is  a large,  well  equipped  and  substantial  one, 
modern  in  its  various  appointments,  and  a large  number  of  skilled  mechanics 
and  artisans  are  constantly  employed.  Only  the  best  grade  of  material  is 
used  and  only  the  highest  grade  of  workmanship  is  permitted  to  go  out  of 
the  factory.  The  officers  of  the  company  are:  Flora  E.  Moore  (wife  of  our 
subject),  president;  Robert  A.  Moore,  superintendent  and  manager;  H.  A. 
Hutchins,  secretary;  Charles  I.  Moore  and  Frank  P.  Moore,  directors. 

Robert  A.  Moore  was  married  twice,  first  in  1871,  to  Christiana  Morgan, 
whose  death  occurred  in  1879.  To  this  union  three  children  were  born,  name- 
ly: Charles  I.,  born  in  1872,  lives  on  a farm  in  Eaclede  county,  Missouri; 

Frank  P.,  born  in  1877,  is  in  business  with  his  father;  Julia  F.,  born  in  1879, 
died  in  May,  1900.  In  October,  1888,  Mr.  Moore  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Flora  F.  Hutchins,  in  Springfield,  Missouri.  She  was  born  in  Greene  county, 


988 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


this  state,  March  5,  1868,  and  was  reared  and  educated  here.  She  is  a daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  A.  and  Eliza  A.  (Bowker)  Hutchins,  both  natives  of  Massa- 
chusetts, the  father  born  in  June,  1824,  and  died  in  Arizona  in  February, 
1893;  the  death  of  the  mother  occurred  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  July  11, 
1901.  Eight  children  were  born  to  Thomas  A.  Hutchins  and  wife,  namely: 
Howard  B.  is  deceased ; Mary  E.,  Edward  W.,  Angeline,  Harriet,  Flora  L., 
Clara  E.  and  Francis  S. 

Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  Moore’s  second  marriage,  namely:  Fred 
N.,  born  in  1889,  lives  in  Oklahoma  and  is  in  the  employ  of  the  Frisco  Fines; 
Ester  I.,  born  in  1892,  is  principal  of  the  high  school  at  Miller,  Missouri; 
Ruth  W.,  born  in  1895,  is  attending  Drury  College,  and  Katherine  S.,  born  in 
1901,  is  also  attending  school. 

Politically,  Mr.  Moore  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  his  family  are  mem- 
bers of  Calvary  Presbyterian  church. 


THEODORE  BANISTER. 

From  the  “banks  of  the  Wabash  far  away”  hails  Theodore  Banister, 
and  no  doubt,  in  the  language  of  Paul  Dresser’s  famous  song,  “oft  his  mind 
reverts  to  the  happy  scenes  of  childhood”  in  that  fair  country  where  “ 'round 
his  Indina  homestead  wave  the  cornfields”  with  “scent  of  new-mown  hay” 
and  sycamore  bottoms  and  all  that ; for  it  is  indeed  a desirable  country,  and,,, 
of  course,  seems  better  to  those  whose  youth  was  spent  there.  It  is  not  only 
a picturesque  country,  but  it  has  produced  some  of  our  best  American 
citizens,’  men  of  industry,  courage  and  honesty,  so  that  they  have  been  wel- 
comed into  whatever  communities  they  have  cast  their  lots.  Not  many  of 
them  have  settled  in  Greene  county,  but  Mr.  Banister  has  found  it  to  his 
advantage  to  do  so. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Wabash  county,  Indiana,  February  28,  1846. 
He  is  a son  of  Nathaniel  and  Emiline  (Dale)  Banister.  The  father  was 
born  December  13,  1818,  in  Nicholas  county,  Kentucky,  in  which  state  he 
spent  his  earlier  years,  finally  emigrating  to  Indiana  in  an  early  day  and 
locating  in  Wabash  county.  They  were  married  in  Fayette  county,  Indiana, 
February  9,  1841,  and  there  began  life  in  typical  pioneer  fashion,  he  enter- 
ing eighty  acres  of  land  from  the  government,  which  he  cleared  and  de- 
veloped into  a farm,  making  general  fanning  his  life  work.  He  lived  on 
one  farm  for  a period  of  forty-six  years,  and  was  a well-known  man  in  his 
locality.  His  farm  in  Wabash  county  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  excellent  land.  There  his  death  occurred  many  years  ago,  but  his 
widow  survives,  having  attained  at  this  writing  the  unusual  age  of  ninety- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


989 


four  years,  still  making  her  home  in  the  Hoosier  state.  Politically,  Nathaniel 
Banister  was  a Democrat,  and  he  was  at  one  time  trustee  of  his  township. 
His  family  consisted  of  ten  children,  seven  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely: 
Merritt,  who  has  remained  in  Wabash  county,  Indiana;  Theodore,  of  this 
sketch;  Louis,  Alfred,  Horace,  Sanford  and  Alice,  all  live  in  Indiana;  the 
other  three  children  died  in  early  life. 

Mr.  Banister,  of  this  review,  grew  up  on  the  home  farm,  where  he 
worked  when  a boy,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  vicinity,  the  first  school  he  attended  being  in  a log  cabin.  He  followed 
farming  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  then  began  learning  the  car- 
penter’s trade,  for  which  he  had  unusual  natural  talent.  He  remained  in 
his  native  state  until  in  1880,  when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri.  Pie 
has  continued  in  carpenter  work  all  the  while  and  is  a fast  and  high-grade 
workman,  and  his  services  are  in  good  demand  at  the  highest  wages. 

Mr.  Banister  was  married  on  November  7,  [884,  in  Springfield,  to 
Laura  Loveless,  who  was  born  in  the  central  part  of  Ohio,  May  1,  1863, 
and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated  near  Bellefontaine, 
removing  to  Springfield,  this  state,  when  young,  and  finishing  her  educa- 
tion here.  Her  parents,  George  and  Sarah  (Outland)  Loveless,  spent  most 
of  their  lives  on  the  farm.  The  father  was  born  September  7,  1823,  and 
died  here  July  16,  1892.  The  mother  was  born  June  30,  1823,  and  died 
in  Springfield  July  18,  1886. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Banister  three  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
George  E.,  born  July  3,  1886,  is  a traveling  salesman  and  resides  in  Spring- 
field;  Ralph,' bom  December  16,  1888,  who  is  employed  in  Snyder's  cloth- 
ing store  in  this  city;  Theodore,  Jr.,  born  October  21.  1896,  works  in 
Holland’s  Bank,  this  city. 

Politically,  Mr.  Banister  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  South 
Street  Christian  church,  in  which  he  is  a deacon,  and  he  has  long  been 
active  in  church  work.  He  has  a cozy  home  on  East  Elm  street. 


KIRK  BAXTER. 

The  late  Kirk  Baxter  will  long  be  remembered  by  the  people  of  Spring- 
field  as  a minister  in  the  Christian  church,  and  as  a teacher,  a man  who  was 
imbued  with  the  deepest  and  most  helpful  altruistic  spirit,  and  he  gave  his 
best  years  to  the  furthering  of  the  movements  calculated  to  uplift  and  make 
the  world  better.  Pure,  constant  and  noble  was  the  spiritual  flame  that 
burned  in  and  illumined  the  mortal  tenement  of  the  subject  of  this  memoir, 
and  to  the  superficial  observer  can  come  but  small  appreciation  of  his  in- 


99© 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


trinsic  spirituality,  his  faith  having  been  fortified  by  the  deepest  study,  and 
the  Christian  verities  were  with  him  the  matters  of  most  concern  among  the 
changes  and  chances  of  this  mortal  life.  No  man  with  his  intellectual  vigor 
and  the  love  of  truth  which  marked  him  could  live  long  without  inevitably 
being  brought  to  investigate  the  great  moral  laws  governing  life,  in  fact, 
he  was  a strong  man  in  every  respect  and  was  successful  in  all  he  under- 
took. 

Mr.  Baxter  was  horn  in  New  York  City,  in  the  year  1836.  His  parents 
were  natives  of  England,  where  they  grew  up  and  were  married,  finally 
emigrating  to  America,  and  both  died  in  New  York  City,  when  their  son, 
Kirk,  who  was  the  youngest  of  three  children,  was  small,  his  two  brothers 
being  William  and  George  Baxter.  They  are  all  now  deceased. 

Kirk  Baxter  received  his  education  in  his  native  city,  through  the  assist- 
ance of  his  oldest  brother,  William  Baxter,  but  while  still  a boy,  the  three 
brothers  went  to  the  Southland,  locating-  in  Louisiana,  where  our  subject 
continued  his  education  in  a college,  and  there  entered  the  ministry  of  the 
Gospel,  and  for  many  years  preached  at  various  places  in  the  South.  He 
went  to  Mississippi  after  leaving  Louisiana,  and  later  located  in  Arkansas, 
where  he  remained  a short  time,  and,  in  1868,  moved  with  his  family  to 
Springfield,  Missouri,  and  became  minister  of  the  local  Christian  church, 
holding  this  charge  for  many  years,  during  which  he  was  one  of  the  most 
popular  ministers  in  this  city.  He  also  taught  school,  private  classes,  here 
for  some  time,  and  as  both  preacher  and  educator  his  work  was  high-grade. 
He  was  a man  of  learning,  of  advanced  ideas,  was  well  versed  in  the  Bible 
and  was  a forceful  and  entertaining  speaker. 

Mr.  Baxter  was  married  in  Louisiana  to  Emma  F.  Jackson,  a native 
of  that  state,  and  a daughter  of  Jarrett  E.  Jackson  and  wife,  and  she  grew 
to  womanhood  and  was  educated  in  her  native  locality,  and  she  proved  to 
be  an  excellent  helpmate  to  her  gifted  husband.  They  became  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  namely:  Charles  W.,  who  died  January  30,  1914:  Mary 
lives  in  the  state  of  Washington;  Lena  lives  in  Oklahoma;  William  H.  died 
in  1879;  Rosa  lives  in  the  state  of  Washington;  George  Id.,  born  February 
5,  1867,  received  his  education  in  the  Springfield  schools  and  the  old  Ash 
Grove  College,  and  on  December  27,  1898,  he  married  Elizabeth  Ramsey; 
he  lives  in  Springfield,  travels  for  a large  St.  Louis  shoe  house,  and  fra- 
ternally he  belongs  to  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the 
Royal  Arcanum.  Curt,  the  seventh  child  in  order  of  birth,  is  living  in  Mon- 
tana; Walter  W.,  the  youngest  of  the  family,  was  born  February  3,  1872,  in 
Springfield,  and  here  grew  to  manhood  and  was  educated ; on  December  28, 
1899,  he  married  Sarah  Ramsey,  which  union  was  without  issue;  he  was  for 
some  time  general  manager  of  the  Springfield  office  of  R.  G.  Dunn  & Co. ; 
his  death  occurred  in  January,  1901. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


991 


Politically  Kirk  Baxter  was  a Democrat.  For  a period  of  twenty-five 
years  he  was  prominent  in  the  upbuilding  of  Springfield,  especially  along 
civic  and  moral  lines,  and  during  that  period  few  men  did  more  for  the  edu- 
cational development  of  Greene  county.  Fie  started  the  first  Girls’  Sem- 
inary in  Springfield,  and  was  the  founder  of  the  Ash  Grove  College.  Fie 
was  a man  of  whom  it  may  be  said,  “truly  his  works  do  follow  him.”  Fie 
was  summoned  to  his  eternal  rest  in  1895. 


HARRY  CLYDE  HOLDEN. 

One  of  the  young  men  of  Springfield  who  has  found  it  to  his  advantage 
to  remain  in  his  native  city  rather  than  seek  opportunities  in  other  places  is 
Harry  Clyde  Holden,  foreman  of  the  mill  shop  at  the  new  Frisco  shops  in 
this  city,  where,  by  persistency  and  prompt  and  faithful  service,  he  has 
climbed  up  from  the  bottom  round  of  the  ladder. 

Mr.  Holden  was  born  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  March  23,  1871.  He  is  a 
son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (O’Bannon)  Holden.  His  mother  was  born  in 
Charlestown,  West  Virginia,  in  1841,  and  her  death  occurred  in  Springfield, 
Missouri,  in  1893.  George  Holden,  the  father,  was  born  in  England,  near 
London,  the  world’s  greatest  city,  in  1839,  and  his  death  occurred  in  Spring- 
field,  Missouri.  April  12,  1908.  He  spent  his  early  life  in  his  native  land  and 
there  received  his  education,  emigrating  to  the  United  States  when  a young 
man  and  locating  in  Charlestown,  West  Virginia,  where  he  was  married.  He 
remained  in  the  East  until  the  close  of  the  Civil  war,  when,  in  the  year  1865, 
he  moved  to  this  city,  after  spending  some  time  in  Union  City,  Missouri.  He 
participated  in  this  'war  by  serving  in  the  Union  army,  taking  part  in  many 
important  battles,  proving  to  be  an  excellent  soldier  in  every  respect.  He 
learned  the  carpenter’s  trade  when  a young  man,  and  this  he  followed  the  rest 
of  his  active  life,  being  a very  skilled  workman.  Politically,  he  was  a Repub- 
lican. His  family  consisted  of  six  children,  all  of  whom  are  still  living,  name- 
ly : Florence,  Emily,  George,  Hannah,  Harry  C.  and  Dwight. 

Harry  C.  Holden  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  city  and  received  his 
education  in  the  local  public  schools.  When  a boy  he  went  to  work  in  the 
box  car  department  of  the  Frisco  shops,  being  onlv  sixteen  years  of  age  at 
that  time.  After  working  in  that  department  for  some  time  he  went  to  the 
pattern  shops  in  the  old  North  Side  shops  of  this  road,  where  he  remained 
until  1892,  when  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  secured  employment  in  the 
St.  Louis  Car  and  Wheel  Company’s  works,  in  the  pattern  department.  Re- 
turning to  Springfield  in  1893,  he  resumed  work  in  the  pattern  department  at 
the  old  shops,  where  he  remained  about  a year,  then  went  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


992 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


remaining  in  that  city  until  1909,  when  he  returned  to  Springfield,  at  the 
opening  of  the  new  Frisco  shops,  where  he  has  since  been  employed  as  mill 
and  cabinet  foreman,  the  duties  of  which  important  position  he  is  discharg- 
ing in  an  eminently  satisfactory  manner,  having  a large  number  of  men  un- 
der him,  whom  he  directs  in  such  a manner  as  to  get  the  best  possible  results 
and  at  the  same  time  retain  their  good  will.  He  understands  most  thorough- 
ly every  phase  of  the  work  in  his  department. 

Mr.  Holden  was  married  July  2,  1901,  to  Anna  Moeller,  in  Dayton,  Ohio. 
She  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  that  state,  and  is  a daughter  of  August  and  Louisa 
(Bradermyer)  Moeller. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  one  child  has  been  born,  Harry  William  Hol- 
den, whose  birth  occurred  March  19,  1905. 

Politically^,  Mr.  Holden  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  . 
Masonic  blue  lodge  and  the  Junior  Order  of  American  Mechanics.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  church. 


JOHN  MAXWELL  COWAN. 

There  is  nothing  in  the  world  more  beautiful  than  the  spectacle  of  a life 
that  has  reached  its  late  autumn  with  a harvest  of  good  and  useful  deeds. 
It  is  like  the  forest  in  October  days  when  the  leaves  have  borrowed  the  richest 
colors  of  the  light  and  glow  in  the  mellowed  sheen  of  the  Indian  summer, 
reflecting  in  their  closing  days  all  the  radiance  of  their  earthly  existence. 
The  man  who  has  lived  a clean,  useful  and  self-denying  life  and  has  brought 
into  potential  exercise  the  best  energies  of  his  mind  that  he  might  make  the 
world  brighter  and  better  for  his  being  a part  of  it,  while  laboring  for  his 
individual  advancement,  cannot  fail  to  enjoy  a serenity  of  soul  that  reveals 
itself  in  his  manner  and  conversation.  When  such  a life  is  preserved  in  its 
strength  and  integrity  so  that  even  in  age  its  influence  continues  unabated, 
it  challenges  the  added  admiration  of  those  whose  good  fortune  it  is  to  be 
brought  in  contact  with  it.  Such  a life  has  been  that  of  John  Maxwell 
Cowan,  who  has  played  no  inconspicuous  part  in  the  affairs  of  Springfield 
and  Greene  county  since  he  cast  his  lot  in  our  midst  over  a quarter  of  a cen- 
tury ago,  and  now  in  the  ninety-third  year  of  a life  that  has  been  noted  for 
its  sterling  honesty,  industry  and  devotion  to  family,  church  and  his  country, 
he  can  look  backward  with  no  compunction  of  conscience  for  misdeeds  and 
forward  to  the  mystic  Beyond  with  no  fear.  Such  a life  merits  a record  of 
its  deeds,  that  the  debt  due  it  may  be  acknowledged  and  that  it  may  serve 
as  a stimulus  to  others  to  endeavor  to  emulate  it.  But  his  record  is  too 
familiar  to  the  people  of  the  locality  of  which  this  history  treats  to  require 


MRS.  JOHN  M.  COWAN. 


JUDGE  JOHN  M.  COWAN. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


993 


.any  fulsome  encomium  here,  his  life-work  speaking  for  itself  in  stronger 
terms  than  the  biographer  could  employ  in  polished  periods.  There  is  no 
doubt  but  that  his  long  life  has  been  due  to  his  conservative  habits,  whole- 
some living  and  pure  thinking.  He  is  hospitable  and  charitable,  his  many 
acts  of  kindness  springing  from  his  altruistic  nature  rather  than  from  a desire 
to  win  the  praise  of  his  fellow  men. 

Mr.  Cowan  springs  from  a sterling  old  family  on  both  sides  of  the 
house,  which  may  be  traced  back  to  the  old  Colonial  days  in  American  his- 
tory. He  was  born  December  6,  1821.  He  enjoys  two  distinctions  worthy 
■of  note,  one  is  that  he  was  the  first  white  child  born  at  Indianapolis,  Indiana, 
and  he  is  the  oldest  living  graduate  of  Wabash  College,  one  of  the  oldest  and 
most  important  schools  of  the  Hoosier  state.  He  is  the  only  child  of  John 
and  Anna  (Maxwell)  Cowan,  and  he  is  of  pure  Scotch  ancestry  and  inherits 
the  sturdy  qualities  of  his  forefathers  who  were  all  frontiersmen  of  Vir- 
ginia, in  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  times,  who  helped  blaze  the  trails  into 
Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  John  Cowan  was  born  in  Rockbridge  county, 
Virginia,  in  1768,  and  at  an  early  age  went  to  Tennessee,  locating  at  Knox- 
vdlle,  where  many  of  his  family  still  live.  From  there  he  went  to  Charles- 
town, Indiana,  and  joined  the  army  under  Gen.  William  Henry  Harrison, 
remaining  in  the  service  during  the  entire  campaign  against  the  Indians  in 
t8ii,  taking  part  in  the  famous  battle  of  Tippecanoe,  November  9,  1811. 
He  was  a mounted  ranger  during  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  a son  of  Samuel 
and  Ann  ( Walker ) Cowan,  both  natives  of  Virginia.  Samuel  Cowan  was 
killed  by  the  Indians  while  working  in  the  harvest  field,  and  his  wife  was 
taken  prisoner  the  same  day  and  held  a captive  many  years,  was  finally  ran- 
somed and  returned  to  her  home  in  Virginia.  John  Cowan  married  first, 
Margaret  Weir,  in  Virginia,  1769,  and  his  second  wife  was  Anna  Maxwell, 
who  was  born  in  Albemarle  county,  Virginia,  in  1781.  They  were  married 
in  Jefferson  county,  Indiana,  December  30,  1819,  and  she  died  in  Indiana,  in 
1854,  and  he  died  in  1832  in  Indiana.  Anna  Maxwell  was  a daughter  of 
Bezaleel  and  Margaret  (Anderson)  Maxwell,  the  former  born  in  Albemarle 
county,  Virginia,  in  1751,  the  latter  born  in  Virginia  in  1755;  they  were 
married  in  1775  ; his  death  occurred  in  1824,  and  she  died  in  1834.  Bezaleel 
Maxwell  was  a son  of  John  and  Fannie  ( Garner)  Maxwell,  and  Margaret 
Anderson  was  a daughter  of  John  and  Ann  (Irwin)  Anderson,  the  former 
born  in  Virginia  in  1723  and  died  in  Kentucky  in  1796.  Ann  Irwin  was  a 
daughter  of  Mathew  and  Elizabeth  Irwin;  the  father  died  in  Augusta  county, 
Virginia,  in  1762.  John  Maxwell,  who  was  a son  of  Bezaleel  and  Rebecca 
(Boyd)  Maxwell,  became  a captain  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  both  he 
and  his  son  fought  at  the  great  Indian  battle  of  Point  Pleasant.  John  Ander- 
son, mentioned  above,  was  also  a soldier  in  the  war  for  independence  and 

(63) 


994 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


these  three  men  all  fought  in  the  battle  of  King’s  Mountain  and  other  en- 
gagements. 

John  M.  Cowan,  of  this  sketch,  grew  to  manhood  in  Montgomery  county,. 
Indiana,  where  his  parents  removed  soon  after  his  birth,  locating  near  Craw- 
fordsville,  where  he  received  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools, 
later  attending  Wabash  College  there,  from  which  institution  he  was  gradu- 
ated with  the  class  of  1842  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  the  degree 
of  Master  of  Arts  being  conferred  on  him  later  by  that  college.  As  before 
stated  he  has  been  the  oldest  living  graduate  from  that  school  for  many  years, 
it  having  been  seventy-two  years,  more  than  the  Psalmist’s  allotted  life  for 
a man,  since  our  subject  received  his  degree  there.  Deciding  upon  a legal 
career  he  then  entered  the  law  department  of  the  University  of  Indiana,  from 
which  he  was  also  graduated  in  1845.  Immediately  thereafter  he  began 
practicing  law  at  Frankfort,  Clinton  county,  Indiana,  and  became  one  of  the 
leading  lawyers  in  western  Indiana,  enjoying  an  extensive  and  lucrative 
practice.  He  was  judge  of  the  eighth  judicial  circuit  in  Indiana  for  a period 
of  twelve  years,  the  duties  of  which  responsible  position  he  discharged  in 
a manner  that  reflected  much  credit  upon  himself  and  to  the  eminent  satis- 
faction of  all  concerned,  his  long  retention  being  sufficient  criterion  of  his- 
efficiency  and  popularity.  His  decisions  were  noted  for  their  profound 
knowledge  of  the  basic  principles  of  jurisprudence  and  for  an  unbiased  fair- 
ness to  all  parties  concerned,  and  they  seldom  met  reversal  at  the  hands  of 
higher  tribunals.  Fie  held  this  office  from  1858  until  1870.  Retiring  from 
the  bench  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law,  entering  into  partnership  with 
Thomas  M.  Patterson,  who  eventually  became  a United  States  senator  from 
the  state  of  Colorado.  Subsequently  our  subject  formed  a partnership  with 
Hon.  M.  D.  White  and  his  second  son,  James  P.  E.  Cowan.  He  carried 
on  his  practice  with  greater  success  and  popularity  than  ever  until  1881, 
when  he  retired  from  the  profession  owing  very  largely  to  his  wife’s  failing 
health,  and  he  and  his  wife  removed  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  search  of  a 
better  climate.  Col.  W.  D.  Crothers,  an  old-time  friend,  having  settled  in 
the  Ozarks,  which  country  he  pronounced  decidedly  healthful,  was  instru- 
mental in  bringing  the  Judge  here.  Soon  thereafter,  our  subject  purchased 
the  old  Murray  farm,  two  miles  south  of  Springfield,  one  of  the  finest  and 
most  desirable  farms  in  Greene  county,  and  he  became  one  of  our  largest 
agriculturists  and  stock  men.  In  1889,  Judge  Cowan  built  an  attractive  city 
home  on  South  Jefferson  street,  and  he  purchased  The  Springfield  Repub- 
lican, which  his  two  sons.  James  and  William,  edited  and  managed  suc- 
cessfully for  some  time.  The  Judge  was  a pioneer  in  the  development  of 
Walnut  street  as  a business  center,  which  has  rapidly  gained  on  the  other 
business  centers  during  the  past  few  years  until  it  bids  fair  to  soon  surpass 
all  competitors. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


995 


Judge  Cowan  was  married  at  Stockwell,  Indiana,  November  13,  1845,  to 
Harriet  Doubleday  Janney,  who  was  born  July  29,  1826,  and  was  a daughter 
of  Abel  and  Margaret  (Porter)  Janney.  She  was  a descendant  of  a Quaker 
family  of  that  name  in  Virginia,  and  her  maternal  ancestors  were  from  the 
Porter  family  of  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania  and  the  Judahs  of  Switzer- 
land. Mrs.  Cowan  was  a woman  of  strong  intellect  and  many  estimable 
characteristics.  She  was  called  to  her  eternal  rest,  June  28,  1905. 

To  Judge  Cowan  and  wife  the  following  children  were  born:  Edward 
Howard  Cowan,  born  December  21,  1846,  was  graduated  from  Wabash 
College,  Crawfordsville,  Indiana,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  later 
received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  from  Miami  Medical  College;  he 
married,  November  13,  1877,  Lucy  L.  Avars;  they  live  at  Crawfordsville, 
where  he  is  a successful  physician,  and  they  have  had  two  children,  John 
Avars  Cowan,  born  August  11,  1880,  died  September  27,  1891;  Elizabeth  L. 
Cowan,  born  June  21,  1884,  is  a teacher  of  domestic  science  in  the  high 
school  at  Crawfordsville,  Indiana.  James  Porter  Ellis  Cowan,  second  son 
of  the  Judge,  was  born  October  29,  1848;  he  received  the  degrees  of  Bachelor 
of  Arts  and  Master  of  Arts  from  Wabash  College  (was  the  first  grandchild 
of  that  institution)  ; he  is  a special  pension  examiner  in  Washington,  D.  C. 
He  married,  first,  Louana  Burnett,  January  30.  1873,  and  to  this  union  was 
born  Harriet  Janney  Cowan,  November  12,  1873.  She  married  Lewis  T. 
Gilliland.  November  13,  1900;  they  live  in  Portland,  Oregon,  and  have  one 
child,  Maxwell  Porter  Gilliland,  born  August  15,  1901.  James  P.  E.  Cowan’s 
second  marriage  was  on  December  31,  1883,  to  Lalula  R.  Bennett,  and  to 
this  union  three  children  were  born,  Janet  L.  Cowan,  born  July  7,  1885; 
Mary  Bennett  Cowan,  born  July  20,  1888;  Anna  J.  Cowan,  born  August  18, 
1891  : they  all  three  live  at  Marietta,  Ohio.  Laura  Anna  Cowan,  third  child 
of  Judge  Cowan  and  wife,  was  born  March  14,  1851,  was  educated  at  Glen- 
dale Female  College  in  Ohio,  lives  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  is  a member  of 
the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution  and  Daughters  of  the  War  of 
1812:  she  married  on  February  16,  1876,  Allen  Trimble  Blaine,  who  was 
born  November  13,  1846,  and  died  April  26,  1880.  He  was  a soldier  in  the 
Seventy-fourth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  later  veteranized  and  was  a 
member  of  the  Twenty-second  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry;  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Blaine  was  born  Mary  Maxwell  Blaine,  October  3.  1877;  s^ie  was  graduated 
from  Drury  College  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science  in  1898,  and 
Master  of  Arts  from  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in  1900.  She  lives  in 
New  York  City;  was  married  February  14,  1906,  to  Rudyard  S.  Uzzell, 
who  is  an  A.  B.  and  a member  of  the  Sigma  Alpha  Epsilon  fraternity  from 
the  University  of  Denver;  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rudyard  Uzzell  two  children 
have  been  born,  William  Cowan  LYzell.  born  January  14,  1910;  and  Rud- 
yard S.  LTzzell,  Jr.,  born  June  26,  1912.  John  William  Cowan,  the  youngest 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


996 

child  of  the  Judge  and  wife,  was  horn  October  6,  1853,  is  unmarried  and  lives 
in  Springfield,  Missouri. 

Judge  Cowan  was  formerly  a strong  Whig  and  later  just  as  strong  a 
Republican.  He  has  been  a life-long  Presbyterian.  He  is  a member  of 
the  Society  of  Colonial  Wars,  and  is  a member  of  the  Sons  of  the  American 
Revolution.  Although  past  his  four  score  years  he  is  hale  and  hearty  and 
as  active  as  many  men  at  fifty.  He  is  a grand  character  and  is  beloved  by 
all  who  know  him. 


ROWAN  E.  M.  MACK. 

Another  of  the  successful  business  men  of  Springfield  who  is  a native  of 
Greene  county,  where  he  has  been  content  to  spend  his  life,  is  Rowan  E.  M. 
Mack,  well  known  groceryman.  Much  of  his  active  life  has  been  spent  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  alternated  with  the  grocery  business,  and  in  each  he 
has  made  a pronounced  success,  owing  to  his  willingness  to  closely  apply  him- 
self to  his  affairs,  lead  an  honest  life  and  depend  upon  himself  rather  than 
waiting  for  others  to  assist  him  or  for  fate,  to  provide  for  him. 

Mr.  Mack  was  born  in  this  county,  May  11,  1865.  He  is  a son  of  Wil- 
liam L.  and  Armenta  (Dew)  Mack.  The  father  was  born  in  Tennessee  in 
1832,  and  the  mother’s  birth  occurred  in  that  state  in  1836.  They  were 
brought  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  by  their  parents  in  the  early  forties  and 
here  they  grew  up,  attended  school  and  were  married.  William  L.  Mack 
was  by  nature  a fine  penman  and  was  a well  read  man  for  his  day  and  gen- 
eration and  was  influential  in  his  community.  His  earlier  life  was  devoted 
to  farming  and  stock  raising,  but  he  quit  the  farm  upon  being  appointed  dep- 
uty sheriff  under  Jack  Potter,  and  removed  his  family  to  Springfield.  Later 
he  served  as  deputy  under  Probate  Judge  W.  A.  Lincoln  for  a period  of  eight 
years.  He  gave  entire  satisfaction  in  both  these  positions.  He  was  always 
a strong  Republican  in  his  political  affiliations.  His  family  consisted  of  six 
children,  four  of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing,  namely:  Maude  E.  is  de- 

ceased; Iona  is  deceased;  Rowan  E.  M.,  of  this  sketch;  Caddy  S.,  Edward 
W.  and  Lilly. 

Rowan  E.  M.  Mack  is  an  excellent  example  of  a self-made  man.  He  re- 
ceived only  about  six  months'  schooling,  but  he  has  made  up  for  this  lack  of 
early  training  by  wide  home  study,  and  is  now  a well  informed  man.  He  as- 
sisted his  father  with  the  general  work  on  the  farm  when  he  was  a boy,  be- 
ing eighteen  years  old  when  he  removed  to  Springfield.  Here  he  worked  in 
various  stores,  in  each  of  which  he  sought  to  learn  something  of  what  was 
going  on  about  him,  so  when  he  was  only  twenty  years  of  age  he  was  en- 
abled to  launch  out  in  the  grocery  business  for  himself,  in  a location  at  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


997 


corner  of  South  and  Walnut  streets.  However,  after  five  years  in  this  line 
he  decided  to  return  to  farming,  and  for  five  years  tilled  the  soil  near  this 
city,  then  came  back  to  Springfield  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  five 
}rears,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  again  for  four  years.  On  Febru- 
ary 28,  1904,  he  opened  a grocery  store  at  his  present  location,  corner  of 
High  and  Grant  streets,  and  the  fact  that  he  has  remained  here  ten  years  in- 
dicates that  he  has  been  successful  and  has  enjoyed  a good  trade  all  the  while. 
He  has  a well  arranged  and  neat  store  and  carries  a large  stock  of  staple  and 
fancy  groceries,  also  a large  line  of  feed. 

Mr.  Mack  was  married  on  July  24,  1890,  in  Springfield,  to  Norma  E. 
Dutton,  a daughter  of  H.  J.  and  Louise  (Brinsdon)  Dutton.  She  was  born 
in  Cedar  county,  Missouri,  June  22,  1871.  Her  father  was  one  of  the  early- 
day  merchants  in  Springfield. 

Seven  children,  all  living,  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alack,  name- 
ly: Lester  H.,  born  June  29,  1891,  married  on  February  28,  1914,  to  Leone 
A.  Parnitter;  Lundy  A.,  born  December  9,  1892:  Harvey  R.,  born  Septem- 
ber 31,  1895:  Carl  R.,  born  June  30,  1898;  Edith  I.,  born  September  20, 
1901 ; Elva  M.,  born  February  1,  1904,  and  Ernest  T.,  born  November  4, 
1906. 

Mr.  Mack  owns  his  store  building  and  also  a comfortable  and  substan- 
tial home  nearby.  He  also  owns  three  farms,  two  of  which  are  located  in 
Polk  county,  the  other  in  Greene.  Flis  farms  in  Polk  county  consist  of  three 
hundred  and  twenty  acres,  which  he  is  maintaining  as  stock  farms. 

Politically,  he  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Modern 
Woodmen,  the  Modern  Brotherhood  and  the  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Security. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  Woodland  Heights  Presbyterian  church. 


EDWARD  SWAYZEE  FINCH. 

One  of  Greene  county’s  well  known  and  successful  business  men  is  Ed- 
ward Swayzee  Finch,  manager  of  the  Metropolitan  Hotel,  Springfield,  for 
a decade  in  its  early  history,  later  operator  of  a large  farm  and  now  conduct- 
ing a big  store  in  Ash  Grove.  His  earlier  history  in  the  wild  West  reads 
like  an  adventure  story  and  as  a soldier  in  the  war  between  the  states  he 
proved  himself  a man  of  courage,  but  like  thousands  of  his  comrades  he 
has  laid  aside  all  animosity.  For  in  the  fulness  of  time  there  has  been 
blotted  from  the  bosoms  of  men  all  sentiment  toward  men  of  another  sec- 
tion. No  longer  do  we  measure  prejudice  by  the  metes  and  bounds  of  a 
river  of  imaginary  lines.  Those  who  fought  and  won.  and  those  who  fought 


998 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


and  lost  have  mutual  admiration  for  the  courage  and  patriotism  of  the  other. 
The  very  issues  of  the  contest  have  almost  passed  from  memory.  Today 
one  can  r\ot  tell  whether  the  boy  who  wears  the  uniform  of  a united  country 
came  from  a sire  who  wore  the  blue  or  the  gray.  In  these  uncertain  days, 
when  there  are  rumors  of  war.  there  is  no  question  as  to  who  will  do  his. 
duty  when  the  clouds  have  lowered  and  the  reign  of  death  begins.  There 
is  no  suspicion  in  the  minds  of  men  that  any  one  section  of  our  land  will 
sulk,  but  from  every  point  of  the  compass  will  come  the  men  of  stout 
hearts  and  ringing  patriotism  to  redeem  from  insult  the  common  banner  of 
a common  people. 

Mr.  Finch  was  born  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  February  2,  1849.  He  is  a son 
of  Wallace  M.  and  Martha  (Comstock)  Finch.  Wallace  M.  Finch  was 
born  in  Maryland  in  1820,  and  was  a son  of  Mathew  Finch  and  wife. 
Mathew  Finch  was  also  a native  of  Maryland  but  removed  from  there  to 
New  York  where  he  followed  contracting  until  his  death.  He  was  a captain 
during  the  war  of  1812,  and  his  father  was  a captain  in  the  Revolutionary 
war.  When  a young  man  Wallace  M.  Finch  went  to  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  and 
began  in  the  mercantile  business  in  a small  way,  later  establishing  himself  in 
Columbus,  where  he  became  a very  successful  wholesale  merchant.  He  re- 
tired from  business  on  account  of  ill  health  in  1857  and  until  his  death  spent 
his  winters  in  the  South  and  summers  in  the  North.  His  death  occurred  in 
1863.  Politically  he  was  a Whig  and  during  the  last  few  years  of  his  life 
a Republican.  He  was  a member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows and  the  Episcopal  church.  He  and  Martha  Comstock  were  married 
about  1845.  She  was  born  in  1826  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  died  in  1903. 

Edward  S.  Finch  left  Columbus,  Ohio,  when  seven  years  of  age.  He 
received  common  school  education  and  later  was  a student  at  Racine  Col- 
lege, Racine,  Wisconsin.  In  December,  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I, 
Second  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  and  saw  considerable  hard  service  in  the  South, 
proving  to  be  a courageous  and  gallant  soldier.  He  was  wounded  in  the 
battle  of  Black  River  in  the  right  arm,  and  later  was  again  wounded  in  the 
same  place  while  on  patrol  duty.  He  was  honorably  discharged  in  August, 
1865.  After  the  war  he  attended  a commercial  school  for  some  time,  then 
went  to  Richmond,  Indiana,  where  he  worked  in  the  office  of  a wholesale 
grocery  company  as  shipping  clerk,  also  salesman.  He  then  went  to  Mexico, 
Missouri,  where  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  1872-3,  then  came 
to  Springfield,  this  state,  where  he  worked  as  clerk  in  the  Metropolitan 
Hotel  for  six  months,  then  spent  live  years  on  the  western  frontier  as  a 
miner,  prospector,  stage-driver  and  he  was  the  first  sheriff  of  Ouray  county, 
Colorado,  when  it  required  a man  of  nerve,  tact  and  courage  to  fill  such  an 
office.  He  had  many  thrilling  and  interesting  experiences  during  his  career 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


999 


in  the  West.  He  came  back  to  Springfield  in  the  spring  of  1879,  his  mother 
having  purchased  a two-thirds  interest  in  the  Metropolitan  Hotel,  our  sub- 
ject later  purchasing  the  remaining  third.  The  hotel  building  he  operated 
successfully  for  a period  of  ten  years,  during  which  it  was  one  of  the  most 
popular  and  best  appointed  hostelries  in  southwest  Missouri.  In  1889  he 
left  the  hotel  and  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business,  and  to  him  and  others 
is  due  the  credit  of  opening  the  Pickwick  addition  and  securing  the  Elm 
street  car  line  and  also  the  Old  Normal  School.  And  for  many  years  he 
was  identified  with  every  movement  for  the  upbuilding  of  Springfield  and 
a large  contributor  to  the  same.  In  1896  he  traded  his  interests  in  Spring- 
field  for  the  old  Gates  farm,  Greene  county,  and  engaged  in  general  agri- 
cultural pursuits  on  a large  scale  until  1914  when  he  purchased  the  Smith 
Brothers’  store  in  Ash  Grove  which  he  is  now  conducting  and  is  enjoying 
a large  trade.  He  carries  a complete  line  of  merchandise,  everything  found 
in  an  up-to-date  store  of  this  kind.  By  his  fair  dealings  and  courtesy  he  has 
not  only  retained  the  customers  which  the  store  formerly  had  but  is  securing 
new  ones  constantly.  He  employs  a number  of  capable  assistants,  and  his 
store  would  be  a credit  to  cities  much  larger  than  Ash  Grove  He  was  one  of 
the  ten  men  who  signed  the  guaranty  that  brought  the  “Gulf  shops”  to 
Springfield. 

Mr.  Finch  was  married  on  October  26,  1889,  to  Brella  Sherwood,  who 
was  born  in  Springfield,  Missouri.  She  received  a good  education.  She  is 
a daughter  of  Judge  T.  A.  and  Mary  E.  (Young)  Sherwood,  one  of  the 
prominent  old  families  of  Greene  county. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Finch  six  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Mary, 

wife  of  W.  A.  Hennington,  lives  in  Springfield;  Martha,  who  is  a stenographer 
and  student  in  the  State  Normal  school  at  Springfield;  Florence  is  at  home; 
Constance  is  also  a student  in  the  State  Normal;  Elenore  and  Adele  are 
both  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Finch  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  Capt.  John  Mat- 
thews post,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  Springfield.  Religiously,  he  is 
an  Episcopalian.  He  is  one  of  the  active  and  prominent  Masons  in  this  part 
of  the  state.  He  was  made  a Master  Mason  in  1881  in  Solomon  Lodge,  and 
has  now  demited  to  the  Ash  Grove  Lodge.  He  is  a member  of  the  Chapter, 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  St.  John’s  Commandery  No.  20,  Knights  Templar, 
•of  which  he  was  captain  general  for  ten  years,  then  was  eminent  commander 
for  some  time  and  again  became  captain  general.  He  also  belongs  to  Abou 
Ben  Adhern  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine, 
and  at  this  writing  is  captain  of  patrol  and  has  been  for  ten  years.  By  his 
daily  life  he  seems  to  strive,  in  an  unobtrusive  manner,  to  inculcate  the 
•sublime  principles  of  Masonry,  and  his  example  as  a man  and  citizen  might 
well  be  emulated  by  the  youth  whose  characters  are  yet  in  the  making. 


I coo 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


WILLIAM  McKERALL. 

The  annals  of  Greene  county  do  not  present  to  the  historian  a name 
more  worthy  of  laudation  than  that  of  the  late  William  McKerall,  a line 
type  of  the  old-time  chivalrous  Southern  gentleman,  one  of  the  largest  land 
owners  of  this  county  for  many  years  and  in  his  earlier  career  a lawyer  of 
distinction  and  a soldier  of  talent,  having  been  a West  Point  product  and 
an  officer  in  the  Mexican  war.  Plis  life  was  one  of  hard  study  and  un- 
selfish industry,  whose  laborious  professional  duties  in  the  various  relations 
in  which  he  was  placed,  led  to  a high  position  in  the  esteem  of  the  public, 
which  gave  evidence  that  the  qualities  which  he  possessed  afforded  the  means 
of  distinction  under  a system  of  government  in  which  places  of  honor  and 
usefulness  are  open  to  all  who  may  be  found  worthy  of  them.  Lie  passed 
over  the  troubled  sea  of  life  like  a galleon  through  the  phosphorescent  Spanish 
Main,  leaving  in  its  wake  a pathway  of  illuminating  radiance. 

Mr.  McKerall  was  horn  in  Orange  county,  North  Carolina,  June  17, 
1824.  He  was  a son  of  John  Wilson  McKerall  and  Lorena  McKerall,  a. 
prominent  old  family  of  the  Carolinas.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born 
at  Norfolk,  Virginia,  in  1771.  His  father  was  a Scotch  sailor  and  was  lost 
at  sea.  During  John  McKerall’s  early  life,  his  folks  moved  to  North  Caro- 
lina and  his  mother  was  married  to  a man  by  the  name  of  Childs.  While- 
Mr.  McKerall  was  in  Tennessee  attending  to  business,  the  children  of  his 
mother's  second  marriage,  influenced  his  creditors  to  push  their  claims, 
which  they  did,  and  John  McKerall  lost  his  entire  estate.  He  was  a lawyer 
but  gave  up  his  practice  late  in  life  and  was  recorder  in  Orange  county. 
North  Carolina.  He  was  commander  of  a company  in  the  War  of  1812. 
His  sister  was  the  wife  of  one  of  the  governors  of  North  Carolina.  John 
McKerall  died  of  apoplexy  in  1834  on  the  way  from  his  home  to  his  office 
in  Hillsboro. 

Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  and  attended  school  in  Orange  county, 
North  Carolina.  When  sixteen  years  of  age  he  entered  West  Point  Mili- 
tary Academy  and  was  in  the  same  class  with  Winfield  S.  Hancock,  who 
became  a famous  general  and  was  called  the  “hero  of  Gettysburg.”  Owing 
to  failing  health,  our  subject  was  compelled  to  leave  West  Point  before 
he  finished  the  course.  He  returned  to  his  home  in  North  Carolina  and 
later  entered  Caldwell  Institute.  When  the  Mexican  war  began,  he  en- 
listed as  a volunteer  and  was  elected  first  lieutenant  of  Company  E,  in  a 
North  Carolina  regiment.  Later  he  was  promoted  to  captain.  On  one 
occasion  he  commanded  a detachment  on  escort  and  conducted  a supply 
train  one  hundred  and  eighty  miles  without  loss  or  mishap.  Lie  was  a most 
capable  and  faithful  officer,  trusted  and  admired  alike  by  his  men  and. 


WILLIAM  McKKRALL  Deceased. 


MARY  A.  McKERALL. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I cor 


superior  officers.  He  was  honorably  discharged  at  Old  Point  Comfort, 
Virginia.  He  then  took  up  the  study  of  law  and  settled  in  Louisiana,  and 
practiced  his  profession  in  Texas  for  some  time,  moving  to  Waco  in  1854. 
After  a successful  career  at  the  bar,  he  engaged  in  merchandising  and  raising- 
cattle  on  a large  scale.  The  same  year  he  was  appointed  to  fill  an  unexpired 
term  as  chief  justice  of  McLennan  county,  Texas.  He  discharged  his  judicial 
duties  in  a manner  that  reflected  much  credit  upon  himself  and  to  the  eminent 
satisfaction  of  all  concerned. 

Our  subject  was  married  twice,  his  first  wife  being  a Miss  Sedbury 
and  to  their  union  two  children  were  born,  Nannie  and  William.  In  the 
summer  of  1868  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  married  Mrs. 
Mary  Roan  (Danforth)  Campbell,  widow  of  Capt.  John  M.  Campbell.  She 
was  born  February  22,  1838,  and  was  reared  and  educated  in  Greene  county. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  J.  F.  and  Latitia  Danforth.  Her  first  husband, 
Capt.  John  M.  Campbell,  was  born  in  Springfield,  November  17,  1832. 
When  fifteen  years  old,  he  joined  the  United  States  army  when  the  Mexican 
war  began  and  served  in  that  conflict  with  credit,  taking  part  in  a number 
of  engagements.  His  father  was  also  a soldier  in  that  war,  at  the  close 
of  which,  the  latter  was  made  bearer  of  dispatches  to  Washington  City.  The 
Campbells  were  honorably  discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Five  children 
were  born  to  Mrs.  William  McKerall  by  her  marriage  with  Captain  Camp- 
bell, namely:  Louisa,  Argyle  and  John,  all  deceased;  Finley  lives  in  Cali- 

fornia; and  Mrs.  Mary  Schaffer  lives  in  New  Mexico. 

To  the  union  of  our  subject  and  wife,  four  children  were  born,  Josiah 
Danforth  is  living  in  Greene  county;  Fannie  Elizabeth,  widow  of  Thos. 
Jackson  Bennett,  who  died  November  8,  1913.  He  -was  a native  of  Dallas 
county  and  was  a farmer  and  capitalist.  Mrs.  Bennett  is  living  on  the 
homestead  with  her  mother.  Daisy  is  the  wife  of  Jei  O'Kino,  to  whom 
she  was  married  December  19,  1913.  He  is  a graduate  of  the  Imperial 
University  of  Tokio  and  is  a gentleman  of  rare  ability.  Mrs.  O'Kino  is 
also  making  her  home  with  her  mother;  and  John  Wilson,  who  is  the 
youngest  of  the  family.  After  the  marriage  of  our  subject  and  wife,  they 
settled  on  land  inherited  by  Mrs.  McKerall,  northeast  of  Springfield.  Mr. 
McKerall  prospered  as  a general  farmer  and  stockman  and  at  one  time 
owned  seven  hundred  acres  of  valuable  land  in  this  county  and  for  years 
ranked  among  our  most  progressive  men  of  affairs  and  influential  and 
honored  citizens.  The  house  in  which  the  widow  and  her  two  daughters 
reside  was  built  in  1849  and  is  of  the  Colonial  type. 

Politically,  William  McKerall  was  a Democrat.  He  was  a member  of 
the  Masonic  Order  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  Fie  be- 
longed to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Personally,  he  was  a scholarly,, 
broad-minded,  gentleman  of  never-failing  courtesy. 


1002 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


LEMUEL  C.  RICKETTS. 

In  pioneer  days  when  farming  implements  and  machinery  were  of 
the  crudest  kind,  requiring  a goodly  supply  of  both  muscle  and  grit  to 
use  them  to  advantage,  brawn,  more  than  brains,  was  needed  in  the  business 
of  farming,  in  order  to  rescue  the  fertile  soils  from  the  wilderness  of  forest 
and  prairie  growth.  In  these  modern  days  of  worn  and  worn-out  soils  and 
the  abandoned  farm,  with  the  most  improved  labor-saving  farm  machinery, 
the  business  of  farming  needs  brains  more  than  brawn,  that  our  soils  may 
be  rescued  from  the  wilderness  and  desert  or  wasted  fertility  that  has  stifled 
and  depleted  them.  One  of  the  farmers  of  Jackson  township,  Greene 
county,  who  is  evidently  intelligently  applying  himself  to  his  vocation,  is 
Lemuel  C.  Ricketts,  who  not  only  uses  his  brains,  but  is  a hard  worker  with 
his  hands,  and  therefore  has  succeeded. 

Mr.  Ricketts  was  born  in  Fairfield  county,  Ohio,  November  3,  1873.  He 
is  a son  of  Jesse  M.  B.  and  Othelia  (Chaney)  Ricketts,  both  natives  of  that 
county  and  state  also,  each  born  near  the  town  of  Carroll,  the  father’s  birth 
having  occurred  in  1819.  There  they  spent  their  earlier  years  and  attended 
the  common  schools.  Jesse  M.  B.  Ricketts  also  went  to  school  in  Columbus, 
Ohio,  studied  law,  and  later  practiced  his  profession  at  Finley  and  Lan- 
caster, that  state,  with  success.  He  retired  from  his  professional  life  at 
the  age  of  sixty-five  years,  and  moved  to  a farm  in  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
his  place  here  consisting  of  eighty  acres.  His  death  occurred  in  Colorado 
at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty  years.  His  family  consisted  of  three  children, 
namely:  Mary  Ella,  deceased;  Lemuel  C,  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Viola  M. 
Russell  lives  in  Billings,  Montana. 

Lemuel  C.  Ricketts  was  reared  in  Ohio.  He  was  thirteen  years  of  age 
when  he  removed  with  the  family  to  Greene  county,  Missouri.  He  received 
a good  education.  He  hired  out  most  of  the  time  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  old.  In  1897  he  went  to  the  West,  where  he  worked  for  some  time 
as  a contractor,  returning  to  Greene  county  in  1907.  Soon  thereafter  he 
purchased  the  farm  of  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres  where  he  now  lives. 
He  has  a well-improved  and  productive  place,  which  gives  every  indication 
of  good  management.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  a business  way  and 
is  one  of  the  substantial  and  influential  citizens  of  this  section  of  the  county. 
He  is  president  of  the  Bank  of  Stafford,  which  he  helped  to  organize  and 
which,  under  his  able  and  judicious  management,  has  become  one  of  the 
popular  and  sound  banking  institutions  of  this  part  of  the  state.  He  has 
been  president  since  its  organization.  It  has  had  a constant  and  satisfactory 
growth  and  a general  banking  business  is  carried  on.  He  has  built  an  attrac- 
tive home  on  his  farm.  This  place  was  settled  in  1845  by  Erskin  Danforth. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IOO3 


Mr.  Ricketts  was  married,  January  6,  1899,  to  Estella  Palmer,  who  was 
born  in  Wisconsin,  August  19,  1876.  She  is  a daughter  of  Randolph  and 
Marira  ( Dearth)  Palmer.  She  spent  her  early  life  in  Iowa,  Kansas,  Ar- 
kansas, Oklahoma  and  Missouri.  She  received  a common  school  educa- 
tion. 

The  father  of  Mrs.  Ricketts  was  a soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  having 
enlisted  in  Company  D,  Sixty-third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  he 
served  in  the  Georgia  campaign  under  General  Sherman,  with  whom  he 
marched  to  the  sea.  He  is  now  living  in  Joplin,  Missouri. 

Six  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ricketts,  namely:  Hugh, 
born  October  25,  1899,  lives  at  home:  Lemuel  E.,  born  October  29,  1901, 
died  October  20,  1908;  Jesse  Paul,  born  January  17,  1905,  is  at  home; 
Arthur  L.,  born  July  6,  1907,  is  at  home;  Helen  May,  born  August  7,  1910, 
is  at  home;  Ralph  Randolph,  born  July  4.  1912,  died  March  3,  1915. 

Politically,  Mr.  Ricketts  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  is  a thirty- 
second  degree  Mason,  and  is  a member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows. 


TIMOTHY  J.  WRIGHTSMAN. 

“Through  struggle  to  triumph"  seems  to  be  the  maxim  which  holds  sway 
with  the  majority  of  people,  that  is,  those  who  attain  to  a successful  goal  at 
all,  must  find  it  after  arduous  effort.  And,  though  it  is  undoubtedly  true  that 
many  fall  exhausted  in  the  conflict,  a few,  by  their  inherent  force  of  character 
and  strong  mentality,  rise  above  their  environment,  and  all  which  seems  to 
hinder  them,  until  they  reach  the  plane  of  affluence  toward  which  their  face 
was  set  through  the  long  years  of  struggle  that  must  necessarily  precede  any 
accomplishment  of  great  magnitude.  Such  has  been  the  history,  briefly  stated, 
of  Timothy  J.  Wrightsman,  one  of  Greene  county’s  pioneer  business  men 
and  Civil  war  veterans,  who,  after  a long,  busy  and  useful  life,  is  living  in 
honorable  retirement  in  his  attractive  home  in  Springfield,  spending  the  De- 
cember of  his  years  in  quiet,  as  he  is  now  in  his  seventy-seventh  year. 

Mr.  Wrightsman  is  the  scion  of  an  old  Southern  family  and  hails  from 
the  Old  Dominion,  “the  mother  of  Presidents,’'  his  birth  having  occurred  in 
Roanoke,  Virginia,  November  13,  1838.  He  is  a son  of  Joseph  and  Ivesia 
(Beckner)  Wrightsman,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  also,  the  father’s  birth  hav- 
ing occurred  in  1808,  and  the  mother  was  born  there  in  1818.  They  grew 
to  maturity  in  their  native  state,  attended  the  early-day  schools  and  were  mar- 
ried there,  and  devoted  their  lives  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and  the  father  was 
also  a cabinet  maker  by  trade,  and  made  a great  deal  of  fine  furniture  in  his 
early  life,  thereby  getting  his  start  in  the  business  world.  He  remained  in 


1004 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Virginia  until  about  1849,  when  he  removed  his  family  to  Illinois,  remaining 
in  that  state  until  the  year  1857,  when  he  brought  his  family  overland  to 
Greene  county,  Missouri,  locating  a few  miles  south  of  Springfield,  where  he 
spent  the  rest  of  his  life  in  farming  and  was  drowned  in  a small  creek  in  that 
vicinity  in  January,  1883.  His  wife  had  preceded  him  to  the  grave  twenty 
years,  having  died  in  1863,  in  Illinois.  To  these  parents  ten  children  were 
horn,  six  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely : Sarah  and  Julia  are  both  de- 

ceased; Timothy  J.,  of  this  sketch;  Ann  lives  in  Ozark,  Missouri;  Lear  is  de- 
ceased; George  lives  in  Florida;  Abbie  lives  in  Webb  City,  Missouri;  Susan 
lives  in  Kansas;  Rebecca  lives  in  Rich  Hill,  Missouri,  and  Edward  is  deceased. 

The  Wrightsman  family  is  of  German  descent,  the  paternal  grandfather 
of  our  subject,  Alexander  Wrightsman,  being  born  in  Germany,  from  which 
country  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  Colonial  days  and  located  in 
Virginia,  where  he  became  well  established  through  his  industry.  He  was 
a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  taking  part  in  a number  of  the  principal 
engagements. 

Timothy  J.  Wrightsman  was  nine  years  old  when  his  parents  removed 
from  Virginia  to  Illinois,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood,  living  there  for  a 
period  of  eight  years,  when  he  removed  with  his  father  and  the  rest  of  the 
children  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1857,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a 
resident  of  this  locality,  and  during  that  period  of  nearly  sixty  years  he  has 
seen  great  changes  “come  over  the  face  of  the  land,”  the  forests  changed  into 
productive  farms,  the  wild  prairies  reclaimed  on  which  peaceful  herds  now 
graze,  and  small  villages  grow  into  cities  of  wealth  and  renown.  In  his  boy- 
hood days  he  worked  hard  on  the  farm,  and  attended  the  rural  schools,  receiv- 
ing a limited  education.  In  1875  he  began  operating  a flouring  mill  at  Wal- 
nut Grove,  Greene  county,  which  he  continued  for  four  years,  then  ran  a 
grocery  store  at  Shell  City,  Missouri,  for  four  years,  then,  in  the  fall  of 
1883,  he  came  to  Springfield  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  on  East 
Commercial  street,  continuing  this  line  there  for  a period  of  twenty-six  years,, 
during  which  time  he  enjoyed  a large  and  lucrative  trade,  ranking  among  the 
best  known  and  most  popular  grocers  on  the  north  side.  He  always  carried 
a large  and  well  selected  stock  of  fancy  and  staple  groceries  and  dealt  honestly 
and  courteously  with  his  hundreds  of  customers,  retaining  their  confidence 
and  good  will  to  the  last.  He  accumulated  a comfortable  competency  through 
his  judicious  business  management  and  retired  from  active  life  in  1903,  since 
which  time  he  has  been  living  a quiet  life,  merely  looking  after  his  various 
real  estate  holdings.  He  has  a fine  residence  on  North  Campbell  street. 

Mr.  Wrightsman  served  three  years  during  the  Civil  war  in  Company 
E,  Third  Missouri  Cavalry,  Confederate  army,  under  Captain  Thompson. 
He  first  served  under  old  “Dick”  Campbell,  having  enlisted  in  the  fall  of 
1861.  He  saw  considerable  hard  service,  including  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1005 


his  first  real  engagement.  He  did  not  participate  in  the  battle  of  Wilson’s 
Creek,  being  held  a prisoner  in  Springfield  by  the  Federals  at  that  time. 

Mr.  Wrightsman  was  married  on  January  1 1 , 1870,  in  Christian  county, 
Missouri,  to  Mildred  Chestnut,  a daughter  of  Judge  Chestnut,  one  of  the 
first  judges  of  that  county.  He  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Ohio,  from 
which  thev  removed  to  Taney  county,  this  state,  in  1833,  and  were  therefore 
early  pioneers  of  the  Ozark  region.  James  Chestnut,  brother  of  Mrs. 
Wrightsman,  was  the  first  man  killed  in  Christian  county,  on  account  of  the 
Civil  war,  he  having  been  murdered  by  bushwhackers,  while  serving  as 
deputy  sheriff. 

Five  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wrightsman,  namely: 
Fred,  born  in  1871,  is  a freight  conductor  on  the  Frisco,  and  lives  in  Spring- 
field;  Walter,  born  in  1873,  lives  in  Texas  and  is  employed  by  the  Dean 
Drug  Company;  Frank,  born  in  1876,  lives  in  Oklahoma;  Herbert,  born  in 
1878,  lives  in  Monett,  Missouri;  Cora  E.,  born  in  1880,  is  the  wife  of  S. 
O.  Duemler,  and  they  reside  in  Springfield. 

Politically,  Mr.  Wrightsman  is  a Republican,  but  he  has  never  been 
active  in  public  affairs,  preferring  to  leave  the  troubles  of  public  office  to 
others,  merely  striving  to  do  his  duty  as  a fair-minded  citizen. 


CALVIN  FURROW. 

The  varied,  interesting  and  often  exciting  experiences  of  Calvin  Fur- 
row, would  make  a fair-sized  volume  should  they  be  told  in  detail  by  some 
of  our  writers  of  Western  adventure  stories.  Out  of  all  these  experiences 
he  received  much  good,  such  as  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the  world,  courage 
to  fight  life’s  battles,  and  coolness  as  well  as  decision,  which  a man  had  to 
possess  in  order  to  survive  if  he  lived  in  the  wild  West  forty  or  fifty  years 
ago;  but  unfortunately  space  forbids  us  giving  more  than  a brief  resume 
of  his  unusual  life  record  within  the  pages  of  the  present  volume. 

Mr.  Furrow  was  born  in  Polk  county,  Iowa,  August  15,  1848.  He  is  a 
son  of  John  and  Lydia  (Johnson)  Furrow.  In  those  pioneer  days  in  Iowa 
educational  advantages  were  limited  and  young  Furrow  was  not  permitted, 
under  the  circumstances  to  obtain  the  text-book  learning  that  he  otherwise 
would  have  been  glad  to  have  embraced.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm 
and  spent  his  early  youth  engaged  in  farming  and  handling  live  stock,  later 
taking  up  farming  in  Kansas;  but  not  long  thereafter  went  on  to  Fort  Sill, 
Indian  Territory  (as  the  eastern  part  of  Oklahoma  was  then  known),  and 
from  there  went  on  to  New  Mexico,  finally  located  in  Ft.  Worth,  Texas, 
in  which  vicinity  he  worked  as  a cowboy  until  1871,  then  returned  to  Iowa 


ioo6 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


and  for  ten  years  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Wabash  railroad.  We  next  find 
him  in  the  Black  Hills  of  South  Dakota,  where  he  engaged  in  mining  for 
awhile,  but  his  principal  work  there  was  as  a cowboy.  He  remained  in  that 
picturesque  country  for  a period  of  over  twenty-five  years.  Leaving  the 
Black  Hills  country  in  1906  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  has 
since  been  successfully  engaged  in  farming,  making  his  home  in  Boone  town- 
ship. He  owns  eighty  acres  in  Greene  county  and  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  in  Wright  county,  all  well  improved  and  valuable  land,  and  he  is  re- 
garded as  one  of  the  best  farmers  in  this  section  of  the  county  and  is  well 
fixed  in  the  way  of  worldly  goods. 

Mr.  Furrow  was  married  in  December,  1868,  to  Martha  E.  Kensler,  a 
native  of  Fulton  county,  Indiana,  and  a daughter  of  John  and  Louisa  Kens- 
ler. She  was  born  on  June  22,  1851.  She  was  a member  of  the  Christian 
church  at  Ash  Grove.  Mrs.  Furrow  died  September  20,  1914. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Furrow  one  child  was  born,  Louisa  Furrow,  who 
was  born  in  the  central  part  of  Iowa  on  March  24,  1879.  She  received  a 
good  education,  and  in  the  year  1901  was  married  to  Marion  Arment,  and 
they  now  reside  in  Sand  Hills,  Nebraska. 

Politically,  Mr.  Furrow  is  a Democrat,  but  he  has  never  sought  politi- 
cal honors,  although  not  lacking  in  proper  patriotism.  Fraternally,  he  be- 
longs to  the  Masonic  Order,  including  the  Blue  Lodge,  and  the  Ash  Grove 
Lodge  No  124,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  is  active  in  this  order. 


EDWIN  WIGGINS  ELSON. 

In  the  person  of  Edwin  Wiggins  Elson,  Greene  county  has  a farmer  and 
stockman  of  ideas  of  such  a progressive  nature  that  his  methods  might  well 
be  studied  by  the  younger  generation  of  agriculturists,  for  his  fine  farm  in 
Boone  township  has  few  equals  as  to  improvement  and  high  state  of  culti- 
vation. He  has  been  a resident  of  this  locality  for  more  than  thirty-five 
years,  during  which  time  he  has  advanced  by  his  own  labors  and  sagacious 
plans  from  a comparatively  modest  beginning  to  a position  in  the  front  rank 
of  agriculturists  in  the  Ozark  region,  and  in  matters  pertaining  to  the  wel- 
fare of  his  township,  county  and  state,  he  is  deeply  interested,  and  his 
efforts  in  behalf  of  the  general  progress  have  been  far-reaching  and  bene- 
ficial. 

Mr.  Elson  was  born  in  Stark  county,  Ohio,  April  8,  1850.  He  is  a. 
son  of  John  H.  and  Osee  (Wilson)  Elson.  The  father  was  born  in  Brooke 
county.  West  Virginia,  October  14,  1806,  and  was  a son  of  Capt.  John  R. 
and  Margaret  (Wiggins)  Elson.  Captain  Elson  was  also  born  in  what 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1007 


is  now  Brooke  county,  West  Virginia,  but  which  at  that  time  was  a part 
of  Virginia  proper — 1769.  He  was  a son  of  Richard  Elson,  who  was  born 
in  Scotland,  from  which  country  he  emigrated  to  Virginia  in  Colonial  times, 
and  there  entered  four  hundred  acres  of  government  land,  taking  up  a 
“tomahawk  claim,”  which  he  cleared  and  placed  under  cultivation  and  on 
which  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  and  there  reared  his  family  of  four 
sons  and  three  daughters.  Capt.  John  R.  Elson  served  in  the  Wrar  of  1812, 
also  in  the  Indian  wars  with  a most  creditable  record.  His  death  occurred 
in  1820  in  Starke  county,  Ohio,  where  the  family  removed  a few  years 
before  his  death.  His  widow  survived  until  1847.  John  H.  Elson,  father 
of  the  subject  of  this  review,  when  twelve  years  of  age,  moved  to  Starke 
county,  Ohio,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in 
1898.  He  and  the  mother  of  our  subject  were  married  in  1833.  She  was 
born  May  15,  1815,  and  received  a good  education,  being  a wide  reader, 
and  her  death  occurred  in  1894.  They  were  people  of  intelligence,  industry, 
hospitality  and  popular  among  their  neighbors. 

Edwin  W.  Elson  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  worked  when 
a boy.  He  received  a good  education  in  the  public  schools  and  Mt.  Union 
College  at  Alliance,  Ohio,  after  which  he  turned  his  attention  to  general 
farming  in  Ohio,  where  he  remained  until  1878,  getting  a good  start  in  the 
meanwhile,  and  in  that  year  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  where  his 
brother,  William  P.  Elson,  (a  sketch  of  whom  appears  on  another  page  of 
this  work)  had  preceded  him  shortly  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  war. 
Upon  reaching  his  new  locality  our  subject  bought  a farm  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  in  Boone  township'  and  was  soon  actively  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock  raising,  and,  prospering  with  advancing  years  by  his 
close  application  and  good  management,  he  has  added  to  his  original  holdings 
until  he  now  owns  six  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  productive  and  highly 
improved  land,  all  under  cultivation,  constituting  one  of  the  most  valuable 
and  desirable  farms  in  this  section  of  the  state.  He  has  an  attractive  and 
commodious  home  in  the  midst  of  pleasing  surroundings,  and  nearby  may 
also  be  seen  a group  of  convenient  outbuildings.  He  is  an  excellent  judge 
of  all  kinds  of  live  stock,  and  is  one  of  the  best  known  stockmen  in  the 
western  part  of  the  county.  He  makes  a specialty  of  jacks  and  Percheron 
horses,  and- at  present  owns  seven  jacks  and  one  Percheron  registered.  His 
annual  sales  will  average  twenty  mules,  and  he  has  now  sixty  mules  on 
hand  and  ten  brood  mares.  He  also  feeds  large  numbers  of  hogs  for  the 
market,  and  each  year  sows  a vast  acreage  of  wheat. 

Mr.  Elson  was  married  January  29,  1880,  to  Mary  Belle  Jones,  who  was. 
born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  August  31,  i860,  and  here  she  grew  to 
womanhood  and  received  her  education.  She  was  a daughter  of  Benjamin 
G.  W.  and  Kittura  (Cossey)  Jones.  The  father  was  born  in  Tennessee, 


ioo8 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


February  26,  1822,  and  died  in  this  county  July  27,  1898.  Mrs.  Elson’s 
mother  was  born  in  Indiana,  and  also  died  in  this  county.  The  father  was 
a farmer  all  his  life.  This  union  was  blessed  with  thirteen  children,  six 
of  whom  are  still  living. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elson  nine  children  have  been  born,  named  as  fol- 
lows: Benjamin  F.,  born  February  20,  1881,  is  farming  in  Walnut. Grove 

township,  this  county;  Edna  Myrtle,  born  February  28,  1883,  died  when 
three  months  old;  Thomas  E.,  born  June  8,  1884;  Nora,  born  June  12,  1886, 
is  the  wife  of  William  Marsh,  and  they  live  in  Fair  Play,  Missouri ; Sher- 
man, born  April  5,  1888,  is  farming  in  this  township;  Joshua  C.,  born 
August  7,  1890;  Mae,  born  December  2,  1893;  Ruth,  born  August  24,  1897; 
and  Elelen,  born  December  2,  1900.  The  younger  children  are  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Elson  is  a Republican  and  has  been  more  or  less  active 
in  local  political  affairs.  He  has  been  school  director  in  his  district  for 
about  thirty  years.  Religiously,  the  family  attend  the  Methodist  church. 
Among  those  in  whose  midst  he  has  so  long  resided  he  is  held  in  the 
highest  esteem  by  reason  of  his  public-spirit,  his  upright  life  and  his  obliging 
and  neighborly  disposition. 


SAMPSON  BASS. 


One  of  the  oldest  pioneers  of  Greene  county  is  Sampson  Bass,  one  of 
the  best-known  citizens  and  substantial  farmers  of  Jackson  township,  who 
has  spent  nearly  all  of  his  long  life  of  eighty-seven  years  in  this  county, 
which  he  has  seen  come  up  to  its  present  position  from  the  wilderness  where 
roamed  the  red  man  and  wild  beast  and  where  very  few  white  people  were 
to  be  found.  To  all  this  change  he  has  been  an  interested  and  by  no  means 
a passive  spectator,  having  sought  to  do  his  full  share  in  the  work  of  progress 
in  the  locality  where  he  has  been  contented  to  abide  through  many  decades. 
Fie  talks  most  interestingly  of  the  early  clays  when  customs  and  manners 
were  different,  men  and  women  were  different — everything,  in  fact,  unlike 
what  our  civilization  is  today.  Fie  and  other  early  settlers  are  of  the  opinion 
that  those  were  better,  at  least  happier,  times  than  now,  and  this  is,  in  the 
main,  true.  Fie  might  well  be  compared  with  the  character  represented  by 
the  American  poet.  Oliver  Wendell  Flolmes,  in  his  beautiful  lines,  “The  Last 
Leaf,’’  for  Mr.  Bass  has  lived  to  see  his  early  acquaintances  and  friends 
perform  Hieir  allotted  acts  in  the  local  drama  of  civilization  and  then  pass 
on  to  rest,  coming  down  to  us  from  a former  generation. 

Mr.  Bass  was  born  in  Marion  county,  Tennessee,  on  December  8,  1827. 
He  is  a son  of  Andrew  and  Ellen  (Smith)  Bass.  The  father  was  a native 


SAMPSON  BASS. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1009 


-of  Georgia,  from  where  he  removed  to  North  Carolina,  thence  to  Tennessee 
when  a small  boy,  and  he  grew  to  manhood  in  the  last  named  state  on  a 
farm,  and  there  received  a limited  education.  He  emigrated  with  his  family 
to  Missouri  in  1830  and,  by  mistake,  settled  on  land  belonging  to  the  Indians, 
who  subsequently  drove  him  off  and  he  settled  in  Greene  county  in  the  fall 
-of  1830,  securing  eighty  acres  at  first.  He  started  with  practically  nothing 
in  this  state,  but  being  a man  of  exceptional  ability,  he  became  wealthy  for 
those  times  and  owned  fourteen  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  having  acquired  his  property  by  hard  work  and  good  manage- 
ment, and  he  died  in  1867  on  the  place  where  our  subject  now  lives.  He 
was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His  wife  was  a native 
of  Marion  county,  Tennessee,  and  there  grew  up  on  a farm,  received  a limited 
schooling  and  there  she  married  Mr.  Bass.  She  was  a pioneer  woman  in 
every  respect,  working  hard  assisting  her  husband  to  get  a start  in  the  wilder- 
ness, spinning  and  weaving,  molding  candles,  making  soap  and  the  thousand 
and  one  things  about  the  house,  of  which  the  modern  woman  knows  nothing 
except  by  tradition.  She  was  also  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  Her  death  occurred  on  the  homestead  here  in  1862.  To  these 
parents  fourteen  children  were  born,  namely:  Sampson,  our  subject,  is  the 
oldest;  John,  Henderson,  Jackson  and  James  are  all  deceased,  Martin  V. 
lives  in  Greene  county,  Newton,  McCord  and  Leonard  H.  are  deceased,  Lila 
lives  in  Polk  county,  Missouri;  Leda,  deceased;  Narcissus,  deceased;  Mar- 
garet is  living  in  Greene  county;  Ellen  also  lives  in  this  county. 

Mr.  Bass,  of  this  sketch,  was  three  years  old  when  his  parents  brought 
him  to  Missouri  and  he  was  reared  in  Greene  county  and  here  received  such 
limited  educational  advantages  as  those  early  times  afforded.  He  worked 
hard  assisting  his  father  clear  and  develop  the  home  farm,  remaining  under 
the  parental  roof  tree  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  when,  in  1849,  he 
married  Ann  Rogers,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee  on  October  11,  1830,  from 
which  state  her  parents  brought  her  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  when  she 
was  a child,  and  here  she  grew  to  womanhood.  Her  death  occurred  in 
1866.  Mr.  Bass  married  a second  time,  in  1888,  to  Eliza  Lowder,  who 
was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  October  8',  1850,  a daughter  of  George 
H.  and  Juda  (McCall)  Lowder.  She  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  church, 
as  was  also  Mr.  Bass’  first  wife.  To  the  first  union  nine  children  were  born, 
namely:  Elizabeth,  deceased;  Jane,  Polly,  Riley,  Sampson  H.,  Tr.,  deceased; 
Dave  J.,  deceased ; the  three  youngest  children  died  in  infancy.  To  Mr. 
Bass’  second  union  two  children  were  born,  Roy  and  Wright. 

After  his  first  marriage  Mr.  Bass  went  to  work  as  a wagon  maker,  later 
bought  forty  acres.  His  father  then  gave  him  eighty  acres',  and  later  he 

(64)^ 


10IO 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


entered  forty  acres.  He  worked  hard  and  managed  well  and  therefore  pros- 
pered with  advancing  years.  He  continued  to  buy  land  until  he  accumulated 
seven  hundred  acres,  constituting  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county,  which 
land  he  placed  under  an  excellent  state  of  improvement  and  cultivation  and 
established  a commodious  home.  In  i860  there  was  no  mill  in  this  part  of 
the  county  and  one  was  badly  needed,  so  Mr.  Bass  invited  his  neighbors  to 
his  home  on  Christmas  day  of  that  year  for  the  purpose  of  talking  over  a 
proposition  to  establish  a mill  in  the  neighborhood.  It  finally  devolved 
upon  Mr.  Bass  to  build  a mill  in  section  15,  Jackson  township,  and  for  years 
he  carried  on  a large  and  successful  business  with  his  combined  flour  and 
sawmill,  sawing  lumber  for  residents  in  adjoining  counties,  as  well  as  for 
those  who  lived  in  Greene.  This  was  in  i860  and  was  the  first  steam  mill 
to  be  operated  in  Greene  county.  During  the  Civil  war  he  ground  flour  for 
the  armies  in  this  part  of  the  state.  He  sold  his  mill  in  1866  and  resumed 
farming.  The  town  of  Bassville  in  this  township  was  named  for  our  subject. 

Politically  Mr.  Bass  is  an  uncompromising  Democrat.  He  is  a member 
of  the  Masonic  Order,  and  religiously  belongs  to  the  Baptist  church. 


WILBUR  M.  F ALLIN. 

The  Missouri  mule  has  a reputation  throughout  the  world.  That  repu- 
tation in  some  sections  is  not  the  kind  that  would  be  pleasing  to  him  if  he 
but  knew,  for  there  are  times  when  he  is  unruly,  stubborn  and  inclined  to 
show  his  displeasure  by  means  of  his  heels.  But  nevertheless,  when  it 
comes  to  quality  and  fine  points  in  his  anatomy  he  is  not  excelled  on  the 
globe  and  he  has  done  much  to  advertise  the  “Show  Me”  state  abroad. 
There  are  few  foreign  armies  where  he  is  not  found,  and  nearly  every  war 
of  importance  increases  his  demand.  However,  by  nature  he  is  not  a war- 
rior and  no  doubt  prefers  the  peaceful  plantations  and  the  lazy  negro 
drivers  of  the  cotton  and  cane  districts  of  the  South,  where,  for  three- 
quarters  of  a century  these  animals  have  been  sold  in  ever  increasing  num- 
bers. Throughout  this  state  men  may  be  found  who  devote  their  exclusive 
attention  to  dealing  in  mules,  finding  it  a desirable  and  profitable  business. 
Among  these  the  firm  of  Fallin  Brothers  of  Springfield,  composed  of 
Wilbur  M.  and  Walter  A.  Fallin,  is  the  best  known  in  southwestern  Mis- 
souri, and  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  successful. 

Wilbur  M.  Fallin  was  born  March  31,  1872,  in  Greene  county,  Missouri. 
He  is  a son  of  Joseph  S.  and  Polina  (Reed)  Fallin.  The  father  was  born 
in  middle  Tennessee  in  1841,  and  there  grew  to  manhood  and  attended 
school,  emigrating  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  the  early  sixties,  where  he 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IOI I 


established  the  future  home  of  the  family,  and  here  his  death  occurred  on 
March  26,  1909-  He  was  a stone  mason  by  trade,  but  devoted  most  of  his 
life  to  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  left  his  farm  in  1884  and 
moved  to  Springfield.  His  wife  was  born  in  1843,  and  she  died  in  1877. 
They  were  married  in  Arkansas.  To  this  union  five  children  were  born, 
namely:  Anna  died  about  1889;  Minnie  lives  in  Springfield,  Missouri;. 

Wilbur  M.,  of  this  sketch;  Emma  Belle  lives  in  Springfield;  Walter  A.,, 
who  is  a member  of  the  firm  of  Fallin  Brothers. 

Wilbur  M.  Fallin  received  his  education  in  the  ward  and  high  schools 
of  Springfield.  He  had  4n  inclination  toward  the  livestock  business  when 
very  young  and  began  his  career  by  buying  and  selling  hogs  and  calves. 
He  also  learned  the  trade  of  stone  mason  under  his  father,  but  did  not 
follow  this  long  until  lie  returned  to  the  livestock  business  and  also  engaged 
in  farming  a few  years.  In  the  year  1900  he  formed  a partnership  with  his 
brother,  Walter  A.  Fallin,  who  gave  up  his  position  as  machinist  in  the 
Frisco  shops,  and  they  engaged  in  the  horse  and  mule  business,  under  the 
name  of  Fallin  Brothers,  buyers  and  sellers,  and  were  successful  from  the 
first.  They  have  continued  in  this  line  of  endeavor  ever  since  and  have 
built  up  an  extensive  and  lucrative  business.  They  were  first  located  on 
the  south  side  of  the  city  lot,  remaining  there  until  1914,  when  they  bought 
and  built  three  commodious  and  substantial  barns,  including  the  erection  of 
a modern  two-story  brick  building,  one  hundred  and  twenty  by  one  hundred 
feet,  on  Market  street  and  Mule  alley,  where  they  are.  at  present  located, 
owning  two  hundred  feet  on  Market  street  and  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  on  Mule  alley.  They  keep  a large  number  of  high-grade  mules  on  hand 
at  all  seasons,  buying  and  shipping  to  various  markets  continuously. 

Wilbur  M.  Fallin  was  married  on  December  10,  1902,  to  Mary  Eliza- 
beth Roper,  who  was  born  in  Polk  county,  Missouri,  June  12,  1884.  She 
is  a daughter  of  J.  W.  Roper  and  wife,  who  live  on  a farm  in  Polk  county. 
Mr.  Roper’s  wife  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Vine  Davis.  Mr.  Roper 
moved  from  his  farm  to  Springfield  and  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  for 
some  time,  and  he  is  still  living  in  this  city. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilbur  Fallin,  namely: 
Wesley  Edwin,  born  September  7,  1904;  Alfred  M.,  born  August  18,  1906, 
died  December  10,  1909;  and  Orin,  born  August  29,  1909. 

Politically,  Mr.  Fallin  is  a Republican,  and  he  and  his  family  belong 
to  the  Christian  church. 

Walter  Augustus  Fallin,  of  the  firm  of  Fallin  Brothers,  was  born  October 
23>  t877’  the  Fallin  homestead  near  Springfield,  and  here  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  attended  the  ward  and  high  schools.  Pie  learned  the  ma- 
chinist’s trade  when  a boy  and  for  some  time  worked  at  the  same  local 
Frisco  shops,  where  he  remained  until  1900,  when  he  formed  a partner- 


1012 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ship  with  his  brother  and  began  dealing  in  horses  and  mules,  as  related  in 
a preceding  paragraph.  He  was  married  on  April  7,  1901,  to  Hattie  G. 
Price,  who  was  born  in  Greene  county,  August  29,  1882,  and  was  here  reared 
and  educated.  She  is  a daughter  of  William  K.  and  Ellen  (Gregory)  Price, 
the  father  a native  of  Ohio,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Greene  county, 
Missouri.  Mr.  Price  came  to  Springfield  when  a young  man  and  has  long- 
been  employed  in  the  local  Frisco  shops,  where  he  has  charge  of  a depart- 
ment. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walter  A.  Fallin,  named  as 
follows:  Lawrence  A.,  born  September  25,  1903;  Walter  Plarold,  born  June 
12,  1908;  Joseph  Price,  born  March  31,  1912;  Earle  Augusta,  born  August 
9,  1914. 

Politically,  Mr.  Fallin  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 
the  Court  of  Plonor,  the  Maccabees,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 
and  the  United  Workmen,  also  the  Travelers’  Protective  Association.  Pie 
is  a member  of  Central  Christian  church. 

The  Fallin  boys  are  excellent  judges  of  mules  and  horses,  and  have 
;gained  and  retained  a reputation  for  prompt  and  fair  dealings,  consequently 
have  always  enjoyed  the  good  will  and  confidence  of  their  score  of  regular 
customers  and  patrons. 

Both  Wilbur  and  Walter  Augustus  served  ten  months  in  the  Spanish- 
American  war,  enlisting  for  service,  and  on  May  3,  1898,  were  called  out. 
Their  company  went  first  to  Jefferson  Barracks,  then  to  Chickamauga,  Ten- 
nessee, and  from  there  to  Lexington,  Kentucky,  then  to  Albany,  Georgia, 
where  they  were  mustered  out,  March  3,  1899. 


HOWARD  RAGSDALE. 

In  the  list  of  present  day  lawyers  of  Greene  county,  the  name  of  How- 
ard Ragsdale,  of  Ash  Grove,  must  not  be  overlooked.  He  has  passed  the 
half-way  house  along  the  thoroughfare  of  the  human  years,  and  has  rapidly 
risen  to  an  influential  and  prominent  place  in  his  profession  in  both  Greene 
and  Dade  counties.  He  is  a well  read  lawyer,  a ready  debater,  an  industri- 
ous, indomitable  worker,  and  a skilful  tactician.  The  mighty  Julius  plead- 
ing at  the  bar  was  greater  than  when  thundering  in  the  war.  He  conquered 
nations  with  his  invincible  legions:  “ ’Tis  of  more  renown  to  save  a client 

than  to  save  a town.”  Mr.  Ragsdale’s  arguments  to  the  courts  embody  no 
surplusage,  but  are  direct,  terse  and  incisive;  to  the  jury  they  are  plain,;, 
logical,  matter  of  fact,  compactly  presented.  Lie  cares  more  for  a rod  of 
.truth  than  for  a mile  of  rhetoric,  more  for  a principle  than  for  a thrilling 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IOI3 


climax,  more  for  a fact  than  an  acre  of  verbal  felicities  and  gems.  He  has 
a clientage  in  the  courts  that  older  practitioners  would  be  pleased  to  com- 
mand. He  is  a man  of  firm  and  decided  convictions,  whether  in  law,  poli- 
tics, or  in  any  department  of  thought  or  action  employing  his  time  and  at- 
tention. 

Mr.  Ragsdale  was  born  in  Dade  county,  Missouri,  August  16,  1869. 
He  is  a son  of  Benjamin  F.  and  Nancy  E.  (Buckner)  Ragsdale.  The  father 
was  born  in  Greenfield,  Missouri,  in  October,  1843,  and  was  a son  of  Joshua 
and  Sarah  Ragsdale.  Joshua  Ragsdale  emigrated  from  the  Carolinas  in  a 
very  early  day,  the  early  thirties,  and  located  in  Dade  county,  where  he  en- 
tered twelve  hundred  acres  of  land  from  the  government  and  here  he  fol- 
lowed general  farming  the  rest  of  his  life,  and  became  a prosperous  and  in- 
fluential citizen.  He  had  married  before  leaving  his  native  country,  a woman 
who  also  first  saw  the  light  of  day  under  Dixie  skies.  Benjamin  F.  Rags- 
dale grew  up  on  his  father’s  broad  acres,  which  he  assisted  in  getting  ready 
for  cultivation  and  he  helped  with  the  general  work  of  the  farm  when  a boy. 
He  was  given  the  usual  educational  advantages  of  the  times.  During  the  war 
of  the  states  he  enlisted  in  a Dade  county  company  in  the  Union  army  and 
was  captured  by  the  Confederates  but  subsequently  paroled.  He  spent  his 
life  in  Dade  county,  successfully  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  was 
widely  known  there.  His  death  occurred  on  November  25,  1899.  Politi- 
cally he  was  a Republican.  He  and  Nancy  E.  Buckner  were  married  in 
1867.  She  was  born  in  Lawrence  county,  Missouri,  in  1852  and  her  death 
occurred  in  July,  1910. 

Howard  Ragsdale  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  county  and  received 
a good  common  school  education  ; later  was  a pupil  at  Ozark  College,  Green- 
field, Missouri.  He  began  life  for  himself  by  teaching  school  a few  terms 
with  satisfaction,  then  began  studying  law  with  E.  P.  Mann,  of  Greenfield, 
with  whom  he  remained  two  years,  and  in  1897  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of 
Missouri,  and  soon  thereafter  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at 
Everton,  Dade  county,  where  he  remained  thirteen  years,  enjoying  a large 
patronage  and  ranking  among  the  leading  attorneys  of  that  county.  He 
served  a term  as  prosecuting  attorney  of  Dade  county  in  a manner  that  re- 
flected credit  upon  himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  In 
1909  he  located  in  Ash  Grove  and  has  remained  here  to  the  present  time  and 
has  from  the  first  enjoyed  a satisfactory  and  growing  practice  throughout 
this  locality. 

Mr.  Ragsdale  was  married  in  September.  1899,  to  Ellen  Finley,  who 
was  born  in  Greenfield,  Missouri.  February  1,  1879,  and  there  grew  to 
womanhood  and  received  a good  education.  She  represents  one  of  the  old 
prominent  families  of  that  town,  and  is  a daughter  of  Milton  Finley  and  wife. 

Politically,  Air.  Ragsdale  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 


ioi4 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


the  Masonic  Order,  the  Blue  Lodge  at  Everton,  and  the  Royal  Arch  Chapter 
at  Ash  Grove.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  a man 
of  excellent  mental  endowments  and  commanding  personality,  a man  who 
has  ever  stood  well  in  this  locality. 


WILL  J.  MAJOR. 

'‘The  gay  will  laugh  when  thou  art  gone, 

The  solemn  brood  of  care  plod  on, 

And  each  one,  as  before,  will  chase 
His  favorite  phantom ; yet  these  shall  all 
Leave  their  mirth  and  their  employment, 

And  shall  come  and  make  their  bed  with  thee.” 

The  above  lines,  penned  by  America’s  great  poet  of  Nature,  in  his  in- 
comparable “Thanatopsis,”  strikingly  sets  forth  in  a few  phrases  a picture 
of  death.  Since  the  beginning  of  the  world  death  has  been  looked  upon  as 
“the  king  of  terrors.”  Why  this  should  be  so,  since  it  is  as  common  as  birth 
or  any  other  natural  occurrence,  the  biographer  leaves  to  more  philosophic 
minds.  The  manner  of  laying  the  dead  away  has  been  given  much  thought 
by  the  various  peoples  of  the  earth,  and  many  and  diverse  methods  have 
been  promulgated ; in  fact,  all  times,  and  places  and  customs  are  noted  by 
the  historian,  from  the  methods  of  certain  savage  tribes,  who  suspend  their 
dead  in  tall  trees  to  the  present  rapidly-growing  method  of  cremation,  when 
all  that  is  earthly  of  a mortal  quickly  disappears  in  a wave  of  white  heat. 
It  has  always  seemed  to  be  the  prevailing  desire  of  most  nations  to  preserve 
the  bodies  of  the  dead  as  long  as  possible,  and,  this  being  so,  thinking  men 
began  devising  means  whereby  this  could  best  be  accomplished,  and  thus 
resulted  the  art  of  embalming,  ages  ago,  and  although  the  methods  have  un- 
dergone changes  from  time  to  time,  it  is  doubtful  if  the  twentieth  century 
undertaker  can  do  his  work  any  more  effectively  than  did  the  Egyptian  em- 
balmer  in  the  days  of  Pharaoh.  The  most  advanced  and  satisfactory  meth- 
ods of  embalming  are  employed  by  Will  J.  Major,  well  known  undertaker 
of  East  Commercial  street,  Springfield. 

Mr.  Major  was  born  in  Iroquois  county,  Illinois,  December  19,  1861. 
He  is  a son  of  Robert  D.  and  Ellen  (Hitchcock)  Major.  The  father  was 
born  in  Tippecanoe  county,  Indiana,  about  1839,  and  was  a son  of  James 
Major  and  wife.  James  Major  was  born  in  Indiana  back  in  the  days  of  the 
first  settlers  and  there  he  grew  up,  but  finally  located  in  Illinois  where  his 
death  occurred  in  1877,  after  an  active  life  as  a farmer.  His  wife,  who 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IOI5 


was  a native  of  Pennsylvania,  preceded  him  to  the  grave  by  several  years. 
Robert  D.  Major  learned  the  carpenter’s  trade  in  early  life  and  followed 
this  in  connection  with  farming  for  a livelihood.  He  remained  in  Illinois 
until  1883  when  he  went  to  Montana  and  followed  his  trade,  remaining  there 
until  1885,  when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  continued  car- 
pentering practically  until  his  death  in  1896.  Politically,  he  was  a Repub- 
lican, was  a member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  belonged  to  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  which  he  passed  all  the  chairs  in  the  local  lodge. 
Ellen  Hitchcock,  mother  of  our  subject,  was  born  near  Niagara  Falls,  New 
York,  March  30,  1832,  a daughter  of  John  and  Eliza  Hitchcock.  She  died 
in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  September  4,  1914,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years 
and  six  months. 

Will  J.  Major  received  a common  school  education,  spending  two  years 
in  the  high  school  at  Aurora,  Illinois.  He  remained  on  the  home  farm  until 
he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  then  began  learning  carpentering  and  cabinet 
making,  at  which  he  worked  until  1898,  having  attained  a high  degree  of 
skill  in  each.  He  then  spent  four  years  as  assistant  custodian  in  the  Spring- 
field  postoffice.  Then  went  to  work  for  J.  M.  White,  a pioneer  undertaker 
of  this  city,  and,  making  a careful  study  of  the  business,  he  passed  the  state 
board  examination  in  1909,  and  was  duly  qualified  to  enter  the  profession, 
and  has  since  been  in  business  for  himself  at  230  East  Commercial  street, 
and  is  now  one  of  the  busiest  and  most  popular  undertakers  in  Springfield, 
maintaining  large,  modernly  equipped  and  well  furnished  parlors  and  his 
treatment  of  his  patrons  is  always  courteous  and  honorable. 

Mr.  Major  was  married  April  15,  1886,  to  Anna  B.  Reynolds,  who  was 
born  in  Nebraska,  October  1,  1869.  She  was  a daughter  of  a highly  re- 
spected family,  and  she  received  a good  education,  and  proved  to  be  an  ex- 
cellent helpmeet.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  three  children,  namely : 
Mabel,  born  July  4,  1890,  is  the  wife  of  John  Hulse,  of  Springfield;  E'llene, 
born  in  September,  1892,  is  the  wife  of  Lee  Donald,  of  Kansas  City;  Helen, 
born  July  25,  1897,  is  at  home. 

Mr.  Major  is  prominent  in  fraternal  circles,  belonging  to  Springfield 
Lodge  No.  218,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which  he  is  past 
grand,  has  been  district  deputy  grand  master  for  three  years,  and  has  been 
secretary  of  the  same  for  the  past  eighteen  years;  he  is  a member  of  the 
Empire  Encampment,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which  he  is 
past  chief  patriarch;  also  Springfield  Canton  No.  23,  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows.  He  is  a member  of  Julia  Lodge  No.  72,  Daughters  of  Re- 
bekah.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  Bears,  Fraternal 
Order  of  Eagles,  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Security,  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America,  Woodmen  of  the  World,  Modern  Brotherhood,  Knights  and  La- 
dies of  Honor,  and  the  Court  of  Honor. 


ioi6 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ELY  PAX  SON. 

From  the  days  of  the  Egyptian  mummies,  when  the  old  Pharaohs  were 
elaborately  embalmed,  to  the  present  time  this  science — embalming — has. 
gone  through  various  stages  of  development,  but  it  is  doubtful  if  it  is  any 
better  today  than  when  the  body  of  the  great  Rameses  was  prepared  for  the 
tomb,  for  the  student  of  history  finds  that  the  ancients  knew  many  things 
which  we  do  not  know,  the  “lost  arts”  being  a theme  which  has  engaged 
much  thought  by  moderns.  In  various  museums,  notably  the  British,  mum- 
mies are  to  be  seen  which  have  withstood  the  ravages  of  many  thousands 
of  years.  The  manner  of  laying  away  the  ^ dead  has  differed  widely  in 
different  ages  and  with  different  nations.  The  ancients  preferred  sepulchers 
hewn  from  solid  rock,  some  were  buried  in  upright  positions,  some  with 
their  heads  to  the  east,  others  to  the  west.  We  read  of  the  Hindus  casting 
their  dead  into  the  Ganges  river,  of  bodies  being  deposited  in  trees  by  the 
Indians  of  North  America  and  the  natives  of  Africa.  It  was  once  the  desire 
to  so  prepare  the  body  that  it  would  retain  its  material  form  forever ; now 
many  desire  that  this  house  of  clay  shall  be  dissolved  as  quickly  as  possible 
after  it  has  been  cast  aside  by  the  inscrutable  something  we  call  spirit  or 
soul,  hence  cremation  is  now  a well-established  business.  The  universal 
civilized  manner  of  burial  demands  skill  of  a high  nature,  and  so  in  every 
city  and  town  in  Christendom  we  find  undertakers  and  embalmers.  One  of 
the  mo$t  adroit,  learned  and  successful,  as  well  as  best  known  and  popular, 
of  those  who  are  engaged  in  this  line  of  endeavor  in  Springfield  is  Ely 
Paxson,  whose  experience  of  half  a century  entitles  him  to  a position  in  the 
front  rank  of  undertakers  in  Missouri. 

Mr.  Paxson  was  born  near  Findlay,  Ohio,  January  17,  1847.  He  is  a 
son  of  Morris  and  Mariah  (Shipman)  Paxson,  and  a descendant  of  an  old 
English  family  of  Colonial  stock.  Ely  Paxson,  the  paternal  grandfather  of 
our  subject,  was  a native  of  Pennsylvania  and  received  his  Christian  name 
from  the  old  Ely  family.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  the  old  Keystone  state 
and  there  became  a successful  farmer  and  useful  citizen,  remaining  there 
until  1833,  when  he  removed  with  his  family  to  near  Findlay,  Ohio,  where 
he  continued  farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred  about  1876.  His  son, 
Morris  Paxson.  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Burks 
county,  Pennsylvania,  September  26,  ^825,  and  he  was  eight  years  of  age 
when  the  family  removed  to  Ohio.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  Hancock 
county  and  assisted  his  father  with  the  work  on  the  farm,  and  he  received 
his  education  in  the  pioneer  schools  there.  When  a boy  he  learned  the  black- 
smith’s trade,  at  which  he  became  quite  expert.  He  remained  in  the  Buck- 
eye state  until  1867,  when  he  came  to  Missouri,  arriving  in  Springfield  in 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IOI7 


May  of  that  year,  and  here  he  spent- the  rest  of  his  iife,  becoming  well  known 
to  the  business  world  here  in  that  early  period  of  the  city's  development. 
His  death  occurred  January  17,  1893,  in  his  sixty-eighth  year.  He  was 
an  honest,  hard  working  man  whom  everybody  respected.  He  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  religiously  he  belonged  to  the  Methodist 
church.  He  and  Mariah  Shipman  were  married  at  Findlay,  Ohio,  where 
she  had  spent  her  girlhood  and  was  educated.  To  this  union  seven  children 
were  born. 

Ely  Paxson,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  spent  his  boyhood  at 
Findlay,  Ohio,  and  there  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  and 
later  learned  the  cabinetmaker’s  trade,  also  the  undertaking  business,  for 
which  he  seemed  to  possess  from  the  outset  decided  natural  ability,  such  as 
industry,  tact,  steady  nerves,  kindness,  promptness  and  integrity,  and  these 
qualities  with  others  have  resulted  in  great  success  in  later  years.  In  1868 
he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  for  two  years  worked  as  a journey- 
man cabinetmaker  in  the  establishment  of  Julius  Ivassler  on  College  street, 
then  entered  into  partnership  with  his  employer,  and  in  March,  1880,  bought 
him  out,  and  has  continued  in  the  undertaking  business  ever  since  alone,  his 
business  growing  with  advancing  years  until  it  has  long  since  reached  very 
extensive  proportions  and  Mr.  Paxson’s  name  is  known  over  all  southwestern 
Missouri,  and  in  his  dealings  with  the  people  here  for  a period  of  over  forty- 
five  years  he  has  maintained  a reputation  for  honesty,  courtesy  and  good 
citizenship,  enjoying  all  the  while  the  good  will  and  esteem  of  his  fellow 
men.  Flis  establishment  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1875  and  again  in  1885. 
In  1888  he  erected  the  substantial  two-story  brick  structure  which  he  still 
occupies,  and  which  is  modernly  equipped  in  every  respect  for  the  successful 
and  prompt  carrying  on  of  his  business,  and  here  he  employs  assistants  of 
the  highest  skill. 

Mr.  Paxson  was  married  on  March  20,  1873,  to  Anna  Belle  Keet, 
daughter  of  James  Keet,  a prominent  business  man  of  southern  Missouri, 
the  Keets  having  been  among  the  leading  families  of  Springfield  for  many 
years,  and  here  Mrs.  Paxson  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  an  excellent 
education.  She  is  a lady  of  culture  and  is  prominent  socially. 

Politically,  Mr.  Paxson  is  a Republican  and  has  been  more  or  less  active 
in  public  affairs.  He  was  coroner  of  Greene  county  for  two  terms,  the 
duties  of  which  office  he  discharged  with  ability  and  satisfaction.  Frater- 
nally, he  is  a well-known  Mason,  having  attained  the  thirty-second  degree 
in  that  order.  For  a number  of  years  he  was  recorder  of  St.  John’s  Com- 
mandery  No.  20,  Knights  Templars,  of  which  he  is  past  eminent  commander. 
Fie  is  treasurer  of  the  latter  body  and  Solomon  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  and  treasurer  of  Springfield  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons.  He  is 


ioi8 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


also  past  master  of  the  Blue  Lodge.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  Grace 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  he  is  treasurer. 

Mr.  Paxson  has  always  had  the  welfare  of  Springfield  at  heart,  and 
his  aid  in  furthering  the  best  interests  of  the  same  has  never  been  withheld 
in  all  laudable  movements,  and  he  is  not  only  one  of  the  best  known  men  in 
this  city  and  county,  but  is  one  of  the  most  highly  respected  for  his  industry, 
public  spirit  and  exemplary  record  as  a man  and  citizen. 


JAMES  S.  McILVIN. 

The  great  Empire  state  (which  seems  to  have  been  given  a most  ap- 
propriate sobricjuet)  has  sent  large  numbers  of  her  enterprising  citizens  into 
the  great  West,  where  they  have  made  commendable  records  in  every  walk 
of  life,  being'  people  who  believe  not  only  in  doing  things  but  in  doing  them 
well ; they  seem  to  be,  almost  without  exception,  men  and  women  who 
combine  the  proper  elements  of  character  and  innate  equalities  to  make  good 
and  useful  citizens.  James  S.  Mcllvin,  a locomotive  engineer  of  the  Frisco 
Lines,  living  at  Springfield,  is  one  of  this  number. 

Mr.  Mcllvin  was  born  at  Rochester,  New  York,  May  16,  1856.  He 
is  a son  of  Robert  and  Rosine  E.  (Richards)  Mcllvin,  both  parents  natives 
of  New  Hampshire,  each  representing  an  old  New  England  family.  They 
grew  to  maturity  in  their  native  state,  attended  the  common  schools  there 
and  were  married  in  New  Hampshire,  but  removed  from  that  state  to  the 
state  of  New  York  about  the  middle  of  the  nineteenth  century.  The 
father  of  our  subject  was  a carpenter  by  trade  and  he  followed  carpentering 
and  building  during  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  but  his  earlier  years  were 
devoted  to  farming.  Elis  death  occurred  at  Westfield,  New  York,  about 
ten  years  ago.  He  removed  his  family  to  Kansas  when  that  state  was  being 
settled  by  Eastern  people  and  there  the  mother  of  our  subject  died,  in  the 
town  of  Lacygne,  in  1872.  To  these  parents  two  children  were  born, 
namely : Herbert,  a conductor  on  the  Southern  Pacific  railroad,  lives  in 

Dallas,  Texas;  and  James  S.,  of  this  sketch. 

James  S.  Mcllvin  was  taken  to  the  state  of  Kansas  by  his  parents 
when  he  was  a small  boy  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools.  Lie  began  his  railroad  career  in  1877, 
in  Pennsylvania,  on  the  Bessemer  railroad,  which  at  that  time  was  known 
as  the  old  Alleghany  road.  He  began  as  fireman  and  remained  with  this 
road  about  five  years,  then  came  to  Kansas  and  worked  out  of  Dodge  City 
a short  time  as  fireman  on  the  Atchison,  Topeka  & Santa  Fe  road.  Lie 
removed  to  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  in  1881,  and  began  firing  on  the  Kansas 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IOI9 


City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  railroad.  He  was  sent  to  Springfield  by  this 
road  in  1882  and  worked  on  the  Ozark  division.  He  assisted  in  track 
laying  from  Cedar  Gap  to  Mammoth  Spring.  In  1883  he  was  given  a regu- 
lar run  as  engineer  on  this  division.  He  remained  with  the  old  “Memphis 
Route”  until  it  was  leased  to  the  Frisco  Lines  in  1900.  when  he  went  with 
the  latter  road,  with  which  he  has  remained  to  the  present  time.  He  is 
now  engineer  on  a freight  train,  between  Springfield  and  Thayer.  He  has 
given  excellent  satisfaction  in  the  various  positions  he  has  held  with  different 
railroads,  being  capable,  alert,  conscientious  and  trustworthy. 

Mr.  Mcllvin  was  married  in  Mercer,  Pennsylvania,  October  23,  1883, 
to  Ida  A.  McGinnis,  who  was  born  in  Venango  county,  Pennsylvania. 
She  is  a daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Tolly)  McGinnis.  The  father  is 
deceased,  but  the  mother  is  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-five.  Mr. 
McGinnis  devoted  his  life  to  farming.  Mrs.  Mcllvin’s  maternal  grand- 
father, Capt.  Thomas  Jolly,  was  a soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  in  which 
he  made  an  excellent  record.  He  lived  to  the  unusual  age  of  ninety-three 
years. 

Six  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mcllvin,  namely:  Gert- 

rude is  the  eldest;  Annetta  is  teaching  in  the  public  schools  of  Springfield; 
Mary,  Hazel,  Edith  K.,  and  June  are  all  at  home. 

Our  subject  owns  an  attractive  and  well  furnished  home  at  1820  Dem- 
ming  Place,  Springfield. 

Politically,  Mr.  Mcllvin  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
order  and  the  Order  of  Eastern  Star,  he  and  his  wife  being  charter  mem- 
bers of  Crescent  Chapter,  No.  21.  The  family  belongs  to  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  church. 


ELWOOD  ALAMANDO  WILLIAMS. 

It  was  Charles  Kingsley,  the  noted  English  author,  who  said  that  every 
morning  we  should  remember  to  be  thankful  that  we  have  something  to  do 
during  the  coming  day,  whether  we  like  it  or  not.  Being  forced  to  work, 
and  forced  to  do  our  best,  will  breed  in  you  temperance  and  self-control, 
diligence  and  strength  of  will,  cheerfulness  and  content,  and  a hundred 
virtues  the  idle  will  never  know.  Elwoocl  Alamando  Williams,  a farmer 
near  Ash  Grove,  is  one  of  the  citizens  of  Greene  county  who  takes  delight 
in  his  work  and  is  therefore  happy  and  prospering. 

Mr.  Williams  was  born  on  a farm  in  Carroll  county,  Missouri,  Sep- 
tember 23,  i860.  He  is  a son  of  Mortimer  FI.  and  Jennie  S.  (Gale)  Will- 
iams. The  father  was  born  in  Monroe  county,  Ohio,  June-  20,  1837,  and 
was  a son  of  William  and  Martha  (Hurd)  Williams.  William  Williams 


1020 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


was  born  near  Wheeling,  West  Virginia,  in  1809,  and  followed  farming  until 
1848,  when  he  began  running  a boat  down  the  Ohio  river  to  the  Mississippi, 
then  up  that  stream  and  up  the  Missouri  river  to  Boonville  and  later  to 
Carroll  county,  Missouri,  carrying  freight  and  passengers,  each  trip  re- 
quiring- several  weeks.  He  was  a cooper  and  cabinet  maker  by  trade  and 
was  also  a physician  of  the  old  school.  After  locating  in  Missouri  he  made 
a professional  trip  to  Ohio.  He  was  a learned  man  and  remained  a close 
student  all  his  life,  one  of  his  favorite  studies  being  astronomy  and  he 
became  an  amateur  astronomer  of  no  mean  ability.  He  entered  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  Carroll  county,  this  state  on  which  he  spent  the  rest  of  his 
life,  dying  there  in  1887.  Politically,  he  was  first  a Whig,  later  a Republican. 
He  was  an  ardent  worker  in  the  cause  of  education  and  helped  in  the  .matter 
of  establishing  schools.  Fraternally,  he  was  a member  of  the  Masonic 
order,  and  he  was  a free  thinker  and  broad-minded  man.  His  wife  was 
also  born  near  Wheeling,  West  Virginia,  the  year  of  her  birth  being  1812, 
and  her  death  occurred  in  1859. 

Mortimer  H.  Williams  had  only  such  educational  advantages  as  the 
frontier  schools  could  furnish  in  his  day,  but  his  father  taught  him  much 
and  furnished  him  many  books,  so  he  became  a well-informed  man,  and 
he  taught  school  in  Carroll  county,  this  state,  for  a number  of  years,  and, 
learning  the  blacksmith’s  trade,  followed  that  for  some  time.  In  1873  he 
moved  to  Chillicothe,  Missouri,  where  he  followed  his  trade  for  about  ten 
years,  then  went  to  South  Dakota,  continuing  blacksmithing  there  about 
six  years,  then  engaged  in  mining  in  the  Black  Hills  a few  years,  after 
which  he  made  three  trips  to  Alaska,  finally  locating  in  Rapid  City,  South 
Dakota,  where  his  death  occurred  in  1909.  Politically,  he  was  a Republican;, 
religiously,  a Universalist,  and  fraternally  a member  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  His  wife,  Jennie  S.  Gale,  whom  he  married  in  1859, 
was  born  in  Chautauqua  county,  New  York,  on  farm  where  the  first  Chau- 
tauqua in  the  United  States  was  held.  Mrs.  Jennie  Williams  was  born  Janu- 
ary 13,  1840,  and  her  death  occurred  in  1883.  To  these  parents  five  children 
were  born. 

Elwood  A.  Williams  received  a fairly  good  education  up  to  the  tenth 
grade  in  the  Chillicothe  schools.  When  seventeen  years  old  he  went  to> 
Deadwood,  South  Dakota,  where  he  worked  as  a freight  driver,  having 
charge  of  a nine-yoke  team  hitched  to  three  wagons,  and  this  work  he  con- 
tinued about  a year,  then  went  to  a lumber  camp  for  a year,  then  was 
superintendent  and  bookkeeper  for  a lumber  camp  for  several  years,  after 
which  he  came  to  Rapid  City,  South  Dakota,  and  was  head  of  the  lumber 
yards  there  for  three  years.  During  this  time  he  filed  on  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  and  proved  up  on  the  same,  sold  out  and  filed  on  a homestead 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  and  proved  up  on  it,  and  lived  on  the  same 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1021 


for  seven  years  or  until  1900,  when  he  sold  out  and  came  to  Greene  county, 
Missouri,  purchasing  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Boone  township,  and 
has  since  resided  here.  He  owned  over  one  thousand  acres  of  land  in 
Dakota,  which  he  finally  sold.  He  is  making  a specialty  of  live  stock, 
raising  a fine  grade  of  mules,  horses,  sheep,  cattle  and  hogs  for  the  market, 
and  no  small  portion  of  his  annual  income  is  derived  from  this  source. 
He  is  one  of  the  substantial  men  of  Boone  township,  and  has  made  what 
he  has  solely  b}r  his  own  efforts. 

Mr.  Williams  was  married  on  November  29,  1888,  to  Maggie  M.  Trim- 
mer, who  was  born  in  South  Dakota,  October  1,  1872.  She  was  born  near 
Chamberlain,  that  state,  and  there  reared  to  womanhood  and  was  educated. 
She  is  a daughter  of  George  M.  and  Mary  (Boyua)  Trimmer.  Mr.  Trimmer 
was  born  near  Cheona,  Illinois,  November  8,  1844,  and  was  a son  of  Nicholas 
and  Mary  Trimmer,  who  lived  and  died  on  a farm  in  Illinois.  George  M. 
Trimmer  received  a common  school  eduction,  working  on  the  home  farm 
during  the  summer  months,  and  when  a young  man  he  went  to  the  eastern 
part  of  South  Dakota  and  began  wood  contracting  for  steamboats  on  the 
Missouri  river.  In  1876  he  went  to  the  Black  Hills,  and  there  engaged 
in  mining  and  farming.  He  was  a sterling  pioneer,  and  helped  establish 
trails,  towns,  did  freighting  and  was  incidentally  a renowned  hunter.  He 
was  a stanch  friend  of  the  Sioux  Indians,  who  liked  him.  He  was  the 
first  settler  in  Hot  Springs,  South  Dakota,  and  he  did  much  toward  making 
it  one  of  the  best  towns  in  that  state,  and  at  this  writing  he  owns  a fine 
orchard  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  near  there,  which  was  the  first 
orchard  set  out  in  that  region.  He  is  one  of  the  prominent  and  influential 
men  of  eastern  South  Dakota  and  has  been  offered  many  political  posi- 
tions of  importance  in  the  state,  but  has  refused  them  all.  Politically,  he 
is  a Democrat,  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  is  an  enthusiastic  worker  in  the  same.  On  November  8,  1871, 
he  married  Mary  Boyua,  who  was  born  March  4,  1847.  Grandfather  Boyua 
was  an  early  French  trader  on  the  Missouri  river. 

Mrs.  Trimmer  was  the  real  discoverer  of  the  springs  in  what  is  now 
known  as  Hot  Springs,  and  cut  the  first  bathing  “tub”  out  of  a rock.  When 
a child  she  was  present  at  the  New  Ulm  massacre  in  Minnesota,  and  was 
taken  prisoner  by  the  Sioux  Indians  and  carried  to  the  head  of  the  Missouri 
river. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elwood  A.  Williams  three  children  have  been  born, 
namely:  Blanche  G.,  born  December  20,  1889,  was  given  good  educational 

advantages;  Barney  B.,  born  April  20,  1892,  was  also  well  educated  in  the 
schools  of  Ash  Grove,  Missouri;  M.  Cleopatra,  born  September  26,  1897, 
graduated  from  the  Ash  Grove  high  school  with  the  class  of  1915.  These 
■children  are  all  at  home  with  their  parents. 


1022 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Politically,  Mr.  Williams  is  a Progressive,  and  is  liberal  in  his  public 
views.  Fraternally,  he  is  one  of  the  leading  Masons  of  this  locality,  being 
a member  of  Ash  Grove  Lodge  No.  ioo,  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons; Ash  Grove  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  and  Zabud  Council  No. 
125,  Royal  and  Select  Masters;  he  also  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows.  He  has  for  some  time  been  a member  of  the  local  school 
board,  and  religiously  he  holds  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  He 
has  had  a vast  experience  in  the  world’s  affairs  and  talks  most  entertainingly 
of  his  life  in  the  picturesque  pioneer  days  of  the  North,  and  it  is  a pleasure 
to  visit  him  in  his  neat,  hospitable  home. 


FRED  WILLIAM  RAUCH. 

Spake  full  well  in  language  quaint  and  olden, 

One  who  dwelleth  by  the  castled  Rhine, 

When  he  called  the  flowers  so  blue  and  golden 
Stars  that  in  earth’s  firmament  do  shine; 

Stars  they  are  in  which  we  read  our  history 
As  did  astrologers  and  seers  of  eld, 

Yet  not  wrapt  about  with  such  awful  mystery 
As  were  the  burning  stars  which  they  beheld. 

Thus  wrote  the  poet  Longfellow  in  his  fine  poem  on  the  flowers,  which 
have  been  a favorite  theme  of  poets  since  the  days  of  Homer,  and  it  has  ever 
been  the  opinion  of  the  thinkers  of  the  world  that  he  who  does  not  love 
and  admire  these  “stars  of  earth”  has  little  good  in  him.  No  vocation  could 
be  more  conducive  to  pure  and  high  thinking,  and  consequently  right  and 
wholesome  living,  as  a natural  sequence  of  such  thoughts,  as  floriculture. 
Most  of  the  flower  gardens  and  green-houses  in  this  country  are  conducted 
by  Germans.  We  offer  no  theory  as  to  why  this  is  so.  Suffice  it  to  add  that 
we  are  greatly  indebted  to  our  brothers  of  Teutonic  blood  in  many  respects, 
and  especially  because  they  keep  us  supplied  with  their  beautiful  and  neces- 
sary “hot-house”  products  during  the  “winters  of  our  discontent.” 

Fred  William  Rauch,  a young  German- American,  is  one  of  the  success- 
ful florists  of  Springfield.  He  was  born  on  July  7,  1881,  in  Springfield, 
Ohio,  and  is  a son  of  Peter  and  Caroline  (Winter)  Rauch.  The  father  was 
born  in  Hessedarmstadt,  Germany,  April  26,  1854,  and  there  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  received  a common  school  education.  He  remained  in  the 
Fatherland  until  1873  when  he  emigrated  to  America  with  a brother,  and 
settled  in  Urbana,  Ohio.  He  learned  the  blacksmith’s  trade  when  a young 
man,  also  was  a tool  dresser  and  he  followed  his  trades  in  a machine  shop 
in  Urbana  a short  time,  then  removed  to  Springfield,  Ohio,  where  he  con- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IO23. 


tinued  working  at  his  trade  until  1884,  in  which  year  he  came  to  Billings, 
Missouri,  located  on  a farm  near  there,  which  he  operated  four  years.  He 
then  returned  to  Urbana,  Ohio,  and  followed  the  cigar  manufacturing  busi- 
ness for  eleven  years,  then  came  back  to  Billings,  this  state,  and  for  the  past 
fifteen  years  has  engaged  in  farming  there.  He  has  been  very  successful  in 
a business  way  and  owns  a good  farm  and  is  highly  respected  by  all  who 
know  him.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat.  He  has  been  school  director  at 
Billings  for  a number  of  years,  having  received  every  vote  in  that  place  ex- 
cept his  own  in  the  elections  for  director.  Fraternally  he  is  a member  of 
the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is 
a member  of  the  German  Evangelical  church.  He  and  Caroline  Winters 
were  married  in  1877.  She  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  December  31, 
1859,  and  she  received  a good  common  school  education.  She  is  a daughter 
of  William  Winters  and  wife.  Mr.  Winters  is  a baker  by  trade  and  is  still 
living,  making  his  home  with  Mrs.  Rauch  at  Billings.  His  wife  died  about 
fifteen  years  ago. 

Eight  children  were  born  to  Peter  Rauch  and  wife,  namely:  George 

is  a florist  at  Monett,  Missouri;  Fred  W.,  of  this  sketch;  Lulu  is  the  wife  of 
Frank  Dean,  of  Billings;  Charles  is  a florist  in  Monett;  Katie  lives  in  Mo- 
nett; Anna  and  Philip  are  at  home  with  their  parents;  William  died  when 
six  years  old. 

Fred  W.  Rauch  received  a good  education  in  the  common  schools,  and 
when  a boy  learned  broom  making  and  worked  at  the  same  about  four 
years,  after  which  he  worked  on  a farm  near  Billings,  Missouri,  for  four 
years,  then  came  to  Springfield  and  worked  for  a florist  about  two  and  one- 
half  years,  meanwhile  learning  the  ins  and  outs  of  the  business,  then  was 
employed  at  the  Chalfant  conservatories  a year,  then,  with  two  brothers 
built  green-houses  and  laid  out  gardens  at  Monett  where  they  are  still  in 
business,  his  two  brothers  remaining  there  and  operating  the  business,  while 
our  subject  stays  in  Springfield,  where  he  returned  in  1911  and  began 
operating  the  Chalfant  conservatory  and  later  established  offices  in  the  Co- 
lonial Hotel  under  the  firm  name  of  Rauch  Brothers,  and  he  has  built  up  a 
large  and  constantly  growing  business. 

Mr.  Rauch  was  married  March  10,  1907.  to  Bertha  Kemm,  a native  of 
Springfield,  born  April  10,  1886,  in  Wisconsin.  She  received  a good  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools.  She  was  a child  when  her  parents,  Karl  and 
Mary  (Schmith)  Kemm,  brought  her  to  Springfield.  Her  father’s  active 
life  has  been  devoted  to  the  ministry. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rauch  one  child  has  been  born,  Frances  Rauch,  whose 
birth  occurred  on  April  21,  1908. 

Politically,  Mr.  Rauch  is  a Democrat,  and  religiously  he  is  a member  of 
the  Presbyterian  church.  He  is  a prominent  Mason,  being  a member  of 
Gate  of  the  Temple  Lodge  No.  422,  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons; 


1024 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Vincent  Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters;  St.  John’s  Commandery  No.  20, 
Knights  Templar;  Abort  Ben  Adhem  Temple  and  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  One  would  judge  from  Mr.  Rauch’s  daily  in- 
tercourse with  his  fellow  men  that  he  is  endeavoring  to  live  up  to  the  sublime 
precepts  of  Masonry. 


ALEXANDER  KNOX. 

Born  on  the  far-away  heaths  of  bonnie  Scotland,  that  picturesque  coun- 
try, famed  in  song  and  story,  familiar  to  us  principally  through  the  versatile 
descriptions  of  such  immortals  as  Scott,  Burns,  Stevenson  and  Miller,  but 
spending  the  major  part  of  his  life  in  America,  the  late  Alexander  Knox,  a 
descendant  of  the  famous  British  statesman,  John  Knox,  is  deserving  of 
mentions  in  these  pages.  Elis  long  life  of  usefulness  and  commendable  acts 
winning  for  Jiim  the  sincere  regard  of  all  those  with  whom  he  came  in  con- 
tact, it  is  meet  that  his  life  record  should  be  preserved  in  proper  form.  He 
possessed  many  of  the  traits  of  character  of  his  sterling  Scotch  ancestors. 

Mr.  Knox  was  born  in  Scotland,  January  26,  1848.  He  was  a son  of 
George  Knox  and  wife,  who  were  natives  of  Scotland,  where  they  grew  up 
.and  were  married  and  spent  their  lives. 

Alexander  Knox  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  land  and  there  received 
a good  education,  taking  a high  literary  course  in  one  of  the  best  schools 
of  the  country.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age,  in  1869,  he  immigrated  to 
the  United  States  alone,  and  first  settled  in  the  South,  but  after  a short  time 
.he  came  to  Missouri.  He  began  life  for  himself  as  a general  farmer,  which 
line  of  endeavor  he  followed  until  about  1875,  then  entered  the  employ  of 
the  St.  Louis  and  San  Francisco  Railroad  Company,  first  as  fireman  and 
later  he  became  an  engineer,  and  finally  was  engineer  on  a passenger  train, 
which  position  he  held  for  many  years,  or  until  his  health  failed.  He  was 
regarded  as  one  of  the  most  faithful  and  competent  of  the  company’s 
employees,  and  was  popular  with  officials  and  his  fellow  employees. 

Mr.  Knox  was  married  on  January  11,  1873,  to  Maria  E.  Ball,  who 
was  born  near  London,  England,  April  11,  1856.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Frederick  and  Margaret  (Price)  Ball,  both  natives  of  England,  where  they 
grew  up,  were  married  and  established  their  home,  and  where  they  resided 
until  1870,  when  they  immigrated  to  America,  first  locating  in  Illinois,  later 
moving  to  Missouri,  and  here  Mr.  Ball  began  working  for  the  St.  Louis 
and  San  Francisco  Railroad  Company  in  their  shops  at  Springfield.  He 
was  a skilled  blacksmith,  having  as  high  as  four  and  six  helpers  under  him 
all  the  time,  and  was  looked  upon  by  his  officials  as  one  of  their  most  valu- 
able men.  lie  did  a great  deal  in  his  department  to  make  it  up  to  date,  and 


9 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1025 


he  was  given  credit  for  many  things  of  importance.  He  was  a man  who 
was  held  in  high  regard  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  remained  in  the  local 
shops  until  his  death  in  the  year  1882.  His  family  consisted  of  six  chil- 
dren, three  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  Frederick,  Mrs.  Agnes  Havens, 
and  Mrs.  Maria  E.  Knox,  widow  of  our  subject. 

Mrs.  Knox  spent  her  girlhood  in  England  and  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  there  and  in  the  schools  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  She  was 
fourteen  years  of  age  when  the  family  moved  to  America. 

Two  children  were  born  to  Alexander  Knox  and  wife:  Alice  M.,  born 
on  September  29,  1879,  married  first  to  Charles  Schneider,  who  died  about 
fourteen  years  ago;  later  she  married  T.  P.  Nichols,  and  they  live  in  St. 
Louis.  They  have  two  children,  Josephine  and  Charles  A.  George  F.  born 
on  July  8,  1882,  married  Courtney  Gustin,  who  is  engaged  in  the  shoe  busi- 
ness in  Springfield.  Our  subject  and  wife  also  raised  James  D.  Knox,  from 
the  time  he  was  five  years  old,  and  shortly  after  our  subject’s  death  Mrs. 
Knox  adopted  the  child,  who  was  born  on  November  18,  1880;  he  married 
Maude  Walker;  he  is  connected  with  the  Frisco  shops  and  lives  in  Spring- 
field.  They  have  three  children,  Charles  Yere.  Maxine  and  Margaret. 

Alexander  Knox  was  a Republican.  He  belonged  to  the  Brotherhood 
of  Locomotive  Engineers,  and  was  secretary  of  the  local  order  for  a period 
of  fifteen  years,  performing  the  duties  of  the  office  most  faithfully.  He 
was  a member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  the  Blue  Lodge,  Gate  of  the  Temple 
(Masonic)  and  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  being  a charter  mem- 
ber of  the  same.  He  was  a member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum  Lodge,  and 
belonged  to  the  First  Congregational  church. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Knox  occurred  on  August  14,  1899,  when  scarcely 
past  the  half-century  mark.  Mrs.  Knox  has  a cosy  home  on  Washington 
avenue,  Springfield. 


FREDERICK  CHARLES  WILDER. 

One  of  the  public-spirited  citizens  of  Ash  Grove  who  withholds 
his  cooperation  from  no  movement  which  is  intended  to  promote  public 
improvement  in  that  city  and  vicinity  is  Frederick  Charles  Wilder,  who 
for  the  past  fourteen  years  has  been  engaged  successfully  in  the  livery  busi- 
ness there  and  is  one  of  the  best  known  men  in  this  line  of  endeavor  in 
Greene  county,  and  what  he  has  accomplished  illustrates  his  steadfastness  of 
purpose.  In  his  earlier  years  he  was  a farmer  and  also  worked  as  iron 
molder. 

Mr.  Wilder  was  born  near  Carpentersville,  Illinois,  August  9,  1865 

(65) 


1026 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


He  is  a son  of  Thomas  and  Catherine  (Tubbs)  Wilder.  The  father  was. 
born  in  the  state  of  New  York,  in  October,  1828,  was  there  reared  to- 
manhood  and  educated  in  the  district  schools  and  he  devoted  his  active  life 
to  farming.  He  joined  the  tide  of  “forty-niners”  for  the  gold  fields  of 
California  and  remained  in  that  state  a few  years,  finally  returning  to  Illi- 
nois, his  trips  across  the  great  trackless  plains  being  without  particular 
incident.  He  resumed  farming  and  remained  in  the  Sucker  state  until  in 
1869,  when  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Lawrence  county,  Missouri, 
where  he  bought  one  hundred  acres  which  he  farmed  until  1881,  when  he 
went  to  Barry  county,  Missouri,  and  homesteaded  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres,  which  he  cleared,  improved  and  farmed  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  1902.  Politically,  he  was  a Republican,  and  religiously  a Metho- 
dist. Catherine  Tubbs,  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in 
1837.  It  is  not  certain  whether  in  Illinois  or  Wisconsin,  and  her  death 
occurred  in  1875. 

Frederick  C.  Wilder  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  where  he 
worked  when  a boy,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools. 
He  spent  four  years  in  Dundee,  Illinois,  working  for  the  Illinois  Iron 
Bolt  Company,  learning  the  molder’s  trade,  from  1894  to  1898,  after  which 
he  returned  to  the  home  farm  in  Lawrence  county,  Missouri,  not  caring 
to  continue  the  molder’s  trade  as  a livelihood.  He  engaged  in  general 
farming  until  fourteen  years  ago,  when  he  came  to  Ash  Grove  and  started 
in  the  livery  business,  which  he  has  continued  here  and  in  Mt.  Vernon, 
Lawrence  county,  to  the  present  time,  and  his  is  now  the  only  livery  business, 
in  Ash  Grove.  Lie  has  a well-equipped  barn,  including  such  vehicles  as 
his  needs  require  and  a large  number  of  good  horses.  His  barn  is  popular 
with  the  traveling  public,  prompt  and  honest  service  is  his  aim. 

Mr.  Wilder  was  married  March  17,  18S7,  to  Emma  Bowman,  who 
was  born  in  Christian  county,  Missouri,  August  4,  1869,  and  was  reared 
on  the  farm  and  educated  in  the  public  schools.  She  is  a daughter  of  Will- 
iam P.  and  Sarah  Bowman.  The  father  was  a pioneer  of  Christian  county 
and  the  mother  was  born  there. 

Five  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilder,  namelv : Oma, 
born  January  1,  1888,  is  cashier  at  Bourguenot’s  confectionery  in  Spring- 
field;  Dade,  born  May  20,  1889,  ’s  employed  by  the  Aurora  Milling  Company 
at  Aurora,  Missouri ; Nellie,  born  February  5,  1892  ; she  married  Richard 
M.  Ryan  and  they  live  in  Hot  Springs,  Arkansas;  Luna,  born  March  19, 
1894;  and  Clyde,  bom  May  17,  1897. 

Politically,  Mr.  Wilder  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member 
of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
the  Woodmen  of  the  World.  Religiously,  the  family  attends  the  Presbyte- 
rian church. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1027 


DANIEL  H.  HERMAN. 

For  a period  of  thirty-five  years  the  name  of  Daniel  H.  Herman  has 
stood  for  the  highest  grade  of  tailoring  known  in  southwest  Missouri,  and 
his  business  advancing  with  the  years  has  long-  since  assumed  very  large 
proportions,  and,  owing  to  the  excellent  quality  and  style  of  the  work  from 
his  establishment,  his  prestige  is  such  that  many  of  his  customers  come  from 
nearby  towns,  and  the  fact  that  many  of  them  have  remained  with  him  fur 
a quarter  of  a century  or  more  is  a criterion  of  not  only  good  service  but 
courteous  and  honest  treatment.  Mr.  Herman  has  devoted  practically  his 
life  to  this  line  of  business  and  no  one  is  more  thoroughly  conversant  with 
the  various  phases  of  the  same  than  he.  As  a man  of  affairs  and  a citi- 
zen he  has  been  one  of  the  influential  men  of  Springfield  for  many  years. 

Mr.  Herman  was  born  Tune  2,  1857,  in  Syracuse,  New  York.  He  is  a 
son  of  Henry  and  Hannah  (Stern)  Herman.  The  father,  a native  of  Bavaria, 
Germany,  emigrated  to  the  United  States  about  1832  and  settled  in  Syra- 
cuse, New  York,  where  he  was  an  extensive  live  stock  dealer  until  1868, 
when  he  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  continued  the  same  business.  In  1871 
he  went  to  Rochester,  New  York,  and  followed  the  same  vocation,  subse- 
quently moving  to  Elmira,  that  state,  where  his  death  occurred  in  1904,  at  the 
home  of  his  daughter,  and  he  is  buried  in  the  lot  adjoining  that  containing 
the  grave  of  Mark  Twain.  His  wife,  Hannah  Stern,  was  also  born  in  the 
province  of  Bavaria,  Germany.  She  came  to  America  when  young  and  mar- 
ried Mr.  Herman  in  Syracuse,  New  York.  Her  death  occurred  in  1894  in 
Rochester,  that  state,  but  she  was  buried  in  Chicago.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry 
Herman  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  namely:  Hannah  is  the  wife 

of  Albert  Samuel,  of  Elmira,  New  York;  Fanny  is  the  widow  of  Henry 
Ivlopfer,  the  great  Chicago  packer;  Benjamin  lives  in  Rahway,  New  Jersey; 
Daniel  H.,  of  this  review;  and  Charles,  who  lives  in  New  York  City.  Politi- 
cally, the  father  of  these  children  was  a Democrat.  He  belonged  to  the 
Masonic  order,  and  he  was  a member  of  the  Hebrew  Reformed  church. 

Daniel  H.  Herman  spent  his  boyhood  in  Rochester,  New  York,  and 
there  received  a good  common  school  education.  When  sixteen  years  old  he 
went  to  Elmira,  that  state,  and  began  learning  the  tailoring  trade  and  clothing 
business  in  which  he  seemed  to  have  a decided  natural  bent  and  consequently 
made  rapid  progress.  He  remained  there  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old, 
1879,  in  which  year  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  opened  a tailoring 
and  clothing  establishment  on  Boonville  street  and  has  continued  in  this  line 
to  the  present  time.  Successful  from  the  first,  he  managed  his  affairs  with 
honesty  and  good  judgment  until  in  due  course  of  time  he  became  one  of  the 
substantial  business  men  of  the  city,  and  now  his  establishment  would  be  a 


1028 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


credit  to  cities  many  times  the  size  of  Springfield.  He  had  the  distinction  of 
setting  up  and  running  the  first  full  page  advertisement  in  a newspaper  in 
this  section  of  the  country,  for  which  he  paid  ten  dollars  per  month.  On 
his  opening  day  here  he  hired  a brass  band  to  play  in  front  of  his  estab- 
lishment and  an  orchestra  on  the  inside.  Later  he  opened  branches  in  the 
same  line  at  Lamar,  Joplin,  St.  Louis,  Ft.  Smith,  Arkansas;  and  Dallas, 
Texas,  all  of  which  were  successful  under  his  able  management,  and  pro- 
gressive methods.  In  a few  years  he  opened  up  where  the  Globe  Clothing 
Company  is  now  located  on  South  street  and  the  public  square.  In  1885  he 
sold  out  on  the  public  square  and  devoted  his  business  on  Boonville  street 
to  tailoring  exclusively,  then  moved  where  the  Union  National  Bank  now 
stands.  Selling  his  lease  there  he  moved  on  South  street,  where  he  remained 
four  years,  and  in  1912  moved  to  his  present  location  on  St.  Louis  street, 
where  he  has  a modernly  appointed,  neat,  inviting  and  convenient  estab- 
lishment and  carries  an  extensive  and  carefully  selected  stock  of  goods  and 
employs  several  skilled  tailors,  including  two  expert  cutters  and  about  forty 
other  employees.  Prompt  and  high-grade  service  is  his  aim  as  it  has  ever  been. 
In  1889  the  company  was  incorporated  as  the  Llerman  Tailoring  Company. 
Mr.  Herman  and  family  are  sole  owners.  They  handle  all  the  best  domestic 
and  imported  cloths,  which  are  made  up  for  an  exclusive  clientele  from 
southwest  Missouri,  southeastern  Kansas  and  northwestern  Arkansas.  The 
firm  has  patrons  even  from  New  York  City,  Boston,  St.  Louis,  Kansas 
City,  the  far  West  and  Mexico.  They  have  also  unquestionably  the  highest 
class  of  haberdashery  in  this  part  of  the  United  States.  They  are  ex- 
clusive agents  for  Crofut  & Knapp,  Knapp  felt  and  the  Dobbs  hats,  Keyser 
cravats,  Mark-Cross  gloves,  Vassar  underwear,  Manhattan  shirts,  S.  Stein 
& Company,  importers  of  woolens,  Burberry’s  of  London,  England;  Water- 
house  & Resher  Company,  of  New  York  City. 

Mr.  Herman  was  married,  June  16,  1885,  to  Nellie  Langsdorf,  of 
St.  Louis.  She  was  born,  December  7,  1864,  and  is  a daughter  of  Morris 
and  Hannah  (Rosenstine)  Langsdorf,  an  old  and  prominent  family  of  the 
Mound  City,  where  Mrs.  Herman  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated. 
She  is  a lady  of  culture  and  has  long  been  a favorite  in  the  best  social 
circles  of  St.  Louis  and  Springfield. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herman  has  been  graced  by  the  birth 
of  four  children,  namely:  Hortense,  wife  of  Nathan  S.  Rose,  of  St.  Paul, 

Minnesota;  Edgar  S.,  who  is  in  business  with  his  father,  was  born  in  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  November  25,  1888,  was  graduated  from  the  common  schools, 
after  which  she  spent  a year  in  high  school  and  a year  in  Drury  College ; 
from  a mere  child  he  has  shown  an  aptness  and  interest  in  cutting,  fitting 
and  designing  clothes  and  now  has  full  charge  of  that  department  of  the 
Herman  Tailoring  Company;  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  he  took  his 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1029 


first  honors  at  the  National  Clothiers’  Association  in  New  York  City.  He 
has  refused  flattering-  offers  from  large  tailoring  concerns  in  Chicago  and 
New  York  to  act  as  their  designer  at  a large  salary.  His  ideas  are  always 
in  advance  of  others  and  he  is  indeed  a genius  in  his  line.  The  third  child 
of  our  subject  and  wife  is  Blanche  D.,  who  is  attending  Soldon  high  school 
in  St.  Louis;  Ruth,  the  youngest  of  the  children,  is  at  home  and  attending 
Springfield  high  school. 

Mr.  Herman  has  always  been  a supporter  of  laudable  movements  for 
the  general  improvement  of  Springfield,  whose  interests  he  has  had  at  heart 
from  the  beginning  of  his  residence  here,  and  he  has  ever  enjoyed  the  good 
will  and  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens  as  a result  of  his  industry,  public 
spirit  and  manly  principles. 


ROBERT  FRANK  IvISSICK. 

Upon  the  shoulders  of  a train  dispatcher  rests  grave  responsibilities.  A 
little  mistake  on  his  part  may,  and  often  does,  result  in  most  revolting  dis- 
asters, so  that  it  behooves  one  thus  employed  to  keep  a clear  head  and  a 
steady  nerve,  be  wide-awake  when  he  is  on  duty  and  also  a conscientious 
worker.  Such  a man  is  Robert  Frank  Kissick,  train  dispatcher  for  the 
Frisco  Lines  at  the  Springfield  North  Side  shops.  He  is  a man  in  whom 
the  head  officials  repose  the  utmost  confidence  in  every  respect. 

Mr.  Kissick  was  born  in  Holt  county,  Missouri,  in  January,  1873.  He 
is  a son  of  William  and  Jane  (McKane)  Kissick,  both  natives  of  the  Isle 
of  Man,  a British  possession.  The  father  was  born  in  1827,  and  the  mother 
first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  1839.  They  grew  up  in  their  native  country 
and  there  attended  school,  emigrating  to  the  United  States  when  young  and 
they  were  married  in  Illinois,  where  they  resided  on  a farm  until  1871,  when 
they  removed  to  Holt  county,  Missouri,  remaining  there  on  a farm  until 
1886,  when  they  moved  to  Kansas,  in  which  state  the  father  spent  his  last 
days  in  general  farming  and  died  there  in  1892 ; the  mother  is  now  making 
her  home  in  Hutchinson,  Kansas.  To  these  parents  eight  children  were 
born,  namely:  Mary  Jane  lives  in  Wisconsin,  Ida  C.,  William  E.,  Walter 

S.,  deceased  : Lottie  E.,  Robert  F.,  Fannie  F.  and  Daisy  P. 

Robert  F.  Kissick  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  in  Holt  county,  this 
state,  where  he  worked  when  a boy  and  there  he  attended  the  common 
schools.  In  1890  he  entered  railroad  service  for  the  Atchison.  Topeka  & 
Santa  Fe  at  Nickerson,  Kansas,  as  call  boy,  remaining  with  that  road  in 
various  capacities  until  1900.  He  remained  in  Nickerson  until  August,  1892, 
after  which  he  was  telegraph  operator  at  Sterling,  that  state,  working  in  this 
capacity  there,  at  Great  Bend  and  Dodge  City,  Kansas,  for  a period  of 


I03° 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ten  years.  After  this  he  worked  for  the  Rock  Island  railroad  in  Kansas 
and  1 exas  when  that  company  was  building  its  line  to  California.  He  was 
in  the  building  department  and  remained  with  that  road  until  August,  1901, 
when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  began  working  for  the  Frisco  as 
telegraph  operator.  Thus  employed  for  three  years  he  was  promoted  to 
extra  train  dispatcher  and  then  promoted  to  regular  train  dispatcher  at  the 
North  Side  shops,  which  position  he  holds  at  this  time.  He  has  given  emi- 
nent satisfaction  with  each  of  these  three  roads  in  every  position  he  has 
filled. 

Mr.  Ivissick  was  married  in  June,  1905,  in  Springfield  to  Eva  Skates, 
who  was  born  in  Union  county,  Missouri.  She  is  a daughter  of  Robert 
and  Mary  Skates.  Her  father  is  a carpenter  and  contractor  by  trade, 
and  has  done  a great  deal  of  this  kind  of  work  for  railroads.  He  now 
lives  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  one  child,  Roberta  Jane,  has  been  born,  the 
date  of  her  birth  being  October  22,  1913. 

Politically,  Mr.  Ivissick  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Masonic  order,  in  which  he  has 
taken  all  the  degrees  except  that  of  the  Scottish  Rite.  He  is  well  known  in 
Masonic  circles. 


JOSEPH  HENRY  TURK. 

It  is  oftentimes  considered  by  those  in  the  habit  of  superficial  thinking 
that  the  history  of  so-called  great  men  only  is  worthy  of  preservation  and 
that  little  merit  exists  among  the  masses  to  call  forth  the  praises  of  the  his- 
torian or  the  cheers  and  appreciation  of  mankind.  A greater  mistake  was 
never  made.  No  man  is  great  in  all  things  and  very  few  are  great,  even  es- 
pecially competent,  in  many  things.  Some  by  a lucky  stroke  achieve  lasting 
fame,  who  before  that  had  no  reputation  beyond  the  limits  of  their  neigh- 
borhoods. It  is  not  a history  of  the  lucky  stroke  that  benefits  humanity 
most,  but  the  long  study  and  effort  which  made  the  lucky  stroke  possible.  It 
is  the  preliminary  work,  the  method,  that  serves  as  a guide  for  the  success 
of  others.  Among  those  enterprising  men  of  Greene  county  who  have 
forged  ahead  along  well-established  lines,  gradually  mounting  to  the  lad- 
der’s summit  by  earnest,  honest  endeavor  is  Joseph  Henry  Turk,  the  present 
efficient  and  popular  postmaster  of  Ash  Grove  and  for  many  years  a well- 
known  hardware  dealer  of  that  city. 

Mr.  Turk  was  born  in  Lawrence  county,  Missouri,  October  18,  1871. 
He  is  a son  of  Thomas  B.  and  Sarah  Jane  (Stotts)  Turk.  The  father  was 
born  in  Cumberland  county,  Kentucky,  in  1834,  and  there  grew  to  man- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IO3I 


hood,  received  his  education  and  resided  until  about  1865  when  he  emi- 
grated to  Missouri  and  located  in  Lawrence  county,  where  he  engaged  in 
general  fanning  until  about  eighteen  years  ago  when  he  returned  to  Ken- 
tucky, and  engaged  in  the  real  estate  and  insurance  business  in  Bowling 
Green,  that  state,  until  his  death  on  August  14,  1914.  Politically,  he  was 
a Democrat.  Lie  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
was  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  and  Sarah  Jane  Stotts  were 
married  in  1865.  She  was  born  in  Cumberland  county,  Kentucky,  about 
1840,  and  there  she  was  reared  and  educated  and  they  were  married  in  their 
native  locality.  Thomas  B.  Turk  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  five  boys  and 
one  girl,  namely:  James;  Joseph  H. ; Lee;  Luther;  Loren  and  Hiram. 

Joseph  H.  Turk,  of  this  sketch,  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  where  he 
worked  when  a boy,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools. 
Having  a natural  inclination  to  machinery  he  secured  a position  in  an  im- 
plement house,  and  later  was  a traveling  salesman  for  a champion  implement 
firm  for  three  years,  giving  it  entire  satisfaction  and  doing  much  to  increase 
its  prestige  in  the  territory  to  which  he  was  assigned.  In  1892  he  launched 
out  in  the  hardware  business  in  Ash  Grove  where  he  has  remained  ever 
since  and  has'  built  up  a large  and  growing  trade  which  extends  all  over  this 
section  of  the  country.  He  has  always  carried  a large  and  well-selected 
stock  of  general  hardware  and  farming  implements. 

Mr.  Turk  has  manifested  an  interest  in  public  affairs  for  some  time,  and 
on  July  13,  1913,  he  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Ash  Grove,  and  is  dis- 
charging the  duties  of  the  same  in  a manner  that  reflects  much  credit  upon 
himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people  and  the  department.  Politi- 
cally, he  is  a Democrat,  and  he  has  been  a committeeman  for  eight  years 
and  is  active  and  influential  in  the  affairs  of  his  party.  Fraternally  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  is  now  worshipful  master  of  the  local 
Blue  Lodge;  he  is  also  a member  of  the  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  Zahud 
Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  and  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.  He 
is  one  of  the  active  and  prominent  Masons  in  this  part  of  the  state.  Re- 
ligiously he  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Mr.  Turk  was  married  on  April  22,  1896,  to  Laura  Barham,  who  was 
born  in  Ash  Grove,  in  September,  1873,  and  here  grew  to  womanhood  and 
was  educated.  She  is  a daughter  of  Mr.  W.  F.  and  Mrs.  T.  E.  Barham, 
natives  of  Missouri.  Mr.  Barham  devoted  his  active  life  to  farming.  His 
family  consists  of  six  children. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Turk  the  following  children  have  been  born:  Seth, 

who  is  attending  the  Springfield  high  school ; Harold  is  attending  the  high 
•school  in  Ash  Grove;  Richard  is  in  the  public  school;  Geraldine  is  also  a 
public  school  pupih;  and  Helen,  who  is  the  youngest. 


I032 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


SAMUEL  W.  HEADLEE. 

As  one  reviews  the  history  of  Greene  county  and  looks  into  the  past 
to  see  what  people  were  prominent  in  its  early  development,  he  will  find 
that  for  more  than  three-quarters  of  a century,  the  period  covering  its  first 
settlement  to  the  present  time,  the  Tennesseeans  have  been  closely  connected 
with  the  progress  and  advancement  of  this  section  of  the  state.  Wild  was 
the  region  into  which  they  came.  Its  forests  stood  in  their  primeval  strength, 
the  prairie  land  was  still  unbroken,  and  the  Indians  still  roamed  through 
the  woodlands  and  over  the  plains,  seeking  the  deer  and  lesser  game  which 
could  be  found  in  abundance.  The  Headlee  family,  while  not  so  early  as 
some,  yet  figured  in  the  early-day  development  of  this  locality.  The  late 
Samuel  W.  Headlee  was  of  this  number,  and  for  a long  lapse  of  years  he 
was  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  of  the  county,  playing  well  his  part  in 
the  local  drama  of  civilization,  not  only  clearing  and  developing  the  land,  but 
aiding  in  the  establishment  of 'schools  and  churches,  and  was  a public  servant 
of  unquestioned  ability  and  integrity;  in  fact,  the  various  members  of  this 
sterling  old  family  have  ever  manifested  the  characteristic  thrift  of  the  emi- 
grants from  the  old  state  of  “Hickory”  Jackson,  and  justly  entitled  to  rep- 
resentation in  this  work. 

Samuel  W.  Headlee  was  born  in  Maury  county,  Tennessee,  March  6, 
1823.  He  was  a son  of  Caleb  and  Mary  (Steele)  Headlee.  His  parents 
were  from  North  Carolina,  but  emigrated  to  Tenneesee  in  a very  early  day, 
where  they  lived  until  1836,  when  they  emigrated  overland  to  Missouri  and 
settled  in  Greene  county,  began  life  in  true  pioneer  fashion,  and  here  Caleb 
Headlee  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  engaged  in  farming,  dying  in  1847.  Samuel 
W.  Headlee  was  thirteen  years  old  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  to 
Greene  county.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  and  received  such  educa- 
tional advantages  as  the  schools  of  those  early  days  afforded,  and  for  some 
time  taught  school  in  this  county.  In  1850,  having  caught  the  “gold  fever,” 
he  crossed  the  great  western  plains  to  California,  where  he  spent  four  years, 
engaging  successfully  in  mining.  Upon  his  return  here  he  purchased  the 
old  homestead  upon  which  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  and  was  regarded 
as  one  of  the  county’s  leading  farmers  of  that  period.  He  was  elected  to 
the  lower  house  of  the  state  Legislature  by  the  Benton  Democracy,  re-elected 
in  1862  and  in  1864.  In  1866  he  was  elected  by  the  Republicans  to  the 
state  Senate,  and  in  1872,  he,  to  heal  the  breaches  in  his  party,  became  a 
candidate  for  the  lower  house,  and  was  elected  by  a handsome  majority. 
He  was  again  elected  to  the  Legislature  in  1876.  In  all  that  period  of  six- 
teen years  he  voted  as  his  conscience  and  judgment  dictated,  and  won  for 
himself  the  applause  and  approval  of  all  good  men,  doing  much  for  the- 


aaiavoin  'ay  mmukys  shiv  •mm'kivmii  ay  'imukvs 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


io33 


general  good  of  his  county  and  looking  carefully  after  the  interest  of  his 
constituents.  He  was  a faithful  and  conscientious  servant  of  the  people,  and 
his  long  retention  in  important  official  positions  would  indicate  that  the  people 
here  reposed  implicit  confidence  in  his  ability  and  honesty.  During  the  Civil 
war  he  took  an  active  part  in  the  service  of  the  Union  and  in  1862,  to  that 
end,  was  commissioned  captain  of  a militia  company.  From  1863  to  the 
close  of  the  war,  he  was  captain  in  the  Sixteenth  Missouri  Cavalry  of  the 
Federal  army.  In  1874  he  was  complimented  by  a nomination  by  the  peo- 
ple’s committee  as  their  candidate  for  lieutenant-governor  upon  the  ticket 
headed  by  Major  Gentry.  After  retiring  from  public  life  he  devoted  his 
attention  to  general  farming  on  a large  scale,  and  in  the  decline  of  a long, 
useful  and  honorable  life  enjoyed  the  satisfaction  of  peace  with  himself 
and  the  full  confidence  of  those  who  knew  him  best.  His  death  occurred 
on  February  6,  1900. 

Samuel  W.  Headlee  was  married  May  2,  1855,  to  Emily  L.  Armor,  a 
daughter  of  Washington  and  Nancy  S.  (Kerr)  Armor,  natives  of  Georgia 
and  North  Carolina,  respectively.  They  immigrated  to  Missouri  in  1846  and 
settled  in  Polk  county.  After  remaining  their  until  about  1848,  the  Armor 
family  removed  to  Greene  county  and  here  the  parents  spent  the  rest  of 
their  lives,  being  long  since  deceased. 

To  Samuel  W.  Headlee  and  wife  nine  children  were  born,  namely: 
Warren  E.,  born  on  July  27,  1857;  Arthur  B.,  born  on  April  12,  1858,  died 
in  infancy;  Margaret  E.,  born  on  July  4,  1859;  Blondville  D..  born  on  Sep- 
tember 4,  1861 ; Samuel  M.,  born  on  February  5,  1865,  died  on  August  14, 
1887;  James  W.,  born  on  July  28,  1867  ; Claude  L.,  born  on  November  20, 
1871;  Cora  M.,  born  on  June  16,  1873,  died  on  November  20,  1903;  she 
was  the  wife  of  Avery  Robards,  and  to  their  union  one  child  was  born, 
Jessie  Margaret,  whose  birth  occurred  September  30,  1903;  she  was  taken 
by  her  grandmother  when  six  weeks  old  and  is  still  living  in  her  home. 
Jessie  E.  Headlee,  youngest  of  our  subject’s  children,  was  born  on  Septem- 
ber 13,  1875,  and  died  on  August  26,  1899. 

Claude  Leslie  Headlee  was  born  on  November  20,  1871,  on  the  home 
farm  in  Franklin  township,  Greene  county,  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood  and 
received  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  He  has  been  a life-long 
farmer  ; however,  he  learned  the  carpenter’s  trade  when  a young  man  and 
has  since  followed  it  to  some  extent.  He  is  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and 
thirty  acres  of  good  land,  eighty-five  acres  of  which  is  under  cultivation.  He- 
lives  but  a short  distance  from  the  old  residence  where  he  was  born.  He 
married,  on  January  24,  1879,  Lona  M.  Ivnighten,  a daughter  of  Ammon 
and  Mary  E.  (Dotson)  Knighten.  Mr.  Ivnighten  is  one  of  Franklin  town- 
ship’s leading  farmers  and  stockmen,  and  formerly  was  engaged  in  black- 


1034 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  . 


smithing  and  mercantile  pursuits  at  Hickory  Barrens,  this  county.  A com- 
plete sketch  of  himself  and  family  appears  on  another  page  of  this  volume. 
10  Claude  L.  Iieadlee  and  wife  three  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Arthur  Harry,  Samuel  Leslie  and  William  B.  Politically,  Mr.  Headlee  is  a 
Republican.  His  wife  belongs  to  the  Baptist  church  at  Pleasant  Hope,  Polk 
county. 

Blondville  D.  Headlee,  son  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
born  on  September  4,  1861,  on  the  homestead  in  Franklin  township,  this 
county,  and  here  he  spent  his  boyhood  and  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  remaining  on  his  father’s  farm  until  he  was  thirty  years  of  age. 
On  February  3,  1892,  he  married  Nanny  Norman,  who  was  born  near 
Brookline,  Greene  county.  She  is  a daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Gib- 
son) Norman.  To  this  union  two  children  have  been  born,  Frank  and 
Grace,  both  at  home.  Mr.  Headlee  has  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming, 
making  a specialty  of  grain  and  live  stock.  Fie  owns  a well-improved  place 
of  one  hundred  and  ten  acres.  Politically,  he  is  a Republican.  His  wife  is 
a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church  at  Mt.  Comfort.  Her 
father,  William  Norman,  was  born  on  August  4,  1823,  in  Maury  county, 
Tennessee,  and  in  an  early  day  he  came  with  his  family  from  his  native 
state  to  Missouri  and  settled  in  Greene  county,  developing  a farm  in  Brook- 
line township,  where  he  owned  a large  tract  of  land  and  was  a successful 
farmer.  Here  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  October  24, 
1895,  three  miles  from  Nichols  Junction,  in  the  western  part  of  the  county. 
Politically,  he  was  a Democrat,  and  was  a member  of  the  Brookline  Congre- 
gational church.  His  wife  was  born  in  Tennessee  and  died  in  this  county 
in  1S70.  She  was  a faithful  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  was 
buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Brookline.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norman  eight  chil- 
dren were  born,  three  of  whom  are  now  living — Frank  N.,  who  makes  his 
home  in  Oklahoma  City;  Marshall  is  a resident  of  Shawnee,  Oklahoma;  and 
Nanny,  wife  of  Blondville  D.  Headlee. 

James  Ward  Headlee  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  here,  and  here  he 
grew  to  manhood  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  at  Hickory  Barrens. 
He,  too,  has  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming,  and  is  now  owner  of  a 
very  productive  place  of  eighty-three  acres,  which  lies  close  to  the  old  home- 
stead. He  learned  the  blacksmith’s  trade  when  he  was  a boy  and  this  he 
has  followed  to  some  extent  ever  since,  following  the  same  fourteen  years 
m connection  with  farming,  maintaining  his  shop  at  his  home  place.  He  is 
a natural  mechanic,  and  is  regarded  as  a very  highly  skilled  blacksmith.  On 
December  2,  I-894,  he  married  Dora  Kesterson,  a native  of  Greene  county, 
and  a daughter  of  David  C.  and  Minerva  (Ivetcherside)  Kesterson,  natives 
•of  Ohio  and  Georgia,  respectively.  They  came  first  to  Arkansas,  and  from 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1035 


there  to  Missouri,  locating  on  a farm  in  Franklin  township,  Greene  county, 
where  Mr.  Kesterson  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days  engaged  in  general 
farming.  During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Second  Arkansas 
Cavalry,  was  appointed  second  corporal  of  his  regiment  on  April  28,  1864, 
and  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  and  honorably  discharged  at  the  close 
of  the  war  at  Memphis,  Tennessee.  He  was  in  the  command  of  Col.  John 
E.  Phelps,  of  Springfield,  Missouri.  Mr.  Kesterson  was  born  on  March  18, 
1837,  and  died  on  November  8,  1911.  He  was  a tanner  by  trade,  which  he 

followed  in  Arkansas  and  also  for  a time  after  coming  to  Greene  county, 

but  after  his  marriage  devoted  his  attention  to  farming.  He  came  to  this 
county  immediately  after  the  close  of  the  war,  in  1865.  His  wife  was  born 
on  September  14,  1841.  She  was  a daughter  of  James  and  Genette  (Scab- 
berry)  Ivetcherside.  Her  death  occurred  in  November,  1903.  He  died  at 
the  Soldiers’  Home  at  Ft.  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  while  her  death  occurred 
on  the  farm  in  Franklin  township.  James  and  Genette  ( Scabberry)  Ketcher- 
side  were  both  natives  of  Tennessee,  but  from  that  state  they  moved  to 

Georgia,  where  they  spent  the  remaining  years  of  their  lives.  David  C. 

Ivesterson’s  family  consisted  of  seven  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Dora  Headlee 
was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth.  She  has  three  brothers  living  at  this  writ- 
ing— John  E.,  of  Kansas  City;  Arthur  U.,  who  is  farming  near  Hickory 
Barrens,  this  county  ; and  Arvel  D.,  of  Los  Angeles,  California.  Politically, 
Mr.  Headlee  is  a Republican,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
church  at  Mt.  Comfort,  to  which  Mrs.  Headlee  also  belongs. 

The  Headlees  have  always  enjoyed  excellent  reputations,  being  neigh- 
borly and  honorable  in  all  the  relations  of  life. 


GEORGE  TRIECE. 

It  was  nearly  thirty- five  years  ago  that  George  Triece  came  to  Ash 
Grove,  and  he  has  ever  since  been  a resident  of  Greene  county,  and  has 
been  an  interesting  spectator  to  the  general  development  of  this  vicinity.  A 
Hoosier  by  birth,  his  earlier  life  was  spent  in  that  state,  and  most  of  his 
active  life  has  been  devoted  to  general  farming,  but  the  latter  part  has  been 
spent  as  a hotel  keeper.  He  is  one  of  the  honored  veterans  of  the  great  war 
between  the  states,  having  proved  his  patriotism  to  his  country  by  fighting  in 
defense  of  the  Stars  and  Stripes  on  many  a sanguinary  field,  and  he  was 
one  of  the  sufferers  at  Andersonville  prison. 

Mr.  Triece  was  born  in  Vermilion  county,  Indiana,  March  26,  1841. 
He  is  a son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Missemor)  Triece.  The  father  was  born 
in  1801,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  he  was  a son  of  Henry  Triece,  a native  of 


1036 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Pennsylvania  and  of  German  descent.  The  latter  came  from  his  native 
state  to  Vermilion  county,  Indiana,  in  1832,  and  entered  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  land  which  he  farmed  until  his  death  in  1850.  His  son, 
Samuel  Triece,  came  to  Indiana  at  the  same  time,  and  spent  the  rest  of  his 
life  farming  in  Vermilion  county,  dying  there  in  i860.  The  mother  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  died  in  1872  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years.  Politi- 
cally, the  father  of  our  subject  was  a Democrat,  and  in  religious  matters 
he  was  a Methodist. 

George  Triece  grew  to  manhood  on  the  old  homestead  in  Indiana  and 
there  worked  hard  when  a boy,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  When  the  Civil  war  broke  out  he  enlisted  in  August,  1861, 
in  Company  K,  Seventy-first  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which  he  served 
one  year  and  was  transferred  to  Company  K,  Sixth  Indiana  Cavalry.  In 
fact  the  former  regiment  was  merely  changed  into  the  latter.  As  infantry 
the  regiment  fought  at  Richmond  and  Muldo  Hill,  Kentucky,  and  as  cavalry 
at  Knoxville,  under  General  Burnsides;  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Resaca,  Buz- 
zard’s Roost,  and  was  with  General  Stoneman  on  July  20,  1864,  on  his  raid 
to  Macon,  Georgia,  where  our  subject  was  captured  and  sent  to  Anderson- 
ville  for  three  months,  then  to  Florence,  South  Carolina,  for  two  months, 
from  which  prison  he  was  paroled  and  sent  to  Savannah,  thence  to  Mary- 
land, and  on  home,  and  was  mustered  out  and  honorably  discharged  June 
27,  1865. 

After  the  war  Mr.  Triece  returned  to  Vermilion  county,  Indiana,  and 
resumed  farming  which  he  carried  on  along  general  lines  until  1880  when 
he  came  to  Ash  Grove,  Missouri.  He  was  deputy  postmaster  here  for  three 
years,  then  operated  the  Grove  House  twelve  years  and  the  Commercial 
House  nine  years,  then  conducted  a grocery  store  and  restaurant  two  years. 
He  also  spent  two  years  in  Springfield,  and  during  the  past  two  years  has  been 
running  a boarding  and  rooming  house  in  Ash  Grove.  He  has  become  one 
of  the  most  widely  known  men  in  his  vocation  in  this  part  of  the  country, 
and  the  traveling  public  have  always  found  him  a genial,  obliging  and  hon- 
est host. 

Politically,  Mr.  Triece  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  John  Mat- 
thews Post,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  Springfield. 

Mr.  Triece  was  married  May  22,  1866,  to  Lydia  McBuey,  who  was 
born  May  16,  1851,  in  Fountain  county,  Indiana.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Daniel  and  Mary  (McKewn)  McBuey;  they  came  from  Ireland.  Mrs. 
Triece  received  a limited  education. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Triece  four  children  were  born,  three  of  whom  are 
deceased,  namely:  Charlie  L.,  Millard;  the  third  died  in  infancy,  and  Man- 

dricl  M.  Triece,  the  surviving  child,  is  living  in  Long  Beach,  California. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1037 


JAMES  COLEMAN  GARDNER. 

Among  those  whose  military  records  as  valiant  soldiers  of  the  great 
war  between  the  states  reflect  lasting  honor  upon  them  and  their  descendants 
is  James  Coleman  Gardner,  who  has  had  a varied  career  and  has  long  been 
engaged  as  trustee  and  receiver  in  bankruptcy  at  Springfield,  where  he  has 
won  an  honored  name  by  virtue  of  his  consistency  to  truth,  honesty  and 
right  living.  It  was  fifty-eight  years  ago  that  he  first  came  to  the  present 
capital  of  the  Ozark  region,  then  a mere  village  on  the  frontier,  and  he  has 
been  identified  with  the  growth  of  the  place  ever  since,  taking  a delight 
in  its  progress. 

Mr.  Gardner  was  born  near  Santa  Fe,  Murray  county,  Tennessee,  on 
November  17,  1832.  He  is  a son  of  Britton  D.  and  Jeanette  (Oakley) 
Gardner.  The  father  was  born,  September  1,  1808,  and  was  a son  of  Na- 
than and  Nancy  Gardner.  Nathan  Gardner  was  of  German  descent,  and 
in  an  early  day  he  went  west  to  make  his  fortune.  Britton  D.  Gardner  grew 
to  manhood  in  Murray  county,  Tennessee,  and  there  devoted  himself  to 
general  farming.  When  the  Civil  war  came  on  he  enlisted  in  the  First  Regi- 
ment, Tennessee  Cavalry,  Confederate  army,  and  fought  gallantly  for 
the  cause  until  killed  while  fighting  in  General  Forest's  brigade  at  Thomp- 
son's Station,  Tennessee,  March  23,  1863.  Politically,  he  was  a Democrat, 
and  religiously  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South.  His 
wife  was  born  in  Murray  county,  Tennessee,  August  22,  1814.  She  did 
not  long  survive  after  the  death  of  her  husband.  Their  home,  which  was  in 
the  heart  of  the  country  overrun  by  the  opposing  armies,  was  destroyed  by 
fire;  she  was  ill  at  the  time,  and  died  from  the  effects  of  the  exposure, 
October  17,  1863.  Both  subjects’  great-grandfathers  were  soldiers  in  the 
Revolutionary  war. 

James  C.  Gardner  grew  up  on  the  farm  and  received  a limited  edu- 
cation, attending  the  district  schools  about  fifteen  months,  but  later  in  life 
he  educated  himself  by  general  home  reading.  He  worked  on  the  farm 
until  1854,  when  he  went  into  the  dry  goods  business  in  Santa  Fe,  Ten- 
nessee, for  a year.  On  May  23,  1856,  he  arrived  in  Springfield,  Missouri, 
and  clerked  for  some  time  in  a dry  goods  store.  In  September,  1862,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  H,  Sixty-first  Regiment,  Tennessee  Volunteers,  Con- 
federate army,  and  proved  to  be  a brave  soldier,  taking-  part  in  numerous 
engagements,  including  Chickasaw  Bayou,  where  he  was  under  fire  eight 
days  and  nights  continuously,  and  also  during  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  he 
was  under  fire  at  one  time  continuously  for  forty-seven  days  and  nights. 
He  had  the  distinction  of  firing  the  first  gun  in  the  battle  of  Black  River. 
He  surrendered  with  the  balance  of  General  Pemberton’s  army  of  thirty 
thousand  men  at  Vicksburg,  July  4,  1863.  He  had  been  promoted  to  first 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IO38 

lieutenant  for  meritorious  conduct.  He  returned  to  Springfield  in  1866  and 
clerked  in  a store  until  1872,  when  he  went  into  business  for  himself,  where 
the  Aladdin  Theatre  is  now  located.  Later  taking  a farm  in  Greene  county, 
he  moved  thereto  and  continued  general  farming  until  1881,  when  he  moved 
back  to  Springfield  and  resumed  clerking.  During  the  past  twenty-two 
years  he  has  been  working  in  the  bankruptcy  business,  as  trustee  and  re- 
ceiver, and  is  regarded  as  an  expert  in  this  line  and  his  services  have  been 
in  great  demand. 

Politically,  Mr.  Gardner  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  Campbell 
Camp,  No.  488,  United  Confederate  Veterans,  which  camp  was  organized 
by  himself  and  Dan  Campbell,  and  he  has  been  active  in  its  work  ever  since. 

Mr.  Gardner  was  married,  January  31,  1866,  to  Mrs.  Mary  (Evans) 
Shackleford.  She  was  born  in  Tennessee,  January  31,  1833,  and  died 
August  18,  1898.  She  was  a woman  of  fine  Christian  sentiment. 

To  Mr.  Gardner  and  wife  three  children  were  born,  namely:  Minnie 

is  at  home;  Henry  E.  has  also  remained  a member  of  the  family  circle; 
and  Lillian  is  the  wife  of  J.  W.  Quade. 


L.  S.  KUCKER. 

A man  of  unquestioned  artistic  temperament  is  L.  S.  Kucker,  who, 
although  practically  a new-comer  in  Springfield,  is  one  of  our  best  known 
and  most  highly  accomplished  photographers,  and  a man  who  has  made 
many  friends  since  casting  his  lot  with  the  people  of  Greene  county. 

Mr.  Kucker,  of  this  review,  has  made  the  photograph  business  a life 
study  and  therefore  has  kept  well  abreast  of  the  times  in  all  phases  of  the 
work  as  new  discoveries  and  advancements  have  been  made,  and  he  is  there- 
fore one  of  the  most  up-to-date  photographers  in  the  Southwest.  He  first 
began  the  business  in  Alta,  Iowa,  when  about  twenty  years  old.  He  was 
successful  from  the  start,  and,  seeking  a broader  field  for  the  exercise  of 
his  talents  he  removed  later  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  accepted  a position 
as  special  demonstrator  for  the  Eastman  Kodak  Company,  and  he  made  St. 
Louis  his  headquarters  until  he  came  to  Springfield  on  December  1,  1909, 
where  he  has  since  remained,  and  has  built  up  a large  and  lucrative  busi- 
ness here.  He  has  been  in  the  same  location  ever  since  coming  here — 
314  Boonville  street,  buying  an  old  studio  there.  While  this  place  was  fairly 
well  suited  to  his  needs,  he  moved  into  one  of  the  most  attractive  and  con- 
venient studios  in  the  state  in  May,  1915,  in  the  Fraternity  building  on  St. 
Louis  street,  a handsome  new  structure,  where  he  will  have  modernly  ap- 
pointed, conveniently  located  and  attractive  quarters  with  new  and  attractive 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IO39 


equipment.  He  will  spare  neither  pains  nor  expense  in  his  new  studio  and 
will  doubtless  rank  with  the  best  in  the  Middle  West  in  every  respect. 

Aside  from  his  regular  portrait  work,  Mr.  Kucker  does  a great  deal 
of  commercial  photography,  which  has  a certain  distinctness  about  it  not  com- 
monly found  and  he  is  very  successful  in  both  lines  and  is  always  a vein- 
busy  man,  yet  never  slights  any  part  of  his  work,  planning  to  do  his  best 
always,  but  promptness  and  courtesy  as  well  as  honesty  are  his  watchwords. 
He  does  every  kind  of  work  which  one  can  have  done  at  any  first-class, 
up-to-date  studio.  He  is  a firm  believer  in  advertising  and  does  a great  deal 
of  it,  always  judiciously.  He  is  a member  of  the  advertising  trio  watch,  “300 
Green,”  “Walkover,”  and  “Take  ’em  all.”  He  is  a member  of  the  Spring- 
field  Club,  the  Young  Men’s  Business  Club,  and  the  Retailers’  Association. 


LORENZO  PHILLIPS. 

Among  the  high-grade  and  straightforward  business  men  of  a past 
generation  who  helped  to  make  Springfield  the  substantial  commercial  city 
which  we  of  the  present  generation  take  such  delight  in,  was  the  late  Lo- 
renzo Phillips,  who  for  many  years  was  one  of  the  city’s  best  known  gro- 
cerymen.  He  was  a man  who  bore  a reputation  for  wholesome  living  in  all 
walks  of  life  and  was  therefore  deserving  of  the  material  success  he  achieved 
and  also  the  social  prestige  which  was  unquestionably  his. 

Mr.  Phillips  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  September  23,  1866. 
He  is  a son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Phillips,  who  were  natives  of  the  state 
of  Tennessee  where  they  grew  up,  were  educated  and  married.  Thomas 
Phillips  became  a prosperous  farmer  and  extensive  mule  dealer  in  his  na- 
tive state,  from  which,  however,  he  finally  removed  to  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, where  his  death  occurred  a number  of  years  ago.  Llis  family  con- 
sisted of  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely : Marion, 

Monroe,  Jesse,  Thomas,  Warrie,  Vida  and  Lorenzo. 

Lorenzo  Phillips  grew  to  manhood  in  Greene  county  and  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools  and  here  he  engaged  in  farming  until  his 
marriage,  after  which  he  went  into  the  grocery  business  in  which  he  con- 
tinued with  ever-increasing  success  up  to  within  two  years  of  his  death.  The 
L.  Phillips  Grocery,  located  on  South  street,  Springfield,  of  which  he  was 
proprietor,  was  well  patronized  by  the  best  people  of  the  city,  for  there  they 
always  found  a large  and  well-selected  stock  of  staple  and  fancy  groceries 
and  were  dealt  with  in  a courteous  and  honest  manner.  The  last  two  years- 
of  our  subject’s  life  were  devoted  to  the  bakery  business,  with  equal  success. 

Mr.  Phillips  was  married  on  November  21,  1886,  to  Laura  Hardesty,. 


1040 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


who  was  born  in  Audrain  county,  Missouri,  December  18,  i860.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Felix  and  Catherine  (Gurton)  Hardesty,  the  former  a native 
of  Missouri  and  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  They  have  both  been  deceased  for 
some  time.  Mrs.  Phillips  received  good  educational  advantages  and  she 
taught  school  several  terms.  Her  father  devoted  his  active  life  to  mercantile 
pursuits.  He  located  in  Springfield  when  Mrs.  Phillips  was  sixteen  years 
of  age  and  her  education  was  obtained  here. 

Five  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Phillips,  namely:  Curt,  born 

on  August  14,  1887,  married  Bessie  Codel  and  they  live  in  Springfield;  Al- 
bert, born  on  July  19,  1889;  Marie,  born  on  August  28,  1891,  died  Septem- 
ber 23,  1895;  Pearl,  born  on  September  25,  1893,  is  at  home;  Georgia,  born 
on  December  4,  1895,  is  at  home.  These  children  received  good  educations 
in  the  Springfield  schools. 

Politically,  Mr.  Phillips  was  a Republican.  He  remained  active  in 
business  affairs  up  to  his  death  which  occurred  on  December  24,  1898.  He 
left  his  family  well  provided  for,  including  a pleasant  home  on  South  Main 
street. 


dr.  william  McFarland  brown. 

The  strength  of  a man  is  in  a way  measured  by  the  amount  of  perse- 
cution he  can  stand,  his  weakness  is  never  thus  tested.  Dr.  Wm.  McF. 
Brown  is  a broad-minded  symmetrically  developed  man,  whose  interest  in  the 
public  welfare  is  potent  and  salutary.  He  has  so  thoroughly  demonstrated 
the  sincerity  of  his  attitude  as  a physician  and  citizen  that  he  now  stands 
secure  in  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  a very  wide  circle  of  friends  and 
patrons.  An  insight  into  the  true  character  of  Dr.  Brown,  may  be  obtained 
by  noting  his  application  of  the  following  words. 

The  importance  of  human  relation  can  be  no  more  admirably  exempli- 
fied than  in  the  instance  wherein  one  man  can  be  of  just  benefit  to  another 
man.  A good  character  is  the  greatest  worldly  asset  of  mankind  and  that 
whoever  seeks  to  destroy  it  is  worse  than  he  who  would  steal  away  your 
property  in  the  darkness  of  night.  Man’s  morality  is  evidenced  by  a reason- 
able degree  of  self-sacrifice  and  unassuming  display  of  sympathy  and  charity 
commensurate  with  his  ability  to  act.  His  bravery  by  his  straightforward 
way  of  doing  things  subservient  to  a will  that  meets  a moral  obligation 
and  a true  measure  of  his  success  by  what  he  has  accomplished. 

In  contradistinction  to  the  old  adage  that  a prophet  is  not  without  honor 
save  in  his  own  country,  particular  interest  is  attached  to  the  career  of  Dr. 
Wm.  McFarland  Brown,  he  having  been  born,  reared  and  has  lived  his 
entire  life  within  the  confines  of  the  county  of  which  this  historical  com- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1041 


pendium  treats  and  that  he  has  so  directed  his  ability  and  effort  as  to  have 
gained  recognition  as  one  of  our  respresentative  citizens  and  worthy  scion 
of  two  of  our  sterling  pioneer  families. 

Dr.  Brown  has  not  only  kept  in  close  touch  with  the  trend  of  current 
medical  thought  and  research,  but  is  an  appreciative  student  of  all  social 
public  and  scientific  subjects  being  thus  one  of  the  leading  physicians  in  a 
locality  noted  for  its  medical  talent. 

He  is  a plain  unassuming  gentleman  who  has  a greater  desire  to  be  use- 
ful than  to  gain  the  admiring  plaudits  of  his  fellow  men.  He  so  much 
enjoys  the  discovery  of  good  in  other  people  that  he  has  become  a close 
observer  of  human  character  and  disposition  and  depends  much  more  upon 
what  he  observes  that  what  he  hears,  especially  self  praise  or  soliloquy,  the 
former  being  considered  by  him  as  inexcusably  foolish  and  funny  as  the 
latter  except,  perhaps,  on  occasion  when  the  soliloquist  wants  to  hear  a smart 
fellow  talk  awhile. 

He  was  born  in  Greene  county  on  what  is  known  now  as  the  Duff  farm, 
about  ten  miles  southeast  of  Springfield,  on  the  24th  day  of  August,  1861. 
From  childhood  he  was  remarkably  vivacious  and  active,  taking  a great 
amount  of  physical  culture  which,  together  with  his  active  farm  work  during 
early  manhood  resulted  in  the  upbuilding  of  a vigorous  constitution  which 
has  doubtless  served  him  well  during  his  strenuous  professional  life,  and 
which  in  part  solves  the  mystery  of  his  wonderful  endurance.  He  is  regular 
in  everything  except  eating  and  sleeping,  yet  he  eats  and  sleeps  to  live  and 
not  to  be  considered  otherwise  in  a single  instance.  He  is  ever  content  to 
depend  upon  his  natural  reactionary  powers  for  relief  from  those  tired 
feelings  to  the  exclusion  of  all  other  agents. 

He  obtained  his  literary  education  in  the  schools  here  and  vicinity  and 
at  Morrisville  College,  after  which,  upon  urgent  request  by  Dr.  Robberson, 
Dr.  Tefft,  Dr.  Rose  and  his  father,  he  early  decided  to  follow  in  the  foot- 
steps of  his  father  in  a professional  way  and  having  had  a decided  natural 
predilection  in  this  worthy  field  of  endeavor,  he  studied  medicine  under  his 
father  until  1882,  when  he  entered  the  Missouri  Medical  College  at  St. 
Louis,  where  he  made  an  excellent  record  and  from  which  institution  he 
graduated  with  honor  in  the  class  of  1885. 

Immediately  after  graduation  he  located  in  Springfield,  this  county, 
where  he  practiced  for  about  a year  then  moved  a short  distance  east  among 
the  people  who  had  known  him  from  childhood.  Here  he  met  with  great 
encouragement  and  gained  universal  confidence  which  still  endures.  In  the 
year  1890  he  moved  on  a few  miles  east  to  the  town  of  Strafford,  this  coun- 
ty, where  by  meritorious  professional  work  and  conduct  he  built  up  a very 
(66) 


1042 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


extensive  practice  and  where  he  remained  until  the  year  1909,  when  seek- 
ing a broader  field  for  the  exercise  of  his  talents  he  located  in  Springfield, 
where  he  has  since  resided,  at  once  taking  his  place  in  the  front  ranks  of  the 
leading  practitioners ; he  has  thus  stood  secure  in  the  confidence  and  esteem 
of  the  people  of  this  city  and  community,  both  as  to  his  professional  ability 
and  his  personal  worth,  and  is  deserving  in  every  way  of  the  large  success 
he  has  achieved.  He  has  remained  a diligent  student  of  all  that  pertains  to 
his  profession  and  has  kept  fully  abreast  of  the  times  in  every  phase  of  the 
same.  He  has  acquired  a large  amount  of  real  estate,  including  several 
farms,  a commodious  residence  on  Benton  avenue,  Springfield,  and  other 
city  property. 

The  domestic  life  of  Dr.  Brown  began  on  December  18,  1890,  when  he 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Alta  Catherine  Love,  the  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Margaret  (Piper)  Love,  a prominent  family  of  Strafford.  The  father  was 
born  in  Pike  county,  Missouri,  and  the  mother  was  a native  of  Greene  coun- 
ty, Missouri;  they  became  the  parents  of  ten  children.  (See  sketch  and  por- 
trait on  another  page  of  this  work.) 

Mrs.  Brown  was  born  in  1866,  at  Strafford,  where  she  grew  to  woman- 
hood and  received  her  education.  She  is  a lady  of  many  praiseworthy  attri- 
butes of  head  and  heart.  The  union  of  Dr.  Brown  and  wife  has  been 
blessed  with  four  children,  namely:  Mary,  who  was  educated  in  the  public 
school  of  Strafford,  and  at  Drury  College,  married  on  November  16,  1912. 
to  Junius  W.  Houston,  son  of  Edward  and  Florence  (Wilson)  Houston,  a 
well-known  family  of  Springfield.  Mr.  Houston  is  a talented  electrician  and 
a promising  young  business  man,  having  charge  of  the  electrical  supplies  of 
the  Frisco  railroad  at  the  present  time.  He  resides  in  Springfield  and  has 
one  child,  a daughter,  Meredith  Brown  Houston,  who  was  born  on  January 
6,  1914.  The  other  children  of  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Brown  are  Robert  Addison 
Brown,  who  was  educated  in  the  public  school  at  Strafford  and  Drury  Col- 
lege, and  is  now  living  at  home;  Hermosa  Rose  Brown,  who  is  in  Ward- 
Belmont  College,  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  Maxie  Eleanor,  who  is  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Brown  is  a Democrat,  but  is  duly  considerate  and  appre- 
ciative of  friendship,  efficiency  and  Irue  manhood  wherever  found.  He  is  a 
church  member,  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Knights 
of  Pythias,  Eagles,  Court  of  Honor,  Woodmen  of  the  World,  Woodmen 
Circle.  Rebekahs,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Royal  Neighbors,  Knights 
and  Ladies  of  Security,  Ben-Hur  and  Society  of  Colonial  Wars.  Lie  is  a 
man  of  warm  sympathetic  impulses,  obliging,  companionable,  and  uniformly 
courteous,  with  high  conceptions  of  good  citizenship  and  right  living. 

When  young  in  years  the  father  of  our  subject  came  with  his  parents 
on  the  long  and  wearisome  overland  journey  from  his  native  state  to  Greene 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1043 


county,  Missouri,  when  the  locality  was  but  little  developed  and  settlers 
were  very  few.  He  first  attended  school  at  Green  Mountain,  North  Carolina, 
and  later  at  Ebenezer  Academy,  this  county,  after  which  he  taught  school 
for  a few  years,  then  studied  law  for  two  years ; then  took  up  the  study 
of  medicine  under  Dr.  G.  P.  Shackelford  and  completed  his  medical  educa- 
tion at  the  McDowell  Medical  College  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  tie  entered 
upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  near  and  at  Springfield,  Missouri,  before 
the  Civil  war,  where  he  continued  during  and  for  some  time  after  hostilities 
had  ceased,  thereafter  maintaining  his  home  on  a fine  farm  near  the  Na- 
tional Cemetery,  where  he  continued  practicing  until  near  the  end  of  the 
century.  He  was  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  and  most  widely  known  physi- 
cians in  this  county,  and  a man  whom  to  know  was  to  respect  and  honor, 
not  only  for  his  ability  as  a physician,  but  for  his  unswerving  integrity. 
Although  of  southern  birth  and  breeding,  he  remained  neutral  during  the 
war  between  the  states,  prescribing  and  caring  alike  for  Federals  and  Con- 
federates, which  attitude  resulted  in  making  him  many  enemies  who  did  all 
in  their  power  to  annoy  him  and  obstruct  his  freedom  and  progress,  even 
their  persecutions  continuing  for  years  after  the  war  had  ended. 

And  these  enemies  had  to  cope  with  the  insurmountable  effort,  and  influ- 
ence of  his  many  true  friends,  exemplified  in  one  instance  when  John  Pickle,  a 
Union  man,  yet  his  friend  and  brother  Mason,  walked  in  a roundabout  way 
five  miles  barefooted  in  the  dead  hours  of  night  to  his  home,  to  apprise  him 
of  the  plot  of  a gang  of  bushwhackers  and  their  appointed  hour  to  take 
his  life,  thus  enabling  him  to  escape  unharmed.  And  in  another  when  Dr. 
E.  T.  Robberson,  who  was  the  physician  in  charge  of  the  Federal  hospital, 
which  occupied  the  old  building  which  still  stands  at  the  George  M.  Jones 
place  between  Sherman  street  and  Springfield  avenue,  extended  to  him  a 
hand  in  friendship  and  professional  fellowship,  thus  lending  him  material 
aid  in  his  efforts  to  obtain  a living,  and  at  whose  hands  the  climax  of  assist- 
ance came  when  he  sent  Doctor  Brown,  accompanied  by  wife  and  a guard, 
to  treat  Col.  John  A.  Lee,  who  Was  sick  at  Galena,  Missouri,  with  pneumonia, 
where  he  remained  at  the  bedside  of  the  colonel  until  convalescent,  leaving 
his  two  children,  Alice  and  William  McFarland,  at  home  in  the  care  of  Will- 
iam Porter's  family,  whereupon  Col.  John  A.  Lee  enjoyed  the  discovery  of 
the  sterling  qualities  and  medical  ability  of  Doctor  Brown,  and  in  prompt 
accord  therewith  sent  orders  to  headquarters  at  Springfield  to  immediately 
and  continuously  remove  all  obstacles  to  his  necessities,  liberties  and  pleas- 
ures to  the  peril  of  all  violators. 

But  he  was  of  an  amiable  and  peaceful  disposition,  which  doubtless 
prevented  him  from  receiving  harsher  treatment  at  the  hands  of  his  ene- 
mies. He  was  a member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  occupied  a high  position  in 


1044 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


all  circles  in  which  he  moved.  He  lived  to  reach  an  advanced  age,  death  result- 
ing from  pneumonia  at  his  home  on  the  17th  day  of  February,  1894,  after 
a useful  and  commendable  life,  and  his  name  will  be  perpetuated  in  local 
history  as  being  one  of  Greene  county’s  ablest  and  most  popular  pioneer 
physicians.  He  was  of  English  descent  by  both  parents,  having  descended 
through  his  mother  from  Rev.  Stephen  Batcheler,  of  England,  an  Oxford 
graduate  who  founded  the  city  of  Hampton,  New  Hampshire,  and  who  was 
presented  to  the  living  of  Wherwell  County  Haunts  by  Sir  Thomas  West,  the 
second  Baronet  De  LaWare,  father  of  Lord  Delaware,  who  gave  his  name  to 
the  Delaware  river,  for  sixteen  years  he  was  vicar  of  Wherwell. 

Dr.  Joseph  Addison  Brown,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a blood 
relative  to  John  G.  Whittier,  the  poet;  Daniel  Webster,  the  statesman;  Hon. 
Justin  S.  Morrill,  United  States  senator  from  Vermont;  Hon.  M.  B.  Allison, 
United  States  senator  from  Iowa;  Gov.  Benjamin  F.  Butler,  of  Massachu- 
setts; John  Bachelder,  the  inventor  of  indispensable  parts  of  the  sewing 
machine,  and  many  other  noted  people. 

John  D.  Brown,  LL.  D.,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  a native  of  Randolph  county,  North  Carolina,  and  a son 
of  Henry  Brown,  who  was  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  army,  as  shown 
by  Colonial  Records  of  North  Carolina,  Vol.  XVI,  page  1022.  From  the 
old  Tar  state  he  removed  to  Arkansas  in  a very  early  day,  and  soon  there- 
after came  on  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  locating  on  a large  tract  of  wild 
prairie  land  a few  miles  southwest  of  the  hamlet  of  Henderson,  which  land 
he  converted  into  an  excellent  farm  by  persistent  and  careful  management, 
and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  dying  of  smallpox  in  the  year  1863. 
He  was  a dignified  and  courageous  gentleman,  possessed  of  a great  amount 
of  natural  intelligence  and  tact  and,  by  profession,  a lawyer. 

Politically,  he  was  a Democrat  and  a local  leader  in  his  party,  but  was  a 
man  who  always  considered  the  public  good  first.  He  took  an  active  interest  in 
public  life  both  in  North  Carolina  and  Missouri.  While  in  North  Carolina 
he  filled  the  following  offices  and  positions,  namely:  Justice  of  the  peace, 

being  appointed  by  the  governor  of  the  state;  probate  judge  of  Randolph 
county;  president  of  Springfield  Female  College,  and  later  judge  of  the 
court  of  chancery  until  he  left  the  state.  While  in  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
he  was  justice  of  the  peace,  county  school  commissioner  for  several  years, 
and  twice  his  party’s  candidate  for  representative. 

He  was  very  successful  in  a business  way,  and  at  the  breaking  out  of 
the  war  of  the  rebellion  was  one  of1  the  wealthy  men  of  the  county,  but  he,  like 
nearly  all  of  those  who  lived  in  this  locality  during  those  troublous  days,  lost 
heavily.  His  widow,  whose  maiden  name  was  Jean  Bray,  survived  him 
three  decades,  being  well  past  her  ninetieth  birthday  when  she  was  summoned 
to  the  Silent  Land  as  a result  of  pneumonia. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1045 


To  John  D.  and  Jean  (Bray)  Brown,  the  following  children  were  born: 
Emeline  married  William  Jessup,  who  established  their  home  at  Jamestown, 
Arkansas;  Lydia,  w'ho  has  long  been  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Anderson 
Pendleton,  of  Christian  county,  Missouri,  and  at  her  death  left  one  child; 
Jane  married  Eli  Jessup,  also  of  Christian  county;  John  D.,  Jr.,  who  located 
at  Lead  Hill,  Arkansas,  served  through  the  Civil  war  in  the  Confederate 
army  under  Gen.  Sterling  Price,  and  was  once  wounded;  Dr.  Eli  B.,  who 
became  a physician  at  Billings,  Missouri,  also  served  in  the  Confederate  army 
and  was  shot  through  the  shoulder  in  one  of  the  numerous  engagements  in 
which  he  participated;  William  T.  was  a soldier  in  the  Union  army  about 
a year,  and  was  honorably  discharged  on  account  of  having  suffered  a sun- 
stroke, which  thus  disabled  him  from  further  service;  Dr.  G.  P.  S.,  who 
was  graduated  from  the  St.  Louis  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  estab- 
lished himself  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Nixa,  Christian  county, 
and  Dr.  Joseph  A.,  father  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch.  The 
wife  of  John  D.  Brown  is  credited  with  the  honor  of  naming  Christian 
county.  John  D.  Brown,  together  with  Gov.  John  S.  Phelps,  was  sent  at 
one  time  as  special  delegate  to  interview  President  Jackson  in  the  interest 
of  this  part  of  the  country,  being  accompanied  by  his  son,  the  father  of  our 
subject. 

To  Dr.  Joseph  A.  and  Martha  A.  (McFarland)  Brown,  parents  of  our 
subject,  the  following  children  were  born:  Alice,  who  married  Joseph  Dan- 
forth,  of  Greene  county,  and  who  died  April  2,  1914,  of  tetanus,  the  germ 
having  been  received  into  a small  finger  wound  while  preparing  garden  ; 
Dr.  William  McFarland,  who  is  next  to  the  eldest;  Henry  and  James  both 
dying  in  infancy,  James  having  died  at  the  age  of  one  year  as  a result  of 
swallowing  glass;  Jamie  married  C.  J.  Edmondson,  of  Greene  county;  Joseph 
Edwin,  who  resides  in  Springfield ; Martha,  who  is  deceased ; and  Daniel 
Keating,  who  is  in  California. 

Hon.  William  McFarland,  the  maternal  grandfather  of  the  subject  of 
this  review,  removed  from  Cooper  county,-  Missouri,  in  a very  early  day, 
settling  at  the  big  Jones  spring,  where  he  built  and  operated  one  of  the  first 
grist  mills  in  this  country  and  where  the  old  mill  race  foundation  still  stands, 
as  a landmark  of  his  ingenuity  and  industry.  Here  he  received  and  gratified 
patrons  from  the  country  far  and  near.  He  was  successful  in  this  business. 
Later  he  became  an  extensive  farmer  and  stockman  and  became  quite  wealthy, 
owning  about  a thousand  acres  of  fertile  land,  a great  many  slaves,  and  an 
abundance  of  other  personal  property.  His  home  was  situated  four  miles 
southeast  of  Springfield,  being  the  same  as  was  later  owned  and  occupied 
by  Dr.  Joseph  Addison  Brown,  the  father  of  our  subject.  A part  of  his 
land  joined  up  with  that  of  Gov.  John  S.  Phelps,  just  outside  of  the  city 


1046 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


limits.  He  was  a line  example  of  self-made  man,  a natural  born  leader,  who 
was  possessed  of  rare  ability  and  general  information,  and  was  an  eloquent 
and  forceful  public  speaker,  whose  personality,  knowledge  and  evident  inter- 
est in  the  public  welfare  placed  him  in  demand  on  many  occasions,  especially 
during  political  campaigns.  Politically,  he  was  originally  a Whig,  but  became 
a Republican  at  the  birth  of  that  party,  which  held  him  in  abiding  faith 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  death  resulting  from  poisoned  water,  which  set 
cooling  out  on  a shelf,  thus  rendered,  it  was  believed,  by  the  fiendish  impulse 
of  an  intractable  slave  whom  he  had  sold  on  account  of  gross  disobedience. 
Although  a slave  owner,  he  was  merely  such  by  custom  and  apparent  neces- 
sity and  not  by  principle,  for  he  was  a man  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  sym- 
pathy and  humanity,  never  having  struck  a slave  but  one  time  in  his  life, 
and  that  was  Stephen,  the  neighborhood  fiddler,  upon  the  violation  of  his 
orders  by  proceeding  to  play  for  a dance  at  a house  of  questionable  repute. 
This  occasion  brought  tears  to  the  old  master's  eyes  while  pleading  with 
Stephen  to  be  honorable  and  thus  avoid  the  obligation  of  treating  a man  as 
some  men  treat  an  animal. 

He  took  an  active  part  in  the  political  affairs  of  this  county,  being  twice 
elected  to  the  state  Legislature,  defeating  the  paternal  grandfather  of  our 
subject  in  both  campaigns.  He  was  also  at  one  time  sheriff  of  this  county. 
Llis  wife  was  Patsy  Roberts,  one  of  the  two  children  of  John  and  Rebecca 
(Langley)  Roberts,  who  removed  from  Kentucky  to  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri. about  the  year  1830.  John  Roberts  was  a typical  pioneer,  very 
strong,  and  a man  whose  courage  was  never  doubted.  Lie  delighted  in  the 
crucial  tests  of  physical  manhood,  and  gloried  in  his  ability  to  surmount  the 
obstacles  allotted  to  his  pathway.  He  was  a great  hunter,  in  the  pursuit  of 
which  he  felt  no  terror  at  the  sight  of  a redskin  crouched  behind  a rock  or 
the  vicious  inhabitants  of  the  woods  nearby,  having  at  one  time  near  a sink 
hole  in  the  east  field  of  what  is  now  known  as  the  Joe  McCraw  farm  down 
by  old  Mt.  Pisgah  church,  attacked  and  killed  a large  bear  with  no  other 
weapon  than  his  dirk  knife. 

He  lived  and  conducted  a mill  and  distillery  at  the  big  Jones  spring, 
where  he  prospered  for  a number  of  years,  and  later  was  coroner  of  Greene 
county.  He  was  shot  and  killed  by  an  enemy  on  the  public  square  of  Spring- 
field  whom  he  had  previously  frightened  by  a fun-making  snap  of  his  spec- 
tacle case.  His  enemy  had  threatened  him,  which  only  served  to  stimulate 
his  mischievous  attitude  and  he  was  unarmed  when  the  fatal  moment  came. 
His  bodily  remains  still  rest  on  the  hilltop  by  that  noted  spring  marked  by 
a tomb  hewn  from  the  native  rock  by  the  hands  of  a fellow  pioneer. 

The  wife  of  John  Roberts  was  a good,  industrious  woman,  bearing, 
it  is  said,  a strong  resemblance  to  Gen.  Winfield  Scott,  and  who  lived  to  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1047 


advanced  age  of  about  ninety  years,  and  died  suddenly  while  sitting  in  a 
chair.  She  left  a great  many  nice  things  of  her  own  handiwork,  which  are 
still  in  existence,  scattered  among  her  posterity,  and  the  occasional  display 
of  which  serves  to  remind  us  of  her  great  worth  and  importance  in  a genera- 
tion long  gone  by.  Patsy  McFarland  evidently  inherited  her  father's  nerve, 
as  shown  on  an  occasion  of  her  return  from  the  Holland  bank  to  her  home 
late  one  evening,  when  she  was  attacked  by  a highway  robber,  whom  she 
beat  into  a state  of  insensibility  with  her  walking  cane,  when  old  and  very 
decrepit.  The  children  of  Hon.  William  and  Patsy  (Roberts)  McFarland 
were:  Rebecca,  the  wife  of  John  Pursley,  who  is  deceased;  Harriet  Green- 

lee, who  was  honored  with  the  title  of  “Mother  of  Springfield"  before  her 
death;  George,  who  is  still  living  in  Greene  county;  John  T. ; William; 
Nancy,  wife  of  Abner  Galbraith;  Lucinda,  wife  of  Robert  A.  Mack;  all 
being  deceased,  and  James,  a prosperous  resident  of  Tulare,  California. 

Dr.  William  McFarland  Brown  is  a direct  descendant  of  Christopher 
Hussey,  who  married  a daughter  of  Stephen  Bachiler,  who  would  only  give 
his  consent  to  the  marriage  on  condition  that  they  would  sail  with  him  for 
America.  This  agreement  was  complied  with  and,  about  1631,  they 
embarked  for  America.  About  the  year  1639,  Christopher  Hussey  was 
appointed  a justice  of  the  peace  in  Newbury,  Massachusetts,  a position  of 
dignity  and  importance  in  early  days.  He  was  also  one  of  the  purchasers 
of  Nantucket,  Massachusetts,  but  did  not  remove  there.  He  and  his  father- 
in-law  were  proprietors  of  Hampton,  New  Hampshire,  where  they  finally 
settled,  and  from  1658  to  1672  was  deputy  or  representative  to  the  general 
court,  having  been  elected  to  this  position. 


THOMAS  H.  BRADLEY. 

One  of  the  chief  concerns  of  every  man  in  the  productive  period  of  his 
life  is  to  accumulate  sufficient  means  to  enable  him  to  properly  care  for  him- 
self and  family  in  old  age.  Many  men  start  out  with  the  best  of  intentions, 
but  err  in  business  judgment  and  find  themselves  penniless  in  old  age.  Others 
seem  to  be  followed  by  unfortunate  circumstances  classified  under  the  gen- 
eral heading  of  “hard  luck.”  Thomas  FI.  Bradley  has  exercised  such  sound 
judgment  and  persistency  in  his  active  career  that  he  has  been  able  to  earn 
a good  livelihood  and  rear  his  family  in  comfort  and  respectability,  notwith- 
standing the  usual  adversities  that  occasionally  beset  the  pathways  of  everv 
mortal. 

Mr.  Bradley  was  born  in  Sumner  county,  Tennessee,  September  17, 
1844.  He  is  a son  of  Isaac  F.  and  Sarah  (Mabery)  Bradley,  an  excellent 


1048 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


old  Tennessee  couple  who  devoted  many  years  to  successful  farming  in  Sum- 
ner county.  The  father  received  excellent  educational  advantages  and  was 
a good  scholar.  He  was  born  in  1820  and  died  March  8,  1879.  Mrs.  Brad- 
ley was  born  in  1820  and  died  March  9,  1906. 

Thomas  H.  Bradley  grew  up  on  the  home  farm.  As  a lad  he  was  not 
very  strong  and  his  education  was  limited.  He  left  his  native  state  early  in 
1855,  and  arrived  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  on  April  5th  of  that  year, 
locating  on  a farm  near  Springfield,  when  the  place  was  a small  village.  He 
continued  to  follow  farming  here  until  1879,  when  he  established  a livery 
business  in  Springfield,  which  he  conducted  until  1886,  when  he  sold  out  and 
went  back  to  farming,  which  he  carried  on  with  his  usual  success  until  1894, 
when  he  moved  back  to  Springfield  and  did  a general  live  stock  and  trading 
business  until  in  October,  1913,  when  he  bought  a livery,  feed  and  sale  stable 
at  1220  North  Campbell  street,  which  he  conducted  until  recently. 

Mr.  Bradley  enlisted  during  the  early  part  of  the  Civil  war  in  Greene 
county,  in  the  Seventy-second  Regiment,  State  Militia,  in  which  he  served 
for  some  time,  later  enlisting  in  Company  E,  Sixteenth  Missouri  Cavalry, 
under  Captain  Headley,  serving  ten  months,  but  was  not  in  any  engagements. 
During  the  latter  part  of  the  war  he  married  and  hired  a substitute  to  fill  out 
his  military  service. 

Mr.  Bradley  married  in  Greene  county,  in  September  16,  1863,  Mary 
Louisa  Akin,  who  was  a daughter  of  Lafayette  and  Patsey  (Stricklin)  Akin, 
who  were  both  born  in  Tennessee,  east  of  the  Cumberland  mountains. 

Nine  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bradley,  named  as  follows: 
Thomas  Franklin  is  the  eldest:  John  Harvey  is  deceased;  Mrs.  Lola  May 
Smith,  William  W.,  Samuel  L.,  Robert  Lee  lives  in  Kansas  City;  Mrs.  Evella 
Stocker  lives  in  Kansas  City ; Luella  is  deceased ; Elsie  is  also  deceased.  Our 
subject  owns  several  valuable  pieces  of  city  property  here. 

Mrs.  Bradley  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  church.  Politically,  our  sub- 
ject is  a Republican. 


ROBERT  LOVE. 

The  history  of  Greene  county  reveals  the  handiwork  of  many  a noble 
soul  who  wrought  heroically  and  unselfishly.  Her  smiling  fields  and  splen- 
did homes,  her  high-grade  institutions,  her  happy,  prospering  people  speak 
volumes  of  some  one’s  steadfastness  of  purpose,  of  some  one’s  strength  of 
arm,  courage  of  heart,  activity  of  brain — of  some  one’s  sacrifice.  But  time, 
that  ruthless  obliterator,  before  whose  destroying  fingers  even  the  stubborn 
granite  must,  in  the  end  succumb,  is  ever  at  his  work  of  disintegration.  Be- 
neath his  blighting  touch  even  memory  fails,  and  too  often  a life  of  splendid 


MR.  AND  MRS.  ROBERT  LOVE. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1049' 


achievement  is  forgotten  in  a day.  Lest  we  forget,  then,  as  Kipling  ad- 
monishes us  in  his  superb  “Recessional,"  regarding  a number  of  important 
things  that  should  not  be  forgotten,  this  tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  late 
Robert  Love  is  penned.  Pioneer  merchant,  successful  agriculturist,  a public- 
spirited,  brave,  kindly,  generous  man,  it  is  the  desire  of  the  biographer,  as  it 
must  be  of  all  who  knew  him,  that  his  deeds  and  his  character  be  recorded 
for  the  benefit  of  those  who  follow  after. 

Mr.  Love  was  born  in  Pike  county,  Missouri,  which  picturesque  locality 
has  been  made  famous  by  the  late  Secretary  of  State,  John  Hay,  in  his 
“Ballads  from  Pike,"  the  date  of  the  former’s  birth  having  been  March  26, 
1839.  He  was  a son  of  Andrew  and  Mary  Ann  (Muir)  Love,  both  long 
deceased.  Our  subject  was  one  of  four  children,  namely:  Harrison,  de- 
ceased ; Mrs.  Margaret  Dunn,  deceased ; Mrs.  Sarah-  J.  McCullister,  de- 
ceased ; Robert  of  this  memoir. 

Robert  Love  was  reared  in  his  native  county  and  there  received  a com- 
mon school  education.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  he 
joined  the  Union  army  and  was  such  a brave  and  efficient  fighter  for  the 
cause  that  he  was  promoted  to  lieutenant.  He  took  part  in  many  engage- 
ments, including  the  battles  of  Pea  Ridge  and  Springfield,  and  was  honorably 
discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Before  the  war  he  had  removed  with 
his  stepfather  to  Greene  county  on  a farm.  He  sold  this  place  not  long  after 
the  war  and  began  the  mercantile  business,  selling  dry  goods  at  Strafford, 
being  the  first  store-keeper  in  that  place.  He  built  up  a good  trade  with  the 
surrounding  country,  his  many  customers  remaining  his  friends  owing  to 
the  honest  and  courteous  treatment  he  accorded  them.  He  was  the  first 
man  to  buy  a lot  in  Strafford.  After  remaining  in  business  there  about  a 
year  he  resumed  farming,  but  eventually  returned  to  Strafford  where  he 
spent  the  last  days  of  his  life  and  died  there  on  October  29,  1905. 

Mr.  Love  was  married  November  26,  1864,  to  Margaret  C.  Piper,  who 
was  born  near  Strafford,  April  28,  1842,  and  there  grew  to  womanhood  on 
a farm.  She  received  a good  education  in  the  local  schools.  Since  the 
death  of  her  husband  she  has  shown  rare  business  tact  in  managing  success- 
fully her  various  affairs.  She  has  lived  in  Strafford  twenty-nine  years. 
She  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Sarah  (Smith)  Piper,  both  now  deceased.  Mr.  Piper  was  a 
successful  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  well  and  favorably  known  in  this  locality. 
He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  They 
emigrated  here  from  Virginia  in  1839  and  were  among  the  early  settlers  in 
Greene  county,  where  Mr.  Piper  entered  land  from  the  government  and 
developed  a large  and  productive  farm. 

Six  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Love,  namely : Mrs.  Alta  C_ 


1050 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Brown  lives  in  Springfield;  Mrs.  Sarah  N.  Dishman  lives  in  Jackson  town- 
ship; Florence  H.  lives  at  home;  Mrs.  Mary  E.  West  lives  at  Nogo,  Mis- 
souri; Mrs.  Margaret  K.  Kepley  lives  in  Taylor  township;  Maude  May  died 
February  4,  1896. 

Politically,  Mr.  Love  was  a Democrat.  Fie  was  a member  of  the 
.Masonic  fraternity,  and  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Fie 
was  a man  of  fine  personal  character. 


FRANK  A.  BEYER. 

When  we  are  told  that  such  and  such  a man  is  a general  foreman  of  no 
matter  what,  we  know  at  once  that  he  is  a man  who  possesses  native  talent  and 
that  he  has  not  attained  his  position  at  a single  bound,  but  that  he  has  spent 
years  in  close  application  and  careful  preparation;  that  he  has  been  faithful 
to  every  trust  reposed  in  him  and  that  he  is  a man  of  self-reliance  and  forti- 
tude. Without  any  attempt  to  unduly  praise  Frank  A.  Beyer,  general  foreman 
of  the  locomotive  department  of  the  new  Frisco  shops  at  Springfield,  we  can 
truthfully  say  that  he  is  such  a man  as  we  have  here  indicated. 

Mr.  Beyer,  who  has  spent  his  active  life  in  railroad  service,  is  a man  of 
Teutonic  origin,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Germany,  August  5,  1877.  He 
is  a son  of  Joseph  and  Margaret  (Fleysch)  Beyer,  both  natives  of  Germany, 
the  father's  birth  having  occurred  on  November  22,  1861,  and  the  mother  was 
born  in  1865.  There  they  grew  to  maturity,  attended  school  and  were  married 
and  spent  their  earlier  years,  emigrating  to  America  more  than  three  decades 
ago.  The  mother  died  in  Topeka,  Kansas,  in  1904,  and  in  that  city  still  resides 
the  father.  He  is  a machinist  by  trade.  It  was  in  the  early  eighties  that 
he  came  to  that  city  from  his  native  country  and  there  he  has  since  resided. 
He  soon  found  employment  in  the  shops  of  the  Santa  Fe  railroad  in  Topeka 
and  he  has  since  worked  there  in  this  capacity.  His  family  consists  of  five 
children,  namely:  Frank  A.  of  this  review,  he  being  the  only  one  born  in 

the  old  country;  Rosa,  Tressey,  Anna  and  Emma. 

Frank  A.  Beyer  was  a small  boy  when  he  came  to  the  United  States, 
and  he  grew  to  manhood  in  Topeka,  Kansas,  and  there  attended  the  common 
schools,  the  high  school  and  a business  college,  and  was  thus  well  equipped 
when  he  began  life  for  himself.  When  a boy  he  began  his  career  as  rail- 
roader, serving  his  apprenticeship  in  the  Santa  Fe  shops  at  Topeka,  and 
later  worked  at  many  different  places  on  that  system,  during  a period  ofl 
eight  years.  In  1904  he  came  to  Springfield  and  began  working  as  ma- 
chinist in  the  North  Side  shops.  When  the  new  shops  were  opened  he  was 
promoted  to  the  position  of  erecting  foreman  and  in  1910  was  promoted  to 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I051 


general  foreman  of  the  locomotive  department  which  responsible  position 
he  still  holds,  having  a large  number  of  skilled  mechanics  under  his  direction. 

Mr.  Beyer  was  married  on  August  17,  1899,  in  Topeka,  Kansas,  to 
Carrie  Mohmeyer,  who  was  born  in  Louisville,  Kentucky,  September  7. 
1882.  She  is  a daughter  of  Henry  ancl  Anna  (Sutter)  Mohmeyer.  Her 
father  is  a trunk  maker  by  trade. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Frank, 

born  August  24,  1900,  is  attending  Springfield  high  school  ; and  Mary  Etta, 
born  October  1,  1906. 

Politically,  Mr.  Beyer  is  a Democrat,  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
Woodmen  of  the  World,  the  Eagles  and  the  Germania  Hall  Society.  He 
is  also  a member  of  the  Masonic  lodge,  including  the  Shriners. 


ROBERT  B.  LOVE.  D.  V.  S. 

Greene  county  has  never  had  a more  efficient,  progressive  and  popular 
veterinary  physician  and  surgeon  than  Dr.  Robert  B.  Love,  a man  of  state- 
wide reputation,  who  seemed  to  have  a natural  aptitude  and  liking  for  this 
calling  when  a mere  boy,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present  he  has  left  no 
stone  unturned  whereby  he  could  advance  himself  in  the  same,  remaining 
a close  student  of  everything  pertaining  to  this  science,  observing,  investi- 
gating and  experimenting.  His  counsel  has  been  frequently  sought  by  his 
professional  brethren  and  invariably  followed  with  gratifying  results,  his  ad- 
vice in  any  phase  of  the  profession  being  accepted  as  unqualified  authority. 
His  modernly  equipped  hospital  in  Springfield  is  known  to  all  horsemen  in 
southwest  Missouri  and  he  has  built  up  an  extensive  and  lucrative  patronage 
during  his  long  years  of  residence  here.  An  admirer  and  expert  judge  of 
horses  of  superior  breed  he  always  keeps  a number  of  animals,  owning  three 
stallions  at  this  writing  which  have  few  peers  in  the  country. 

Dr.  Love  was  born  in  Webster  county,  Missouri,  February  5,  1873.  He 
is  a scion  of  a sterling'  ancestry,  some  of  the  Loves  having  been  distinguished 
military  men  in  the  early  wars  of  the  nation  and  influential  citizens  of 
Virginia  and  Tennessee.  He  is  a son  of  Thomas  C.  and  Sallie  Jane  (Rodgers) 
Love.  The  father  is  a retired  resident  of  Springfield,  having  been  a suc- 
cessful farmer  in  Webster  county  during  the  active  years  of  his  life,  and 
in  that  county  his  birth  occurred  in  1844,  soon  after  his  parents.  Thomas 
B.  and  Elizabeth  (Barnard)  Love  settled  there,  having  emigrated  from  Ten- 
nessee. Thomas  B.  Love  was  born  in  North  Carolina  and  was  a son  of 
Gen.  Thomas  Love,  who  was  a native  of  Ireland,  from  which  country  he 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  old  Colonial  days  and  he  became  a sol- 


I052 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


dier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  finally  become  coloner  of  a North  Carolina 
regiment.  Later  he  moved  into  Tennessee  and  became  a general  of  militia 
and  a great  man  there,  serving  thirty  years  consecutively  in  the  state  legis- 
lature. His  oldest  son,  Robert,  was  a colonel  in  the  War  of  1812  and  fought 
under  Jackson  at  New  Orleans.  The  family  has  always  been  lovers  of 
liberty  and  have  unhesitatingly  taken  an  active  part  in  the  wars  in  which 
this  country  has  been  involved  at  various  times.  Thomas  B.  Love,  grand- 
father of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  entered  six  hundred  acres  of  land  upon 
his  arrival  in  Webster  county,  and  this  he  cleared  and  developed  and  thereon 
established  the  permanent  home  of  the  family.  His  son,  Thomas  C.  Love,, 
father  of  our  subject,  became  owner  of  the  homestead,  which  he  retained  up> 
to  a few  years  ago,  when  he  sold  it,  retiring  from  active  life  as  a farmer 
and  moving  to  Springfield,  as  before  indicated.  Thomas  B.  Love  owned 
about  two  dozen  slaves  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1852,. 
after  a residence  of  only  a decade  in  the  Ozarks.  He  was  a man  of  humani- 
tarian impulses  and  was  also  very  considerate  in  his  treatment  of  his  slaves. 
Llis  family  consisted  of  nine  children.  The  oldest  son  joined  a company 
for  the  Mexican  war,  became  a first  lieutenant,  but  died  on  the  march 
to  Mexico.  The  widow  of  Thomas  B.  Love  died  in  1869.  Thomas  C. 
Love,  mentioned  above,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Webster 
county,  and  when  the  Civil  war  came  on  he  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  army, 
a Missouri  cavalry  regiment,  under  General  Marmaduke  and  proved  to  be  a 
gallant  soldier.  He  still  carries  a pistol  ball  received  in  a battle  in  Arkansas. 
He  was  also  in  prison  on  two  different  occasions  for  some  time.  When  his 
brigade  was  defeated  in  battle  at  Mines  Creek,  Kansas,  where  General  Mar- 
maduke and  Cabell  and  a large  number  of  the  men  were  captured,  he  made 
a sensational  escape  by  swimming  a dangerous  stream,  and  later  joined  a 
reorganized  body  of  the  same  troops  in  Texas  and  served  until  the  close  of 
the  war,  surrendering  at  Shreveport,  Louisiana,  in  June,  1865.  After  the 
war  he  devoted  three  years  to  the  management  of  a plantation  in  Texas, 
raising  cotton,  then  returned  to  Webster  county,  Missouri,  and  carried  on 
general  farming  and  live  stock  raising  until  1892,  when  he  turned  his  farm 
into  an  apple  orchard.  He  first  moved  to  Springfield  in  1883  to  educate 
his  children,  moving  back  to  the  farm  in  1899,  and  in  1911  again  took  up  his 
residence  in  the  Queen  City.  He  was  formerly  active  in  the  Democratic 
party  and  served  one  term  in  the  state  legislature  in  1882.  In  1893  he  was 
appointed  postmaster  at  Springfield,  which  office  he  held  four  years. 

The  mother  of  Dr.  Robert  B.  Love  was  a daughter  of  R.  W.  Rodgers 
and  wife,  of  Texas  county,  Missouri.  This  family  is  of  Scotch-Irish  de- 
scent and  became  known  in  the  New  World  at  an  early  day.  The  grand- 
father of  Mrs.  Love  took  up  his  residence  in  Texas  county  long  before  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1053 


opening  of  the  Civil  war  and  became  an  extensive  lumberman  and  well  known 
to  the  early  pioneers  of  that  section.  Mrs.  Love  grew  to  womanhood  in  her 
native  locality  and  received  her  education  in  the  early  schools  there.  Her 
death  occurred  May  20,  1912. 

Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  C.  Love,  namely : 
Dr.  Joseph  W.,  of  Springfield;  Dr.  Robert  B.,  of  this  sketch;  Thomas  B., 
an  attorney,  of  Dallas,  Texas;  Ralph  M.,  a banker,  of  Mt.  Pleasant,  Texas; 
Edgar  P.,  a manufacturer,  of  Dallas,  Texas;  two  sons  died  in  early  life. 

Dr.  Robert  B.  Love  grew  to  manhood  on  the  homestead  in  Webster 
■county  and  there  did  his  share  of  the  general  work  when  he  was  a boy. 
He  received  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools.  He  came  to  Spring- 
field  in  1881  and  served  as  money-order  clerk  at  the  postoffice  for  three 
and  a half  years.  Prior  to  that  time  he  spent  a term  in  Drury  College,  after 
which  he  entered  the  Western  Veterinary  College  at  Kansas  City,  where 
he  made  rapid  progress  and  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in 
1898-99.  He  was  valedictorian  of  his  class.  Returning  to  Springfield  he 
opened  an  office  and  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession 
here  ever  since,  each  year  showing  a further  advancement  than  the  preceding. 
He  has  maintained  the  same  office  all  the  while,  his  hospital  on  Convention 
Hall  avenue  is  equipped  with  all  up-to-date  appliances  and  apparatus  to  in- 
sure prompt  and  high-grade  service.  He  has  kept  fully  abreast  of  the  times 
in  his  chosen  line  of  endeavor  and  has  long  ranked  among  the  leading 
veterinary  physicians  and  surgeons  of  the  state,  and  for  many  years  has 
held  the  office  of  deputy  state  veterinarian  of  Missouri,  having  served  in 
this  capacity  under  the  past  five  governors  of  the  state.  His  long  reten- 
tion is  evidence  of  his  ability  and  satisfaction.  In  1899  he  took  a post-gradu- 
ate course  in  the  Western  Veterinary  College.  He  has  had  a large  practice 
here  from  the  first,  and  is  often  called  to  various  parts  of  the  state  on 
consultation.  He  was  placed  in  charge  of  all  the  territory  south  of  the 
Frisco  lines  on  the  tick-eradication  work  several  years  ago. 

During  the  Boer  war.  Doctor  Love  was  hired  by  the  British  govern- 
ment as  chief  veterinarian  in  charge  of  steamship  Kclvingrove,  which  carried 
a load  of  mules  from  New  Orleans  to  Cape  Town,  South  Africa,  for  the 
army.  He  did  his  work  so  thoroughly  and  ably  -that  the  English  officials 
complimented  him  highly,  reporting  that  he  had  made  the  best  record  in 
transporting  animals  from  New  Orleans  to  South  Africa  ever  made  for  the 
British  government  up  to  that  date.  He  lost  but  two  mules  out  of  nine 
hundred  and  ninety-nine  on  the  entire  voyag'e.  While  in  South  Africa  Doctor 
Love  was  offered  a position  as  chief  of  veterinary  hospital  and  outfitting 
army  station  at  Queenstown.  After  traveling  over  the  southern  portion 
of  the  Dark  Continent  he  visited  the  important  cities  of  England,  visiting 
Paris  during  the  World’s  Fair  in  1900. 


1054 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Doctor  Love  was  married,  July  n,  1894,  to  Mable  M.  Williams,  who 
was  born  in  Springfield,  December  19,  1873.  She  is  a daughter  of  John  and 
Julia  (Vinton)  Williams,  a prominent  family  of  this  city,  the  father  having- 
been  a leading  hardware  merchant  here  for  many  years,  but  is  now  living- 
in  retirement.  A complete  sketch  of  this  family  appears  on  another  page 
of  this  volume  to  which  the  reader  is  respectful  referred.  Mrs.  Love 
grew  to  womanhood  in  this  city  and  received  a good  education  in  the  local 
schools.  The  union  of  the  Doctor  and  wife  has  resulted  in  the  birth  of 
three  children,  namely:  Robert  W.,  born  July  2,  1896,  is  attending-  high 

school;  George  McDaniel,  born  October  18,  1901,  is  in  school;  and  John 
Thomas,  born  March  17,  1905,  is  also  a student. 

Politically,  Doctor  Love  is  a Democrat,  but  professional  duties  have 
prevented  him  from  taking  a very  active  part  in  political  affairs.  Fra- 
ternally, he  belongs  to  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  having  passed  all  the 
chairs  in  the  local  lodge  up  to  dictator.  He  was  brought  up  in  the  faith  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South,  the  family  attending  the  Christ 
Episcopal  church.  For  recreation  the  Doctor  formerly  devoted  considerable 
time  to  rod  and  gun,  and  is  an  expert  shot,  but  of  late  years  he  has  had 
little  time  to  devote  to  sportsmanship  owing  to  his  extensive  practice. 

Our  subject  is  an  ardent  lover  of  good  horses  and  is  an  enthusiastic 
breeder  of  thoroughbred  and  saddle  horses,  and  has  sold  more  of  them  than, 
perhaps,  any  other  breeder  in  Missouri.  He  has  often  acted  as  judge  at 
various  county  fairs  within  a radius  of  two  hundred  miles  of  Spring-field. 
He  is  at  this  writing  owner  of  three  of  the  finest  and  most  valuable  stallions 
in  the  state,  namely:  “P.  J."  0167,  is  one  of  the  fastest  and  best  breeding- 
combination  stallions,  and  one  that  has  sired  more  high-class,  level-headed 
family  horses  than  any  other  horse  in  this  section,  a horse  that  has  shown 
two-minute  speed  and  possesses  unquestionable  disposition  for  which  his 
gets  are  also  noted.  The  year  book  shows  that  “P.  J.”  was  one  of  the 
gamest  and  most  successful  race  horses  in  his  day.  He  has  been  shown 
in  almost  all  the  street  fairs  and  show  rings  in  the  vicinity  of  Spring-field  and 
has  never  met  defeat.  His  last  appearance  was  at  the  Springfield  show, 
October  9,  1909,  for  combination  stallion  with  five  of  his  gets,  competition 
advertised  open  to  the  world.  “Peacock  Chief’  1585,  is  the  durable  saddle 
stallion  that  has  been  advertised  without  successful  contradiction,  to  show 
more  gaits  both  under  the  saddle  and  in  his  gets  than  all  the  rest  of  the 
saddle  stallions  in  Greene  county  combined.  Chief  has  sired  more  high- 
priced  saddle  colts  than  any  other  saddle  stallion  ever  having  made  a season 
in  Greene  county,  many  of  his  colts  having  sold  from  one  thousand  to 
eighteen  hundred  dollars.  “Hot”  70649  (79746)  Percheron  stallion,  was  im- 
ported from  France  for  the  Charles  Holland  stock  farm,  and  purchased  by 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1055 


Doctor  Love  in  January,  1914,  whose  pedigree  shows  him  to  be  one  of  the 
richest  bred  Percheron  stallions  in  the  United  States,  and  unquestionably  the 
best  stallion  for  this  section  ever  imported  by  the  Holland  stock  farm,  one 
of  the  most  noted  farms  of  its  kind  in  the  state. 


ALPHONSUS  F.  FINE. 

One  of  the  best  known  retail  grocerymen  in  Springfield  is  Alphonsus 
F.  Fine,  who  has  been  engaged  in  this  line  of  endeavor  on  the  South  Side 
for  a period  of  twenty-five  years,  during  which  time  his  prestige  as  a 
straightforward  and  conscientious  business  man  and  substantial  citizen  has 
constantly  increased.  He  did  not  begin  his  career  with  the  get-rich-quick 
idea,  but  sought  to  advance  himself  along  steady  and  legitimate  .lines,  so 
shaping  his  course  that  each  succeeding  year  has  found  him  further  ad- 
vanced and  with  a wider  circle  of  friends. 

Mr.  Fine  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  January  30,  1871. 
He  is  a son  of  Felix  F.  and  Martha  (Gesford)  Fine.  The  father  was  born 
in  St.  Louis  county,  Missouri,  in  1833,  and  he  is  now  making  his  home 
with  our  subject  in  Springfield,  having  attained  the  advanced  age  of  four 
score  years.  His  wife  was  born  in  St.  Francis  county,  this  state,  in  1840, 
and  her  death  occurred  in  Springfield  in  1886,  when  forty-six  years  of  age. 
These  parents  received  limited  education  in  the  early-day  schools  and  were 
married  in  St.  Louis  county  in  1858.  They  removed  to  Greene  county  in 
1867  and  here  Felix  F.  Fine  went  into  the  nursery  business,  the  Fine 
Nurseries  being  located  three  miles  west  of  Springfield,  and  he  made  a 
success  of  this  business,  enjoying  a large  patronage,  sending  his  trees  all 
over  this  portion  of  the  state.  He  studied  the  business  thoroughly  and 
understood  every  phase  of  it,  and  took  great  pleasure  in  the  work.  Mr. 
Fine  formerly  took  considerable  interest  in  political  matters,  and  was  elected 
judge  of  the  county  court  in  1882  and  re-elected  in  1884,  on  the  Democratic 
ticket  and  he  filled  the  office  most  acceptably  and  satisfactorily.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  church.  He  is  well  known  throughout  the  county 
and  highly  respected.  He  and  his  wife  had  but  the  one  child,  our  subject. 

Alphonsus  F.  Fine  grew  to  manhood  in  Greene  county  and  assisted  his 
father  with  the  nursery  business  when  he  was  a boy.  He  obtained  his  edu- 
cation in  the  district  schools  for  the  most  part,  and  in  1890  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  with  his  father,  who  was  connected  with  W.  F.  Durbin 
under  the  firm  nanie  of  Fine  & Durbin.  In  1897  'ie  engaged  in  this  business, 
for  himself  at  the  corner  of  College  and  Market  streets,  where  he  remained 
twelve  years,  and  five  years  ago  moved  to  his  present  location  at  329-331 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IO56 

East  Walnut  street,  where  he  has  a modernly  appointed,  well-stocked  and  at- 
tractive store,  carrying  a complete  line  of  staple  and  fancy  groceries  and 
employs  a number  of  assistants.  He  enjoys  a very  large  trade,  including 
many  of  the  leading  families  of  the  city. 

Mr.  Fine  was  married,  October  20,  1897,  in  Springfield,  to  Margaret 
Coughlin,  who  was  born  in  Paola,  Kansas,  August  10,  1875.  She  received  a 
good  common  school  education.  After  the  death  of  her  father  she  re- 
moved with  her  mother  to  Springfield. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fine  five  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Gesford 

F.,  born  March  9,  1899;  Margaret,  born  December  25,  1901;  Eululie,  born 
June  10,  1903;  Marion,  born  July  14,  1906;  and  Martha,  born  July  1,  1912. 

Politically,  Mr.  Fine  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Knights  of  Columbus,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the 
Royal  Arcanum  and  the  Modern  Woodmen.  Religiously,  he  is  a member  of 
the  St.  Agnes  Catholic  church. 


LUTHER  QUINTER  McCARTY. 

The  name  of  the  late  Luther  Quinter  McCarty  needs  no  introduction  to 
the  readers  of  this  volume,  if  indeed,  it  needs  any  formal  presentation  to 
readers  anywhere,  for  that  name  has  been  printed  repeatedly  throughout 
the  world,  and  it  has  attracted  much  attention  and  aroused  both  admiration 
and  regret — admiration  owing  to  his  physical  prowess,  and  regret  that  his 
brilliant  career  as  one  of  the  greatest  athletes  of  modern  times  should 
have  terminated  so  soon  and  so  tragically.  But  we  are  reminded  of  the 
saying  of  the  ancient  Greeks,  the  wisest  people  the  earth  has  ever  pro- 
duced, that  “whom  the  gods  love  die  early.’’  Those  same  Greeks,  also 
the  Romans,  were  great  admirers  of  athletes,  and  the  latter  nation 
•especially  boasted  of  its  fine  specimens  of  manhood.  The  Olympic  games 
held  in  those  remote  days  were  national  affairs  and  attended  by  emperors, 
senators,  famous  generals  and  men  of  letters,  and  the  victors  at  these  great 
fetes— the  winning  athletes — were  lionized  by  the  fashionable  and  cultured, 
and  myrtle  wreaths  were  placed  upon  their  brows  as  symbols  of  victory, 
these  wreaths  being  coveted  almost  as  much  as  crowns  of  royalty.  And 
from  that  epoch  down  to  the  present,  the  world  has  never  ceased  to  admire 
and  applaud  the  man  who  is  capable  of  showing  superior  physical  ability 
just  as  much  as  he  who  achieves  fame  in  the  realm  of  intellect.  Many 
thinking  people  of  today  are  saying  that  we,  as  a nation,  neglect  the  phy- 
sical development  of  the  youth  of  the  land  and  place  too  much  emphasis 
upon  business  qualifications,  and  are  advocating  that  more  encouragement 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1057 


be  given  to  a stronger,  purer  physical  manhood.  Surely  no  one  could  object 
seriously  to  clean  athletic  sports,  and  the  man  who  excels,  as  did  Mr. 
McCarty,  is  entitled  to  the  plaudits  of  his  fellowmen.  Physically  he  was  an 
Apollo,  and  personally  a prince  of  good  fellows;  no  kinder  heart  or  broader 
.sympathy  could  have  been  found  among  the  young  men  in  this  country.  His 
career  was  short,  but  it  was  brilliant,  like  the  meteor  that  flames  along  the 
horizon  for  a moment,  then  disappears  in  darkness. 

Luther  Q.  McCarty,  for  some  time  white  heavyweight  champion  pugi- 
list of  the  world,  was  born  on  a ranch  near  Omaha,  Nebraska.  March  17, 
1892.  He  was  a son  of  Aaron  and  Margaret  McCarty.  The  mother  died 
when  our  subject  was  an  infant,  and  the  future  champion  lived  in  various 
homes  when  a boy,  but  later  the  father  remarried  and  the  boy  was  partly 
reared  by  his  stepmother.  The  father,  Dr.  Aaron  McCarty,  known  as 
“White  Eagle,  the  Indian  doctor,”  spent  his  earlier  life  in  Nebraska,  but  for 
a number  of  years  he  has  made  his  home  in  Ohio  and  he  and  his  second 
wife  are  residents  of  the  city  of  Picjua,  that  state.  Dr.  McCarty  is  a giant 
in  size,  measuring  six  feet  and  eight  inches  and  weighing  three  hundred  and 
fifteen  pounds. 

Luther  0.  McCarty  received  a meager  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Nebraska,  and  later  in  life  became  a well-informed  man  by  wide  travel 
and  contact  with  the  world.  He  was  endowed  with  good  common  sense 
and  learned  quickly.  He  was  the  right  kind  of  man  to  make  a good 
pugilist.  He  never  had  the  bad  habits  that  wreck  so  many  of  the  young 
men  of  the  world.  There  was  no  taint  of  easy  living  to  be  worked  out 
of  his  system.  He  was  a working  man  from  the  start.  He  was  brought 
up  on  the  farm,  where  he  lived  in  the  open  air  all  the  time,  riding  horses, 
herding  cattle,  working  hard,  and  it  was  this  free  life  on  a western  ranch 
that  aroused  in  him  a love  for  horses  which  characterized  his  subsequent 
career,  and,  useless  to  add,  that  he  was  an  expert  rider  and  horseman. 
Nothing  delighted  him  more  than  to  “break”  an  unruly  broncho.  When  a 
pood  lad,  he  admired  the  great  saddles  of  the  cowboys,  and  it  was  his  ambi- 
tion to  own  one  when  he  grew  up.  This  desire  was  gratified  beyond  his 
youthful  dreams,  for  during  the  last  year  of  his  life  he  had  made  to  order 
a very  fine  saddle,  beautifully  studded  with  silver  and  various  trappings 
that  would  have  been  the  envy  of  any  Indian  chieftain  in  the  country,  paying 
the  sum  of  seven  hundred  dollars  for  the  saddle  and  a special  trunk  in 
which  to  keep  it. 

When  he  left  the  ranch,  Mr.  McCarty  went  to  sea,  where  he  lived 
the  hard  life  of  a common  sailor  for  two  or  three  years.  After  that  he 
became  an  iron  worker,  a bridge  builder.  This  kind  of  work  required 
nerve,  strength  and  courage  and  it  made  McCarty’s  sinews  like  the  iron  he 
(67) 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IO58 

handled.  When  he  left  that  trade,  having  had  his  leg  broken  in  an  accident,, 
he  went  back  to  the  West  again  and  took  up  the  old  cowboy  life.  There 
he  accidentally  had  occasion  to  take  on  a glove  fight  and  discovered  that  he 
was  fitted  for  the  profession  that  brings  in  the  money  faster  than  any  other 
open  to  a man  without  a college  training.  He  not  only  had  the  physical 
strength  and  agility,  but  he  had  also  one  of  the  most  important  qualities 
which  a boxer  can  have — intelligence.  When  in  the  ring  he  needed  no 

coaching  or  advice  from  his  seconds,  he  used  his  own  brains. 

Entering  the  ring  when  about  eighteen  years  old,  his  first  fight  was 
at  Swift  Current,  for  which  he  received  only  fifteen  dollars.  His  rise  was 
perhaps  the  most  rapid  of  any  prize  ring  star  in  the  history  of  pugilism, 
and  his  last  battle,  about  eighteen  months  after  his  first,  brought  him  many 
thousands  of  dollars,  and  during  that  brief  period  he  earned  about  one 
hundred  thousand  dollars.  In  all  he  engaged  in  twenty-three  battles  and 
won  sixteen  of  them  with  knockouts.  Four  of  the  other  seven  were  ten- 
round,  no-decision  bouts,  two  were  six-round,  no-decision  bouts,  and  one, 
the  last,  was  to  have  been  a ten-round  fight.  He  won  over  such  widely 
known  pugilists  as  Carl  Morris,  A1  Kaufman,  Jim  Flynn  and  A1  Palzen 
Upon  the  defeat  of  the  last  named  at  Los  Angeles,  California,  January  1, 
1913,  he  was  given  a diamond-studded  belt,  valued  at  five  thousand  dollars, 
and  was  the  recognized  white  heavyweight  champion  of  the  world,  which 
honors  he  retained  five  months,  or  until  his  untimely  death. 

Mr.  McCarty  was  married  at  Sidney,  Ohio,  May  28,  1907,  to  Rhoda 
Wright,  who  was  born  November  9,  1888,  in  Sidney,  Ohio,  and  there  grew 
to  womanhood  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  She  is  a daugh- 
ter of  Theodore  and  Amanda  ( Stumpff ) Wright,  both  natives  of  that 
place,  also  where  they  grew  up,  were  educated,  married  and  established  their 
home.  The  father  was  born  January  23,  1855,  and  his  death  occurred  at 
Sidney,  February  26,  1914.  The  mother  was  born  March  23,  1852,  and 
she  still  lives  in  Sidney.  Mr.  Wright  devoted  his  active  life  to  general 
farming,  also  operated  a threshing  machine.  Politically  he  was  a Democrat, 
and  fraternally  a member  of  the  Masonic  Order.  His  family  consisted  of 
six  children. 

To  Luther  0.  McCarty  and  wife  one  child  was  born,  a daughter,  Cor- 
nelia Alberta  McCarty,  the  date  of  whose  birth  was  February  14,  1911. 
Mrs.  McCarty  and  daughter  make  their  home  in  Springfield.  The  deceased 
champion  was  very  fond  of  his  little  daughter,  and  intended  retiring  from 
the  ring  on  her  account  after  he  had  amassed  a sufficient  fortune  to  live 
comfortably  the  rest  of  his  life  and  provide  for  her  in  every  way,  especially 
giving  her  an  excellent  education.  He  left  a large  bank  account  and 
valuable  property  at  Venice,  California,  and  elsewhere. 

The  death  of  Luther  0.  McCarty  occurred  at  Calgary,  Province  of 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1059 


Alberta.  Canada,  May  24,  1913.  The  exact  cause  has  never  been  fully 
determined.  He  was  engaged  in  a bout  with  Arthur  Pelkey,  and  in  less  than 
three  minutes  after  the  opening  of  the  engagement  McCarty  fell  to  the 
mat  and  expired  almost  immediately.  It  seems  certain  that  he  was  not 
killed  by  a blow  from  his  antagonist.  However,  such  a blow  probably  had 
its  effects  in  causing  the  champion's  tragic  end.  It  was  at  first  believed  that 
heart  failure  was  the  cause,  but  this  was  later  doubted  by  physicians,  who 
found  that  a dislocation  of  a vertebra  in  his  neck  had  taken  place,  and  it  was 
the  accepted  theory  by  most  that  this  injury  had  been  caused  a few  days 
previous  when  the  champion  was  riding  a bucking  mustang  and  that  Pelkey’s 
blow-  caused  a further  dislocation,  resulting  in  death. 

The  remains  of  the  great  athlete  were  sent  to  Piqua,  Ohio,  for  burial. 
The  body  was  viewed  by  thousands  as  it  lay  in  state.  Beautiful  floral 
tributes  were  sent  by  admirers  from  all  over  the  country.  Interment  was 
made  in  the  family  lot  in  Forest  Hill  Cemetery.  The  city  of  Piqua  never 
saw  so  large  a crowd  at  a funeral.  Newspaper  representatives  from  big 
dailies  throughout  the  country  were  there  covering  the  funeral,  as  well  as 
magazine  writers  of  national  reputation. 

The  following  obituary,  written  by  Billy  McCarney,  manager  of  the 
subject  of  this  memoir,  during  his  successful  ring  career,  appeared  in  The 
Ozark  Magazine  in  its  issue  of  June,  1913: 

“ ‘Luther  McCarty,  Springfield,  Missouri,’  were  the  last  words  ever 
written  by  the  lamented  heavyweight  champion  who  went  to  his  death  in 
an  orthodox  ring  engagement  with  Arthur  Pelkey,  at  Calgary,  Alberta, 
Canada,  May  24th.  The  night  preceding  the  bout,  McCarty  remained  in 
the  city  of  Calgary  instead  of  returning  to  his  training  camp.  Where 
he  elected  to  stay  was  the  best  hotel  the  city  of  Calgary  affords,  the  Royal 
King  George,  and  it  was  on  the  register  of  the  hotel  he  inscribed  his  name 
and  home  town.  Luther  McCarty  was  essentially  a product  of  the  Queen 
City  of  the  Ozarks.  He  was  heard  continually  referring  to  Springfield  as 
the  grandest  place  in  the  world  and  no  matter  when  his  trips  across  the 
country  were  being  routed,  he  always  tried  to  have  it  so  arranged  that  he 
could  go  through  the  city  he  loved.  When  we  were  leaving  the  East  to 
make  the  trip  through  Calgary,  Luther  asked  me  to  try  and  arrange  it  so 
that  we  could  go  by  way  of  St.  Louis  and  Springfield,  but  it  was  so  much 
out  of  the  way  and  meant  such  a sacrifice  of  time  that  I declined  changing 
the  ticket  routing  and  we  made  the  run  by  the  shortest  route,  via  Chicago. 
I am  sorry  that  I refused  his  request. 

‘Hhe  sudden  and  unlooked  for  death  of  McCarty  jarred  the  whole 
world,  but  nowhere  did  it  hit  with  such  teriffic  heart  aches  as  it  did  in 
Springfield.  They  loved  the  big  good-natured  boy  in  the  city  he  loved  to 
call  home.  They  had  seen  him  in  his  budding  days,  saw  him  blossom  the 


io6o 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


night  he  tumbled  Carl  Morris  to  the  mat  and  later  when  he  returned  from 
his  triumphal,  sensational,  astounding  tour  of  the  West,  with  the  champion- 
ship of  the  world  in  his  keeping,  it  was  the  people  of  Springfield  who 
gave  him  his  greatest  reception.  McCarty  returned  in  full  bloom  to  greet 
his  friends  of  the  early  struggling  days.  Despite  the  fact  that  he  had  won 
the  greatest  honor  a man  of  his  chosen  profession  could  acquire,  he  returned 
to  Springfield  as  just  the  same  plain  Luther  McCarty  they  had  known  here 
in  the  days  of  privation.  He  did  not  run  to  grasp  the  hands  of  the  big  men 
of  the  city.  It  was  not  his  way.  With  the  reception  over  he  jumped  on  the 
same  horse  he  had  ridden  in  the  early  days  and  rode  from  place  to  place 
meeting  the  friends  he  called  friends  when  he  was  just  one  of  the  common 
herd.  His  success  never  turned  his  head  and  he  never  forgot  anyone  who 
befriended  him  in  the  early  days.  The  religious  element  did  not  take  kindly 
to  the  reception  planned  for  the  return  of  the  lad  who  went  forth  from 
Springfield  to  conquer  and,  incidentally,  placed  Springfield  on  the  map,  and 
headed  by  one  individual  they  made  the  home-coming  of  the  champion  some- 
what different  from  what  it  was  planned,  but  McCarty  never  once  referred 
to  it  as  an  unpleasant  memory.  His  idea  of  life  was  that  we  all  travel 
in  our  own  grooves  and  it  hurt  him  to  know  that  he  had  been  spoken 
of  so  illy  by  the  man  who  fought  the  giving  of  a reception  for  him.  It 
was  not  the  individual ; it  was  not  a combination  of  forces  working  against 
him ; it  was  not  the  stout-hearted  friends  who  battled  to  have  him  received 
properly,  that  stood  out  in  his  mind.  It  was  simply  that  he  loved  Spring- 
field.  Despite  the  harsh  things  said  of  him  by  the  man  who  opposed  his 
being  received  properly,  I am  glad  to  say  Springfield  loved  Luther  McCarty. 
Not  Springfield  alone,  but  the  world  loved  the  big  boy.  The  world  admires 
a winner,  but  some  are  better  liked  than  others,  and  Luther  McCarty  was 
loved  to  the  fullest.  I do  not  recall  him  ever  speaking  mean  of  anyone. 
He  lived  a temperate  life,  was  free  from  profane  language,  loved  his  fellow- 
man  and  was  ready  at  all  times  to  benefit  one  in  need.  The  Golden  Rule 
was  his  motto  and  he  never  was  so  well  pleased  as  when,  in  his  days  of 
prosperity,  he  was  able  to  help  one  of  those  in  need.  His  charity  was  not 
of  the  noisy  kind.  He  was  unostentatious  in  the  performance  of  good 
deeds  and  his  enjoyment  was  in  knowing  he  had  done  something  for  some- 
one, that  he  at  some  time  in  his  early  life  would  have  appreciated  having 
done  for  him. 

“In  the  death  of  Luther  McCarty  the  world  lost  a noble  character. 
His  loyalty  to  a friend  was  unbounded.  Appreciation  of  good  done  for 
him  was  paramount  and  the  one  way  to  awaken  him  to  a point  of  showing 
his  temper  was  to  have  anyone  speak  disparagingly  of  his  friends.  As  a 
companion  he  was  truly  lovable.  Of  a sunny  disposition,  he  loved  the  good 
things  of  life  and  wanted  those  nearest  to  him  to  share  his  every  pleasure. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1061 


His  treatment  of  myself  was  so  perfect  and  our  days  of  close  association 
so  crowded  with  sweet  memories  that  he  will  live  in  my  mind  for  all  time. 
I loved  him  as  a son  and  he  respected  me  as  an  obedient  son  would  a 
father.  In  our  eighteen  months  of  dailv  association  we  never  had  a cross 

o ^ 

word.  I did  at  times  chide  him  for  some  of  his  recklessness,  but  he  never 
answered  me  back.  He  knew  I had  his  interest  at  heart.  By  his  death  I lost 
the  dearest  pal  man  ever  had,  one  who  knew  no  wrong.  His  equal  in  manly 
principles  will  never  again  grace  the  profession  he  adopted.  May  the  dust 
rest  lightly  over  him.” 

It  would  require  volumes  to  hold  all  that  was  published  about  him. 
The  Springfield  Daily  Leader,  in  its  issue  of  June  8,  1913,  contained  an 
article  under  the  caption  of  “McCarty  and  Ketchel,”  which  we  deem  worthy 
of  reproduction  here: 

“With  the  sad  taking  off  of  Luther  McCarty,  the  name  of  his  home 
town,  Springfield,  Missouri,  became  temporarily  the  most  talked  of  place 
in  America.  Twice  before  the  Queen  City  was  the  central  focus  point  of 
the  Union.  The  night  Carl  Morris  went  down  to  defeat  from  the  powerful 
right  of  Luther  McCarty  and  the  day  Stanley  Ketchel  was  done  to  death 
were  the  two  occasions  when,  everywhere  over  the  country,  this  city  was 
foremost  in  the  topics  being  discussed.  Speaking  of  Ketchel  and  McCarty, 
two  of  the  most  senational  men  who  ever  gained  distinction  in  the  sport 
world,  it  is  strange  that  this  city  should  have  to  do  with  the  end  of  one 
and  the  rise  of  the  other.  They  were  two  grand  characters  standing  out  in 
bold  relief  from  all  others  of  their  profession.  Each  bore  a name,  one 
Stanley,  the  other  Luther,  new  to  fistiana.  They  both  rose  meteorically, 
astonished  the  world  by  the  character  of  their  ring  work,  champions  of  the 
never-to-be-forgotten  kind,  and  after  brief  careers  each  went  to  a sensa- 
tional death.  From  the  beginning  of  their  lives  to  their  untimely  end  these 
two  men,  lovable  socially  and  dreaded  when  in  the  roped  enclosure,  traveled 
in  almost  parallel  lines.  Disciples  of  Nomad  by  choice,  stout-hearted  to  the 
point  of  recklessness,  with  the  love  for  adventure  uppermost  in  their  hearts, 
it  was  but  natural  when  they  took  to  boxing  that  their  very  temperaments 
would  carry  them  to  the  front  ranks  of  their  new  profession.  Both  men 
sprang  into  prominence  from  the  unknown  class  over  night.  It  was  Joe 
Thomas,  then  welter-weight  champion  of  the  world,  who  was  the  stepping- 
stone  for  Ketchel,  while  Carl  Morris  answered  the  same  purposes  for 
McCarty. 

From  the  first  time  they  attracted  attention,  McCarty  and  Ketchel  were 
lionized  by  the  public.  Their  care-free  ways  won  people  to  them.  The 
newspapers*  of  New  York  attacked  both  men,  but  was  the  result  of  work  on 
the  part  of  their  managers  demanding  what  they  figured  the  right  price 
for  services  of  the  men  wanted  by  the  New  York  clubs.  The  unjustness 


1062 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


of  their  attack  on  McCarty  was  so  palpable  that  many  other  papers  took 
sides  with  the  big  boy,  and  the  unwarranted  abuse  of  the  New  York  sport 
writers  cut  deep  into  McCarty’s  sensitive  brain,  but  he  never  once  com- 
plained. Both  McCarty  and  Ketchel  survived  the  attacks  and  when  away 
from  New  York  were  idolized.  They  both  thrived  on  the  adulations  they 
received,  loved  to  be  in  the  limelight  and  the  very  air  they  breathed,  they 
exhaled  with  a sensational  flavor.  Dying  sensationally  as  they  did,  they  lived 
their  parts  right  to  the  very  last  earthly  move.  Even  in  death,  the  eyes  of 
the  world  were  focused  on  them.  The  train  bearing  McCarty’s  remains 
was  met  all  along  the  line  by  throngs  of  people  who  stood  about,  sad-eyed, 
talking  of  the  good  traits  of  the  boy  they  all  loved.  Just  so  with  Ketchel. 
When  the  former,  on  his  tour,  visited  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan,  he  made  the 
trip  to  the  Polish  cemetery  and  paid  his  respects  to  the  grave  of  Ketchel — 
the  man  whom  he  had  always  looked  upon  as  his  hero.  May  the  memory  of 
both  be  kept  green  forever.” 


OSCAR  L.  PEAK,  M.  D. 

The  name  of  Dr.  Oscar  L.  Peak,  of  Springfield,  will  be  held  in  lasting- 
honor  as  one  of  the  able  physicians  who  has  given  loyal  service  in  behalf  of 
suffering  humanity  in  Greene  county.  Those  who  know  him  best  are  unre- 
strained in  their  praise  of  his  genial  disposition  and  his  ability  as  a physician. 
The  large  success  which  has  crowned  his  life  work,  coupled  with  his  ripe  ex- 
perience and  kind  heart,  lias  enabled  him  to  bring  comfort,  hope  and  confi- 
dence to  the  sick  room  and  he  has  brought  sunshine  into  many  a home. 

Doctor  Peak  was  born  in  Buffalo,  Dallas  county,  Missouri,  November 
20,  1849.  He  is  a son  of  Reuben  T.  and  Juliet  F.  (Johnson)  Peak.  The 
father  was  born  in  McMinn  county,  Tennessee,  in  1824,  and  his  death  oc- 
curred in  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  June  11,  1907.  The  mother  was  born  in 
Steubenville,  Ohio,  July  16,  1828,  and  her  death  occurred  August  2,  1852,  in 
Buffalo,  Missouri.  The  Doctor’s  father  received  a good  college  education 
in  Illinois,  and  after  coming  to  Missouri  in  pioneer  times  he  taught  school 
in  Buffalo.  He  was  also  a minister  in  the  Baptist  church  in  later  life.  A 
part  of  his  earlier  life  was  devoted  to  merchandising.  His  family  consisted 
of  six  children,  namely:  Dr.  Oscar  L.,  of  this  sketch;  Loren  J.,  deceased; 

Mary  A.  lives  in  St.  Joseph,  Missouri;  William  C.  lives  in  Aline,  Oklahoma; 
Edward  C.  lives  in  Modena,  Utah,  and  Dr.  Frank  is  a practicing  physician  in 
Pratt,  Kansas. 

Dr.  Oscar  L.  Peak  received  a good  common  school  education,  later  at- 
tending Shurtleff  College  in  Illinois,  after  which  he  took  a course  in  a medi- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IO63 


cal  college  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of 
1878,  and  in  1886  he  took  a post-graduate  course  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  He 
began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Pratt  county,  Kansas,  in  1878,  and 
remained  there  until  1893.  He  took  an  interest  in  public  affairs  there  and 
was  county  superintendent  of  public  instruction  of  Pratt  county,  Kansas,  in 
the  eighties.  He  was  United  States  pension  surgeon  in  Pratt  county  for  over 
ten  years.  He  enjoyed  a good  practice  in  that  field,  but  in  1893  he  left  it 
and  took  up  his  residence  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  has  since  re- 
mained. He  first  established  his  office  on  the  south  side  of  the  public  square, 
later  moving  to  the  north  side  of  the  city,  with  an  office  at  410^2  East  Com- 
mercial street,  where  he  is  still  located.  He  has  built  up  a large  practice 
and  is  one  of  the  best  known  general  practitioners  in  the  county. 

Doctor  Peak  was  married,  April  13,  1880,  in  Pratt,  Kansas,  to  Eliza- 
beth Viola  Moore,  who  was  born  in  Van  Buren  county,  Iowa,  June  6,  1862. 
She  is  a daughter  of  Thaddeus  S.  and  Samantha  A.  (Richey)  Moore.  The 
latter  was  a daughter  of  James  E.  and  Elizabeth  (Parker)  Richey.  Mr. 
Moore  was  a cabinet  maker  by  trade.  He  was  born  in  1834  and  is  now  liv- 
ing in  California.  He  is  a first  cousin  of  Thomas  Moore,  the  famous  Irish 
poet.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Peak  was  born  in  1837  and  died  September 
8,  1885.  Mrs.  Peak  is  a graduate  of  the  Woman’s  Medical  College  of  St. 
Louis.  This  college  suspended  operations  several  years  ago. 

Five  children  have  been  born  to  Doctor  Peak  and  wife,  namely:  Burt, 
born  February  22,  1881,  in  Pratt.  Kansas,  died  February  28,  1882;  Bird  C., 
born  May  20,  1882,  married  William  A.  Minor,  superintendent  of  Lieut  W. 
Weiler’s  force  pump  factory  at  Rochester,  New  York,  and  they  are  the  par- 
ents of  one  child,  Oscar  E.  Minor;  Bessie  O.,  born  September  12,  1883,  mar- 
ried, June  1,  1912,  Rev.  Paul  B.  Waterhouse,  of  Pasadena,  Cal.,  a graduate 
of  Princeton,  and  they  are  now  living  in  Hachiman,  Japan,  where  they  are 
engaged  in  missionary  work  in  Omi  Mission.  A son  was  born  to  them  in 
Tokyo,  Japan,  February  19,  1915.  He  was  christened  Gordon  Merrill.  Mrs. 
Waterhouse  is  a graduate  of  Drury  College,  where  she  was  an  honor  student. 
She  is  also  a graduate  of  Hartford  (Connecticut)  Theological  Seminary; 
Reuben  T.,  born  April  30,  1891,  lives  in  Springfield.  He  attended  Drury 
College,  after  having  graduated  in  the  Springfield  high  school,  later  being 
graduated  from  the  Western  Dental  College  in  1914.  He  was  married  in 
October,  1914,  to  Miss  Helen  V.  Trenary,  of  this  city.  He  has  an  office  with 
his  father  and  is  making  a good  start  in  his  profession;  Oscar  L.,  Jr.,  born 
May  23,  1893,  died  June  13,  1893. 

Doctor  Peak  is  a Republican,  of  the  progressive  wing  of  the  party. 
Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Mod- 
ern Woodmen  of  America,  the  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Security,  in  which 
he  has  been  financier  for  a period  of  ten  years.  He  is  also  a national  trustee 


1064 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


of  this  order.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  First  Congregational 
church.  Mrs.  Peak  is  president  of  the  Greene  county  district  of  the  Women’s 
Christian  Temperance  Union.  They  are  both  very  active  workers  in  the 
temperance  cause. 


WILLIAM  PENN  ELSON. 

It  was  nearly  a half  century  ago  that  William  Penn  Elson  came  to 
Boone  township,  Greene  county,  Missouri,  from  the  old  Buckeye  state  and 
here  he  has  resided  ever  since,  doing  his  part  in  the  general  change  that  has 
come  ‘over  the  face  of  the  land,”  and  his  labors  have  benefited  alike  the  com- 
munity about  Ash  Grove  and  himself,  for  he  had  little  of  this  world’s  goods 
when  he  took  up  his  residence  on  a small  farm  here  just  after  the  close  of 
the  war  between  the  states,  but  by  close  application  and  honest  dealings  he 
has  become  one  of  the  substantial  agriculturists  of  the  township  and  owns  a 
large  and  well  stocked  farm. 

Mr.  Elson  was  born  in  Stark  county,  Ohio,  September  9,  1837,  and  is 
therefore  now  getting  well  along  in  years — seventy-seven  in  number — but 
is  still  comparatively  hale  and  hearty,  having  led  a careful  life.  He  is  a son 
of  John  Harris  and  Osee  (Wilson)  Elson.  The  father  was  born  in  Brooks 
county,  West  Virginia,  October  14,  1806,  and  was  a son  of  Capt.  John 
Harris  and  Margaret  (Wiggins)  Elson.  Captain  Elson  was  also  born  in 
the  last  named  county  and  state,  the  year  of  his  birth  being  1769.  He  was  a 
son  of  Richard  Elson.  The  latter  was  a native  of  Scotland  and  emigrated 
to  America  in  old  colonial  days,  and  took  up  a “tomahawk  claim”  of  four 
hundred  acres  from  the  government,  in  the  Old  Dominion,  now  a part  of 
the  state  of  West  Virginia,  and  there  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  engaged 
in  farming,  clearing  his  land  and  rearing  his  family  of  four  sons  and  three 
daughters.  Captain  John  Harris  Elson  was  an  officer  in  the  war  of  1812 
and  also  served  in  the  early  Indian  wars  with  distinction.  His  death 
occurred  in  1820.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  now  in  possession  of  his 
poll-book  and  many  of  his  papers.  His  widow  survived  until  1847.  When 
twelve  years  of  age  John  Harris  Elson,  father  of  our  subject,  moved  to- 
Stark  county,  Ohio,  and  there  he  engaged  in  farming  the  rest  of  his  life, 
dying  in  1898.  Politically  he  was  first  a Whig  and  later  a Republican.  He 
and  Osee  Wilson  were  married  in  1833.  She  was  born  May  15,  1815.  She 
was  a woman  of  rare  intellectual  attainments  for  those  days  and  was  a great 
reader.  Her  death  occurred  in  1891.  The  parents  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  were  excellent  types  of  the  sturdy  citizens  of  Ohio  during  the  century 
that  is  past. 


WILLIAM  P.  ELSON. 


GREENE  COUNTY.,  MISSOURI. 


1065 

William  P.  Elson  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  where  he  worked 
when  a boy  and  he  received  good  educational  advantages,  having  attended 
the  common  schools  and  later  Mt.  Union  College  at  Alliance,  Ohio,  after 
which  he  engaged  successfully  in  teaching  for  a number  of  years  in  Ohio, 
Indiana  and  Illinois.  Later  he  worked  at  the  insurance  business  in  Illinois, 
and  in  the  town  of  Fidelity,  that  state,  he  clerked  and  acted  as  postmaster 
for  three  years,  then  returned  to  Ohio,  where  he  remained  until  1866  when 
he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  purchased  eighty  acres  in  Boone 
township,  and  here  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock 
raising,  and,  having  prospered  with  advancing  years,  is  now  owner  of  a tine 
farm  containing  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  under  cultivation  and  forty 
acres  in  timber,  constituting  one  of  the  choicest  farms  in  this  part  of  the 
county.  It  is  productive,  well  improved  and  has  on  it  a large,  well-furnished 
residence  and  numerous  substantial  barns  and  other  buildings. 

Mr.  Elson  was  married,  November  2,  1875,  to  Elizabeth  C.  Frame,  who 
was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Indiana,  February  13,  i860,  and  came  to 
Greene  county  with  her  father  and  mother,  Samuel  Park  and  Elizabeth  E. 
(Harshburger ) Frame  when  she  was  nine  years  of  age.  They  settled  in 
Center  township  and  were  substantial  citizens  of  the  early  days.  Mrs.  Elson 
received  her  education  in  Greene  county.  She  has  proved  to  be  an  excellent 
helpmeet  in  every  respect. 

Six  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elson,  namely:  Vinnie 
Ream,  born  December  23,  1776,  is  the  wife  of  F.  J.  Hawkins,  a farmer  of 
Boone  township:  they  have  three  children,  Elson  C.,  Carrol  and  Paul.  John 
Harris,  born  March  18,  1879,  who  is  in  the  commissary  department  of  the 
United  States  army,  is  at  present  stationed  at  Vera  Cruz,  Mexico.  He  is 
married  and  has  one  child,  Vinnie.  Charles  H.,  born  July  1,  1881,  is  assist- 
ing with  the  work  on  the  home  farm ; married  Laona  Wheelock  and  they 
have  three  children,  John  Harris,  Martha  E.,  and  Robert  B.  William 
Robert,  born  December  9,  1893,  lives  on  a farm  in  Boone  township;  married 
Frances  Hawkins,  and  they  have  had  two  children,  Louise  and  one  deceased. 
Richard  P.,  born  November  13,  1887,  lives  in  Fayetteville,  Missouri:  mar- 
ried Jessie  White  and  they  have  two  children.  Vera  and  William  Penn. 
Archie  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen  in  the  West. 

Politically,  Mr.  Elson  is  a Republican  and  religiously  a Presbyterian. 
Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  and  the 
Masonic  order.  He  has  been  more  or  less  active  in  public  affairs  and  has 
had  charge  of  the  Boone  Township  Republican  Committee,  and  he  once 
made  the  race  for  presiding  judge  of  the  county  court.  He  is  a man  of 
influen.ee  in-  his  community  and  no  one  is  better  or  more  favorably  known  in 
the  western  part  of  this  county. 


io66 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


HARRY  CARRIGAN  MORGAN. 

In  few  branches  of  art  or  science  have  such  developments  or  perfected 
improvements  been  made  as  in  photography  and  few  establishments  in  Greene 
county  and  this  section  of  Missouri  show  more  conclusive  proof  of  this 
assertion  than  that  of  Harry  Carrigan  Morgan,  whose  studios  are  located 
on  West  Commercial  street,  Springfield.  He  has  long  been  a close  student 
of  art,  and  his  splendid  work  is  pronounced  by  those  best  capable  of  judging, 
to  be  fully  equal  to  that  of  his  co-workers  in  this  field  of  endeavor  in  this 
locality.  He  has  won  a growing  reputation  over  this  country  for  securing 
for  those  who  sit  before  his  camera,  a natural  pose  and  pleasing  expression 
and  in  all  his  work  is  shown  the  skilled  hand  of  the  adroit  artist.  No  one 
is  more  qualified  to  execute  work  in  this  direction  than  Mr.  Morgan  and  no 
one  has  the  happy  faculty  of  meeting  the  requirements  of  all  more  than  he. 

Mr.  Morgan  was  born  near  Logansport,  Indiana,  February  29,  1872.  He 
is  son  of  Rees  and  Alice  (Carrigan)  Morgan.  The  Morgan  family  is  of 
Welch  descent  and  the  first  emigrant  took  up  his  residence  in  America  several 
generations  ago.  Rees  Morgan  was  born  in  the  same  locality  in  the  Hoosier 
state  as  was  our  subject,  the  former’s  father  having  been  a pioneer  citizen 
of  Cass  county  and  there  he  developed  the  home  farm  on  which  the  father 
of  our  subject  was  born  in  1847  and  on  which  he  was  reared  to  manhood. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  community,  and 
when  a young'  man  learned  the  carpenter’s  trade  and  followed  this  and 
contracting  for  a livelihood.  He  remained  in  Indiana  until  1883,  when  lie 
removed  to  Rolla,  Missouri,  where  he  carried  on  his  line  of  business  with 
success  for  a period  of  seventeen  years,  meanwhile  engaging  in  farming 
also.  In  1900  he  came  to  Springfield,  where  he  lived  until  1908,  working 
as  a builder,  then  he  and  his  wife  located  in  California,  where  they  now 
make  their  home.  Politically  he  is  a Republican,  and  religiously  is  a member 
of  the  Christian  church. 

Harry  C.  Morgan  was  eleven  years  old  when  his  parents  moved  from 
his  native  state  to  Missouri,  and  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  near 
Rolla,  Missouri,  where  he  worked  when  a boy,  and  received  his  education  in 
the  district  schools  there,  and  also  studied  photography,  having  manifested 
a decided  natural  talent  in  this  direction  when  but  a child.  He  remained 
with  his  parents  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  ag'e.  He 
worked  in  the  city  of  Rolla  a year,  then  came  to  Springfield  and  formed  a 
partnership  with  S.  H.  Wickizer,  and  they  conducted  a studio  for  two  years, 
but  since  that  time  Mr.  Morgan  has  been  in  business  alone,  and  is  now  lo- 
cated on  West  Commercial  street,  where  he  lias  a neat  and  modern  equipped 
studio  and  is  doing  a good  business,  many  of  his  customers  coming  from 
neighboring  towns  and  adjoining  counties. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  1067 

Politically,  Mr.  Morgan  is  a Republican,  and  religiously  he  holds  mem- 
bership in  the  Christian  church. 

Mr.  Morgan  was  married,  August  12,  1897,  to  Minnie  E.  Pierce,  of 
Shelbyville,  Illinois.  She  was  born  in  1878.  She  received  a good  public 
school  education.  To  the  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  two  children  have 
been  born,  namely:  Harold,  born  March  28,  1899;  and  Edgar,  born  Jan- 

uary 2,  1905;  they  are  both  attending  school. 


CHARLES  I.  GROBLEBE. 

Springfield  has  long  been  noted  for  a lumber  center,  and  ever  since 
the  days  of  the  Civil  war  large  yards  have  been  located  here,  and  this  line 
has  been  one  of  the  leading  assets  of  the  city,  which  is  a distributing  point 
for  the  vast  Ozark  lumber  region,  and  although  much  of  both  the  pine  and 
hardwood  forests  have  been  denuded  of  their  best  trees,  in  southern  Mis- 
souri, the  lumber  business  here  has  not  abated,  but  the  supply  of  lumber 
is  obtained  in  more  remote  sections  of  the  country,  for  the  most  part.  One 
of  the  most  successful  of  the  younger  lumbermen  here  is  Charles  I.  Grob- 
lebe,  whose  place  of  business  is  located  on  South  Campbell  street. 

Mr.  Groblebe  was  born  October  2,  1879,  in  Carroll  county,  Arkansas. 
He  is  a son  of  Charles  and  Mary  (Mitchell)  Groblebe.  The  father  was 
born  in  March,  1844,  in  Germany,  from  which  country  he  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  his  youth  and  settled  in  St.  Louis.  He  served  in  a Mis- 
souri regiment  in  the  Confederate  army  during  the  Civil  war.  After  the 
war  he  went  to  Arkansas  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  at  Eureka 
Springs,  and  became  a well  known  lumberman  throughout  northwestern 
Arkansas.  He  is  now  71  years  of  age  and  is  still  active.  His  wife,  Mary 
Mitchell,  was  born  August  24,  1850,  and  reared  in  Arkansas,  and  her  death 
occurred  September  12,  1883  when  our  subject  was  four  years  of  age.  He 
has  three  brothers,  namely:  George  was  born  April  4,  1870,  lives  in  Arkan- 
sas; Earl  was  born  July  7,  1879,  and  lives  in  Elgin,  Washington;  Edward, 
born  August  6,  1881,  is  employed  on  the  Missouri  & Northern  railroad. 

Charles  I.  Groblebe  grew  to  manhood  in  Arkansas  and  when  a boy 
he  worked  with  his  father  in  the  sawmill  or  on  a farm,  and  he  received 
his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  state.  He  was  a 
poor  boy  and  fought  his  way  up  from  the  bottom,  and  he  is  deserving  of 
a great  deal  of  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished  in  the  face  of  obstacles 
that  would  have  discouraged  many.  He  had  to  work  hard  when  a boy, 
often  in  severe  winter  weather,  when  scantily  clad,  and  he  attended  school 
only  three  months  of  the  year.  He  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  1902, 


io6S 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


and  in  order  to  better  equip  himself  for  the  battle  of  life,  took  a course  in 
the  Queen  City  Business  College,  remaining  there  a year,  after  which  he 
worked  two  years  in  the  local  lumber  yards,  the  meanwhile  mastering  the 
various  phases  of  the  lumber  business,  and  in  1905  he  went  into  the  busi- 
ness for  himself,  and  prospered  from  the  first,  his  success  growing  with 
advancing  years  until  today  he  is  one  of  the  widely  known  lumbermen  of 
southwest  Missouri.  He  is  one  of  the  few  in  this  line  who  own  their  own 
property  where  their  yards  and  buildings  are  located,  and  is  the  only  dealer 
in  Greene  county  owning  an  auto  truck  for  the  delivery  of  lumber.  He 
carries  a thirty  thousand-dollar  stock,  which  is  extensive  and  complete, 
and  he  aims  at  prompt  and  honest  service  whoever  he  deals  with. 

Mr.  Groblebe  was  married  in  1906  to  Ivate  Brown,  who  was  born, 
reared  and  educated  in  Springfield.  She  is  a daughter  of  Thomas  Brown 
and  Mahalia  (Stutzman)  Brown.  She  is  one  of  three  children,  the  other 
two  being  Alberta  and  Frank. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Kath- 

erine, born  May  5,  1907;  and  Annabell,  born  August  2,  1913. 

Politically  Mr.  Goblebe  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Spring- 
field  Club,  and  is  a member  of  the  hoard  of  directors  of  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association  and  Young  Men’s  Business  Club.  Fraternally  he 
belongs  to  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  is’ a Knight  Templar.  He  is 
an  active  member  of  the  South  Street  Christian  church,  and  has  been  a 
member  of  the  official  board  of  the  same  since  1907.  He  teaches  the  largest 
adult  woman’s  Sunday  school  class  in  Springfield.  He  is  a man  of  genial 
personality  and  is  popular  in  the  circles  in  which  he  moves. 


EMMETT  McDONATD  MING. 

How  shall  we  recall  the  fond  memories  that  cluster  about  our  beloved 
dead?  How  shall  we  portray  the  nobleness  of  his  character,  the  purity 
of  his  life,  the  gentleness  of  his  disposition?  How  shall  we  describe  his 
affection  as  father,  his  tenderness  as  son  ancl  brother,  his  devotion  as  hus- 
band, his  sincerity  as  friend?  How  shall  we  impart  the  patience  of  his 
suffering,  the  unfailing  fidelity  of  his  trust  in  the  great  Healer  of  all  our 
infirmities,  the  sorrow  and  desolation  that,  at  his  death,  fell  like  a dark  pall 
upon  the  hearts  of  the  loved  ones  left  behind?  We  know  that  all  that  is 
must  share  his  destiny;  that  the  brief  term  of  mortal  existence  is  but  a pass- 
ing dream — a story  that  is  briefly  told — and  man’s  spirit  drifts  away  on  the 
bosom  of  that  tranquil  river  that  winds  with  noiseless  murmurs  through  the 
gloom  shaded  shadows  of  the  Valley  of  Death.  To  eulogize  the  deeds  and 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1069 


preserve  the  memory  of  our  dead  from  oblivion  is  at  once  our  privilege  and 
our  sacred  duty.  Since  the  dawn  of  civilization  men  have  made  expression 
at  the  death  of  their  fellows,  whether  such  dead  were  citizen,  statesman  or 
soldier.  Realizing  that  “all  flesh  shall  perish  together,  and  men  shall  turn 
again  unto  dust,”  we  are  naturally  inspired  with  the  desire  that  we  may 
be  remembered  after  death;  that  after  our  earthly  remains  shall  have  been 
laid  away  to  sleep  throughout  the  silent  centuries  yet  to  come,  awaiting  the 
final  day,  we  are  fed  by  the  hope  that  some  human  heart  that  yet  beats  may 
cherish  a memory  of  us,  may  yearn  for  one  touch  of  “a  vanished  hand  and 
the  sound  of  a voice  that  is  still.”  Prompted  by  such  feelings  we  come  to 
chronicle  the  lamented  death,  “in  that  he  died  so  young,”  of  Emmett  Mc- 
Donald Ming. 

Mr.  Ming  was  born  at  Gray’s  Summit,  Franklin  county,  Missouri,  De- 
cember 3,  i860.  He  was  a son  of  Judge  James  Morris  and  Jemima  (Os- 
borne) Ming,  the  father  a native  of  Virginia  and  the  mother  of  Missouri. 
Judge  Ming  was  a descendant  of  that  chivalrous  race  of  men  who  peopled 
the  Old  Dominion,  but  in  an  early  day  he  emigrated  to  Franklin  county, 
Missouri,  and  there  became  one  of  the  leading  and  influential  citizens  of 
that  section  of  the  state,  and  he  at  one  time  represented  that  county  in  the 
state  legislature  and  later  was  elected  judge,  serving  as  such  for  a number 
of  years.  His  wife  belonged  to  that  class  of  noble  Christian  women  and 
true  type  of  womanhood  found  in  the  South  in  the  happy  days  before  the 
Civil  war.  Both  the  judge  and  his  wife  reached  ripe  old  ages  and  spent 
their  declining  years  serenely  in  their  cozy  home  at  the  cjuiet  town  of  Wash- 
ington, Franklin  county,  where  they  were  ever  known  as  good  neighbors, 
hospitable  and  helpful.  They  reared  a large  family  of  sons  and  daughters, 
Emmett  M.  of  this  review  having  been  the  youngest. 

The  subject  of  this  memoir  grew  to  manhood  at  the  town  of  Washing- 
ton, and  spent  his  boyhood  days  upon  the  farm,  close  to  nature.  As  a young 
man  he  was  industrious,  honest  and  everybody  liked  him,  for  even  at  that 
tender  age  he  had  a kind  word  for  everybody,  a helping  hand  for  those  in 
need,  and  a word  of  cheer  for  the  disconsolate.  He  had  the  advantage 
of  an  excellent  education,  having  passed  through  the  common  schools  in 
Franklin  county,  and  later  took  a regular  course  in  Central  College,  Fayette, 
Missouri. 

Mr.  Ming  began  life  for  himself  on  a cattle  ranch  in  Arizona,  which 
he  owned,  but  after  his  marriage  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  and 
later  in  the  hardware  and  furniture  business  at  Vinita,  Oklahoma  (then  In- 
dian Territory),  having  selected  Vinita  as  his  future  home.  He  built  up  a 
large  and  lucrative  trade  with  the  people  of  that  town  and  locality  and  was 
doing  much  for  the  material  welfare  of  the  same,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
■death  his  furniture  establishment  there  would  have  been  a credit  to  any 


IO/O 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


city.  He  was  a stockholder  and  promoter  of  the  first  artesian  well  at  Vinitar 
and  was  regarded  by  all  who  knew  him  as  a business  man  of  rare  foresight 
and  acumen. 

Mr.  Ming  was  married  November  1 8,  1891,  to  Emma  Wallis,  a daugh- 
ter of  Christopher  and  Elizabeth  (Hoover)  Wallis,  a well-known  family  of 
Marshfield,  Missouri,  where  Mrs.  Ming  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  edu- 
cated. After  their  marriage  they  established  their  home  at  Vinita,  in  the 
Cherokee  nation.  Their  union  was  blessed  by  the  birth  of  two  children, 
namely:  Christopher,  who  was  born  at  Vinita,  October  20,  1892,  and  who- 

is  now  a prominent  young  business  man  of  Springfield,  Missouri ; and  Mar- 
tha Lelia,  whose  birth  occurred  at  Vinita,  July  18,  1896. 

In  1899  Mr.  Ming  built  a comfortable  home  for  his  family  in  Vinita,. 
surrounding  them  with  all  the  comforts  of  life  and  preparing  a place  for 
them  and  for  himself  in  his  old  age.  No  man  was  ever  more  happily  mar- 
ried and  his  affection  for  his  wife  and  children  was  tender  and  strong.  He 
was  never  happier  than  when  at  home  with  his  family.  His  devotion  to  his 
father  and  mother  was  genuine  as  well  as  was  his  love  for  his  brothers  and 
sisters,  and  he  was  never  known  to  falter  in  his  loyalty  to  a friend.  He 
was  an  active  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  belonged  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South,  at  Vinita.  His  life  was  ever  an  open 
book,  and  no  one  ever  heard  him  say  anything  derogatory  regarding  his 
fellow  man. 

Mr.  Ming  was  called  to  his  eternal  rest  in  St.  Anthony’s  hospital,  St. 
Louis,  Missouri,  August  2,  1900,  when  lacking  a few  months  of  his  fortieth 
birthday.  He  had  been  in  failing  health  for  some  time.  He  was  buried  at 
his  old  home  near  Washington,  Franklin  county,  on  the  old  Ming  home- 
stead, on  a beautiful  bluff  overlooking  the  Missouri  river. 

Something  of  the  high  standing  of  Mr.  Ming  in  the  community  hon- 
ored by  his  citizenship,  may  be  gained  from  the  following  resolutions,  passed 
by  the  Knights  of  Pythias  at  Vinita,  Oklahoma,  shortly  after  his  death: 

Whereas,  God  in  His  infinite  wisdom  has  deemed  it  best  to  remove 
from  the  scenes  of  his  earthly  home  our  beloved  friend  and  co-worker, 
Brother  E.  M.  Ming,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  while  we  bow  in  humble  submission  to  His  supreme 
will,  yet  we  mourn  the  death  of  our  fellow-worker,  fully  realizing  our  lodge 
has  lost  a faithful  member,  the  community  a true  patriotic  citizen  and  his 
family  a good  husband  and  father.  His  many  sterling  cjualities  of  head 
and  heart,  the  blameless  character,  and  pure  name  won  the  love  and  admira- 
tion of  all  who  knew  him. 

Resolved,  That  we  extend  to  the  sorrowing  family  our  heartfelt  sym- 
pathy in  their  bereavement,  praying  the  all-wise  Father  to  lighten  the  deep 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IO71 


sorrow  that  has  fallen  upon  them,  by  shedding  into  their  hearts  and  lives- 
that  blessed  peace  and  comfort  which  man  can  not  give. 

Resolved,  further,  That  a copy  of  these  resolutions  be  spread  upon  the 
minutes  of  the  lodge,  that  a copy  of  the  same  be  sent  to  the  local  newspaper 
and  also  a copy  to  his  bereaved  family. 


JOHN  D.  ALLEN. 

The  wanderlust,  like  a siren,  calls  to  every  youth  to  forsake  his  an- 
cestral hills  and  halls  and  go  out  in  quest  of  a better  country.  Many  have 
heeded  the  summons  to  their  advantage,  but  perhaps  more  have  answered  to 
their  doom.  In  such  a county  as  Greene  that  young  man  is  fortunate  who 
has  the  sagacity  to  remain  at  home.  The  call  very  frequently  leads  men  to 
forsake  the  “land  of  milk  and  honey”  and  go  in  search  of  a never-to-be- 
attained  oasis  of  a mirage,  ultimately  finding  instead  the  barren,  sand-swept 
waste  of  a Sahara;  often,  too,  after  it  is  too  late  to  return  and  establish 
themselves  in  their  own  native  locality  in  a proper  manner,  John  D.  Allen, 
foreman  of  the  tin  department  at  the  new  Frisco  shops,  Springfield,  is  one 
of  our  native  born  sons  who  has  been  prudent  in  remaining  in  his  native 
county. 

Mr.  Allen  was  born  at  Cave  Spring,  Cass  township,  Greene  county, 
March  18,  1870.  He  is  a son  of  Stephen  G.  and  C.  N.  (Penley)  Allen.  The 
father  was  born  in  Georgia,  April  15,  1845,  and  is  still  living  at  Cave  Spring, 
whither  he  removed  from  Dixieland  in  the  year  1868.  He  has  a good  small 
farm  here  and  has  followed  agricultural  pursuits  for  some  time  but  being 
a carpenter  by  trade  his  earlier  life  was  devoted  to  work  in  this  line.  He 
served  in  the  Confederate  army  in  the  Civil  war,  enlisting  before  he  was 
eighteen  years  old.  He  was  wounded  in  the  battle  at  Atlanta,  Georgia, 
August  11,  1864.  After  the  war,  he  located  in  Marion  county,  Tennessee, 
where  he  was  married,  August  10,  1867,  to  C.  N.  Penley,  a native  of  Ten- 
nessee. In  1868,  Mr.  Allen  came  to  Greene  county,  locating  at  Cave  Spring, 
where  he  has  since  resided  and  here  has  reared  his  family  of  seven  children, 
namely:  J.  Charles,  John  D.,  Laura,  Louis  M.,  Stephen  G.,  Mary  A.  and 

Katy  J.  The  latter  died  at  the  age  of  four  years.  Mr.  Allen,  at  the  age  of 
seventy  years,  is  a hale,  hearty  man  and  enjoys  caring  for  his  little  farm. 
Politically,  he  is  a Democrat  and  belongs  to  the  Universalist  church. 

John  D.  Allen  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Cass  township 
where  he  worked  when  a boy  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  district 
schools  at  Cave  Spring.  He  remained  on  the  farm  until  he  was  nineteen 
years  of  age,  then  came  to  Springfield  and  went  to  work  in  the  office  of  the- 


1 072 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Springfield  Republican,  later  he  worked  at  the  barber’s  trade  for  a short 
time.  In  1890  he  began  work  in  the  North  Side  Frisco  shops  where  he 
learned  the  tinner’s  trade,  remaining  there  three  and  one-half  years,  then 
spent  over  six  years  in  the  South  Side  shops  at  his  trade,  after  which  he  re- 
turned to  the  shops  on  the  North  Side  and  has  remained  in  the  tin  depart- 
ment here,  being  now  foreman  in  the  new  shops,  which  responsible  position 
be  has  held  since  the  opening  of  the  new  shops.  He  has  a large  number  of 
men  under  his  direction,  and  he  is  not  only  a most  capable  and  highly  skilled 
workman  but  is  a man  of  considerable  executive  ability. 

Mr.  Allen  was  married  on  December  5,  1892,  in  Springfield,  to  Della 
Gee,  who  was  born  in  Indiana,  April  12,  1871.  She  is  a daughter  of  Amos 
and  Nancy  Jane  Gee.  The  father  was  a native  of  Indiana  and  was  born  in 
1845  and  the  mother  was  born  in  1850.  They  are  still  living  and  reside  on 
a good  farm  near  Alva,  Oklahoma. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allen,  namely:  Wade, 
born  on  March  11,  1895;  Gladys,  born  on  July  15,  1899;  an<i  Louise,  born 
on  August  9,  1909. 

Politically,  Mr.  Allen  is  a Democrat  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  lie  and  wife  belong  to  the  Knights  and 
Ladies  of  Security. 


JOHN  SPANDRI. 

In  the  following  sketch  is  strikingly  illustrated  the  force  of  well-directed 
energy,  steadfast  purpose  and  never-ceasing  effort  for  the  accomplishment 
of  noble  ends,  and  the  successful  overthrow  of  those  obstacles  which  beset 
the  progress  of  every  young  man  who,  unaided  and  alone,  starts  out  to  combat 
life's  stern  realities  and  hew  his  own  way  to  distinction  and  fortune.  It  is 
the  story  of  a successful  life,  and  from  the  study  of  such  a record  the  dis- 
couraged youth  may  gain  lessons  of  ultimate  value,  lessons  that  are  calcu- 
lated to  inspire  new  zeal  in  his  faltering  heart  and  new  courage  in  his  darkened 
spirit.  It  shows  that  it  takes  grit,  perseverance  and  honesty  to  win  in  life's 
battle  rather  than  the  help  of  wealth  or  influential  relatives  or  friends.  In 
other  words,  it  is  better  to  rely  on  ourselves  and  map  out  our  own  paths  than 
to  rely  upon  others  and  follow  a career  dictated  by  others. 

Mr.  Spandri  hails  from  the  wonderful  little  republic  of  Switzerland,  a 
country  from  which  many  of  the  so-called  great  nations  of  the  earth  might 
take  valuable  lessons.  His  birth  occurred  in  the  southern  part  of  that  country 
on  December  1,  i860.  He  is  a son  of  Peter  and  Mary  (Vanini)  Spandri, 
.both  natives  of  Switzerland,  where  they  were  reared,  educated,  married  and 
established  their  future  home.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1073 


was  a native  of  Italy.  Peter  Spandri  was  a collier  by  trade,  his  work  being 
chopping  timber,  which  he  burned  by  a process  to  make  charcoal.  His  death 
occurred  in  his  native  land  before  our  subject  left  there  and  the  mother 
survived  until  about  seven  years  ago,  having  reached  an  advanced  age.  To 
these  parents  four  children  were  born,  namely:  Juditta  is  living  in  Italy, 
Frank  is  deceased,  John,  of  this  sketch,  and  Giacomo  lives  in  Europe. 

John  Spandri  spent  his  boyhood  in  Switzerland  and  he  received  a limited 
education  at  home,  which  has  been  greatly  supplemented  in  later  life  by 
contact  with  the  world  and  by  wide  miscellaneous  home  reading  until  today 
he  is  a well  informed  man  and  an  excellent  conversationalist.  When  a boy 
he  worked  with  his  father  in  the  woods,  but  when  only  fifteen  years  of  age 
he  left  home  and  began  working  for  wages.  Believing  that  America  held 
greater  opportunities  for  the  poor  boy  with  pluck,  he  bade  a final  adieu  to 
"his  native  hills  in  the  autumn  of  1882,  crossed  the  great  Atlantic,  landing  in 
New  York  in  the  month  of  November.  He  did  not  tarry  in  the  great  city, 
hut  came  on  West  to  Rolla,  Phelps  county,  Missouri,  reaching  the  goal  of 
his  long  journey  with  only  ten  dollars  and  twenty-five  cents  in  his  pocket.  He 
soon  found  employment  and  went  to  work  with  a will.  Six  months  later 
found  him  a contractor,  in  business  for  himself.  In  May,  1883,  he  came  to 
Springfield  and  began  contracting  to  build  foundations  for  houses  and  build- 
ings in  general.  He  prospered  at  this  and  continued  in  this  line  until  a few 
years  ago.  Among  the  foundations  he  laid  for  well-known  buildings  were 
those  of  the  South  Street  Christian  church,  Meyer’s  Model  Mills,  the  round 
house  at  the  North  Side  shops,  St.  John's  church  and  many  others.  Some 
years  ago  he  turned  his  attention  to  other  lines  of  contracting,  such  as  railroad 
construction  work  and  sewer  building.  His  first  work  in  the  former  line  was 
in  1901,  when  he  turned  out  jobs  for  both  the  St.  Louis  & San  Francisco 
and  the  Missouri  Pacific  railroads.  It  was  in  1909  that  he  began  sewer  work, 
and  during  that  year  put  in  about  three  miles  of  sewer  in  Springfield,  then 
took  a large  contract  for  the  Frisco  in  Texas  in  building  arch  culverts.  At 
this  writing  he  is  confining  his  attention  to  sewer  construction.  He  has  been 
a careful  student  of  modern  ways  of  contract  work  along  his  lines  and  his 
work  is  always  highly  satisfactory,  being  well  done  in  every  respect.  He  is 
well  equipped  in  the  matter  of  modern  machinery  and  tools  and  employs  a 
large  number  of  skilled  hands.  He  gives  personal  attention  to  every  detail 
of  his  business,  which  is  under  a superb  system.  He  has  been  veryr  successful 
in  a business  way  and  is  one  of  the  substantial  men  of  affairs  of  the  Oueen 
City  of  the  Ozarks.  He  deserves  a great  deal  of  credit  for  what  he  has 
accomplished,  which  has  been  done  in  the  face  of  obstacles.  He  owns  an 
Imposing  home  and  office  at  S2°ZA  East  Commercial  street. 

Mr.  Spandri  was  married  on  January  15,  1885,  in  Springfield,  to  Eliza 

' (68) 


1074 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Carmack.  She  was  born  in  Phelps  county,  Missouri,  on  July  io,  1861,  and 
is  a daughter  of  William  Carmack,  a native  of  Indiana,  where  he  grew  up 
and  married,  removing  with  his  family  to  Phelps  county,  this  state,  in  an 
earl}'  day,  and  there  he  became  a well-to-do  farmer.  Mrs.  Spandri  spent  her 
girlhood  in  Phelps  county,  and  she  was  given  the  advantages  of  a good 
education. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  both  deceased; 
they  were  named,  John,  whose  birth  occurred  on  December  28,  1886,  re- 
ceived a good  education  in  the  Springfield  ward  and  high  school  and  Drury 
College;  he  met  an  untimely  death  in  a railroad  accident  on  May  15,  1910; 
he  had  married  Blanche  Morrison,  by  whom  one  child  was  born,  Walter  J., 
whose  birth  occurred  on  September  8,  1:909.  William,  our  subject’s  second 
son,  was  born  on  November  22,  1888',  received  a good  education  in  the  Spring- 
field  schools  and  died  on  August  19,  1901.  They  were  both  very  promising 
young  men  and  their  early  deaths  were  much  lamented  by  their  family  and 
friends. 

Politically  Mr.  Spandri  is  a Democrat  and  he  has  long  taken  an  active 
interest  in  public  affairs.  However,  has  never  been  an  office-seeker.  Fra- 
ternally he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Order,  including  the  Knights  Templars  and 
the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 

Mr.  Spandri  won  the  Springfield  Republican  trophy  cup  in  the  first 
annual  Ozark  motor  tour  of  three  hundred  miles  on  June  27th  to  29th,  inclu- 
sive, T910,  using  his  favorite  car — E.  M.  F.,  a make  of  the  Studebaker  Com- 
pany. He  gets  a great  deal  of  pleasure  and  diversion  out  of  motoring.  He 
is  a gentleman  of  sociable  inclinations,  obliging,  public-spirited  and  com- 
panionable, which  traits,  added  to  his  unassuming  manner  and  high  sense  of 
honor,  make  him  popular  among  a wide  acquaintance. 


E.  L.  EVANS,  M.  D. 

The  medical  profession  of  Greene  county  has  no  abler  exponent  than 
Dr.  E.  L.  Evans,  universally  liked  by  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact. 
His  friends  feel  deservedly  proud  of  his  success  in  his  profession,  for  he 
has  studied  hard,  worked  diligently  and  been  self-sacrificing  when  there 
was  need.  He  possesses  excellent  judgment  of  men  and  things,  well  balanced 
by  knowledge  and  experience.  He  is  a gentleman  of  good  personal  appear- 
ance and  courteous  address,  and  is  certainly  entitled  to  mention  with  the 
representative  citizens  of  Springfield  and  Greene  county. 

Doctor  Evans  was  born  in  Boone  county,  Indiana,  January  2,  1867.  He 
is  a son  of  John  and  Sarah  Jane  (Clark)  Evans.  The  father  was  a contrac- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1075 


tor  and  died  here  on  December  17,  1913;  the  mother  is  living  on  St.  Louis 
street,  Springfield,  Missouri.  Grandfather  Samuel  Evans  was  a farmer  and 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Boone  county,  Indiana.  His  death  occurred  at 
the  age  of  eighty- four  years.  His  wife  was  a Miss  Wilson.  The  maternal 
grandfather,  Ezra  Clark,  married  Harriet  Hancock.  They  were  both  na- 
tives of  Ohio  in  which  their  parents  were  early  settlers,  and  there  Ezra  Clark 
and  wife  grew  up  and  were  married,  and  soon  thereafter  moved  to  Boone 
county,  Indiana,  where  they  established  the  family  home  on  a farm,  and 
were  among  the  first  settlers. 

Dr.  Evans  of  this  review  has  two  brothers  and  one  sister  living,  namely : 
Dr.  Emery  Evans,  is  a practicing  physician  in  St.  Louis;  Dr.  Harry  T. 
Evans  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Springfield,  and  Mrs. 
Ella  Speer,  also  lives  in  Springfield. 

Dr.  E.  L.  Evans  is  one  of  those  self-educated,  successful,  self-made 
men,  commonly  met  in  America.  When  a boy  he  earned  his  own  way, 
working  at  various  things  to  earn  an  honest  dollar  to  assist  in  defraying  the 
expenses  of  an  education,  and  when  he  had  gone  far  enough  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  county  to  enable  him  to  teach  he  took  up  that  line  of 
endeavor  and  taught  several  terms  most  satisfactorily,  working  meanwhile, 
during  the  summer  months,  on  the  farm  or  at  other  things  until  he  suc- 
ceeded in  obtaining  his  professional  education.  He  received  his  primary 
education  in  the  schools  of  Harrison,  Arkansas,  where  he  removed  from 
Indiana  when  a boy,  and  later  he  attended  the  Rally  Hill  Academy,  and  in 
1892  he  entered  the  Marion  Simms  Medical  College  in  St.  Louis,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1895.  Soon  thereafter  he  re- 
turned to  Harrison,  Arkansas,  where  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
in  partnership  with  Dr.  Kirby,  and  remained  there  eleven  years,  during 
which  he  enjoyed  a large  and  constantly  growing  practice,  and  was  one  of 
the  leading  general  physicians  of  Boone  county  throughout  which  his  name 
was  a household  word.  Seeking  a larger  field  for  the  exercise  of  his  talents 
he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  April,  1906,  and  has  been  engaged 
successfully  in  the  general  practice  from  that  time  to  the  present,  each  suc- 
ceeding year  finding  him  further  advanced  and  more  popular  than  the 
preceding. 

Doctor  Evans  is  a member  of  the  Greene  County  Medical  Society,  the 
Southwest  Missouri  Medical  Society,  the  Missouri  State  Medical  As- 
sociation and  the  American  Medical  Association.  He  was  for  some  time 
president  of  the  Boone  County  Medical  Society  when  he  lived  in  Arkansas, 
and  was  also  secretary  of  the  same  for  many  years,  resigning  the  office  upon 
his  removal  to  Springfield.  Fraternally  he  is  a member  of  the  Masonic 
order,  including  the  Chapter,  Commandery  and  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IO76 

and  other  lodges.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat,  and  is  a member  of  the 
South  Street  Christian  church. 

Doctor  Evans  was  married  March  19,  1897,  to  Nora  Kirby,  who  was 
born  in  Harrison,  Arkansas,  in  September,  1876,  and  there  grew  to  woman- 
hood and  received  her  high  school  education  in  Harrison,  Arkansas,  and 
graduated  from  Christian  College  at  Columbia,  Missouri.  She  is  the  scion 
of  a prominent  family  of  that  place,  and  is  a daughter  of  Dr.  L.  and  Vir- 
ginia (Crump)  Kirby. 

To.  Doctor  Evans  and  wife  the  following  children  have  been  born: 
Virginia,  born  January  11,  1898;  Harry  C.,  born  March  17,  1899;  Frances 
Irene  born  June  17,  1900;  Dorothy  Lee,  born  July  11,  1902;  Lenore,  born 
July  26,  1903;  Kirby,  born  June  23,  1909,  and  Ezra  Levi,  born  January 
29,  1 9 r i . 


ALBERT  N.  HANSON. 

All  credit  is  due  a man  who  wins  success  in  his  chosen  fields  of  en- 
deavor in  spite  of  obstacles,  who,  by  persistency  and  energy  gains  a compe- 
tence and  a position  of  honor  as  a man  and  citizen.  The  record  of  the  late 
Albert  N.  Hanson,  for  many  years  a well-known  contractor  of  Springfield, 
is  that  of  such  a man,  for  he  came  to  this  city  in  the  days  of  her  rapid  growth 
and  here  worked  his  way  up  from  the  bottom  to  definite  success  and  inde- 
pendence. He  quickly  adapted  himself  to  the  conditions  which  he  found 
here  and  labored  so  consecutively  and  managed  so  judiciously  that  he  finally 
became  the  manager  of  a thriving  business,  which  he  ever  conducted  along 
honorable  lines  and  all  the  while  was  establishing  a reputation  among  his 
acquaintances  and  friends  for  sound  judgment,  honest  dealings  and  good 
citizenship.  His  tragic  death  was  a matter  of  sincere  regret  to  all  who 
knew  him. 

Mr.  Hanson  was  born  on  October  17,  1848,  in  Hancock  county,  Illi- 
nois. He  is  a son  of  Nichols  and  Adalize  (Hubbard)  Hanson.  The  father 
was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York  and  the  mother  was  a native  of  the 
province  of  Nova  Scotia,  Canada,  from  which  she  came  to  the  state  of  New 
York  when  young  where  she  met  and  married  the  elder  Hanson.  He  was 
a blacksmith  by  trade  in  his  early  life,  but  later  turned  his  attention  to  gen- 
eral farming.  He  and  his  wife  removed  from  New  York  to  Michigan,  later 
to  Illinois  where  they  remained  until  within  a few  years  of  their  deaths, 
having  removed  to  Nebraska,  where  the  death  of  Nichols  Hanson  occurred 
in  1900  at  an  advanced  age,  and  his  wife  passed  away  soon  after.  During 
the  Civil  war  he  was  quartermaster  of  the  Twenty-sixth  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry  under  Gen.  John  C.  Fremont,  having  enlisted  in  1862.  Seven 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I077 


children  were  born  to  Nichols  Hanson  and  wife,  namely:  Ellen,  Charles, 

Louis  are  all  deceased;  Albert  N.,  subject  of  this  memoir;  Mary  E.  Lewis 
lives  in  Springfield,  Illinois ; William  is  deceased ; Florence,  the  youngest,  lives 
in  Turon,  Kansas. 

Albert  N.  Hanson  received  a common  school  education,  and  later  at- 
tended a business  college  in  Michigan  about  six  months.  He  was  all  his 
life  a wide  reader  of  good  literature  and  in  this  way  and  by  coming  in  con- 
tact with  the  business  world  he  became  a well-informed  man.  In  his  early 
career  he  followed  farming  for  the  most  part  until  he  came  to  Springfield, 
Missouri.  He  had  engaged  in  railroading  also  for  a time  during  his  younger 
days,  and  was  in  the  mercantile  business  awhile.  After  living  in  Kansas 
several  years  he  moved  to  Shannon  county,  Missouri,  where  he  spent  a few 
years,  locating  in  Springfield  in  1888.  Here  he  engaged  in  contracting, 
general  building  and  railroad  construction  work.  When  the  Missouri  Pa- 
cific built  its  branch  from  Crane,  Missouri,  to  this  city  he  secured  the  con- 
tract for  the  excavation  between  Main  and  Campbell  streets  in  Springfield, 
also  built  the  Washington  avenue  subway  at  the  intersection  of  that  thor- 
oughfare and  Commercial  street.  During  a period  of  twenty  years  he  kept 
in  his  employ  a crew  of  from  ten  to  fifteen  men,  working  at  various  places  all 
the  time.  Having  through  his  able  management  and  close  application  ac- 
cumulated a competency  for  his  declining  years  he  partially  retired  from 
active  life  a few  years  before  his  death  and  lived  quietly  in  his  beautiful 
home  on  Guy  street,  Springfield. 

Mr.  Hanson  was  twice  married,  first,  on  December  30,  1867,  in  Han- 
cock county,  Illinois,  to  Aarie  Mintle,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  from  which 
state  she  moved  to  Illinois  when  a child.  She  was  born  on  April  19,  1846, 
and  was  a daughter  of  Aaron  P.  and  Mary  Ann  (Ward)  Mintle.  To  our  sub- 
ject and  his  first  wife  the  following  children  were  born,  namely:  Jessie,  born 
on  March  30,  1870,  died  on  December  22,  1874;  Frank  and  Fred,  twins, 
born  on  December  8,  1872,  both  live  in  Springfield;  Flora,  born  on  October 
15,  1876,  lives  in  Springfield;  Effie,  born  on  April  14,  1879,  lives  in  Spring- 
field;  Mrs.  Pearl  Rueter,  born  on  June  29,  1882,  lives  in  Springfield; 
Harry  E.  and  Harvey  E.,  twins,  born  on  December  20,  1884,  the  former 
lives  in  Springfield  and  the  latter  died  in  infancy;  Mrs.  Stella  Reynolds, 
born  on  June  20,  1887,  lives  in  Springfield. 

The  mother  of  the  above  named  children  was  called  to  her  rest  on 
March  24,  1910.  On  September  25,  1910,  Mr.  Hanson  married  Mrs.  Etta 
B.  Merchant,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  October  25,  1862.  She  grew  to  wom- 
anhood in  her  native  state  and  received  a common  school  education.  She 
first  married  W.  W.  Merchant  on  March  25,  1883,  in  Ohio.  He  died  on 
March  12,  1910.  Two  children  were  born  to  this  union,  Maurice  E.,  born 
on  October  26,  1885.  He  married  Odilia  Branch  on  September  18,  1910. 


1078 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


They  live  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri.  They  have  one  child,  Donald  J.,  born 
on  September  24,  1911,  and  died  on  May  24,  1914.  The  second  child  is 
Leister  H.,  born  on  August  16,  1890. 

Mrs.  Hanson  is  the  daughter  of  Erastus  Lockwood  and  Emily  R.  Bax- 
ley. They  were  both  born  in  Ohio,  the  father  on  September  12,  1833.  He 
died  on  February  7,  1891,  in  Ohio.  The  mother  was  born  on  August  19, 
1840,  and  is  still  living  in  Raymond,  Ohio,  at  the  old  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hanson  was  a Republican,  and  he  was  always  loyal  in 
his  support  of  the  party.  He  served  as  street  commissioner  of  the  city  of 
Springfield  under  Mayor  Bartlett,  also  Mayor  Malotte.  He  discharged  the 
duties  of  this  important  position  in  a manner  that  reflected  much  credit 
upon  himself  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  Fraternally, 
he  was  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  Mr.  Hanson  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany A,  Sixty-fifth  Illinois  Regiment  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  the  ninety-day 
service.  However,  he  served  till  the  close  of  the  war  and  was  discharged 
at  Jonesboro,  North  Carolina. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Hanson  occurred  on  April  16,  1915,  as  the  result  of 
an  accident.  He  was  driving  across  the  street  in  his  automobile  when  a 
street  car  crashed  into  his  machine,  hurling  him  from  his  seat  a distance  of 
some  twenty  feet,  his  head  striking  the  curbing.  Burning  oil  from  the 
gasoline  tank  of  the  automobile  was  scattered  over  him  and  the  oil  took 
fire,  igniting  his  clothing.  Help  reached  him  immediately,  but  he  remained  un- 
conscious to  the  end  which  came  a few  hours  later,  as  a result  of  injuries  to 
the  head. 

Personally  Mr.  Hanson  was  an  admirable  character,  kind-hearted,  com- 
panionable, charitable  and  always  a high-minded  gentleman.  He  was  be- 
loved by  the  hundreds  of  men  who  had  been  in  his  employ  during  his  long 
business  career.  His  work  was  always  honestly  done  and  all  who  knew 
him  esteemed  him  highly  as  a result  of  his  many  commendable  characteristics. 


GRANVILLE  W.  TURNER. 

To  be  employed  nearly  a half  century  by  one  firm,  continuously,  is  a 
record  of  which  few  citizens  of  Springfield  and  Greene  county  can  boast,  but 
Granville  W.  Turner  has  been  connected  with  the  bridge  building  depart- 
ment of  the  St.  Louis  & San  Francisco  Railroad  Company  since  1866, 
and  for  forty  years  has  been  in  charge  of  that  department.  He  would  not 
only  have  had  to  proved  himself  to  be  an  expert  in  his  line,  but  also  a man  of 
courage,  fidelity,  integrity  and  industry  to  have  been  retained  during  so  long 
a period.  He  is  one  of  the  most  widely  known  Frisco  employees.  He  is  a man 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IO79 


who  has  always  valued  his  good  name  and  today  takes  pleasure  in  feeling  that 
he  has  won  the  respect  of  his  fellow  workers  and  acquaintances  by  his  course 
in  life. 

Mr.  Turner  was  born  in  Knox  county,  Missouri,  January  3,  1843.  He 
is  a son  of  Granville  D.  and  Maria  (Taylor)  Turner.  The  father  was  born 
in  the  mountains  of  Kentucky  and  the  mother  was  a native  of  Ohio,  but  she 
came  to  Harrison  county,  Kentucky,  when  young.  These  parents  were  mar- 
ried in  Quincy,  Illinois.  Our  subject’s  father  and  the  first  governor  of  Illi- 
nois came  to  Quincy  together.  Mr.  Turner  became  a large  land  owner.  He 
was  a cabinet  maker  by  trade.  Leaving  the  Prairie  state  in  an  early  day, 
he  located  in  Knox  county,  Missouri  and  he  and  his  wife  died  in  this  state. 
He  was  a minister  in  the  Christian  church,  an  old-time  circuit  rider,  and 
preached  among  the  pioneers.  Politically,  he  was  a Democrat.  His  family 
consisted  of  nine  children,  named  as  follows : The  eldest  child  died  in  in- 

fancy; William  is  deceased;  Mary;  Emma;  Granville  W.,  of  this  sketch; 
James,  deceased;  Reuben,  deceased;  George  and  May  E. 

Mr.  Turner  of  this  review  received  a limited  education  in  the  common 
schools,  and  he  grew  up  on  the  farm  in  Knox  county,  where  he  worked  when 
a boy.  Pie  has  worked  hard  and  is  a self-made  man  in  the  best  sense  of  the 
term.  In  his  youth  he  learned  the  carpenter’s  trade.  In  September,  1861, 
he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil  war,  at  Rolla,  Missouri,  under  Captain 
Rich  and  Colonel  Phelps,  and  although  his  term  of  enlistment  was  but  for 
six  months,  he  served  nine  months.  He  saw  considerable  service  during  that 
brief  period,  including  a number  of  skirmishes  and  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge, 
Arkansas.  He  was  honorably  discharged  in  April,  1862,  then  went  to  work 
for  the  government,  building  pontoon  bridges,  corrals,  barracks,  coffins,  etc. 
He  continued  in  this  work  until  the  close  of  the  war,  gaining  valuable  ex- 
perience which  stood  him  well  in  hand  in  his  subsequent  career.  He  began 
work  for  the  Frisco  at  Rolla  in  1866,  in  the  bridge  building  department,  with 
which  he  has  been  connected  ever  since,  being  head  of  the  department  for  the 
system  for  some  four  decades.  In  1913  he  was  retired  by  the  company  on 
a pension.  However,  he  is  still  doing  special  work  in  his  department,  re- 
porting direct  to  the  general  manager.  He  long  ago  mastered  every  phase 
of  the  art  of  bridge  building  and  has  kept  well  abreast  of  the  times  in  this 
line  of  endeavor. 

Mr.  Turner  was  first  married  in  June,  1879,  to  Malissa  Trower,  in  St. 
Louis,  her  native  city.  She  was  a daughter  of  Samuel  Trower,  a farmer  and 
stock  raiser,  a pioneer  of  the  Mound  City,  where,  for  a number  of  years,  he 
was  justice  of  the  peace,  also  holding  other  minor  offices.  Mr.  Turner’s 
first  wife  died  October  10,  1889,  leaving  five  children,  namely:  Walter  G. 

married  Gertrude  Singleton  in  St.  Louis  and  he  is  a civil  engineer  by  pro- 
fession; Mary  Agnes  married  Mr.  Greenridge  and  they  live  in  Douglas, 


io8o 


GREENE  COUNTY,,  MISSOURI. 


Arizona;  George  R.  married  Goldie  Holder  and  they  live  in  Walnut  Grove,. 
Missouri;  Nellie  E.  married  Thomas  Wommock,  an  employee  of  the  Frisco, 
and  they  live  in  Springfield;  Lillian  F.  married  G.  Marks,  who  is  also  con- 
nected with  the  Frisco  and  lives  in  Springfield.  Mr.  Turner's  second  mar- 
riage was  consummated  in  February,  1893,  in  Carthage,  Missouri,  when  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Agnes  L.  Brown,  a daughter  of  John  and 
Eliza  Deyell,  of  St.  Thomas,  Ontario,  Canada.  To  this  second  union  two- 
children  have  been  born,  namely,  William  E.  and  James  D. 

Politically,  Mr.  Turner  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  order,  Gate  of  the  Temple  blue  lodge  and  St.  John’s  Commandery. 

Mr.  Turner  made  his  headquarters  in  Springfield  in  1873  and  moved 
here  to  make  his  home  in  1879.  In  1872  he  was  made  assistant  superintend- 
ent of  the  bridge  and  building  department  of  the  old  Atlantic  & Pacific  rail- 
road, later  known  as  the  Frisco.  In  1875  he  was  made  general  superintend- 
ent of  this  department.  He  has  had  something  to  do  with  the  building  of 
nearly  every  bridge  on  the  entire  Frisco  system. 


WILLIAM  PENN  MURRAY. 

The  deft  shuttle  which  weaves  the  web  of  human  life  and  human  destiny, 
constantly  and  ceaselessly  flies  backward  and  forward,  and  into  the  vast  and 
checkered  fabric  is  woven  the  individuality,  the  efforts,  ambitions  and  achieve- 
ments of  each  man — of  all  men.  Within  this  web  may  be  defined  the  lines  of 
personality,  be  they  those  that  lend  the  beautiful  crystal  sheen  of  honest  merit 
and  worthy  effort,  or  dark,  curving  and  deflecting  ones,  which  penetrate  warp 
and  woof,  and  mar  and  efface  the  composite  beauty  of  their  darkened  threads. 
The  life  record  of  the  late  William  Penn  Murray,  for  many  years  one  of  the 
most  progressive  agriculturists  and  stock  men  of  Franklin  township,  Greene 
county,  indicates  that  the  fabric  of  which  his  individuality  was  woven  was  of 
the  best  and  purest,  and  consequently  he  left  behind  him  “that  which  is  rather 
to  be  chosen  than  much  riches — a good  name.” 

Mr.  Murray  was  born  in  Wyandotte  county,  Ohio,  June  4,  1867.  Lie 
was  a son  of  David  C.  and  Llulda  (Dow)  Murray.  David  Murray,  who  was 
also  a native  of  the  locality  in  which  our  subject  was  born,  grew  to  manhood, 
was  educated  and  married  there,  and  in  1869  he  removed  from  the  old  Buck- 
eye state  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  with  his  family,  locating  in  Robberson 
township,  on  a farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  which  he  purchased 
and  on  which  he  followed  general  farming  and  handling  live  stock  in  a suc- 
cessful manner.  He  became  well  known  here  and  was  considered  a man  who- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


io8r 


was  uniformly  fair  in  all  his  dealings  with  his  fellow  men,  and  here  his  death 
occurred  in  1873,  when  our  subject  was  six  years  old.  His  wife,  who  was  also 
a native  of  Wyandotte  county,  Ohio,  also  died  on  the  home  farm  in  Greene 
county,  being  summoned  to  her  rest  in  1879. 

William  Penn  Murray  was  two  years  old  when  his  parents  brought  him 
to  Greene  county  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  homestead  where  he 
worked  when  a boy,  and  he  received  his  early  education  111  the  common 
schools.  February  18,  1891,  he  married  Jennie  Stiver,  who  was  born  January 
5,  1870,  a daughter  of  Isaac  and  Susannah  (Horner)  Stiver.  Isaac  Stiver 
was  born  March  16,  1826,  in  Pennsylvania.  After  his  marriage  he  moved  to 
Elkhart  county,  Indiana,  and  was  living  there  when  Mrs.  Jennie  Murray  was 
born,  and  there  he  engaged  in  farming  for  twenty-two  years,  then  sold  out 
and  removed  with  his  family  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  locating  seven  miles 
northeast  of  Springfield,  buying  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  good  land, 
and  here  followed  general  farming  until  his  death,  July  24,  1897.  He  was  a 
Republican  and  a Lutheran.  His  wife  was  born  December  30,  1835,  near 
Dayton,  Ohio,  and  her  death  occurred  on  the  home  farm  in  Greene  county, 
June  20,  1908.  To  Isaac  Stiver  and  wife  twelve  children  were  born,  namely: 
Daniel  J.  lives  in  Newcastle,  Indiana;  Jacob  M.  is  deceased;  Louis  J.  is  prac- 
ticing dentistry  in  Ft.  Wayne,  Indiana;  Mrs.  Mary  L.  Risk,  of  Amsterdam, 
New  York;  Isaac  N.  is  deceased;  Wesley  M.  lives  in  Campbell  township, 
Greene  county;  William  PI.  lives  in  Indianapolis;  Jennie,  widow  of  the  subject 
of  this  memorial  review;  Harrison  G.  lives  in  Springfield,  Missouri;  James 
is  living  but  his  address  is  not  known  at  this  writing;  Edward  and  Calvin  J. 
are  both  residing  in  Springfield. 

William  P.  Murray  devoted  his  active  life  to  general  farming  and 
handling  live  stock.  He  owned  a valuable  and  well  kept  place  of  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  in  Franklin  township;  however,  his  principal  business 
was  raising,  buying  and  trading  in  livestock,  especially  cattle,  and  in  this  he 
was  very  successful,  being  an  exceptionally  good  judge  of  all  kinds  of  stock 
and  dealing  honestly  with  his  fellow  men  so  that  he  retained  their  confidence 
and  good  will.  Fie  owned  over  one  hundred  head  of  good  cattle  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  March  9,  1911. 

Mr.  Murray’s  family  consisted  of  three  children,  namely : Mrs.  Mazie 
Newton,  born  November  20,  1891,  wife  of  R.  PI.  Newton,  first  lieutenant  of' 
No.  2,  Springfield  fire  department,  of  Springfield;  Ralph,  born  January  15, 
1893,  died  October  16,  1893;  and  Norman  B.,  born  September  23,  1895,  who 
is  living  with  his  mother  on  the  home  farm  which  he  operates. 

Politically,  Mr.  Murray  was  a Democrat  and  served  for  some  time  on- 
school  board.  While  he  was  not  a member  of  any  church  he  was  religious  at 
heart  and  a good  honest  man  in  every  respect,  a kind  husband  and  an  indulgent 


1082 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


father  and  a man  whom  his  neighbors  admired  and  respected.  He  was  super- 
intendent of  Sunday  school  at  Pleasant  Valley  for  several  years  and  a man 
who  delighted  in  extending  a helping  hand  to  those  in  need,  and  he  will  long 
be  greatly  missed  from  his  neighborhood. 


FLAVIUS  JOSEPHUS  UNDERWOOD. 

The  world  owes  much  to  the  plain,  plodding  worker  who,  uncomplain- 
ingly, does  his  whole  duty  as  he  sees  it;  but  beyond  his  labors  there  is  a 
sphere  of  activity  wherein  the  workers  are  few  and  the  products  produced 
more  rare — that  of  genius.  Through  the  medium  of  this  subtle,  sublime, 
elusive  thing,  possessed  of  certain  favored  ones,  all  the  great  treasures  of 
art,  music,  invention,  literature  and  science  have  been  given  to  the  world. 
Those  who  know  him  best  do  not  hesitate  to  pronounce  Flavius  Josephus 
Underwood,  a venerable  inventor  and  business  man  of  Springfield,  as  a 
genius  of  high  order,  although  it  is  doubtful  if  many  who  know  him  appre- 
ciate this  fact  to  the  fullest  extent.  His  fertile  brain  has  given  humanity 
many  helpful  things,  which  will  continue  for  all  time  to  be  a blessing  to  the 
race.  For  considerably  more  than  a quarter  of  a century  he  has  been  one 
of  onr  leading  men  of  affairs,  for  many  years  a wagon  manufacturer  and 
later  a contractor,  but  now  in  view  of  his  advanced  age,  he  having  passed 
his  eighty- fourth  mile-post,  he  is  living  in  retirement  at  his  cozy  home  on 
North  Grant  street,  although  he  is  hale  and  hearty  and  in  possession  of  his 
faculties,  his  lusty  old  age  being  due  no  doubt  to  the  fact  that  he  has  led 
a busy,  temperate  and  wholesome  life. 

Mr.  Underwood  is  a scion  of  one  of  the  oldest  American  families,  who 
lived  in  New  England  for  many  generations,  where  the  first  of  the  family 
landed  from  the  Old  World  nearly  four  centuries  ago,  and  from  that  remote 
period  to  the  present  time  the  various  members  of  his  descendants  have 
played  well  their  parts  in  pushing  forward  the  wheels  of  the  car  of  civiliza- 
tion in  the  western  hemisphere. 

Flavius  J.  Underwood  was  born  in  Hardwick,  Caledonia  county,  Ver- 
mont, March  9,  1830.  He  was  a son  of  Silas  and  Lucy  Warner  (Leslie) 
Underwood,  the  latter  a granddaughter  of  Robert  Leslie,  an  Irish  peer, 
who  immigrated  to  America  in  the  early  period  of  the  country’s  history  and 
located  in  New  Hampshire.  Silas  Underwood  was  born  at  Westford, 
Massachusetts,  December  7,  1783;  he  devoted  his  life  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits, and  his  death  occurred  in  March,  1869.  He  was  a son  of  John  Under- 
wood, of  Bradford,  Vermont,  who  was  born  October  28,  1755,  and  was  a 
son  of  Joseph  Underwood,  born  on  September  15,  1727,  at  Westford, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


!o83 


Massachusetts;  the  latter  was  a son  of  Joseph  Underwood,  born  on  May  28, 
1681,  at  Watertown,  Massachusetts;  he  was  a son  of  Joseph  Underwood, 
who  was  born  in  1650  at  Watertown,  Massachusetts,  and  was  a son  of  Jo- 
seph Underwood,  the  emigrant,  who  crossed  the  Atlantic  from  England, 
his  native  country,  and  took  up  his  residence  at  Hingham,  Massachusetts, 
in  1637,  later  removing  to  Watertown.  He  was  the  founder  of  the  Under- 
woods in  America,  now  quite  numerous,  having  dispersed  to  all  states  of  the 
Union. 

Flavius  J.  Underwood  of  this  review,  was  the  youngest  of  ten  chil- 
dren; he  grew  to  manhood  in  Vermont,  assisting  his  father  with  the  general 
work  about  the  farm,  and  during  the  winter  months  he  attended  the  district 
schools  and  an  academy,  and  he  began  life  for  himself  by  teaching  school 
in  his  native  locality.  Remaining  in  Vermont  until  he  was  twenty-two  years 
of  age  he,  following  the  advice  of  Horace  Greeley,  editor  of  the  New  York 
Tribune,  came  west,  locating  at  Milton,  Pike  county,  Illinois,  and  operated 
a farm  in  that  vicinity  several  years.'  In  i860  he  went  to  Rock  Island,  that 
state,  where  he  resided  until  1871,  having  turned  his  attention  to  the  manu- 
facturing business,  and  became  superintendent  of  Buford’s  Plow  Works. 
Forty-three  years  ago  he  left  Rock  Island  and  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri, 
where  he  has  since  resided,  and  where,  with  James  M.  Wilhoit,  he  started  a 
wagon  manufacturing  plant,  and  made  a success  of  this  venture,  operating 
the  plant  for  many  years  with  much  success,  there  having  been  a great  de- 
mand for  their  products  owing  to  the  high-grade  workmanship  and  superior 
quality  of  their  wagons.  Our  subject  finally  gave  up  the  manufacturing 
business  and  turned  his  attention  to  contracting,  which  he  followed  with 
satisfactory  results  up  to  his  retirement  from  active  life  a few  years  ago. 
But  it  has  been  as  an  inventor  that  Mr.  Underwood  has  figured  most  con- 
spicuously and  for  which  he  is  deserving  of  the  most  credit.  He  has  se- 
cured about  twenty  patents.  While  at  Rock  Island  he  built  the  first  suc- 
cessful two-horse  cultivator,  which  has  revolutionized  agricultural  work,  es- 
pecially in  the  corn  producing  states.  Pie  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being  the 
first  person  to  advocate  and  demonstrate  the  circulation  of  steam  for  the 
purpose  of  heating  buildings,  which  method  is  now  so  universally  employed. 
Among  his  many  inventions  is  a coal  chute  which  he  patented  in  1904  and 
which  is  widely  used.  Pie  believes  his  best  invention  is  a machine  for 
boring  out  hubs  in  which  to  insert  boxes.  His  name  is  deserving  of  a high 
place  among  the  successful  inventors  of  his  day  and  generation. 

Mr.  Underwood  was  married  at  Hardwick,  Vermont,  July  8,  1851,  to 
Daphna  Josephine  Hortense  Bridgman,  who  was  born  in  that  town  and 
there  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  She,  too,  is  a representative 
of  an  excellent  old  family  of  New  England.  Our  subject  and  wife  have 
traversed  the  life-path  which  leads  through  sun  and  shadow,  for  nearly 


1084 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


sixtyffhree  years.  Theirs  have  been  an  ideal  domestic  life,  mutually  help- 
ful and  pleasant,  and  now,  in  the  December  of  their  years  they  can  look 
backward  with  no  compunction  for  wasted  hours  or  misdeeds  and  forward 
with  the  hope  of  the  just.  Their  union  was  blessed  by  the  birth  of  four 
children,  but  only  one  survives,  Mrs.  Ida  M.  Jenkins,  who  lives  at  Nobo, 
Greene  county,  Missouri;  she  has  three  children.  Our  subject  and  wife 
have  seven  grandchildren  and  four  great-grandchildren.  The  following- 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Underwood : Genevieve  Leslie,  born 

on  November  19,  1853,  died  November  9,  1854;  Ida  May,  born  in  April, 
1856,  married  Grovner  A.  Shinn,  September  19,  1873,  and  three  children 
were  born  to  them,  John  B.,  Grover  L.,  and  Nellie  U. ; Inez  Belle,  born  on 
October  18,  i860,  married  George  B.  Garlick,  and  to  them  two  children 
were  born,  Harold  U.,  and  Ruth;  Nellie  Maud,  born,  January  6,  1864,  mar- 
ried William  Sheffield,  and  to  them  two  children  were  born,  ITortense  and 
Cornelia. 

Politically,  Mr.  Underwood  has  always  been  a loyal  Democrat.  He 
has  served  as  a member  of  the  city  council.  He  was  at  one  time  candidate 
for  the  state  legislature,  and  for  many  years  he  has  taken  an  active  part  in 
political  affairs.  During  campaigns  he  has  frequently  taken  the  stump  in 
Greene  and  adjoining  counties  and  won  a reputation  as  a forceful  speaker. 
Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order,  and  is  active  as  a member  of 
St.  John’s  commanderv,  and  served  as  eminent  commander  several  years 
ago.  Mrs.  Lhiderwood  is  a member  of  the  Order  of  Eastern  Star  of  which 
she  was  formerly  worthy  matron  when  it  was  first  organized. 

This  grand  old  couple  are  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  by  a very 
wide  circle  of  friends  in  Springfield.  (Mr.  Underwood’s  death  occurred  on 
May  4,  1914,  after  the  above  sketch  was  written.) 


JAMES  E.  SMITH. 

It  is  a good  sign  when  a county  like  Greene  can  boast  of  so  many  of  her 
enterprising  business  men  and  farmers  who  are  native  sons,  for  it  indicates 
that  there  are  to  be  found  all  the  opportunities  necessary  to  insure  success 
in  the  material  affairs  of  life  and  that  her  native  sons,  unlike  so  many  from 
various  sections,  have  found  it  to  their  advantage  to  remain  at  home.  They 
have  been  wise  in  doing  this  for  nature  has  offered  the  husbandman  unusual 
advantages  here  and  has  seldom  failed  to  reward  the  earnest  worker  with 
gratifying  results,  and  when  the  tillers  of  the  soil  are  prosperous  all  lines 
of  business  flourish,  consequently  not  only  the  farmers  have  succeeded  in  this 
locality  but  also  the  merchants,  millers,  lumbermen,  stock  dealers,  and  many 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IO85 

others,  and  the  county  ranks  well  with  the  most  thriving  sections  of  this  or 
any  other  state. 

One  of  the  native-born  business  men  of  Springfield  is  James  E.  Smith, 
whose  birth  occurred  in  this  city,  July  28,  1868.  He  is  a son  of  David  and 
Mary  (Fulton)  Smith.  The  father  was  born  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  as  was 
also  the  mother,  and  there  they  grew  to  maturity,  were  educated  and  mar- 
ried, and  when  young  immigrated  to  America  and  located  in  Greene  county, 
Missouri.  The  elder  Smith  was  a well  driller  and  he  operated  the  first  well 
drill  in  the  vicinity  of  Springfield.  It  was  in  1858  that  they  located  here 
and  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  in  Springfield,  the  father’s  death  occur- 
ring here  in  1870.  To  them  thirteen  children  were  born;  the  following'  are 
still  living,  namely : Maggie  lives  in  Pennsylvania ; David,  a machinist,  in  the 
employ  of  the  Frisco,  lives  in  Springfield;  Joseph  lives  in  Kansas  City; 
James  E.,  of  this  sketch,  and  Jennie  E.  (twins),  the  latter  also  lives  in 
Springfield;  Robert  makes  his  home  in  this  city. 

James  E.  Smith  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  city  and  here  received 
a common  and  high  school  education,  and  when  young  served  his  apprentice- 
ship as  machinist  and  followed  this  trade  at  the  old  foundry  at  Mill  and 
Boonville  streets,  where  he  learned  the  trade.  After  remaining  there  about 
three  years  he  secured  a position  in  the  Springfield  Wagon  Works,  in  the 
paint  department,  later  drove  a grocery  wagon  for  ten  or  twelve  years. 
In  1-890  he  went  into  the  grocery  business  for  himself  on  Boonville  street, 
also  cigars  and  confectionery,  remaining  in  that  stand  until  1894.  However, 
prior  to  that  year  he  was  for  some  time  in  the  employ  of  the  Frisco,  working 
as  brakeman  between  Springfield  and  Memphis.  In  1897  he  went  to  work  in 
the  city  fire  department,  where  he  remained  until  1909,  then  opened  his 
present  grocery  store  at  831  North  Campbell  street  and  has  built  up  a large 
and  constantly-growing  business,  carrying  at  all  seasons  a large  and  well- 
selected  stock  of  fancy  and  staple  groceries. 

Mrs.  Smith  was  married,  August  13,  1890,  to  Anna  Miles,  who  was  born 
in  Hannibal,  Missouri,  September  17,  1870.  She  is  a daughter  of  William 
A.  and  Malinda  (Snyder)  Miles,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  being  early 
settlers  in  Missouri,  locating  on  a farm.  Mr.  Miles  served  five  years  in  the 
Civil  war,  participating  in  many  hard-fought  battles.  Mrs.  Smith  grew  to 
womanhood  in  her  native  city  and  received  a good  common  school  educa- 
tion in  Hannibal. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  three  children  have  been  born,  namely:  James 
E.,  Jr.,  born  May  16,  1891,  lives  at  home;  Jennette,  born  March  19,  1896, 
died  the  same  year;  Genevieve,  born  November  10,  1898. 

Mr.  Smith  is  prominent  in  fraternal  affairs,  being  a member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic Order,  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  the  Royal 
Arcanum,  Highlanders,  also  the  Woodmen  of  the  World  and  the  Mod- 


io86 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  has  been  clerk  of  the  Woodmen  of  the  World 
for  the  past  eighteen  years  and  is  active  in  Woodmen  circles.  Politically, 
he  is  a Democrat,  and  for  the  past  three  years  has  been  councilman  from  the 
Sixth  ward  and  has  done  much  for  the  general  good  of  the  city.  He  was 
formerly  secretary  of  the  Retail  Merchants’  Association.  His  wife  is  a 
member  of  the  Woodmen  Circle  and  the  Pythian  Circle.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 

Smith  belong  to  the  Catholic  church. 


GEORGE  C.  RUPPRECHT. 

It  is  not  enough  to  be  all  right  in  this  world,  but  it  is  necessary  that 
we  look  all  right  as  well,  because  two-thirds  of  success  is  making  people 
think  we  are  what  we  profess  to  be  and  can  be  depended  upon.  Success 
in  life  also  depends  a great  deal  in  selecting  the  line  of  work  for  which 
we  are  best  fitted  by  nature.  How  many  third-class  ministers,  lawyers, 
physicians  there  are  who  might  have  made  remarkable  success  as  agricul- 
turists or  merchants,  or  as  inventors,  railroad  men  or  mechanics.  George  C. 
Rupprecht,  foreman  at  the  Steineger  Saddlery  Company,  Springfield,  studied 
himself  and  found  out  what  he  was  capable  of  doing  and  what  he  was  un- 
fitted for,  so  he  wisely  selected  a practical  calling  and  has  made  a comfortable 
living  all  the  while. 

Mr.  Rupprecht  was  born  October  4,  1865,  at  Wurzburg,  Bavaria,  a 
province  of  the  German  Empire.  He  is  a son  of  John  and  Barbara  (Seu- 
bert).  Rupprecht,  both  natives  of  the  same  locality  where  they  grew  up, 
were  educated,  married  and  established  their  permanent  home.  There  the 
death  of  the  mother  occurred  in  1871  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-three  years. 
The  father  became  somewhat  prominent  in  public  affairs  and  was  a city 
official  and  held  other  public  offices.  He  was  also  a commissioned  officer 
in  the  regular  army  there  for  a period  of  sixteen  years.  His  death  occurred 
in  his  native  land  in  1882.  Her  father,  Michael  Seubert,  was  also  a Ba- 
varian and  spent  his  life  in  the  Fatherland.  He  was  a bleacher  and  master 
of  bleachers,  also  a riverman  for  years.  To  John  and  Barbara  Rupprecht 
four  chidlren  were  born,  namely:  Carl,  Anna,  Barbara  and  George  C. 

Mr.  Rupprecht,  of  this  sketch,  spent  his  boyhood  in  his  native  land 
and  attended  school  until  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age,  then  went  to  work 
learning  the  saddlery  trade  in  the  city  of  Wurzburg.  After  serving  his  ap- 
prenticeship he  entered  the  Seventy-sixth  Infantry  of  the  German  army, 
at  Hamburg,  and  served  two  years.  Then  he  followed  his  trade  in  differ- 
ent towns  of  the  Empire  until  1892,  when  he  came  to  America,  landing  at 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  from  there  made  the  long  journey  to  central 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IO87 


Texas,  where  he  followed  his  trade  until  1899,  when  he  came  to  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  where  he  has  since  resided,  and  for  over  fifteen  years  he 
has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Steineger  Saddlery  Company,  working  for  a 
year  as  saddle  maker,  then  was  promoted  to  foreman  in  1900,  which  re- 
sponsible position  he  has  continued  to  hold  to  the  present  time,  giving- 
eminent  satisfaction  to  his  employers.  He  is  an  expert  in  his  line  and  is 
reliable  and  trustworthy.  At  present  he  has  twenty-four  hands  under  his 
direction.  He  has  saved  his  earnings  and  owns  a good  home  on  Cherry 
street. 

Mr.  Rupprecht  was  married  in  Springfield  in  1900,  to  Cecelia  Guettin- 
ger,  who  was  born  in  Zurich,  Switzerland,  from  which  country  she  emi- 
grated to  America  when  young.  This  union  has  resulted  in  the  birth  of 
four  children,  namely:  Carl  is  deceased;  George  is  now  twelve  years  of 

age;  Walter  is  eight,  and  Cecil  is  three. 

Politically,  Mr.  Rupprecht  is  an  independent  voter.  He  formerly  be- 
longed to  the  Catholic  church.  He  is  a member  of  the  German- American 
Alliance,  being  now  president  of  the  local  order  of  the  same ; he  is  also 
secretary  of  the  German-American  Beneficial  Society  of  Pittsburg,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  is  also  prominent  in  the  Masonic  order,  being  a member  of 
Solomon  Lodge  No.  271,  in  which  he  has  held  all  offices.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  Springfield  Chapter  No.  15  and  has  also  held  all  offices,  being' 
at  this  writing  high  priest. 


CLARENCE  S.  MACK. 

By  a life  of  persistent  and  well  applied  industry,  led  along  the  most 
honorable  lines,  Clarence  S.  Mack  has  justly  earned  the  right  to  be  repre- 
sented in  a work  of  the  character  of  the  one  in  hand,  along  with  other  pro- 
gressive men  of  affairs  of  Greene  county  who  have  made  and  are  making 
their  influence  felt  in  their  respective  communities.  He  is  widely  known 
as  a wholesale  dealer  in  tobacco  and  other  lines,  and  is  a creditable  repre- 
sentative of  two  of  the  old  families  of  this  locality. 

Mr.  Mack  was  born  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  April  7,  1876.  He  is  a 
son  of  James  B.  and  Elizabeth  (Shackelford)  Mack,  both  natives  of  Spring- 
field  also,  the  father  born  in  April,  1854,  and  the  mother  born  in  May,  1855, 
and  here  they  grew  to  maturity,  attended  the  local  schools  and  have  always 
resided.  James  B.  Mack  started  in  the  drug  business  when  only  thirteen 
years  of  age,  for  the  Hall  Drug  Company,  and  he  continued  successfully  in 
this  line  for  many  years.  About  thirty'  years  ago  he  began  traveling  on  the 
road  for  the  Myers  Drug  Company,  of  St.  Louis,  and  is  still  thus  engaged. 


io88 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI 


being  one  of  the  best  known  commercial  travelers  in  this  portion  of  the  Mid- 
dle West.  His  family  consists  of  but  two  children,  Clarence  S.,  of  this 
sketch,  and  Georgia. 

Clarence  S.  Mack  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  city  and  here  received 
a high  school  education.  When  eighteen  years  of  age  he  went  into  the  retail 
cigar  business  on  his  own  account,  and  this  he  continued  with  gratifying  re- 
sults until  1910,  when  he  entered  the  wholesale  cigar,  tobacco,  candy  and 
chewing  gum  business,  also  soda  fountain  supplies.  His  present  place  of 
business  is  309  McDaniel  avenue,  where  he  has  a neat,  modernly  appointed 
and  attractive  store  and  is  carrying  on  a large  and  lucrative  business  which 
extends  over  a large  portion  of  the  Ozark  region. 

Mr.  Mack  was  married  on  April  7,  1906,  in  Springfield,  to  Cyrena  Jones, 
who  was  born  in  Platt  City,  Missouri.  She  is  a daughter  of  George  T.  Jones 
and  wife.  She  received  a common  school  education. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mack  two  children  have  been  born:  Margaret,  whose 

birth  occurred  May  14,  1907,  and  Nancy  Elizabeth,  born  August  17,  1914. 

Politically,  Mr.  Mack  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  is  a member  of  the  Christian  church. 
He  is  a sociable  and  genial  gentleman  who  is  well  liked  about  town. 


THE  JAMES  FAMILY. 

This  is  one  of  the  earliest  pioneer  families  in  Greene  county,  where,  for 
a period  of  three-quarters  of  a century  its  members  have  been  active  in  various 
circles,  doing  their  full  parts  in  the  upbuilding  of  the  locality  and  leading 
public-spirited  and  exemplary  lives,  so  that  they  have  ever  borne  the  best  of 
reputations  and  have  in  every  way  deserved  the  material  success  they  have 
been  blessed  with,  as  well  as  the  high  esteem  in  which  they  are  universally 
held. 

We  first  hear  of  David  James,  a native  of  Wales,  who,  when  a child, 
crossed  the  Atlantic  ocean  to  the  New  World  in  an  old-time  sailing  vessel, 
the  trip  requiring  many  weeks.  He  located  in  Virginia,  from  which  state  he 
moved  to  South  Carolina,  thence  to  North  Carolina,  from  there  to  Tennessee, 
later  to  Kentucky,  then  to  western  Tennessee,  where  his  death  occurred.  It 
is  believed  he  was  married  in  South  Carolina  to  Nancy  Atchison.  He  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  was  wounded  in  battle  and  he  carried  the 
bullet  in  his  arm  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  was  a blacksmith  by  trade.  One  of 
his  near  relatives  settled  in  Ohio,  and  he  also  had  a brother,  Enoch,  and  it  is 
believed  that  the  Mr.  James  of  President  Garfield’s  cabinet  was  one  of  the 
Ohio  branch  of  the  family.  It  was  in  Henry  county,  Tennessee,  that  David 


JASON  R.  JAMES, 


THE  JAMES  HOMESTEAD. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1089 


James  spent  his  last  days  and  died  in  1842.  His  wife,  Nancy  Atchison,  was 
born  in  Ireland,  but  when  an  infant,  was  brought  to  South  Carolina  and  there 
grew  up  and  married.  Her  brothers  were  Sirgenner,  John,  Robert  and  Wil- 
liam Atchison.  In  later  years  most  of  the  Atchison  family  moved  to  Arkansas, 
some  going  on  to  Texas.  Mrs.  Nancy  (Atchison)  James  died  on  the  old 
homestead  in  western  Tennessee,  about  1840.  To  David  and  Nancy  James 
these  children  were  born,  Thomas ; Polly,  who  married  a second  cousin  by  the 
name  of  James,  from  the  Ohio  branch  of  the  family;  Mrs.  Parmelia  Wadkins 
of  Kentucky;  Mrs.  Malinda  Hall  of  Kentucky;  Mrs.  Aurelia  Good,  Joseph, 
John  and  Robert,  all  of  Tennessee;  David  was  killed  when  a boy,  in  Ken- 
tucky, by  lightning,  which  struck  a tree  under  which  he  took  refuge  during  a 
storm  which  came  up  while  he  was  out  hunting. 

Thomas  James  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  December  21,  1792,  but  he 
grew  up  and  was  educated  near  the  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  line.  He  served 
as  justice  of  the  peace  in  Madison  county,  Tennessee,  before  removing  to 
Missouri.  He  was  a life  long  farmer,  clearing  and  developing  a good  farm 
from  the  wilderness.  It  was  in  1835  that  he  removed  with  his  family  to 
Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  his  death  occurred  in  Missouri  while  returning 
from  his  old  home  in  Tennessee,  on  November  9,  1837,  when  a comparatively 
young  man.  He  married  Nancy  Gately  and  their  family  consisted  of  nine 
children,  all  of  whom  are  now  deceased,  namely : Mrs.  Parmelia  Wallace  died 
in  Greene  county:  Irwin  David  died  when  young  in  Tennessee;  Levi  also  died 
in  early  life  in  Tennessee;  Mrs.  Minerva  Putman  died  in  Greene  county;  Win- 
frey died  in  Oregon  after  the  family  moved  to  Greene  county ; Aurelia  died 
in  this  county,  November  6,  1844;  Jason  Robert,  born  February  25,  1827,  in 
Madison  county,  Tennessee.  Jason  R..  seventh  child  in  order  of  birth,  was 
about  eight  years  old  when  he  removed  with  the  family  in  December,  1835, 
to  Franklin  township,  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood 
and  was  educated  and  when  only  ten  years  of  age  assumed  charge  of  and 
farmed  the  homestead  after  the  death  of  his  father.  His  mother  also  died 
on  the  homestead  here,  April  11,  1863,  aged  about  seventy.  During  the  Civil 
war,  Jason  R.  was  a soldier  in  the  Union  army  under  Captain  Jenkins,  in  the 
Missouri  State  Militia,  and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Springfield,  January  8, 
1863.  After  the  war  he  continued  farming  here  until  his  death  at  an  advanced 
age,  March  21,  1908.  The  eighth  child  in  order  of  birth  of  Thomas  and 
Nancy  (Gately)  James  was  Susan  Jane,  whose  death  occurred  in  Greene 
county,  February  1,  1845;  Thomas,  the  youngest  child,  died  April  14.  1858'; 
he  was  a minister  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  South.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Patterson,  by  whom  one  child  was  born,  Nancy  Arbelia,  who  now 
lives  on  the  old  James  homestead  in  Franklin  township,  this  county,  operating 
the  entire  James  estate  of  two  hundred  acres,  and  she  has  one  hundred  and 

(69) 


1090 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


two  acres  of  her  own  which  she  farms  with  the  assistance  of  her  cousih, 
Robert  James,  the  son  of  John  and  Martha  (Futrell)  James.  Nancy  James, 
was  educated  in  the  township  schools  and  has  lived  on  the  home  place  most 
of  her  life.  Winfrey  James,  mentioned  above,  was  a Methodist  minister, 
having  preached  all  over  Greene  county,  where  he  was  widely  known  in 
pioneer  days,  but  later  moved  to  the  state  of  Oregon,  where  he  continued 
preaching  and  where  his  death  occurred  September  17,  1897.  He  became  a 
presiding  elder  of  a conference  of  his  denomination  in  that  state.  He  mar- 
ried Sarah  Jenkins,  first,  and  later  married  Jane  Williams,  after  the  death  of 
his  first  wife.  The  first  union  wras  without  issue,  but  four  children  born  of 
the  second  marriage,  namely:  Charles  Wresley,  who  lives  in  Oregon;  John 
Fletcher  lives  in  that  state : Sarah  Jane,  who  married  Thomas  Bailey,  is  de- 
ceased; for  his  third  wife  he  married  Malinda  Baisley  and  by  this  union  had 
two  children,  both  living  in  or  near  the  state  of  Oregon.  Thomas  died  in 
early  life.  Parmelia  James,  mentioned  above,  married  John  Wallace,  by 
whom  one  child  was  born,  Plenry  James  Wallace,  who  married  Tina  Plarkness, 
of  Franklin  township,  Greene  county,  and  three  children  were  born  to  this, 
union,  namely:  Blondville,  Mrs.  Flora  Vaughn  is  deceased:  Mrs.  Lellian 
Bryan.  Blondville  Wallace  married  Pearl  Logan  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren, Chesney  and  Flora  Lee.  Lellian  Wallace  married  Bert  Bryan  and  they 
have  one  child,  Helen.  Minerva  James,  mentioned  above,  married  Mansel 
Putman,  a farmer,  late  of  Franklin  township,  and  to  this  union  one 
child  was  born,  Mary  Jane  Putman,  who  married  Ammon  Knighten,  a sketch 
of  whom  appears  on  another  page  of  this  volume.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mansel 
Putman  are  deceased. 

Little  is  known  regarding  the  Gately  ancestry.  The  great-great-grand- 
father Mercer  seems  to  have  been  stolen  when  a child  from  life  home, 
possibly  in  the  British  Isles,  and  reared  by  seafaring  men,  taught  when  a child 
to  assist  on  a sailing  ship,  especially  in  tying  knots  in  the  rigging.  When 
he  was  supposed  to  be  about  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  was  given  his  freedom 
and  a fine  cup  (silver,  lined  with  gold)  was  presented  him,  and  he  took  his 
own  name.  It  is  believed  that  he  eventually  located  in  the  state  of  Tennessee. 
His  daughter,  Jemima,  married  John  Gately,  an  Italian.  In  North  Carolina, 
the  great-great-grandfather  Mercer  was  living  with  great-grandfather  Gately 
sometime  after  the  year  1793.  The  former  hid  a considerable  sum  of  money 
and  could  not  remember  where  he  put  it,  and  thinking  his  son-in-law,  John 
Gatelv  had  stolen  it,  finally  killed  him,  but  afterward  found  the  money  where 
he  (Mercer)  had  hidden  it.  Mercer  had  a son  who  was  at  one  time  a Con- 
gressman. The  son  helped  his  father  out  of  his  trouble  without  punishment. 
Great-grandmother  Gately  later  moved  to  Kentucky,  where  she  settled.  Her 
children  were  John,  James,  Polly,  Susan,  Nancy,  Crecy,  Jemima  and  Phoeba. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IO9I 


John  married  Rebecca  Watt  and  one  of  his  sons  was  named  John  Gately  also. 
Polly  married  William  Atchison,  a brother  of  great-grandmother  James. 
Susie  married  William  Jenkins.  Nancy  married  Thomas  James.  Crecy 
married  William  Tedford.  Jemima  married  Sam  Bradshaw.  Phoeba  mar- 
ried Jesse  Grace. 


EM S LEY  L.  BODEXHAMER. 

By  a life  consistent  in  motive  and  action  and  because  of  his  many  com- 
mendable personal  qualities,  Emsley  L.  Bodenhamer,  for  many  years  a suc- 
cessful farmer  and  stock  raiser  in  Greene  county,  who  is  now  connected  with 
one  of  the  leading  implement  houses  of  Springfield,  has  earned  the  sincere 
regard  of  all  who  know  him.  He  came  from  an  ancestry  that  distinguished 
itself  in  pioneer  times,  having  had  in  them  that  unrest  of  the  old  world 
races  that  drives  humanity  ever  westward  on  its  great  adventure,  globe- 
girdlers  and  zone-conquerors.  His  progenitors  were  courageous,  large-mus- 
cled, a stolid  sort  of  people,  in  whom  acute  imagination  was  coupled  with 
immense  initiative,  and  who  possessed,  withal,  loyalty  and  affection  as  sturdy 
as  their  own  strength.  He  has  inherited  many  of  their  commendable  at- 
tributes. 

Mr.  Bodenhamer  was  born  on  December  27,  1872,  five  miles  east  of 
Springfield,  on  the  old  homestead.  He  is  a son  of  Andrew  J.  and  Charlotte 
Elizabeth  (Wharton)  Bodenhamer,  the  former  a native  of  Greene  county 
and  the  latter  of  South  Carolina,  from  which  state  she  came  to  Missouri 
overland  in  an  early  day  with  her  parents.  The  parents  of  Andrew  J.  Bo- 
denhamer were  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Greene  county,  locating  on  a 
farm  which  they  developed  by  hard  work,  enduring  the  usual  hardships  of 
life  on  the  frontier.  On  the  farm  our  subject’s  father  grew  up  and  worked 
when  a boy,  and  he  attended  the  early-day  schools  in  his  vicinity.  He  has 
devoted  his  life  successfully  to  general  farming,  in  which  he  is  still  engaged. 
He  and  his  wife  are  both  now  advanced  in  years.  His  farm  formerly  con- 
sisted of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  but  is  now  only  one  hundred  acres, 
he  having  disposed  of  the  balance,  not  caring  to  be  burdened  with  so  much 
land  in  his  old  age.  During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted,  in  1861,  in  the  Eighth 
Missouri  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  Springfield,  and  he  served  three  years  in  a 
faithful  and  gallant  manner. 

Six  children,  all  living,  have  been  born  to  Andrew  J.  Bodenhamer  and 
wife,  namely:  Alice,  William,  Tenny,  Josephine,  Emsley  L.  and  Ira  G. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  and  there  he  as- 
sisted his  father  with  the  general  work  when  a boy,  and  in  the  winter  months 
he  attended  the  common  schools  in  Sevmour  and  his  native  vicinitv.  He 


1092 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


made  his  start  in  life  on  the  farm.  When  twenty  years  of  age  he  went  to 
Tulare,  California,  where  he  spent  three  years,  then  returned  to  Greene  coun- 
ty and  resumed  farming  on  a place  containing  two  hundred  and  ten  acres, 
near  the  old  homestead.  He  continued  general  farming  and  stock  raising 
on  a large  scale  for  eight  or  nine  years,  then  sold  out  and  moved  to  Spring- 
field,  in  1906,  bought  city  property  and  went  to  work  for  the  Diffenderffer 
Implement  Company,  at  Market  and  Walnut  streets,  and  has  been  employed 
by  this  firm  continuously  to  the  present  time.  He  has  proven  to  be  a most 
energetic,  capable  and  trustworthy  employee  and  has  drawn  a great  deal  of 
trade  for  the  firm. 

Mr.  Bodenhamer  was  married  on  December  18,  1895,  t0  Mattie  L. 
Quisenberry,  who  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  June  10,  1878,  and 
here  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  She  is  a daughter  of  El- 
cano  and  Ellen  (Vandergrift)  Quisenberry. 

One  child  has  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  Minnie  Iv.  Boden- 
hamer, whose  birth  occurred  on  June  28,  1897.  She  is  attending  the  State 
Normal  School  here  and  is  taking  a course  in  music,  having  decided  natural 
ability  in  this  line. 

Politically,  Mr.  Bodenhamer  is  a Democrat,  and,  fraternally,  he  be- 
longs to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


LOUIS  N.  BASSETT. 

Every  human  being  either  submits  to  the  controlling  influence  of  others 
or  wields  an  influence  which  touches,  controls,  guides  or  misdirects  others. 
If  he  be  honest  and  successful  in  his  chosen  field  of  endeavor,  investigation 
will  brighten  his  fame  and  point  the  way  along  which  others  may  follow  with 
like  success.  Consequently  a critical  study  of  the  life,  record  of  the  gentle- 
man whose  name  forms  the  caption  of  this  paragraph  may  be  beneficial  to 
the  reader,  for  it  has  been  one  of  usefulness  and  honor  and  indicates  how 
one  may  rise  to  positions  of  responsibility  in  the  industrial  world  while  yet 
young  in  years  if  he  directs  his  energies  along  proper  paths  and  is  controlled 
by  proper  ideals. 

Louis  N.  Bassett,  superintendent  of  terminals  of  the  Frisco  Lines  at 
Springfield,  is  a worthy  representative  of  a distinguished  family.  He  was 
born  August  20,  1874,  in  Allen  county,  Ohio,  and  is  a son  of  Samuel  H.  and 
Mary  (Whipp)  Bassett.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Ohio,  in 
October,  1848,  and  there  grew  to  manhood  and  received  a limited  education, 
and  there  he  married  and  spent  his  earlier  years.  His  wife  was  also  born 
and  reared  in  the  state  of  Ohio  and  was  educated  there,  the  date  of  her  birth 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1093- 


being  iii  September,  1850.  To  these  parents  eight  children  were  born,  name- 
ly: Ollis  Q.,  Mrs.  Rosie  Buchanan,  Sarah  (deceased),  Louis  N.  (subject), 
Clara,  Samuel,  Jr.,  DeWitt  and  Glen. 

Samuel  H.  Bassett  is  a fine  example  of  a successful  self-made  Ameri- 
can. He  made  up  for  his  early  lack  of  education  of  a higher  order  by  wide 
home  study  and  by  contact  with  the  world  until  he  became  an  exceptionally 
well  informed  man,  and,  choosing  a military  career,  has  attained  a promi- 
nent place  in  the  United  States  navy,  having  been  connected  with  the  navy 
department  since  1896,  and  is  now  occupying  the  responsible  position  of  au- 
ditor of  the  navy,  with  offices  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  and  is  discharging  his 
duties  in  a manner  that  reflects  much  credit  upon  himself  and  to  the  satis- 
faction of  his  superiors  in  that  department.  During  the  Civil  war  he  joined 
the  Federal  army  in  the  fall  of  1863  and  served  very  gallantly  as  a private 
in  the  Twenty-seventh  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  Company  I.  He  saw  a 
great  deal  of  active  service  in  the  far  South,  and  was  with  General  Sherman 
in  his  campaign  about  Atlanta  and  was  on  the  memorable  march  to  the  sea. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  mustered  out  and  honorably  discharged.  Many 
years  ago  he  worked  in  the  internal  revenue  department  in  northwestern  Ohio 
and  from  that  went  into  the  navy,  in  which  his  rise  has  been  rapid.  He  has 
shown  much  natural  ability,  and  this,  combined  with  keen  observing  powers- 
and  the  fact  that  he  has  been  a diligent  student  of  everything  that  pertained 
to  his  work,  has  made  him  very  efficient  as  well  as  popular  in  this  branch  of 
the  government  service,  and  he  is  popular  and  well  liked  in  government  cir- 
cles in  Washington.  He  is  a member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 
and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 

Louis  N.  Bassett  grew  to  manhood  in  Allen  county,  Ohio,  and  there- 
received  a good  common  school  education,  later  studying  at  the  Ohio  State- 
Normal,  at  Ada,  that  state.  He  began  his  railroad  career  in  1896  in  Kansas 
City,  Missouri,  as  messenger  boy  for  the  Frisco  in  the  terminal  department 
there,  and  he  has  remained  with  this  road  to  the  present  time.  Being  dili- 
gent, quick  to  learn,  faithful  and  reliable  in  all  his  work,  he  has  been  pro- 
moted until  he  now  holds  a very  responsible  position.  He  became  chief  clerk 
in  that  department,  which  position  he  occupied  until  in  1908,  when  he  was 
appointed  superintendent  of  terminals  at  Springfield,  and  has  since  held  this 
post  in  a manner  that  has  proven  him  to  be  entirely  capable  and  worthy  of 
the  high  degree  of  trust  and  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  the  company.  He 
looks  after  the  operation  of  trains,  both  passenger  and  freight,  also  the  yards, 
tracks  and  station.  He  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  men,  in  this  particular 
field,  the  Frisco  has  ever  had,  and  he  is  frequently  complimented  by  his  su- 
periors for  his  efficient  and  prompt  work. 

Mr.  Bassett  was  married  April  3,  1895,  in  Ohio,  to  Genevieve  Murray, 
who  was  born  in  Allen  county,  that  state,  where  she  was  reared  and  well  edu- 


1094 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


cated.  She  is  a daughter  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Depler)  Murray.  Mr. 
Murray  was  one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  Allen  county  and  was  twice  mar- 
ried and  reared  a large  family.  To  his  second  wife  eight  children  were  horn, 
three  of  whom  were  triplets.  Dr.  Robert  D. 'Murray,,  the  brother  of  our 
subject's  wife,  was,  at  one  time,  government  physician,  specializing  in  yel- 
low fever,  and  was  United  States  surgeon  for  many  years  and  was  located 
at  Ship  Island,  Mississippi,  for  a time,  and  then  went  to  Macon,  Georgia,  and 
was  instrumental  in  wiping  out  the  yellow  fever  epidemic  at  New  Bruns- 
wick, Georgia,  and  in  1903  died  in  Key  West,  Florida. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bassett,  namely:  Clif- 

ford, born  September  19,  1904,  and  Howard,  born  August  29,  1906. 

Politically,  Mr.  Bassett  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of 
the  Masonic  order,  including  the  blue  lodge  and  other  degrees  of  the  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  including  the  latter.  He 
is  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  order,  in  which  he  stands  high.  Religiously, 
he  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Personally,  he  is  a man 
of  fine  character,  is  a good  mixer,  and  has  made  a host  of  friends  since  lo- 
cating in  Springfield. 


CHARLES  J.  DRURY. 

There  is  a great  deal  in  being  born  under  a good  eye,  one  that  watches 
and  guards  off  the  error  and  folly  that  overtake  so  many  young  men.  The 
parents  that  are  able  to  infuse  into  their  children  the  spirit  of  the  Spartans 
—the  spirit  that  can  meet  any  fate  and  make  the  most  of  the  world — will 
see  their  children  grow  to  years  of  maturity  with  excellent  habits  and  splen- 
did principles,  and  see  them  become  exemplary  citizens.  Charles  J.  Drury, 
former  superintendent  of  the  North  Side  machine  shops  for  the  Frisco,  and 
a man  who  had  an  envied  record  in  his  special  line  of  endeavor,  although  a 
young  man,  was  fortunate  in  having  broad-minded,  honest  and  painstaking 
parents,  so  that  he  looked  out  upon  the  world  from  a sane,  intelligent  and 
comprehensive  viewpoint. 

Mr.  Drury  was  born  September  17,  1878,  at  Chicago  Junction,  Ohio.  He 
is  a son  of  M.  J.  and  Mary  (Cook)  Drury,  the  former  a native  of  England 
and  the  latter  of  West  Virginia.  M.  J.  Drury  was  born  in  May,  1849.  He 
spent  his  earlier  years  in  his  native  land  and  received  a good  common  school 
education,  but  was  young  when  he  came  to  the  United  States.  He  has  spent 
his  life  in  railroad  service.  He  served  his  apprenticeship  at  Parkersburg, 
West  Virginia,  in  the  shops  of  the  Baltimore  & Ohio  Railroad  Company. 
Later  he  went  to  Kansas  and  was  general  foreman  at  Parsons  in  the  shops 
of  the  Missouri,  Kansas  & Texas  Railroad  Company,  from  1880  until  1886, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1095 


after  which  he  was  gang  foreman  until  1892  for  the  Atchison,  Topeka  & 
Santa  Fe  Railroad  Company,  was  general  foreman  for  this  road  at  La  Junta, 
Colorado,  until  1895.  From  that  year  until  1902  he  was  general  foreman  at 
Arkansas  City,  Kansas,  for  the  same  road,  and  from  1902  to  1906  he  was 
master  mechanic  for  the  same  road  at  Winslow,  Arizona.  He  then  was 
master  mechanic  for  about  a year  at  Raton,  New  Mexico,  for  the  same  road, 
-and  from  1907  to  1912  he  was  mechanical  superintendent  at  La  Junta,  Colo- 
rado, and  since  then  has  been  at  his  present  location,  Topeka,  Kansas,  as  su- 
perintendent of  shop.  The  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  died  in  Jan- 
uary, 1907. 

Charles  J.  Drury,  who  was  the  only  child  of  M.  J.  Drury  and  wife,  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  schools  of  Kansas  City,  Missouri;  Topeka,  Kan- 
sas, and  La  Junta,  Colorado,  attending  the  high  school  in  the  last  named 
place.  He  entered  railway  service  July  1,  1895,  from  which  time  until  July 
1,  1909,  he  was  machinist  apprentice  for  the  Atchison,  Topeka  & Santa  Fe 
railroad,  at  Atchison,  Kansas.  After  serving  his  four  years  there  he  was, 
until  July  1,  1906,  machinist  for  the  Atchison,  Topeka  & Santa  Fe  railroad, 
Southern  Pacific  Company,  Kansas  City  Southern  railway,  El  Paso  & South- 
western railroad,  Chicago,  Rock  Island  & Pacific  railroad  and  other  roads. 
From  July  1,  1906,  to  July  1,  1908,  he  was  roundhouse  foreman  of  the 
Santa  Fe  at  La  Junta,  Colorado.  From  November,  1908,  to  September,  1910, 
he  was  general  foreman  of  the  same  road  at  Albuquerque,  New  Mexico. 
From  September  1,  1910,  to  April  1,  1911,  he  was  master  mechanic  on  the 
Oklahoma  division  of  the  same  road  at  Arkansas  City,  Kansas.  From  April 
1,  1 9 1 1 , until  January,  1913,  he  was  master  mechanic  of  the  Plains  division 
of  that  road  at  Amarillo,  Texas.  From  January,  1913,  until  July  of  the 
same  year  he  was  general  foreman  for  the  St.  Louis  & San  Francisco  rail- 
road at  Fort  Smith,  Arkansas,  and  from  that  date  until  July,  1914,  he  was 
general  foreman  in  the  Springfield  shops  of  this  company,  and  at  his  death 
was  master  mechanic  of  the  machine  shops  at  Sapulpa,  of  the  Oklahoma  di- 
vision. He  was  a master  of  his  special  line  of  work  and  made  a fine  record 
in  the  responsible  position  which  he  held  as  he  did  in  all  previous  positions. 
His  death  occurred  October  19,  1914,  as  a result  of  typhoid  fever. 

Mr.  Drury  was  married,  in  February,  1903,  in  San  Francisco,  Califor- 
nia, to  Julia  McKenry,  who  was  born  in  Wisconsin,  in  August,  1880.  She 
is  a daughter  of  William  and  Mary  McKenry,  who  reside  in  Wisconsin. 

Five  children,  four  of  whom  are  still  living,  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Drury,  namely:  Mary,  born  December  25,  1904,  died  in  January, 

1908;  Florence,  born  March  11,  1907;  Jack,  born  August  17,  1909;  Charles, 
born  March  13,  1910;  Frances,  born  January  12,  1913. 

Politically,  Mr.  Drury  was  a Republican.  He  was  a member  of  the 
Catholic  church,  and,  fraternally,  he  belonged  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus. 


1096 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ARTHUR  LAFAYETTE  WHITLOCK. 

This  is  the  age  of  the  expert.  In  every  walk  of  life  there  is  an  insistent 
demand  for  the  man  who  has  made  a particular  study  of  one  thing,  whether 
it  be  in  science,  medicine,  architecture,  agriculture,  horticulture,  or,  in  fact, 
any  other  field  of  human  endeavor.  In  the  few  short  years,  however,  that 
the  soil  expert  has  been  a recognized  factor  in  the  success  of  American  agri- 
culture, he  has  demonstrated  beyond  dispute  that  he  is,  of  all  the  experts, 
the  most  valuable,  for,  upon  him,  as  upon  no  one  else,  depends  the  success  or 
failure  of  America’s  most  important  citizen,  the  farmer.  There  are  some 
who  cling  to  their  old-fashioned  methods  and  ideas  and  refuse  to  heed  the 
advice  of  the  expert,  all  to  their  own  detriment.  But  such  progressive  farm- 
ers as  Arthur  Lafayette  Whitlock,  of  Franklin  township,  Greene  county,  avail 
themselves  of  the  advice  of  the  expert  and,  in  fact,  utilize  all  practical  in- 
formation regarding  their  vocations  and  are  therefore  making  a success  as. 
general  farmers. 

Mr.  Whitlock  was  born  March  27,  1870,  in  the  above  named  township 
and  county.  He  is  a son  of  Lambert  L.  and  Mary  J.  (Llarkness)  Wbitlock. 
The  father  was  born  in  Tennessee,  April  23,  1832.  Lie  was  a son  of  Thomas 
J.  and  Elizabeth  Ann  (Montgomery)  Whitlock.  Thomas  J.  Whitlock  was 
a native  of  North  Carolina,  from  which  state  he  emigrated  to  Tennessee,, 
and  finally  came  on  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1832,  when  Lambert  L. 
was  six  months  old.  Thomas  J.  located  on  a farm  here  among  the  early 
pioneers  and  became  an  influential  citizen.  He  devoted  his  entire  life  to 
general  farming  and  stock  raising  and,  being  a man  of  rare  judgment  and 
industry,  accumulated  much  wealth,  was  one  of  the  largest  land  owners  in 
this  county.  He  was  the  possessor  of  a number  of  fine  farms  at  the  time  of 
his  death.  He  was  associated  with  C.  B.  Holland  in  the  horse  and  mule 
business  in  Springfield  for  some  time,  and  before  the  Civil  war  it  was  his 
custom  to  buy  up  large  herds  of  live  stock  and  drive  them  to  the  South  where 
he  disposed  of  them  at  a good  profit.  During  the  gold  rush  to  the  California 
Eldorado,  Thomas  J.  Whitlock  joined  the  throng  that  crossed  the  great 
plains  of  the  west  in  1849  and  remained  on  the  Pacific  coast  two  years. 
Upon  returning  home  he  sent  his  sons,  Lambert  L.  and  Samuel  T.  to  Cali- 
fornia with  a drove  of  cattle  and  they  drove  them  across  the  plains  success- 
fully. At  one  time,  Thomas  J.  Whitlock  owned  sixteen  slaves,  for  whom  he 
refused  an  offer  of  sixteen  thousand  dollars.  He  was  a man  of  charitable, 
hospitable  and  liberal  impulses,  and  was  a power  for  good  in  his  community. 
Evervbody  admired  him  and  respected  him.  His  advice  was  frequently 
sought  on  various  questions.  His  death  occurred  in  Greene  county  at  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years.  His  wife,  who  was  also  a native  of 
Tennessee,  died  in  this  county  at  a ripe  old  age.  During  the  war  of  the 


THOMAS  .7.  WHITLOCK. 


L.  L.  WHITLOCK 


MARY  .T.  WHITLOCK. 


Slf 


WHITLOCK  AND  FAMILY. 


\ 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IO97 


Rebellion,  Thomas  J.  Whitlock  owned  and  operated  a grist  mill  at  Marsh- 
held,  Webster  county,  also  owned  and  operated  a grist  mill  and  a saw-mill 
in  Greene  county.  He  was  identified  with  nearly  every  enterprise  that  had 
for  its  object  the  upbuilding  and  advancement  of  the  county  in  any  way. 
He  was  widely  known,  a good  mixer,  made  and  retained  friends  easily  and 
was  loyal  in  his  friendships.  He  had  no  superiors  and  few  equals  among 
the  pioneers  as  a business  man  and  public-spirited  citizen. 

Lambert  L.  Whitlock  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  in  the 
development  of  which  he  had  a hand,  making  himself  useful  during  the  crop 
seasons,  and  during  the  winter  attending  the  township  schools ; he  was  a life- 
long farmer  and  stock  man,  inheriting  many  of  the  sterling  characteristics 
of  his  father.  He  became  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  excellent 
land  and  was  one  of  the  best  general  farmers  in  his  township,  and  with  the 
exception  of  two  years  spent  in  California,  he  lived  his  entire  life  within 
three  miles  of  the  homestead  where  the  family  located  when  he  was  a child. 
Politically,  he  was  a Democrat.  He  belonged  to  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian church,  in  which  he  was  a deacon  for  many  years.  His  death  occurred 
on  the  home  farm  January  4,  1906,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years,  after  a 
successful  and  honorable  life.  During  the  Civil  war  he  served  in  the  militia. 
His  wife,  Mary  J.  Harkness,  born  December  23,  1832,  in  Tennessee,  came 
to  Greene  county,  when  twelve  years  old,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and 
was  educated,  and  here  her  death  occurred  August  30,  i8’90.  She  too,  was 
a devout  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church  at  Mt.  Comfort. 

To  Lambert  L.  Whitlock  and  wife  nine  children  were  born,  five  of  whom 
died  in  infancy.  Those  living  are,  Anna,  who  has  remained  on  the  home 
farm;  Arthur  L.  of  this  review;  Finis  E.  is  deceased;  Mrs.  Ollie  Freeman 
lives  in  Robberson  township,  this  county. 

Arthur  L.  Whitlock  spent  his  boyhood  on  the  homestead  and  there 
assisted  with  the  general  work.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the  rural 
schools  of  his  community,  and  here  he  has  continued  to  reside,  following 
general  farming.  In  December.  1898,  he  married  Lula  Wharton,  a daugh- 
ter of  J.  William  and  Louise  (Beckner)  Whartoji,  the  former  a native  of 
Greene  county  and  the  latter  of  Laclede  county,  Missouri.  Mrs.  Whitlock 
was  born,  August  7.  1866,  and  was  reared  and  educated  in  Greene  county. 
To  our  subject  and  wife  one  child  has  been  born,  William  Arthur  Whitlock, 
born  October  7,  1903. 

A year  after  his  marriage,  Mr.  Whitlock  purchased  the  farm  on  which 
he  now  resides,  and.  during  his  residence  of  over  fifteen  years  on  this  ex- 
cellent farm,  he  has  brought  it  up  to  a high  state  of  cultivation  and  improve- 
ment, until  today,  it  ranks  with  the  best  in  Franklin  township.  It  consists 
of  two  hundred  and  ninety  acres  of  rich  land.  He  harvests  a large  acreage 
of  grain  annually  and  raises  large  numbers  of  Shorthorn  cattle,  Jerseys  and 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IO98 

other  live  stock,  of  which  he  is  a good  judge.  He  has  a pleasant  home  and 
numerous  convenient  outbuildings. 

Politically,  he  is  a Democrat  and  while  he  is  interested  in  local  as  well 
as  national  public  affairs,  like  his  honored  father  before  him,  he  takes  no 
active  part  and  has  never  held  office.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Xo.  4975.  of  Springfield,  and  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  Fair  Grove.  He  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  church  at  Oakland,  east  of  Springfield. 


JOHN  B.  HARRISON. 

Scattered  here  and  there  among  Greene  county's  population  of  over 
seventy  thousand  people  are  men  and  women  who  claim,  with  a degree  of 
pride  as  well  they  may,  the  state  of  Kentucky  as  the  place  of  their  nativity. 
There  is  a certain  distinction  in  being  a native  of  the  fine  old  Blue  Grass 
state,  which  has  furnished  many  great  men  to  our  national  life  and  has  for 
a century  been  a potent  factor  in  the  affairs  of  the  Union.  One  of  those 
who  hail  from  within  her  borders  is  John  B.  Harrison,  foreman  for  over  a 
quarter  of  a century  of  the  great  Meyer  mills  of  Springfield. 

Mr.  Harrison  was  born  at  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky,  August  2,  1862. 
He  is  a son  of  William  FI.  and  Lucinda  (Poor)  Harrison,  the  father  a 
native  of  Virginia  and  the  mother  a native  of  Ireland,  she  having  emigrated 
from  that  country  when  young  and  met  and  married  the  elder  Harrison  in 
the  East.  The  father  of  our  subject  died  when  his  son,  John  B.,  was  about 
twelve  years  of  age,  and  the  latter  was  small  when  his  mother  passed  away 
in  Missouri,  so  he  was  reared  to  manhood  in  the  home  of  his  grandfather, 
Benjamin  Harrison,  who  was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  southeastern 
Missouri.  There  our  subject  received  a common  school  education  and  worked 
on  the  farm  when  a boy,  until  he  was  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  then  went 
-away  with  Sells  Bros,  circus,  with  which  he  traveled  for  two  years,  during 
which  he  gained  much  valuable  knowledge  of  the  world  first  handed.  He 
then  secured  employment  driving  a street  car  in  St.  Louis.  In  1881  he  came 
to  Springfield  and  here  drove  one  of  the  first  ‘‘mule  cars”  of  the  local  street 
railway,  continuing  in  this  work  for  about  four  and  one-half  years,  then 
began  working  in  the  grain  milling  business  for  Fox  & Rienman  at  the 
old  Gulf  Mill,  which  stood  at  the  corner  of  Jefferson  and  Mill  streets.  He 
remained  there  two  years,  during  which  he  mastered  the  various  ins  and 
outs  of  the  milling  business,  then  went  to  work  for  Clark  & Russell,  with 
which  company  he  remained  until  the  panic  during  President  Cleveland's 
■administration,  at  which  time  the  mill  was  sold  to  the  Meyer  Milling  Com- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IO99 


party  and  Mr.  Harrison  lias  been  with  this  concern  ever  since,  his  long  ser- 
vice indicating  that  he  has  been  most  faithful  and  capable  in  this  line  of 
work.  For  a period  of  twenty-six  years  he  has  been  foreman  and  grain 
buyer  of  this  well-known  mill,  and  is  one  of  the  most  widely  known  men 
in  his  line  in  the  Southwest. 

Mr.  Harrison  was  married  on  October  4,  1884,  'n  Springfield,  to  May 
Edmondson,  who  was  born  in  this  city,  August  7,  1864.  She  is  a daughter 
of  R.  FI.  and  Martha  A.  (Mathews)  Edmondson,  an  old  family  of  Spring- 
field,  both  parents  of  our  subject’s  wife  having  long  been  deceased.  Mr. 
Edmondson  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Frisco  railroad  for  nearly  forty  years 
here.  Mrs.  Harrison  grew  to  womanhood  in  this  city  and  was  educated 
in  the  local  schools. 

Five  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  all  living,  namely: 
Eugene  C.,  born  November  5,  1885,  is  connected  with  Fred  Harvey  at  this 
place;  Beatrice,  born  on  March  8,  1888,  married  F.  J.  Green,  who  is  em- 
ployed here  by  the  Frisco-;  Nellie  Shaw,  born  on  February  14,  1891,  mar- 
ried H.  E.  Tegarden,  a farmer  living  northwest  of  the  city;  John  B.,  Jr., 
born  on  November  6,  1894,  married  Jessie  Hartley  and  he  also  works  for 
Fred  Harvey  in  this  city;  Ralph  Ashley,  born  on  September  14,  1897,  is 
attending  high  school  at  this  writing. 

Mr.  Harrison  owns  a good  home  at  971  Robberson  avenue.  Politi- 
cally, he  is  a Republican.  He  is  a member  of  the  Woodmen  of  the  World, 
and  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


ANDREW  B.  KERR. 

In  going  through  a large  establishment  like  the  new  Frisco  shops  in 
Springfield  one  is  impressed  at  the  sight  of  such  a large  number  of  beardless 
youths,  and  this  is  true  all  over  the  country,  whether  one  visits  machine 
shops,  factories,  foundries  or  whatever  kind  of  industrial  establishment,  be- 
ing constantly  reminded  that  this  is,  according  to  the  oft  quoted  phrase,  “the 
age  of  young  men.”  It  is  not  the  mission  of  the  biographer  to  here  expatiate 
on  reasons  or  causes  or  explanations  why  this  has  come  about,  but  the  fact 
remains  nevertheless  that  elderly  men  are  much  in  the  minority  in  such  places. 
Andrew  B.  Kerr,  while  yet  young  in  years,  is  discharging  the  duties  of  an 
important  and  responsible  position,  that  of  instructor  of  apprentices  of  the 
Frisco  shops. 

Mr.  Kerr  was  born  February  27,  1885,  in  Allegheny  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  is  a son  of  William  J.  and  Margaret  (McCracken)  Kerr.  They 
were  both  born  in  Pennsylvania,  the  father  in  1861  and  the  mother  in  1863, 


J 100 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


and  there  they  grew  to  maturity,  were  educated  and  married  and  are  still 
living  in  Allegheny  county,  that  state,  near  Pittsburg.  After  attending  a 
college,  which  is  now  the  University  of  Pittsburg,  William  J.  Kerr  took 
up  the  study  of  law,  but  has  never  followed  that  profession,  devoting  his  life 
to  railroading.  He  was  a call  boy  for  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  and  has 
since  held  various  positions  with  this  company  in  the  transportation  depart- 
ment, and  at  this  writing  holds  the  responsible  post  as  general  yardmaster 
for  that  road  in  Pittsburg.  His  family  consists  of  ten  children,  namely: 
Andrew  B.,  of  this  sketch,  is  the  eldest;  John,  Katharine,  Herman,  Margaret, 
William,  Isabel,  Herbert,  Merideth  and  Norman.  They  are  all  living  at  this 
writing.  Politically,  the  father  is  a Republican,  and,  fraternally,  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Knights  of  Malta. 

Andrew  B.  Kerr  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  state  and  there  attended 
the  public  schools,  but  quit  school  when  fourteen  years  of  age  and  began 
work  carrying  mail  in  his  locality.  He  later  learned  telegraphy  in  the  rail- 
road office  there,  and  served  his  time  in  the  Pennsylvania  shops  at  Verona, 
as  machinist,  remaining  there  from  May  21,  1901,  to  January  8,  1906.  Not 
being  satisfied  with  the  education  he  had  obtained,  he  quit  the  shop  in  the 
last  mentioned  year  and  entered  Purdue  University,  at  Uafayette,  Indiana, 
made  a good  record  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  June  28,  1910, 
with  the  degree  of  bachelor  of  science;  also  received  a degree  from  the  me- 
chanical engineering  department.  After  leaving  the  university  he  began 
working  as  assistant  engineer  at  the  car  barns  of  the  Pittsburg  Street  Rail- 
way Company  at  Homewood,  Pennsylvania.  Rater  he  went  to  work  for  the 
American  Steel  and  Wire  Company,  in  Pennsylvania,  as  machinist.  From 
there  he  went  to  Yoakum,  Texas,  as  a machinist  on  the  San  Antonio  & Aran- 
sas Pass  Railroad,  in  1911,  being  with  this  company  but  a short  time  when 
he  took  up  a position  as  instructor  and  representative  of  The  International 
Correspondence  Schools,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  Yoakum,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1912  went  to  Omaha,  Nebraska,  as  instructor  and  text  book  writer 
of  the  educational  bureau  of  the  Harriman  lines,  and  in  the  spring  of  1913 
came  to  Missouri.  He  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  July  12,  1913,  and 
secured  employment  as  machinist  in  the  Frisco  shops.  His  ability  was  soon 
recognized  and  he  was  made  instructor  of  apprentices  of  the  shops  of  this 
company  in  Springfield,  which  position  he  is  holding  to  the  satisfaction  of 
all  concerned,  being  a young  man  of  advanced  ideas,  capable,  energetic  and 
trustworthy.  He  has  charge  of  all  the  apprentices,  having  under  his  care 
one  hundred  and  twenty  boys  at  the  present  time.  Fie  makes  use  of  two 
class  rooms,  one  at  the  old  plant  and  another  at  the  new  plant.  Each  boy 
is  required  to  attend  his  respective  class  two  hours  each  week.  They  are 
given  sufficient  instruction  to  enable  them  to  gain  a general  idea  of  all  shop 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I IOI 


work.  Mr.  Kerr  is  making  a great  success  in  this  undertaking  and  has 
aroused  much  enthusiasm  in  the  work  in  his  classes. 

Mr.  Kerr  was  married  July  3,  1911,  in  Lafayette,  Indiana,  to  Grace 
Ullman,  who  is  a native  of  Tippecanoe  county,  Indiana,  and  a daughter  of 
Emanuel  and  Caroline  Ullman ; the  father  is  deceased,  but  the  mother  sur- 
vives and  still  makes  her  home  in  Tippecanoe  county,  where  Mrs.  Kerr  grew 
to  womanhood  and  received  good  educational  advantages. 

The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  been  without  issue. 

Politically,  Mr.  Kerr  is  a Republican  and  a member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  He  is  a young  man  of  fine  mind  and  progressive  ideas,  and  the  fu- 
ture evidently  has  much  of  promise  for  him  in  his  special  sphere  of  endeavor. 


ALONZO  W.  EMERY. 

Among  the  large  numbers  of  conductors  of  the  Frisco  system,  none  is 
performing  his  duties  more  faithfully  or  satisfactorily  than  Alonzo  W. 
Emery,  who  has  devoted  the  principal  part  of  his  active  career  to  railroad 
service,  for  which  he  early  in  life  manifested  a decided  liking,  and  every  one 
knows  that  we  must  like  our  work  if  we  succeed  in  it  to  any  appreciable  de- 
gree. 

Mr.  Emery  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  November  6,  1864.  He 
is  a son  of  George  D.  and  Maria  Thresa  (Van  Arsdel)  Emery.  The  father 
was  born  in  New  Hampshire  and  the  mother  was  a native  of  Summerville, 
New  Jersey,  the  date  of  the  former’s  birth  being  December  4,  1831,  while 
the  latter  was  born  in  October,  1840.  She  received  a good  education.  The 
latter  part  of  her  life  was  spent  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  her  death 
occurred  March  21,  1888.  George  D.  Emery’s  educational  advantages  were 
limited.  He  devoted  the  principal  part  of  his  business  career  to  the  furni- 
ture business,  and  for  years  maintained  a store  on  the  South  Side,  Spring- 
field,  to  which  city  he  removed  with  his  family  in  1870,  and  on  September 
7,  1914,  died  at  his  residence,  having  reached  the  advanced  age  of  nearly 
eighty-three  years.  His  family  consisted  of  only  two  children,  namely: 
Alonzo  W.,  of  this  sketch,  and  Frank  E. 

Alonzo  W.  Emery  was  six  years  of  age  when,  in  1870,  he  removed  with 
his  parents  from  Brooklyn,  New  York,  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  here  he 
grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  education  in  the  ward  and  high  schools. 
When  a boy  he  clerked  in  various  stores,  and  in  1885  went  to  Colorado  and 
followed  ranching  two  or  three  years,  returning  to  Springfield  in  1888,  and 
began  braking  on  a freight  train  for  the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  .&  Memphis 
Railroad  Company,  commonly  known  as  the  “Gulf  road,”  which  was  sold  to 


I 102 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


the  Frisco  system  in  1900.  After  working  for  that  company  a year,  he  re- 
turned to  the  West  and  worked  on  the  Oregon  Short  Line  until  1892,  when 
he  came  back  to  Springfield,  and  went  to  braking  again,  which  he  followed 
until  1895,  when  he  was  promoted  to  conductor  of  a freight  train.  After 
five  years  of  this  work  he  was  promoted,  in  1900,  to  passenger  conductor,  his 
run  being  between  Springfield  and  Memphis,  and  he  still  continues  on  his 
regular  run  on  this  division. 

Mr.  Emery  has  been  twice  married,  first,  on  June  15,  1890,  to  Marion 
Cummins,  in  Huntington,  Oregon.  She  was  born  in  Wisconsin,  and  her 
death  occurred  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  1906.  To  this  first  union  two 
children  were  born,  namely:  Clifford,  born  December  16,  1897,  and  Albert, 

born  April  27,  1899.  Mr.  Emery’s  second  marriage  was  consummated  on 
March  4,  1911,  his  choice  of  a companion  being  Wanda  Lasley,  a widow, 
who  was  born  in  Logan  county,  Ohio,  November  6,  1880,  and  is  a daughter 
of  James  L.  and  Maria  (Franks)  McKinnon,  both  natives  of  Ohio,  and  the 
parents  of  each  came  from  New  York  state.  Mr.  McKinnon  was  born  in 
1846  and  his  death  occurred  in  Urhana,  Ohio,  in  1884.  Mrs.  McKinnon  was- 
born  in  1850  and  she  is  still  living,  making  her  home  in  Webster  county  Mis- 
souri. Mr.  McKinnon  was  an  architect  and  builder  of  superior  skill,  and 
won  a wide  reputation  in  his  line  of  endeavor  in  the  state  of  Ohio.  Flis  fam- 
ily consisted  of  three  children,  namely:  Mrs.  Nettie  M.  Littleton,  who  re- 

sides in  Springfield,  Missouri ; Alva,  who  makes  his  home  in  Kansas,  and 
Wanda,  who  married  Mr.  Emery  of  this  sketch. 

Politically,  Mr.  Emery  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  Division  321, 
Order  of  Railway  Conductors,  and  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  order,  in- 
cluding the  Knights  Templar  degree  and  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles, 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  Religiously,  he  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian  church. 
Mrs.  Emery  is  a member  of  the  Christian  church. 


JAMES  E.  DULIN. 

It  requires  men  of  grit,  courage,  coolness  and  decision  to  make  a suc- 
cessful locomotive  engineer.  It  takes  nerve  on  many  occasions  to  meet  the 
unexpected  which  the  engine  driver  often  encounters — wrecks,  washouts, 
train  robbers  and  various  situations  where  one  must  think  rapidly  and  do  the 
right  thing  at  the  right  time.  One  of  these  men  is  James  E.  Dulin,  well 
known  in  railroad  circles  of  this  locality,  one  of  the  oldest  engineers  on  the 
Frisco  running  out  of  Springfield. 

Mr.  Dulin  was  born  October  26,  1856,  at  Aledo,  Illinois.  He  is  a son 
of  Edwin  R.  and  Sarah  (Artz)  Dulin.  The  father  was  born  April  28,  1825, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IIOJ; 


in  Columbus,  Franklin  county,  Ohio,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Wood- 
stock,  Shenandoah  county,  Virginia,  March  13,  1828,  and  she  moved  with 
her  parents  from  the  Old  Dominion  to  Delaware  county,  Ohio,  in  Septem- 
ber, 1834,  when  six  years  of  age,  and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood  and 
married  Mr.  Dulin.  They  both  received  good  educations  for  those  times, 
Mrs.  Dulin  becoming  a fine  scholar.  From  Ohio  the  parents  of  our  subject 
moved  to  Illinois,  where  they  lived  on  a farm.  Leaving  that  state,  they  set- 
tled in  Missouri  and  continued  farming  for  a while,  then  moved  to  Kansas 
City,  where  Mr.  Dulin  followed  the  trade  of  cooper  and  carpenter,  and  there 
the  death  of  the  mother  occurred  March  22,  1897;  the  father  died  Septem- 
ber 19,  1900.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  still 
living,  namely:  Ernestine;  Josephine  is  deceased;  Elwy  died  February  7, 

1915;  James,  of  this  sketch;  Archie  died  in  infancy;  May,  Ettie,  Lester 
and  Jesse. 

When  James  E.  Dulin  was  ten  years  of  age  the  family  located  in  Mis- 
souri, locating  in  Johnson  county,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools.  He  was  of  a mechanical  turn  of  mind, 
and  his  first  work  was  in  a woolen  mill,  where  he  spent  one  summer.  He  be- 
gan his  railroad  career  in  Urbana,  Illinois,  in  1873,  in  the  shops  there,  later 
began  as  fireman  on  the  Indianapolis,  Bloomington  & Western  railroad;  he 
then  went  to  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  and  went  to  work  for  the  Missouri 
River,  Ft.  Scott  & Gulf  railroad,  in  March,  1874,  as  fireman,  running  be- 
tween Kansas  City  and  Ft.  Scott,  Kansas,  and  while  on  this  run  was  pro- 
moted to  engineer  on  March  8,  1880,  and  transferred  to  Springfield,  Mis- 
souri, on  November  7,  1883,  to  remain  here  only  thirty  days,  helping  out  on 
the  new  line;  but  he  remained,  and  has  been  running  on  the  Ozark  division, 
between  Springfield  and  Thayer,  and  is  the  oldest  engineer  in  point  of  serv- 
ice on  this  division.  This  road  was  purchased  by  the  Frisco  System  in  1900. 
Thirty-one  years  is  an  exceptionally  long  time  for  a railroader  to  work  for  a 
company  on  the  same  division,  and  Mr.  Dulin’s  long  retention  on  this  line 
would  indicate  that  he  is  efficient,  trustworthy  and  faithful.  In  all,  Mr.  Dulin 
has  been  with  the  same  company  for  forty-one  years. 

Mr,  Dulin  was  married  June  16,  1881,  in  Kansas  City,  to  Lillah  H. 
Hagerty,  who  was  born  in  Princeton,  Illinois,  December  25,  i860.  She  is 
a daughter  of  Rev.  T.  IT.  Hagerty,  of  St.  Louis,  a minister  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church.  He  has  answered  the  roll  call  sixty-two  consecutive 
times  in  St.  Louis  Conference  and  is  ex-chaplain-in-chief  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic.  At  present  he  is  chaplain  of  the  Ransom  Post  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic,  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  His  wife,  who  was  a Hull  before 
her  marriage  and  a daughter,  of  Rev.  H.  Hull,  a Presbyterian  minister,  has 
been  deceased  several  years,  her  death  occurring  July  15,  1872.  After  her 
mother's  death  she  was  reared  in  the  family  of  J.  Radle,  Esquire,  of  Meade- 


1 104 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ville,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  received  her  education.  Mrs.  Dulin  received 
a good  education,  being  a graduate  of  Lewis  College,  Glasgow,  Missouri. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dulin,  namely : Elsie, 

born  June  7,  1882,  died  April  29,  1884;  Jamie  H.,  born  October  24,  1883, 
was  educated  in  the  Springfield  schools,  graduating  from  Drury  Academy. 
He  now  lives  in  Chicago  and  is  a designing  artist,  maintaining  a studio  of 
his  own  there,  where  he  turns  out  some  very  fine  work  in  his  line.  He  mar- 
ried Dorothy  Sessna;  Everett,  born  January  23,  1899,  is  a junior  at  this 
writing  in  the  Springfield  high  school. 

Politically,  Mr.  Dulin  is  a Republican  of  the  Progressive  wing.  He 
belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  is  a member  of  Division  378 
Brotherhood  of  Engineers.  Fraternally,  he  is  a Mason,  and  for  the  past 
twenty-four  years  has  been  a member  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 


AZZO  B.  GRIER. 

As  a rule  when  we  observe  men  changing  from  one  line  of  work  to 
another  it  indicates  that  he  has  not  made  a very  marked  success  of  his  former 
calling,  if  indeed  he  has  not  failed  outright.  However,  this  is  not  always 
the  case,  as  may  be  observed  in  the  career  of  Azzo  B.  Grier,  who  has  suc- 
ceeded as  farmer,  educator  and  merchant,  at  present  engaged  in  the  drug 
and  grocery  business  in  Strafford,  Greene  county,  where  he  is  widely  and 
favorably  known  and  is  regarded  as  a useful  and  public-spirited  citizen. 

Mr.  Grier  was  born  near  the  town  in  which  he  now  resides,  just  across 
the  line  in  Webster  county,  on  May  11,  1870.  Pie  is  a son  of  Samuel  R.  and 
Elizabeth  (Morton)  Grier,  the  father  born  in  North  Carolina  on  November 
23,  1834,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  on  May  29, 
1849.  The  former  came  to  Missouri  when  a small  boy  and  was  reared  on  a 
farm  in  Webster  county  and  there  received  a limited  education.  Fifty  years 
ago  he  purchased  the  farm  where  he  still  lives,  his  farm  now  containing  two 
hundred  and  fifty-four  and  one-half  acres.  He  is  one  of  the  successful  and 
progressive  men  of  his  locality.  During  the  Civil  War  he  served  seventy  days 

in  the  state  militia.  His  wife  was  reared  on  a farm  in  this  county  and 

attended  the  common  schools.  She  is  still  very  active  for  one  of  her  age. 

Only  two  children  were  born  to  this  couple,  Azzo  B.,  of  this  sketch,  and 

Lorenzo,  who  lives  in  Tulsa,  Oklahoma. 

Mr.  Grier,  of  this  review,  grew  up  on  the  home  farm.  He  received  a 
good  common  school  education.  He  worked  on  the  farm  until  he  began 
teaching  in  1888,  and  he  taught  eight  terms  during  a period  of  ten  years 
with  gratifying  success.  He  has  a record  of  teaching  forty-nine  months 


-i""  ' 


A.  B.  GRIER. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1105 


without  losing  a day  on  account  of  sickness.  He  came  to  Strafford  in  1898 
and  engaged  in  the  drug  and  grocery  business  with  Dr.  I.  H.  Mason,  later 
selling  out  and  teaching  another  term  of  school,  then  came  back  to  Strafford 
and  bought  back  his  old  mercantile  business  from  his  former  partner,  Dr. 
Mason,  and  he  is  still  engaged  in  the  drug  and  grocery  business,  enjoying  a 
large  trade  with  the  surrounding  country.  He  has  been  continuously  engaged 
in  business  in  Strafford  longer  than  any  other  man. 

Mr.  Grier  was  married  in  December,  1898,  to  Hettie  Langston,  a native 
of  Greene  county,  where  she  was  reared  and  educated.  She  was  a daughter 
of  Jackson  P.  C.  and  Phronie  (Comstock)  Langston,  a sketch  of  whom 
appears  on  another  page  of  this  volume.  Mrs.  Grier’s  death  occurred  on 
"November  2,  1909,  and  our  subject  was  subsequently  married  to  Mary  Lu 
Mullinax,  who  was  born  and  reared  on  a farm  near  Strafford.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Martin  and  Mariah  (West)  Mullinax.  She  received  a good 
education  in  the  local  schools  and  taught  school  six  terms  with  much  success. 
Two  children  were  born  to  Mr.  Grier  and  his  first  wife,  Roberta,  born  on 
December  16,  1899,  and  Orville,  born  on  November  26,  1902.  both  of  whom 
live  at  home.  One  child  was  born  of  the  second  union,  Mildred,  born  on 
Tune  17,  1911,  who  is  at  home. 

Politically  Mr.  Grier  is  a Democrat,  and  fraternally  he  is  a member  of 
the  Modern  Woodmen. 


GEORGE  W.  MOORE. 

To  successfully  discharge  the  duties  of  general  car  foreman  for  the 
great  Frisco  shops  of  Springfield,  as  George  W.  Moore  is  doing,  indicates 
that  such  a man  has  improved  well  his  every  opportunity  in  his  chosen  voca- 
tion, and  also  that  he  is  reliable  and  energetic.  It  is  a position  that  not  every- 
one. although  skilled  in  this  line  of  work,  could  successfully  fill,  for  it  re- 
quires something  more  than  technical  knowledge  to  superintend  a large  shop 
and  handle  a number  of  employees  so  as  to  get  the  best  results  promptly  and 
at  the  same  time  retain  the  good  will  of  all  connected  with  the  establishment, 
but  our  subject  has  done  this  for  some  time. 

Mr.  Moore  was  born  in  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  January  1,  1874.  He 
Is  a son  of  Charles  and  Josie  (Newman)  Moore.  The  father  was  born  in 
Indiana  in  1841,  and  he  died  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  in  1893.  The  mother 
was  born  in  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  in  1853.  and  her  death  occurred  in  Decem- 
ber, 1910.  Charles  Moore  left  the  Hoosier  state  when  young  and  came  to 
St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  where  he  and  Josie  Newman  were  married.  He  was  a 
■cooper  by  trade.  When  our  subject  was  two  years  old  he  removed  with  his 

(70) 


1 106 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


family  to  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  where  he  continued  his  trade,  and  for  some 
time  was  assistant  foreman  of  the  cooper  shop  for  the  Armour  Packing  Com- 
pany. His  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  namely:  Frank  is  the  eldest; 

George  W.,  of  this  review;  Maud  is  living;  Claud  is  living;  Charles,  de- 
ceased; Hettie,  deceased;  Jesse  and  Josie  are  the  two  youngest. 

George  W.  Moore  grew  to  manhood  in  Kansas  City  and  there  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools,  which  has  been  supplemented  in  later 
life  by  self-culture.  He  was  only  seventeen  years  of  age  when  he  went  to- 
work  for  the  old  Kansas  City,  Wyandotte  & Northwestern  Railroad  Com- 
pany (now  a part  of  the  Missouri  Pacific),  in  the  shops,  serving  his  time  as. 
an  apprentice  there,  then  went  to  the  Armour  Car  Lines  Company  in  the 
same  capacity,  remaining  with  the  latter  firm  until  October  3,  1897,  then 
went  to  work  for  the  Frisco  System  as  car  repairer  and  car  inspector,  and 
as  checker  of  piece  work.  Leaving  Kansas  City,  he  went  on  the  road  as 
traveling  car  inspector,  July  30,  1909,  and  remained  in  this  work  until  May 
10,  1912,  when  he  was  transferred  to  Memphis,  Tennessee,  as  general  car 
foreman.  October  9 of  that  year  he  was  sent  to  Kansas  City  in  the  same 
capacity,  remaining  there  until  May  22,  1914,  when  he  was  transferred  to 
Springfield,  where  he  is  now  engaged  in  the  same  work  in  the  North  Side 
shops.  He  has  given  eminent  satisfaction  in  all  the  above  named  positions,, 
being  a skilled  workman,  faithful  and  industrious.  He  is  regarded  here  as 
one  of  the  most  efficient  general  car  foremen  the  Frisco  has  ever  had. 

Mr.  Moore  was  married  May  30,  1895,  ,n  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  to- 
May  E.  Stewart,  who  was  born  in  Boonville,  Missouri,  December  27,  1873. 
She  is  a daughter  of  William  H.  and  Maggie  E.  (Brown)  Stewart,  natives 
of  Wisconsin  and  Boonville,  Missouri,  respectively.  Mr.  Stewart  is  a pat- 
tern maker  by  trade  and  is  a noted  inventor,  his  best  known  invention  being 
the  “Monarch  scales.-’  He  also  invented  many  other  things  of  use  to  hu- 
manity. He  lives  in  Kansas  City. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore  one  child  has  been  born.  Ward  C.  Moore, 
whose  birth  occurred  April  21,  1896.  He  is  at  this  writing  an  apprentice  to 
the  machinist’s  trade  in  the  Kansas  City  shops  of  the  Frisco-  company. 

Fraternally,  Mr.  Moore  is  prominent  in  the  Masonic  order,  having  at- 
tained the  thirty-second  degree  in  the  same.  He  belongs  to  the  blue  lodge, 
No.  522,  at  Kansas  City;  the  Scottish  Rite,  No.  21,  of  Memphis,  Tennessee; 
the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Kansas  City. 
He  also  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Ancient  Order  of  Lhiited 
Workmen,  the  Royal  League  and  the  Iowa  State  Travelers’  Association. 
Politically,  he  is  a Democrat. 

Although  Air.  Moore  has  not  long  been  a resident  of  Springfield,  he  is. 
winning  friends  rapidly  by  his  pleasing  manners  and  general  attitude  of 
brotherly  kindness. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1107 


EUGENE  JOSEPH  RHODES. 

There  could  be  no  more  comprehensive  history  written  of  a community 
or  even  of  a state  and  its  people  than  that  which  deals  with  the  life  work  of 
those  who,  by  their  own  endeavor  and  indomitable  energy,  have  placed  them- 
selves where  they  well  deserve  the  title  of  progressive,  and  in  this  sketch  will 
be  found  the  record  of  one  who  has  outstripped  the  less  active  plodders  on 
the  highway  of  life,  one  who  has  not  been  subdued  by  the  many  obstacles  and 
failures  that  come  to  every  one,  but  who  has  made  them  stepping  stones  to 
higher  things  and  at  the  same  time  that  Mr.  Rhodes  has  been  winning  his 
way  to  the  front  in  business  affairs  he  has  gained  a reputation  for  upright- 
ness and  honor. 

Eugene  Joseph  Rhodes,  a well  known  citizen  of  Springfield,  formerly 
of  northern  Arkansas,  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  Iowa,  March  17,  1845. 
He  is  a son  of  Ira  G.  and  Ann  Emelia  (Botts)  Rhodes.  Ira  G.  Rhodes  was 
born  in  the  state  of  New  York,  on  August  29,  1814,  but  when  a child  he 
was  brought  to  Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  re- 
ceived his  education.  His  father  was  of  German  ancestry,  his  mother  Eng- 
lish, though  the  former  was  born  in  Massachusetts  and  the  latter  in  Con- 
necticut. The  family  record  shows  that  John  Rhodes,  grandfather  of  Ira 
G.,  was  born  May  2,  1779,  and  died  June  24,  1819.  His  wife,  Hannah 
Graves,  was  born  June  17,  1783,  and  died  September  10,  1835.  Their  son, 
Joseph,  father  of  Ira  G.,  was  married  to  Polly  Waters,  February  15,  1801. 
The  parents  of  Polly  Waters  were  named  Guerdon  and  Eliza,  the  former 
dying  December  25,  1813,  and  the  latter  dying  January  24,  1819.  Joseph 
and  Polly  Rhodes  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  five  girls  and  three 
boys,  Ira  G.  being  the  sixth  child.  The  exact  place  of  his  birth  is  not  known. 
In  1814  his  parents  left  Connecticut  to  go  to  Ohio,  and  while  en  route  this 
son  was  born.  It  seems  that  the  trip  from  the  old  Nutmeg  state  to  the  Buck- 
eye state  recjuired  cpiite  a long  time,  and  when  the  family  reached  Ohio  their 
infant  son  was  one  year  old.  Thus  it  was  in  1815  that  the  Rhodeses  took  up 
their  residence  in  what  was  then  the  western  frontier  or  wilderness,  still  the 
domain  of  the  red  men,  and  there  endured  the  usual  hardships  and  privations 
of  early  pioneers.  There  Ira  G.  Rhodes'  parents  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives 
and  there  their  children  grew  to  maturity  and  then  left  the  old  home  to  be- 
come themselves  pioneers  in  the  still  farther  West.  Ira  G.  remained  with 
his  parents  until  twenty-one  years  old,  working  on  the  farm  in  summer  and 
attending  district  school  in  winter.  Although  he  had  no  other  schooling  than 
was  afforded  by  the  common  schools  of  Ohio,  yet  he  prepared  himself  for  a 
successful  teacher  and  taught  several  terms  of  school  before  he  became  of 
age.  His  first  school  was  a winter  term  of  three  months,  at  eleven  dollars 
per  month,  and  “board  around,”  which  necessitated  going  to  the  poorest 


1 108 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


cabins,  sleeping  with  dirty  children,  with  scant  covering,  and  in  huts  where 
through  the  cracks  between  tbe  logs  the  snow  sifted  in  winter  and  the  stars 
were  visible  through  the  roof,  and  the  usual  fare  nothing  but  “hog  and  hom- 
iny.” Though  his  early  life  was  that  of  the  farm  boy,  he  eventually  had 
good  training,  his  parents  being  people  of  sturdy  character  and  strong  minds. 
In  his  early  life  Ira  G.  Rhodes  was  a Whig  and  first  cast  his  vote  for  Gen. 
William  Henry  Harrison;  following  his  father,  however,  he  later  joined  the 
Free  Soilers  and  became  a Republican  on  the  organization  of  that  party.  He 
was  all  his  life  a stanch  advocate  of  temperance.  His  father  died  at  the 
old  farm  in  Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  December  30,  1853,  and  his  mother  died 
there  on  November  1,  1848. 

Soon  after  reaching  the  age  of  twenty-one,  Ira  G.  Rhodes,  with  only  a 
capital  of  one  hundred  dollars,  started  West  to  seek  his  fortune,  traveling 
horseback  through  the  states  of  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois,  locating  in  Han- 
cock county  in  the  last  named  state,  where  he  engaged  in  teaching  school  for 
seven  years.  Here  he  met  and  married  Ann  Emelia  Botts.  She  was  born  in 
Kentucky,  May  14,  1820.  Her  ancestors  were  originally  from  England. 
Her  father,  Joseph  Botts,  was  the  ninth  child  of  John  and  Lucy  (Gaines) 
Botts,  and  was  born  in  Virginia.  He  married  Sabra  Wilkes,  of  Boone  coun- 
ty, Kentucky,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  of  whom  Ann 
Emelia  was  the  fourth.  She  lived  with  her  parents  on  the  farm  in  the  old 
Blue  Grass  state  until  she  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  they  emigrated  to 
Flancock  county,  Illinois,  the  journey  requiring  four  weeks,  Ann  Emelia 
riding  the  entire  distance  on  horseback.  Illinois  was  then  principally  a wild, 
unbroken  prairie,  with  a settlement  here  and  there.  Mr.  Botts  was  a slave 
owner  in  Kentucky,  but  finally  freed  his  slaves  and  sought  a country  where 
slave  holding  was  not  the  custom.  He  was  a minister  in  the  Baptist  church 
for  over  a half  century  and  a great  preacher  among  the  pioneers. 

It  was  on  January  15,  1843,  that  Ira  G.  Rhodes  and  wife  were  married, 
and  in  April  of  that  year  they  went  to  Iowa  to  make  their  future  home,  set- 
tling in  the  timbered  lands  bordering  the  Skunk  river  in  the  northeast  cor- 
ner of  Jefferson  county.  Here,  six  years  before  Iowa  became  a state,  on  the 
outskirts  of  civilization,  where  the  tracks  of  the  Indians  were  still  fresh  in 
the  soil,  far  away  from  relations  and  friends,  with  only  a few  scattered 
neighbors,  they  began  housekeeping  and  homebuilding.  On  that  farm  in 
the  woods,  carved  out  of  Nature’s  raw  material  by  their  own  hands,  they 
lived  for  nearly  fifty  years,  rearing  their  family  of  eight  children,  their  way 
being  hard  and  toilsome,  but  it  was  always  cheerful  and  hopeful.  By  per- 
sistent, well  directed  labor  and  judicious  economy,  they  won  prosperity  and 
secured  a competence,  so  they  were  enabled  to  spend  their  old  age  in  quiet 
and  comfort.  Mr.  Rhodes  was  always  active  in  school  matters,  and  for  many 
years  after  he  gave  up  teaching  he  was  a school  director.  He  was  a good  de- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I 109 


bater  and  took  an  active  part  in  all  literary  and  debating  societies  of  the 
neighborhood.  Before  and  during  the  Civil  war  he  took  great  interest  in 
politics  and  was  active  in  his  locality.  In  1874  he  allied  himself  with  the 
Grangers  and  was  elected  by  that  party  county  treasurer,  holding  the  office 
two  years  in  an  able  manner,  this  being  the  only  public  office  he  ever  held, 
and  this  he  did  not  seek.  However,  he  was  often  urged  to  become  a candi- 
date for  the  legislature,  but  always  refused.  Upon  his  election  to  the  office 
of  county  treasurer  he  abandoned  his  farm  and  moved  to  Fairfield,  the  coun- 
ty-seat. At  the  close  of  his  official  career  he  purchased  a home  in  Brighton, 
four  miles  from  the  old  home,  and  there  they  continued  to  reside,  spending 
a portion  of  each  year  visiting  their  children  in  Missouri,  Arkansas  and  other 
places.  Mr.  Rhodes  was  a robust  man  physically,  was  never  known  to  be 
sick.  He  never  used  tobacco  and  liquor  or  indulged  in  profane  language. 
He  was  a kind  husband,  father  and  neighbor  and  beloved  by  all  who  knew 
him,  as  was  also  his  good  wife.  Fie  was  a man  of  liberal  religious  views 
and  never  belonged  to  any  church,  although  his  daily  life  was  that  of  an 
honest,  upright  man  and  his  character  was  always  exemplary.  He  was  a 
thinking  man  and  all  his  life  he  was  true  to  himself  and  the  world.  Mrs. 
Rhodes  also  shared  her  husband’s  views  on  religion,  and  they  believed  in 
right  for  right’s  sake,  opposing  the  dogmas  and  creeds  of  orthodox  churches. 
They  both  closed  their  days  in  Jefferson  county,  Iowa,  his  death  occurring 
in  March,  1898,  and  she  followed  him  to  the  grave  on  November  9,  1912. 

To  Ira  G.  Rhodes  and  wife  nine  children  were  born,  all  of  whom  grew 
to  manhood  and  womanhood  but  the  fifth,  Helen  Louise,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy. Lucilia  Jane  Rhodes,  the  oldest  child,  was  born  October  22,  1843, 
taught  school  three  years  prior  to  her  marriage,  which  occurred  October  23, 
1863,  to  R.  H.  L.  Barricklow,  a farmer  of  her  own  neighborhood,  and  to 
this  union  six  children  were  born,  Grace,  Irvin  Ernest,  James  Luther,  Dell 
Eugene,  Ira  G.,  and  Lulu  Lillian;  the  Barricklow  family  removed  from  Iowa 
to  Arkansas  in  1887  and  settled  at  Stuttgart.  Eugene  J.  Rhodes,  the  imme- 
diate subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  second  child  in  order  of  iSirth.  The 
next  in  order  was  Luther  Graves  Rhodes,  whose  birth  occurred  February 
24,  1847,  was  educated  for  a teacher,  which  profession  he  followed  nearly 
twenty  years  in  Iowa,  Illinois  and  California;  February  28,  1877,  he  mar- 
ried Sadie  Irvin,  and  to  them  three  sons  were  born,  Claudie  Irvin,  Glenn 
Vernon  and  Lester  Ray;  after  giving  up  teaching,  Mr.  Rhodes  located  in 
Yolo  county,  California,  and  engaged  in  horticultural  pursuits  and  official 
work.  Mary  Sophronia  Rhodes,  the  fourth  child,  was  born  February  8, 
1849,  and  engaged  in  teaching  for  a short  time  before  her  marriage,  which  oc- 
curred on  November  11,  1868,  to  John  W.  Townsley;  to  this  union  one 
child  was  born,  Nettie;  her  second  husband  was  A.  S.  Bailey,  whom  she 
married  December  28,  1879,  and  to  this  union  three  children  were  born, 


iiio 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Homer  Garfield.  Ralph  Emerson  and  Faith.  Mr.  Bailey  is  now  engaged  in 
newspaper  work  in  Iowa  at  Shenandoah,  where  he  is  active  at  the  age  of 
eighty  years.  William  E.  Rhodes  was  born  May  31,  1853,  and  was  also 
educated  for  a teacher,  which  profession  he  followed  many  years  in  Iowa, 
Kansas  and  Alabama,  in  which  state  he  established  his  permanent  residence, 
where  he  finally  engaged  in  the  jewelry  business  and  merchandising,  also  was 
farmer,  justice  of  the  peace,  postmaster,  surveyor  and  now  a banker  at  Lin- 
den, Alabama ; he  married  Sarah  Emma  Miller,  and  to  them  four  children 
were  born,  Ray  Gustavius,  Charles  Eugene,  Ira  George  and  Carrie  Alvaretta. 
Myrtle  Ann  Rhodes  was  born  January  5,  1856,  taught  school  a while  before 
her  marriage,  on  December  24,  1873,  to  Gideon  G.  Sampson,  a native  of 
England,  who  followed  teaching  for  twenty  years,  finally  removing  from 
Iowa  to  Boone  county,  Arkansas,  in  1890,  and  to  this  couple  four  children 
were  born,  Ernest  Eugene,  Fred  Vernon,  Grace  Helen  and  Myrtle  Agnes. 
Florence  Alvaretta  Rhodes  was  born  September  2,  1858,  the  youngest 

daughter;  she  married,  May  14,  1887,  Nathan  A.  Heacock,  for  many  years 
engaged  in  the  United  States  postal  railway  service,  and  to  the  union  of  this 
couple  one  daughter  was  born,  Florence  Natalie.  Homer  Ellsworth  Rhodes, 
youngest  of  the  nine  children,  was  born  November  18,  1861,  married  Ida 
Barricklow,  .on  September  27,  1882,  and  to  this  union  the  following  children 
were  born:  Mabel  Irene,  Earl  Edwin,  Margaret  Ann  (deceased),  Hazel 

Adline,  Victor  William  (deceased),  Arthur,  Marie,  Gladys,  Garland,  Mil- 
dred and  Lucile.  After  their  marriage  this  couple  lived  on  a farm  in  Iowa 
until  1889,  when  they  emigrated  to  Arkansas,  establishing  their  future  home 
at  Stuttgart,  where  Mr.  Rhodes  engaged  in  the  hardware  business,  and  is 
now  living  retired. 

Eugene  J.  Rhodes,  of  this  review,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  old  home- 
stead in  Jefferson  county,  Iowa,  where  he  assisted  with  the  general  work 
during  the  summer  months  and  during  the  winter  he  attended  the  district 
schools,  remaining  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age;  then  he 
entered  Eastman's  National  Business  College,  at  Poughkeepsie,  New  York, 
where  he  made  an  excellent  record  and  from  which  institution  he  was  grad- 
uated in  the  spring  of  1867.  He  then  attended  the  State  University  of 
Iowa  at  Iowa  City,  graduating  from  the  normal  department  of  the  same  in 
June,  1869.  In  July  of  that  year  he  left  his  native  state  and  located  in  John- 
son county,  Arkansas,  where  he  engaged  in  teaching  school  for  a short  period; 
locating  in  Fayetteville,  two  years  later,  he  was  appointed  register  of  the  United 
States  land  office  at  Harrison,  removing  the  office  from  Clarksville,  and  he 
began  upon  his  duties  in  1871.  After  filling  this  office  very  acceptably  for 
a period  of  three  years,  during  which  his  ability  and  faithfulness,  courtesy 
and  high  integrity  commended  him  to  all  concerned,  he  went  to  California, 
in  May,  1873,  where  he  engaged  in  teaching  for  four  years  and  also  in  book- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IIII 


keeping  for  some  time.  In  1878  he  returned  to  Arkansas  and  located  in 
Boone  county,  and  on  November  14,  1878,  was  married  there  to  Mattie 
Keener,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  September  30,  1859.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Judge  William  Keener,  who  removed  with  his  family  from  the 
old  Keystone  state  to  Missouri  when  she  was  a child,  and  here  and  in 
Arkansas  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  a common  school  educa- 
tion; in  1872  the  Keener  family  removed  to  Arkansas. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Rhodes  resided  some  time  in  Harrison  and 
later  moved  to  the  pinery,  where  he  resided  a number  of  years,  enjoying 
the  comforts  of  a home  in  the  pine-clad,  picturesque  hills,  and  engaged  suc- 
cessfully in  the  manufacture  of  lumber  and  in  commercial  orcharding.  Here 
he  owned  a tract  of  land  comprising  three  thousand  one  hundred  acres  and 
many  acres  of  mining  land,  and  was  also  engaged  in  farming,  stock  raising 
and  operating  his  mines,  besides  discharging  the  duties  of  United  States 
mineral  surveyor  for  a period  of  ten  years  for  the  state  of  Arkansas.  In 
his  locality  he  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  and  also  that  of  notary 
public.  He  was  always  a stanch  Republican  and  was  influential  in  public 
affairs  in  Boone  county,  having  been  for  some  time  an  active  member  of  the 
county  central  committee.  While  there  he  was  a director  of  the  Boone 
County  Bank.  His  principal  business  for  a number  of  years  there  was  the 
manufacture  and  sale  of  pine  and  oak  lumber,  and  he  was  president  of  the 
Arkansas  Zinc  and  Lead  Company,  which  was  incorporated  in  1890  to  op- 
erate in  the  mining  regions  of  Arkansas,  and  which  had  control  of  twelve 
hundred  acres  of  rich  mining  land  in  Marion  county.  He  was  half  owner 
of  the  well-known  Diamond  Cave  in  Newton  county,  Arkansas,  and  it  can 
of  truth  be  said  of  him  that  he  has  done  as  much  as  any  man  in  Arkansas  to 
push  forward  the  zinc  and  lead  industry.  He  was  regarded  as  one  of  the 
most  substantial  and  foremost  citizens  of  Boone  county,  and  owned  one  of 
the  finest  homes  and  one  of  the  largest  orchards  in  that  county. 

Mr.  Rhodes  left  Arkansas  in  1895  and  located  in  Springfield,  Missouri, 
where  he  has  since  resided,  and  has  been  engaged  extensively  in  the  lumber 
business  here,  both  retail  and  wholesale,  his  business  extending  over  a vast 
territory  of  the  Southwest.  He  has  also  engaged  in  the  coal  and  wood  busi- 
ness on  a large  scale,  and  has  done  considerable  engineering  work  for  vari- 
ous railroads,  also  surveying,  having  served  as  deputy  surveyor  under  Sur- 
veyor Phillips  and  also  Massey,  and  ten  years  ago  he  was  elected  county 
surveyor  of  Greene  county,  serving  one  term  with  ability  and  general  satis- 
faction. At  this  writing  he  is  extensively  engaged  in  the  ornamental  and 
concrete  business,  and  he  was  the  first  person  to  introduce  the  manufacture 
of  artificial  marble,  a splendid  imitation  of  marble.  He  is  regarded  as  one 
of  the  leading  men  of  affairs  of  this  locality  and  is  a man  who  has  always 


1 1 12 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


enjoyed  the  good  will  and  confidence  of  those  with  whom  he  has  come  in 
contact.  He  owns  much  valuable  property  here. 

Seven  children,  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Eugene  J.  Rhodes,  named  as  follows : Homer,  born  September  23, 

1879,  died  September  6,  1880;  Florence  Ethel,  born  February  3,  1881,  teach- 
ing in  Harrison,  Arkansas;  Eugene  Joseph.  Jr.,  born  March  26,  1883,  is  en- 
gaged in  business  in  Springfield;'  William  Ira,  born  January  12,  1885,  is 
engaged  in  the  feed  and  fuel  business  in  Springfield;  Clarence  Julius,  born 
February  1,  1887,  lives  in  Springfield  and  is  engaged  in  business  here;  Carrie 
Lena,  born  March  17,  1889,  married  Trevor  Sanks,  and  lives  in  Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania;  Arthur  Clyde,  born  September  18,  1891,  is  in  the  motorcycle 
business  in  Springfield. 


MADISON  CAMPBELL  VINTON. 

Although  the  business  of  farming  requires,  in  its  operations,  constant 
industry  and  the  exercise  of  thought  and  study  in  its  every  detail,  in  order 
to  make  it  successful,  yet  it  affords  greater  opportunities  for  the  best  and 
right  living  and  the  achievement  of  happiness  than  any  other  business. 
Realizing  this  fact,  Madison  Campbell  Vinton,  one  of  the  leading  agricul- 
turists and  stock  raisers  of  Jackson  township,  Greene  county,  left  the  city  of 
Springfield,  where  he  had  become  a successful  merchant,  and  turned  his 
attention  to  farming  many  years  ago.  In  the  country  he  has  found  not  only 
a large  degree  of  material  success,  but  health  and  contentment.  He  has  no 
desire  to  return  to  the  commercial  world  and  the  city. 

Mr.  Vinton  was  born  three  miles  south  of  Springfield  on  the  Campbell 
street  road  on  September  18,  1855.  He  is  a son  of  Samuel  S.  and  Margaret 
Eugenia  (Campbell)  Vinton,  one  of  the  well-known  and  highly  esteemed 
old  families  of  this  locality.  The  father  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
on  January  28,  1828,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Tennessee.  Samuel  S. 
Vinton  came  west  with  Major  Barry  when  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  he 
finally  became  owner  of  a fine  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  south 
of  Springfield,  where  he  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and 
trading  on  an  extensive  scale.  He  was  a very  successful  man  of  affairs.  For 
some  time  he  followed  merchandising  in  Springfield,  where  his  death  occurred, 
January  16,  1890.  His  wife  died  when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  four 
years  old.  To  these  parents  three  children  were  born,  namely:  Mrs.  Juliet 
R.  Williams  lives  in  Springfield;  Madison  C.,  of  this  sketch;  and  Samuel  S., 
Jr.,  of  Springfield. 

Madison  C.  Vinton  was  taken  to  St.  Louis  by  his  father  when  he  was  six 
years  old,  where  he  lived  until  he  was  fourteen  years  old,  when  he  returned 


M.  C.  VINTON. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


III3 


to  his  native  county.  He  received  a good  education.  He  began  his  business 
career  by  clerking  in  a store  in  Springfield,  going  to  Marshfield,  Webster 
county,  about  a year  later,  and  worked  in  a store  for  seven  years,  later  went 
into  the  grain  business  for  himself.  He  subsequently  returned  to  Springfield, 
where  he  engaged  in  merchandising  in  1880.  Selling  out  he  started  a shoe 
store  and  for  a number  of  years  enjoyed  a good  business  on  the  south  side  of 
the  public  square,  under  the  firm  name  of  Vinton-Baxter  Shoe  Company,  “The 
jumbo  Shoe  Store."  Selling  out  in  1887,  he  bought  the  farm  in  Jackson 
township  where  he  now  lives,  which  contains  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres, 


VINTON  PLACE. 


which  he  has  brought  up  to  a high  state  of  improvement  and  cultivation  and 
which  ranks  among  the  best  farms  of  Greene  county.  He  has  a beautiful 
home  and  large  and  convenient  barns  and  other  buildings,  and  he  carries  on 
general  farming  and  stock  raising  on  an  extensive  scale,  paying  particular 
attention  to  the  raising  of  a good  grade  of  live  stock,  handling  a large  number 
of  mules  annually.  For  some  time  he  operated  a dairy  on  his  place. 

Mr.  Vinton  was  married,  first,  in  1878,  to  Elizabeth  McGinty,  by  whom 
four  children  were  born,  namely:  Harry  C.,  who  lives  in  Texas,  working  for 
the  National  Lumber  Company ; Tames  Iv.  lives  in  Denver,  Colorado,  and 
works  for  the  Colorado  Southern  Railroad  Company;  Walter  B.  lives  in 


1H4 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Greene  county;  William  A.  is  at  home.  The  mother  of  these  children  died 
December  8,  1893,  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  Mr.  Vinton  married  Bessie 
Dabbs  by  whom  one  child  has  been  born,  Juliet  Lee  Vinton,  whose  birth 
occurred  July  24,  1904.  His  first  wife  was  a daughter  of  A.  C.  McGinty  and 
wife,  and  the  present  Mrs.  Vinton  is  a daughter  of  William  P.  Dabbs  and  wife. 

Politically,  Mr.  Vinton  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of 
the  Royal  Arcanum  lodge.  He  is  a self-made  man,  well  informed  and  a 
pleasant  gentleman  to  meet. 


J.  B.  RUFFIN. 

Among  the  large  percentage  of  Southern  people  in  Greene  county  is 
].  B.  Ruffin,  and,  like  most  of  them,  is  the  possessor  of  the  personal  charac- 
teristics of  those  bred  in  fair  Dixie  land,  which  makes  him  a desirable  citi- 
zen, one  who  wins  and  retains  friends  easily.  From  his  early  youth  he  has 
been  a lover  of  horses  and  has  become  an  expert  judge  of  them  and  also 
an  expert  in  their  successful  handling,  and  he  is  at  this  writing  the  owner 
of  a number  of  good  ones  which  he  keeps  in  his  modernly  appointed  livery 
stable  in  Springfield. 

Mr.  Ruffin  was  born  in  Panola  county,  Mississippi,  September  2,  1866. 
He  is  a son  of  James  and  Mary  (Brahan)  Ruffin.  The  father  was  born  in 
Hardman  county,  Tennessee  in  1838,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Missis- 
sippi in  1848.  They  each  represent  old  families  of  the  South  and  grew  to 
maturity  in  their  respective  communities,  received  good  educational  advan- 
tages, were  married  and  have  always  lived  in  the  South,  still  living  at  Sar- 
dis, Mississippi,  where  they  are  widely  and  well  known.  James  Ruffin  at- 
tended medical  college  when  a young  man  and  received  his  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Medicine  and  became  a successful  practitioner,  engaging  in  the  practice  in 
Tennessee  and  Mississippi  for  many  years.  Having  accumulated  a com- 
fortable competency  he  is  now  living  retired.  Having  been  long  a prominent 
and  influential  Democrat  in  bis  locality  he  was  in  1906  elected  deputy  sheriff 
of  his  county,  and  was  also  elected  a representative  to  the  state  legislature 
in  Mississippi,  serving  one  term  of  two  years  in  a highly  creditable  and 
satisfactory  manner.  During  the  war  between  the  states  he  enlisted  in  the 
Confederate  army  and  was  promoted  from  time  to  time  for  his  gallantry 
and  merit  until  he  became  captain  of  his  company  and  served  all  through 
the  war,  taking  part  in  many  important  engagements.  Fraternally  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order.  He  is  a fine  type  of  the  Southern  gentleman 
of  the  old  school,  and  his  descendants  may  well  be  proud  of  his  record  as  a 
soldier,  physician,  public  servant  and  citizen.  His  family  consisted  of  nine 
children,  all  still  living  but  one,  namely:  J.  B.  of  this  sketch;  Maggie  Belle, 


GREENE  COUNTY^  MISSOURI. 


I I 15 


Rosa,  Mary,  Willie,  Sallie,  Haywood,  Mrs.  Catherine  Lee,  and  one  who 
died  in  infancy. 

J.  B.  Ruffin  grew  to  manhood  in  the  South  and  he  received  his  early 
education  in  the  common  schools  in  Mississippi,  also  attended  high  school. 
He  began  his  active  life  by  selling  goods,  later  going  into  the  live  stock 
business,  paying  particular  attention  to  race  horses,  and  he  has  owned  a large 
number  of  fine  ones,  with  excellent  records.  He  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock  raising  in  Tipton  county,  Tennessee,  for  some  time  and  his  operations 
met  with  gratifying  results.  He  remained  there  until  1906  when  he  came 
to  Missouri  and  located  in  Aurora  where  he  engaged  in  the  livery  business 
on  a large  scale,  which  he  followed  until  1912  when  he  came  to  Springfield 
and  continued  the  same  line  of  business,  his  present  location  being  at  310 
Boonville  street,  where  he  has  a large  and  modernly  equipped  barn,  keeping 
some  of  the  finest  horses  and  buggies  in  the  city,  and  maintains  a boarding 
stable  in  connection,  everything  being  first-class,  and  promptness  and  uni- 
form courtesy  are  watchwords  with  him.  He  is  enjoying  a large  and  rap- 
idly growing  patronage. 

Mr.  Ruffin  was  married  in  February,  1892,  in  Tipton  county,  Tennessee, 
to  Mamie  J.  Culbreath,  who  was  born  in  that  county  and  state  on  October 
28,  1873,  and  she  was  reared  and  educated  there.  She  is  a daughter  of  J. 
Clark  and  Sallie  (Cockrell)  Culbreath,  natives  of  western  Tennessee,  where 
they  grew  up,  were  educated  and  married.  Her  father  served  all  through 
the  Civil  war  in  the  Confederate  army. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  James 

is  now  a student  in  Drury  College;  J.  B.,  Jr.,  is  attending  the  Springfield 
high  school;  Josephine  and  Clark  are  both  in  the  ward  schools. 

Politically,  Mr.  Ruffin  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Wood- 
men of  the  World  and  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose.  He  belongs  to  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church,  South.  He  and  his  wife  have  made  many  friends 
since  locating  in  Springfield. 


JOHN  R.  FERGUSON. 

John  R.  Ferguson,  who  is  a scion  of  a sterling  old  Southern  family, 
was  born  near  Louisiana,  Pike  county,  Missouri,  on  February  10,  1842.  He 
is  a son  of  John  S.  and  Elizabeth  (Allison)  Ferguson,  the  father  born  in 
Virginia  and  the  mother  in  Franklin  county,  Kentucky.  John  S.  Ferguson 
was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  he  came  to  Missouri, before  or  about 
the  time  this  state  was  admitted  into  the  Union,  and  was  therefore  one  of 
the  pioneers  of  the  state,  locating  in  Pike  county  upon  land  bought  of  the 


1 1 1 6 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


government,  which  land  he  converted  into  an  improved  farm  and  there 
resided  until  his  death  about  1852.  On  this  old  homestead  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  born  and  spent  his  early  boyhood.  His  parents  died  when 
he  was  less  than  twelve  years  of  age,  and  the  farm  was  then  rented  out  by 
the  administrator  of  the  estate,  who  also  was  guardian  of  our  subject.  He 
worked  on  farms  of  the  neighborhood,  and  attended  short  terms  of  school 
during  the  winter  months  until  he  was  about  eighteen  years  of  age,  when, 
with  the  consent  of  his  guardian,  he  contracted,  in  the  fall  of  i860,  with  a 
St.  Louis  medicine  manufacturing  concern  to  travel  and  “peddle"  their  goods, 
which  he  did  for  one  year.  At  the  termination  of  his  contract  he  returned 
to  his  native  county  and  enlisted  in  the  Fifth  Missouri  Militia,  in  Col.  T.  J.  C. 
Fagg’s  regiment  for  six  months,  and  at  the  expiration  of  this  service  he 
enlisted  for  three  years  or  during  the  war  in  Company  E.  Tenth  (later  the 
Third)  Missouri  Cavalry,  State  Militia,  in  April,  1862,  at  Louisiana,  Mis- 
souri. For  meritorious  conduct  Mr.  Ferguson  was  promoted  first  to  cor- 
poral, in  1863,  and  in  1864  to  sergeant.  Fie  proved  to  be  a faithful  and 
courageous  soldier  in  defense  of  his  state.  He  was  mustered  out  of  the 
service  at  Macon  City,  Missouri,  on  April  14,  1865,  at  the  expiration  of  his 
term  of  service.  In  May,  1865,  he  was  appointed  clerk  in  the  paymaster 
general’s  office  at  Jefferson  City,  which  position  he  held  until  his  resignation 
in  the  spring  of  1867,  and  soon  engaged  in  the  drug  business  at  Ironton, 
this  state,  and  in  1869  removed  to  Springfield  and  followed  the  same  business 
for  ten  years.  After  twelve  years  of  diversion  in  farming  and  politics,  he 
returned  to  the  drug  business  in  1891,  becoming  a member  of  the  Hall- 
Ferguson  Drug  Company,  wholesale,  of  Springfield,  now  the  Hall  Drug 
Company,  and  he  took  the  road  as  a traveling  salesman  for  the  firm,  later 
sold  his  stock  in  this  company,  and  accepted  a position  as  traveling  salesman 
for  a wholesale  drug  company  in  St.  Louis,  which  position  he  held  for  over 
twelve  years.  He  gave  this  firm  eminent  satisfaction  in  every  respect  and 
was  one  of  their  most  faithful  and  trusted  employees.  He  is  now  living 
practically  retired,  keeping  a set  of  mercantile  books  and  doing  the  chores 
about  his  pleasant  home  on  East  Elm  street. 

Mr.  Ferguson  was  married  on  May  8,  1867,  to  Virginia  Anna  Smith, 
a daughter  of  Jared  E.  and  Roberta  (Mack)  Smith,  of  Springfield,  Missouri,, 
and  to  this  union  the  following  children  have  been  horn : Dora  Roberta,  died 
in  infancy;  Ernest  N.,  Mrs.  Florence  Morris,  deceased;  Jared  E.,  deceased; 
Mrs.  Onv  Elizabeth  Tucker,  John  R.,  T.  Franklin,  Mrs.  Virginia  C.  Andres, 
Charles  A.  and  Mrs.  Mary  N.  Hilt. 

Mr.  Ferguson  is  a Republican  and  has  long  been  active  in  the  affairs 
of  his  party.  He  has  been  a member  of  the  city  council,  was  treasurer  of 
Springfield,  was  clerk  of  the  circuit  court  for  eight  years,  and  was  recorder 
of  deeds  of  Greene  county  four  years.  At  this  writing  he  is  secretary  of  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1117 


board  of  managers  of  the  State  Federal  Soldiers’  Home  of  Missouri,  on 
which  board  he  is  serving  his  third  term  as  a member.  As  a public  servant 
his  record  is  without  blemish.  He  is  a member  of  Capt.  John  Matthews  Post, 
No.  69,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  Solomon 
Lodge,  No.  271,  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  He  is  a member  of 
the  South  Street  Christian  church  and  is  an  elder  in  the  same,  and  has  long- 
been  active  in  the  work  of  the  church.  His  wife  is  also  a devout  member  of 
this  congregation. 


THOMAS  L.  HASLER. 

The  fair  Oriole  state,  while  not  so  rich  or  vast  in  area  as  some  of  her 
.sisterhood  in  the  Union,  is  one  of  the  best  beloved.  “Maryland,  My  Mary- 
land,” has  long  been  a favorite  song,  formerly  more  so  than  now,  however; 
but  all  of  us,  from  whatever  section  of  America  we  may  hail,  admire  the 
state  that  has  produced  so  many  splendid  citizens.  From  the  early  Colonial 
days  down  to  the  present  she  has  given  to  the  nation  leading  men  and  women 
in  all  walks  of  life.  Among  the  citizens  of  Greene  county,  Missouri,  who 
originally  came  from  within  her  borders,  is  Thomas  L.  Hasler,  one  of  the 
well  known  locomotive  engineers  of  the  Frisco  System,  with  which  road  he 
has  been  connected  for  a period  of  forty  years,  and  it  goes  without  saying 
that  he  has  been  capable  and  trustworthy,  for  that  is  a very  long  time  to  re- 
main with  one  company. 

Mr.  Hasler  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  July  14,  1852.  He  is  a 
son  of  Eli  and  Maria  ( Divine)  Hasler,  the  father,  of  Pennsylvania  Dutch 
stock,  having  been  born  in  the  Keystone  state  in  1825,  and  his  death  oc- 
curred October  12,  1903.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Ireland 
in  1826,  immigrated  to  the  United  States  when  young  in  years,  and  her  death 
occurred  March  21,  1909.  These  parents  received  limited  educations  in  the 
common  schools  and  they  were  married  in  Pennsylvania.  Eli  Hasler  was  a 
cabinet  maker  by  trade,  which  he  followed  in  a number  of  the  large  cities  of 
the  East,  finally  locating  in  St.  Louis,  where  he  lived  a while,  and  in  i860 
moved  to  Phelps  county,  Missouri,  where  he  purchased  a farm  and  there 
spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  but  his  widow  spent  her  last  years  with  her  son,  our 
subject,  in  Springfield.  During  the  Civil  war  Eli  Hasler  was  a member  of 
the  Home  Guards  at  St.  James,  this  state.  His  family  consisted  of  eight 
children,  namely:  William  lives  in  St.  James,  Missouri;  Thomas  L.,  of  this 

review;  Marira,  George,  Agnes,  John  and  Frank  are  all  living;  Edward  is 
deceased. 

Thomas  L,  Hasler  was  but  a boy  when  his  parents  brought  him  to  Mis- 


1 1 1 8 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


souri  and  he  grew  to  manhood  in  this  state  and  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  St.  James.  He  worked  on  the  home  farm  until  1873,  then  began 
his  railroad  career  on  the  Atlantic  & Pacific  railroad,  which  subsequently  be- 
came known  as  the  Frisco.  He  began  as  fireman  and  worked  his  way  up  to 
engineer  on  a passenger  train,  in  which  capacity  he  is  still  employed,  his  run 
being  between  Springfield  and  Fort  Smith,  Arkansas.  He  has  long  been  re- 
garded by  the  company  as  one  of  the  safest  and  most  capable  of  its  engineers, 
sober,  reliable  and  careful. 

Mr.  Hasler  was  married  on  September  3,  1879,  in  Springfield,  to  Lucy 
E.  McCleane,  a native  of  Illinois,  ancf  a daughter  of  Archie  and  Lucy  E. 
(Bird)  McCleane.  The  father’s  death  occurred  in  Jefferson  county,  Mis- 
souri, and  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Hasler  died  in  England.  Mrs.  Hasler  received 
a good  common  school  education. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  seven  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Allen 

is  employed  in  the  Frisco  shops  here;  Mamie;  Archie  is  employed  in  the 
Frisco  shops;  George  is  also  a machinist  in  the  local  railroad  shops;  Agnes, 
Della  and  Eli,  the  latter  working  in  the  Frisco  shops. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hasler  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  Division  83, 
United  Brotherhood  of  Engineers.  He  is  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Co- 
lumbus, and  he  and  his  family  are  Catholics. 


BRANDT  McOUISTON. 

Works  of  biography  and  history,  for  the  most  part,  record  the  lives 
of  only  those  who  have  attained  military,  political,  literary  or  professional 
distinction,  with  now  and  then  a captain  of  industry,  or  those  who  in  any 
other  career  have  passed  through  extraordinary  vicissitudes  of  fortune.  But 
the  names  of  men  who  have  distinguished  themselves  in  their  day  and  gen- 
eration, in  the  ordinary  walks  of  life,  for  the  possession  of  those  qualities  of 
character  which  mainly  contribute  to  the  success  of  private  life  and  to  the 
public  stability — of  men  who,  without  special  talents  or  genius,  have  been 
exemplary  in  all  their  personal  and  social  relations,  and  at  the  same  time 
enjoyed  the  confidence  and  esteem,  the  respect  and  good  will  of  those  with 
whom  they  associate  or  come  in  contact — ought  not  to  be  permitted  to  per- 
ish ; for  all  are,  or  should  be,  much  benefited  by  the  delineation  of  those  traits 
of  character  which  find  scope  and  exercise  in  the  common  walks  of  life. 
Among  the  individuals  of  this  class  of  a past  generation  in  Greene  county 
was  the  late  Brandt  McOniston,  for  a long  lapse  of  years  one  of  the  best 
known  locomotive  engineers  on  the  Frisco  system.  Those  who  knew  him 
well  say  that  his  life  history  was  marked  by  the  most  substantial  qualities  of 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I I 19 


character  ancl  exhibited  a long  and  somewhat  strenuous  career,  and  his  mem- 
ory will  continue  to  be  cherished  by  his  many  friends  for  many  years  to 
come. 

Mr.  McQuiston  was  born  on  October  22,  1859,  in  Indiana  where  he 
grew  to  manhood  and  received  a common  school  education.  He  came  to 
Springfield,  Missouri,  when  a young  man  and  went  to  work  as  fireman  for 
the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  Railroad  Company,  which  was  leased 
by  the  Frisco  system  in  1900,  later  he  went  with  the  Frisco  as  passenger 
engineer,  his  run  being  between  Springfield  and  Thayer.  He  was  then  pas- 
senger engineer  for  the  former  road,  commonly  known  as  the  “Gulf”  from 
1886  until  this  road  was  absorbed  by  the  Frisco  and  he  continued  in  his 
regular  run  after  that  for  the  latter  road  until  his  tragic  death  on  October  1, 
1903.  He  met  death  in  a head-end  collision  between  extra  freight  train 
No.  251,  going  east  on  the  Southern  division,  and  passenger  train  No.  202, 
bound  from  Memphis  to  Kansas  City,  at  half-past  live  o’clock  in  the  morn- 
ing of  the  above  mentioned  date,  at  Horseshoe  Curve,  five  miles  north  of 
Thayer,  Missouri.  It  is  the  supposition  that  the  freight  had  mistaken  its 
order  and  was  running  on  the  passenger's  time.  A sort  of  mist  or  fog  pre- 
vailed at  the  time,  which  added  to  the  darkness  of  night  and  prevented  the 
crews  from  seeing  very  far  ahead  of  their  trains,  which  were  running  at 
full  rate  of  speed.  The  two  trains  were  almost  totally  wrecked  and  a section 
of  the  track  about  the  length  of  four  cars  was  torn  up.  Mr.  McQuiston, 
engineer  of  the  passenger  train  and  his  fireman,  Ernest  White,  were  instantly 
killed,  while  John  Finch,  engineer  of  the  freight,  and  John  Tune,  the  fire- 
man, both  died  soon  thereafter.  Some  of  the  other  members  of  the  train 
crews  and  passengers  were  badly  hurt.  Our  subject  was  spoken  of  at  the 
time  by  the  press  as  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  engineers  running  out  of 
Springfield.  One  of  the  sad  features  of  his  death  was  the  fact  that  he  was 
soon  to  retire  from  the  road,  having  purchased  a good  farm  in  Greene  county 
and  was  preparing  to  remove  thereto  and  spend  his  old  days  quietly.  He 
had  made  his  home  on  the  South  Side  until  the  consolidation  of  the  freight 
business  on  the  North  Side.  He  was  buried  with  Masonic  honors. 

Mr.  McQuiston  was  married  on  October  16,  1882,  to  Agnes  L.  Wright, 
a daughter  of  Charles  James  and  Wells  (Lee)  Wright,  who  were  born  in 
England,  from  which  country  they  emigrated  to  the  Lhiited  States  in  early 
life;  the  father  became  a successful  physician  and  also  a minister  in  the 
Episcopal  church.  Mrs.  McQuiston  is  still  residing  at  the  old  home  place 
on  College  street. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  three  children  were  born,  namely:  Kenneth, 

born  on  July  to,  1884,  married  Jessie  Petty,  and  he  is  a machinist  in  the 
new  shops  of  the  Frisco  in  Springfield;  Arthur  C.,  born  on  March  31,  1889, 
has  marked  natural  talent  as  an  artist,  and  he  is  living  in  San  Francisco,  Cali- 


I 120 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


fornia,  where  he  is  a paint  salesman;  Janet  W.,  born  on  August  12,  1891, 
was  graduated  from  the  local  high  school,  later  attended  Drury  College  and 
the  University  of  Missouri  at  Columbia,  specializing  in  languages,  paying 
particular  attention  to  German ; she  is  one  of  the  successful  teachers  in  Gal- 
latin, Missouri,  schools,  being  exceptionally  well  qualified  for  her  chosen 
work. 

Politically,  Mr.  McQuiston  was  a Republican.  He  belonged  to  the 
Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers.  Fraternally,  he  held  membership 
with  the  Royal  Arch  Masons  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 


JAMES  A.  BERRY. 

Since  James  A.  Berry,  well-known  farmer  and  stock  breeder  of  Frank- 
lin township,  Greene  county,  located  in  this  vicinity  over  sixty  years  ago  he 
has  noted  many  changes — among  others,  a change  of  climatic  conditions — 
the  seasons  are  not  so  dependable  now  as  formerly,  consequently,  the  farmer 
has  had  to  change  his  methods.  One  of  the  most  serious  conditions  now  to 
be  met  with  is  a drought  at  some  period  during  each  growing  season.  But 
he,  with  others,  have  learned  that  when  crops  are  grown  in  rotation  and 
proper  tillage  methods  are  followed,  they  will  suffer  less  from  dry  weather 
than  when  they  are  grown  continually;  that  crop  rotation  is  usually  of  more 
importance  than  the  method  of  tillage  used  in  this  respect,  although  both 
are  important. 

Mr.  Berry  was  born,  January  1,  1842,  in  South  Carolina.  He  is  a 
son  of  William  B.  and  Martha  (Latham)  Berry.  The  father  of  our  subject 
was  a native  of  Alabama  and  was  a son  of  Robert  Berry,  who  located  in 
South  Carolina  when  a young  man,  where  he  married,  after  which  he  moved 
to  Tennessee,  remaining  in  that  state  until  1852,  when  he  emigrated  to 
Greene  county,  Missouri.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  two  years  old 
when  he  left  his  native  state  with  his  parents,  and  his  early  boyhood  was 
spent  in  Tennessee.  William  B.  Berry  was  a life-long  farmer,  and  owned 
a good  farm  in  Greene  county,  and  here  his  death  occurred  on  the  home- 
stead September  21,  1892.  Politically,  he  was  a Republican,  but  was  never 
active  in  public  affairs.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  also  a native  of 
South  Carolina,  and  her  death  occurred  on  the  home  farm  in  Greene  county 
in  1891.  She  was  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church  at  Mt. 
Comfort,  and  she  and  her  husband  were  both  buried  in  the  cemetery  near  that 
church.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  named  as  follows:  James 
A.,  of  this  sketch:  Mrs.  Calverna  Ann  Runnells,  deceased;  Mrs.  Emily  Run- 
nells,  deceased;  Mrs.  Mary  Jane.  McCurdy;  Mrs.  Dora  Lay  lives  in  Center 


JAMES  A.  BERRY  AND  FAMILY. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 121 


township,  this  county;  Mrs.  Etta  Newton,  deceased;  the  two  youngest  chil- 
dren died  in  infancy. 

James  A.  Berry  was  eleven  years  of  age  when  he  accompanied  the  rest 
of  the  family  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  he  worked  on  the  home  farm 
in  Franklin  township,  and  was  educated  in  the  township  schools.  He  re- 
mained on  the  home  farm  until  his  marriage,  then  moved  to  his  present  farm 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  He  also  owns  forty  acres  west  of  his 
home  farm,  which  lies  near  the  old  home  place.  He  has  been  very  success- 
ful as  a general  farmer  and  live  stock  raiser,  making  a specialty  of  grain 
and  trading  in  horses  and  mules,  and  formerly  he  raised  large  numbers  of 
hogs  annually,  but  of  late  years  has  not  made  such  an  extensive  effort  along 
this  line.  He  has  an  excellent  group  of  buildings.  In  the  fall  of  1912  he 
built  a breeding  barn,  thirty-six  by  forty-eight  feet,  with  box  stalls — modern 
and  complete.  He  is  one  of  the  best-known  horse  breeders  in  this  part  of 
the  county  and  owns  some  fine  stock,  including  a beautiful  black  Percheron 
stallion,  “Charley,”  which  is  a splendid  saddle  horse,  registered.  He  also 
owns  “Roscoe,”  six  years  old,  fifteen  hands  high  ; weight,  fourteen  hundred 
pounds.  He  also  owns  two  fine  jacks;  one,  ‘‘Black  John,"  is  a coal  black, 
seven  years  old,  and  fourteen  and  one-half  hands  high. 

Mr.  Berry  was  married  on  December  18,  i860,  to  Elizabeth  Katherine 
McCurdy,  a daughter  of  Thomas  and  Nancy  M.  (Appleby)  McCurdy.  Mr. 
McCurdy  w*as  born  in  Tennessee,  December  5,  1820,  and  removed  from  that 
state  to  Arkansas  when  he  was  eleven  years  of  age.  Remaining  in  that 
state  until  he  was  twenty  years  old,  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
married  the  following  year  and  located  on  a farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres,  of  well-improved  land  in  Franklin  township,  and  here  his  death  oc- 
curred August  28,  1904,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  His 
wife  was  born  in  Tennessee,  July  27,  1821.  and  died  on  the  home  farm  in 
Greene  county,  Missouri,  July  3,  1901.  Thomas  McCurdy  was  a soldier 
in  the  Civil  war,  having  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Seventy-second  Missouri 
Volunteer  Infantry,  in  1861.  He  did  guard  duty  mostly,  and  was  kept  with 
the  garrison  in  Springfield  most  of  the  time.  He  had  several  very  narrow 
escapes  from  serious  wounds  and  at  one  time  holes  were  shot  through  his 
hat  and  cape,  and  at  another  time  a grape-shot  narrowly  missed  his  foot, 
but  he  went  through  the  conflict  unscathed,  and  was  honorably  discharged 
in  1865. 

Fourteen  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berry,  namely: 
Leroy  McClelland  was  killed  by  a falling  log  at  the  age  of  seventeen;  Oliver 
DeWitt  lives  in  Franklin  township:  Rolland  Pate  lives  in  Pittsburg,  Kansas; 
Mrs.  Calverna  Ann  Patterson  lives  in  Springfield:  Gustavus  Antioch  Fink- 

(7 1) 


I 122 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


linburg  is  a member  of  the  real  estate  firm  known  as  the  Ozark  Land  Com- 
pany, Springfield;  Mrs.  Fidelia  Cornell  lives  in  Springfield;  James  Blaine 
lives  in  Springfield  and  is  a member  of  the  firm  of  the  Ozark  Land  Com- 
pany, being  in  the  real  estate  business  with  his  brother;  John  Logan  lives  in 
Springfield;  the  other  six  children  died  in  infancy. 

During  the  Civil  War  Mr.  Berry  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Federal 
army  in  1861,  in  Company  Iv,  Seventy-second  Missouri  Volunteer  Infantry. 
He  drove  a team  most  of  the  time,  however  he  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Springfield  when  Marmaduke  and  Shelby  attacked  the  town,  on  January  8, 
1863,  and  he  was  also  in  several  skirmishes.  He  did  guard  duty  for  some 
time  about  the  commissary.  He  was  mustered  out  and  honorably  discharged, 
August  20,  1865.  He  remained  in  Springfield  during  his  entire  service.  He 
is  a member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  has  always  been  a Re- 
publican but  now  votes  independently  in  local  affairs.  His  wife  is  a member 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church  at  Mt.  Comfort.  When  a young  man, 
just  before  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war,  Mr.  Berry  hauled  lumber  for 
the  old  court-house,  also  hauled  sand  from  the  James  river  for  the  same,  driv- 
ing six  yoke  of  oxen.  He  recalls  many  interesting  reminiscences  of  the  early 
days,  and  it  is  a pleasure  to  visit  his  home. 


JOHN  HENRY  LEHR. 

John  Henry  Lehr,  now  living  in  honorable  retirement  in  his  comfort- 
able home  on  East  Elm  street,  Springfield,  is  worthy  of  mention  in  the  pages 
of  a volume  of  the  province  of  the  one  in  hand  for  various  reasons,  not  the 
least  of  which  is  the  fact  that  he  is  one  of  the  loyal  sons  of  the  North  who 
offered  his  services  and  his  life,  if  need  be,  to  perpetuate  the  Union,  during 
its  greatest  crisis,  a half  century  ago.  He  has  spent  his  active  life  princi- 
pally as  a carpenter,  builder  and  agriculturist,  and,  being  a persistent  worker 
and  doing  his  work  thoroughly  and  well,  he  accumulated  a competency  for 
his  declining  years  and  is  now  spending  his  days  quietly. 

Mr.  Lehr,  as  the  name  indicates,  is  of  German  descent,  and  of  an  Ohio 
family,  his  birth  having  occurred  near  Tuscarawas,  in  the  county  of  that 
name,  in  the  state  of  Ohio,  December  9,  1845.  He  is  a son  of  Michael  and 
Catherine  (Gnagie)  Lehr.  Michael  Lehr  was  born  in  Oldenbach,  Germany, 
in  June,  1809,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  education. 
When  twenty  years  of  age  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States  and  located  in 
Tuscarawas  county,  Ohio,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  of  cabinet  maker 
which  he  had  learned  in  the  old  country.  He  was  an  expert  workman  and 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1123 


was  always  busy.  Catherine  Gnagie  was  also  born  in  Oldenbach,  Germany, 
and  there  grew  up  and  was  educated,  and  there  she  and  Mr.  Lehr  were  mar- 
ried in  1828,  and  for  a wedding  trip  they  came  to  America.  These  parents 
have  long  been  deceased. 

John  Henry  Lehr  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  county  in  the  Buckeye 
state  and  there  he  assisted  his  father  with  the  general  work  on  the  farm. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  day,  and  when  the 
Civil  war  came  on  he  enlisted  for  service  with  the  National  troops,  al- 
though he  was  but  sixteen  years  of  age,  but,  according  to  his  comrades  he 
proved  to  be  as  good  and  faithful  a soldier  as  his  older  companions  in  his 
regiment.  It  was  on  August  6,  1862,  that  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Ninety- 
Eighth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  saw  much  hard  service  and  partici- 
pated in  numerous  important  engagements,  including  the  battles  of  Perry- 
ville,  Kentucky,  Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge,  Resaca,  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
Atlanta,  and  from  that  city  marched  with  Sherman  to  the  sea  at  Savannah, 
thence  up  through  the  Carolinas,  and  fought  at  the  battle  of  Bentonville.  He 
was  never  sick,  captured  or  wounded,  and  was  with  his  regiment  every  day, 
and  never  shirked  his  duty  no  matter  how  dangerous  or  arduous.  He  was 
commissioned  corporal  for  his  faithful  service,  and  was  so  mustered  out  in 
June,  1865,  after  he  had  marched  in  the  grand  review  in  Washington  City. 
He  was  honorably  discharged  and  returned  to  his  home  in  Ohio  where  he 
continued  farming  until  1869  when  he  came  to  Livingston  county,  Missouri, 
where  he  worked  at  the  carpenter’s  trade,  and  in  1870  purchased  land  there 
and  resumed  farming  which  he  carried  on  with  his  usual  success  until  1906 
when,  on  account  of  failing  health,  he  sold  his  farm  and  went  to  Colorado 
Springs,  Colorado,  where  he  remained  three  months,  then  came  to  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  retired  from  active  life  and  has  since  made  his  home  here. 

Mr.  Lehr  was  married  in  December,  1870,  to  Mary  Umphrey,  a native 
of  Illinois.  Her  death  occurred  in  1901.  To  this  union  five  children  were 
born,  namely:  Oscar  V.  lives  in  Chillicothe,  Missouri;  Clay  E.  is  deceased; 

Margaret  E.  is  the  wife  of  A.  D.  Miller,  of  Gault,  Missouri;  Esther  D.  is 
the  wife  of  Dr.  L.  Hopper,  of  Ft.  Scott,  Kansas;  Grace  E.  is  the  wife  of 
H.  L.  Atherton,  of  Oklahoma  City. 

Mr.  Lehr  was  again  married  in  December,  1906.  to  Ellen  Affolter,  of 
Tuscarawas,  Ohio,  where  her  birth  occurred  on  August  26,  1876.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  Affolter.  The  father  was  a soldier  in  the 
Fifty-fifth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry  during  the  Civil  war,  also  served  in  a 
battery.  Mrs.  Lehr  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated  in  her  native 
vicinity. 

Politically,  Mr.  Lehr  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic,  and  the  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


1 124 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


JAMES  BISSETT. 

The  pioneer  railroader,  for  many  years  master  mechanic  in  the  Spring- 
field  shops,  the  gentleman  whose  life  history  is  herewith  outlined,  was  a 
man  who  lived  to  good  purpose  and  achieved  a large  degree  of  success,  solely 
by  his  individual  efforts.  By  a straightforward  and  commendable  course 
Mr.  Bissett  climbed  to  a responsible  position  in  his  calling,  winning  the 
hearty  admiration  of  his  fellow  workmen  and  earning  a reputation  as  an 
enterprising,  reliable,  trustworthy  and  efficient  man  of  affairs  which  a num- 
ber of  the  leading  railroad  officials  of  the  country  were  not  slow  to  recog- 
nize and  appreciate,  and  those  who  knew  him  best  will  readily  acquiesce  in 
the  statement  that  he  was  eminently  deserving  of  the  good  things  which  fate 
brought  him  during  his  life. 

James  Bissett  was  born  in  Scotland,  May  15,  1840,  and  had  many  of 
the  characteristic  traits  of  the  noble  race  of  Scots.  His  birth  occurred  within 
two  blocks  of  the  house  in  which  Andrew  Carnegie  first  saw  the  light  of 
day,  but  his  family  brought  him  to  America  when  he  was  a child  and  he  was 
reared  in  Madison,  Indiana,  receiving  his  education  in  that  town  and  in  In- 
dianapolis. However,  his  schooling  was  limited,  and  his  knowledge,  which 
was  considerable  and  general,  was  acquired  chiefly  by  experience  in  the  prac- 
tical affairs  of  life.  He  was  a son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Walker)  Bissett, 
both  natives  of  Scotland,  where  they  grew  up  and  were  married.  The  father 
died  in  Madison,  Indiana.  He  was  a machinist  by  trade.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  Thomas  is 

deceased:  Elizabeth;  William;  Robert;  David;  Ellen,  and  James  of  this 
sketch,  who  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth  and  who  died  on  November  11, 
1914. 

James  Bissett  returned  to  Madison,  Indiana,  after  he  left  school  in  In- 
dianapolis, and  went  to  work  in  the  railroad  shops  of  North  Madison,  re- 
maining there  as  an  apprentice  about  four  years,  or  until  1858,  then  went  to 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  from  there  to  Huntsville,  Alabama,  where  he  was 
living  when  the  war  between  the  states  began.  He  returned  to  Nashville 
and  went  to  work  in  the  Memphis  & Nashville  machine  shops  there,  later 
ran  a locomotive  between  Huntsville,  Alabama,  and  Brownsville,  Mississippi, 
and  while  thus  engaged  was  captured  at  Huntsville  by  the  Federals,  the  Fourth 
Ohio  Cavalry,  under  Col.  O.  M.  Mitchell.  The  invaders  were  later  driven 
out  of  that  city,  and  our  subject  went  to  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  arriving 
there  while  General  Bragg  was  crossing  the  river  with  his  army,  just  prior 
to  the  battle  of  Chickamauga.  He  went  on  to  Atlanta,  being  with  Bragg’s 
army  most  of  the  time.  All  the  while  he  had  been  running  an  engine  for 
the  Confederates,  and  he  took  his  engine  from  Atlanta  to  Macon,  Georgia, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1125 


later,  where,  the  hre  box  giving  out,  he  left  it,  and  from  there  went  to  Selma, 
that  state,  and  worked  on  the  Blue  Mountain  route.  From  there  he  went  to 
Birmingham,  Alabama.  He  was  captured  at  Selma  by  “Billy”  Wilson. 

After  the  war  Mr.  Bissett  came  to  Nashville  and  went  to  work  on  the 
Nashville  & Chattanooga  railroad  as  engineer,  but  in  1865  he  returned  to  his 
old  home  in  Madison,  Indiana,  then  went  to  work  for  the  Louisville  & Nash- 
ville Railroad  Company.  Later  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Bur- 
lington & Quincy  Railroad  Company,  with  headquarters  at  Galesburg,  Illi- 
nois, and  from  there  he  went  to  Omaha,  Nebraska,  for  the  Union  Pacific, 
which  company  sent  him  to  Wyoming,  in  1868,  that  country  then  being  a 
territory.  He  ran  an  engine  for  some  time  and  later  was  foreman  of  the 
company’s  shops  at  Laramie,  remaining  there  three  years,  then  came  to 
Moberly,  Missouri,  and  took  charge  of  the  old  North  Missouri  shops,  re- 
maining there  some  time,  then  went  with  the  Santa  Fe  road,  and  was  the 
first  master  mechanic  on  that  road  west  of  Topeka,  Kansas,  his  headquarters 
being  at  Dodge  City,  where  he  remained  two  years,  after  which  he  went  to 
Los  Angeles.  California,  in  1876,  from  which  city  he  ran  an  engine  to  and 
from  Wilmington.  Later  he  went  to  Colton,  at  the  edge  of  the  desert,  which 
was  at  the  end  of  the  road,  which  was  only  one  hundred  miles  long.  It  was 
a private  road  at  that  time,  but  is  now  a part  of  the  Southern  Pacific.  Sub- 
sequentlv  Mr.  Bissett  ran  a locomotive  for  the  Missouri,  Kansas  & Texas 
Railroad  Company  between  Parsons,  Kansas,  and  Hannibal,  Missouri.  Leav- 
ing this  company,  he  ran  an  engine  out  of  Marshall,  Texas,  for  the  Texas 
Pacific  road,  and  later  was  given  an  engine  on  the  International  Great  North- 
ern. He  came  to  Kansas  City  in  1883  and  was  made  foreman  of  the  Mis- 
souri River,  Ft.  Scott  & Gulf  shops,  remaining  in  charge  of  the  same  until 
October,  1890,  when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  as  master  me- 
chanic for  the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  road,  remaining  with 
the  same  until  1901,  when  this  road  was  purchased  by  the  Frisco  System. 
He  remained  in  the  same  capacity  with  the  latter  road,  discharging  his  duties 
with  his  usual  fidelity  and  success  and  to  the  eminent  satisfaction  of  all  con- 
cerned. When  the  old  Gulf  shops  on  the  South  Side  were  closed,  he  was  re- 
tired with  a pension,  having  reached  the  age  limit. 

Mr.  Bissett  was  married  on  December  25,  1866,  in  Madison,  Indiana, 
to  Levena  Aigner,  who  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  Indiana,  November  13, 
1844.  She  is  a daughter  of  M.  C.  Aigner  and  wife,  her  mother  dying  in  the 
year  1865.  She  grew  up  in  her  native  city  and  had  the  advantages  of  an  ex- 
cellent education. 

Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bissett,  two  of  whom  are 
living,  namely:  James,  born  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  is  deceased;  Harry,  born 
in  Laramie,  Wyoming,  February  13,  1871,  was  graduated  from  the  high 
school  in  Kansas  City,  after  which  he  came  to  Springfield  and  went  to  work 


1126 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


for  the  Frisco,  beginning  at  the  bottom,  and  is  now  foreman  of  the  South 
Side  shops.  He  married,  on  June  27,  1900,  Emma  Weaver,  daughter  of 
Major  Weaver  and  wife,  and  they  have  one  child,  Marion,  born  September 
7,  1903;  Clyde,  youngest  child  of  our  subject,  was  born  March  19,  1876,  and 
is  living  in  Kansas' City. 

Politically,  Mr.  Bissett  was  a Democrat.  He  was  an  interesting  talker 
on  early  railroading  in  this  country,  and  his  vast  experience  in  so  many 
places,  made  his  reminiscences  entertaining  and  instructive.  His  death  was 
a great  loss  to  the  community  and  he  will  long  be  remembered  as  one  of 
Springfield’s  best  citizens. 


JAMES  A.  WOODSON. 

Some  families  seem  to  be  born  mechanics,  just  the  same  as  men  are 
born  with  a bent  toward  any  other  vocation,  and  the  children  of  such  are 
as  a rule  very  precocious  in  the  lines  which  they  are  destined  to  follow,  their 
inclination  being  shown  in  their  toys  and  in  their  play  often  when  they  can 
scarcely  talk  or  walk.  This  bent  should  be  carefully  encouraged  by  the 
parent,  whose  child  may  become  in  due  course  of  time  a man  of  rare  talent, 
if  not  an  inventor  of  useful  devices,  at  least  a man  of  great  service  in  some 
way  or  another,  capable  of  doing  exceptionally  good  work  in  some  useful 
line  and  therefore  be  a blessing  in  a general  way  to  the  human  race.  James 
A.  Woodson,  general  foreman  of  the  South  Side  Frisco  shops,  Springfield, 
came  from  such  a family  and  was  such  a child.  He  has  followed  up  his 
natural  liking  for  mechanical  work  with  the  result  that  he  is  one  of  the 
ablest  mechanics  on  the  great  system  for  which  he  works. 

Mr.  Woodson  was  born  at  Roanoke,  Howard  county,  Missouri,  May  10, 
1859.  He  is  a son  of  William  B.  Woodson,  who  was  born  in  the  state  of 
Virginia  where  he  grew  up,  attended  school  and  learned  the  carpenter’s 
trade  when  a boy,  later,  in  1842,  removing  to  Missouri  and  establishing 
his  future  home.  He  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  and  he  became  a well- 
known  and  successful  contractor  and  builder  in  Howard  and  Randolph 
counties,  this  state,  maintaining  his  office  at  Roanoke,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Woodson  & Phelps.  His  death  occurred  in  1893  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
four  years.  Politically,  he  was  originally  a Whig,  later  a Democrat.  He  was 
a member  of  the  Baptist  church.  Fie  married  Martha  C.  Lockridge,  who  lived 
near  Roanoke.  She  was  a daughter  of  William  Y.  Lockridge,  who  was  one 
of  the  first  tanners  in  Missouri,  who  later  became  a manufacturer  of  shoes 
and  handled  leather  and  leather  goods,  being  well  known  in  Howard  county. 
Archer  W.  Woodson,  our  subject’s  paternal  grandfather,  was  a farmer  near 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 127 


-Gordingville,  Roanoke  county,  Virginia.  Nine  children  were  born  to  Will- 
iam B.  Woodson  and  wife,  namely:  Willie  married  P.  A.  Frederick,  a 

broker  and  real  estate  man  of  Kansas  City;  Emmett  L.,  who  died  in  1909, 
was  a traveling  salesman  for  Swift  & Company;  James  A.,  of  this  sketch; 
Lutie  is  the  wife  of  a Mr.  Mowinkle,  traveling  auditor  for  Swift  & Com- 
pany out  of  Chicago;  Ruth,  Charles  and  Harry  are  all  deceased;  Bessie  is 
the  wife  of  C.  A.  Carrier,  who  is  engaged  in  the  manufacturing  business  in 
Kansas  City;  Maud,  who  has  remained  single,  is  with  the  secretary  of  the 
Relief  Board  of  Kansas  City. 

James  A.  Woodson  grew  up  in  Howard  county  and  there  received  a 
common  school  education,  and  when  but  a boy  he  began  work  as  a machin- 
ist at  Moberly,  Missouri,  where  he  served  his  apprenticeship  in  the  St.  Louis, 
Kansas  City  & Northern  Railroad  shops,  beginning  there  on  March  8,  1874, 
and  remained  with  that  company  until  1880,  then  went  to  Mt.  Vernon,  Illi- 
nois where  he  worked  a year  as  machinist  for  the  Louisville  & Nashville 
Railroad.  He  then  worked  at  Tracy,  Tennessee,  as  machinist  for  the  Ten- 
nessee Coal  & Iron  Company,  was  division  foreman  there  for  three  years. 
He  then  went  to  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  where  he  worked  as  machinist  for 
the  Southern  railroad  for  a short  time,  after  which  he  came  back  to  Mo- 
berly, Missouri,  where  he  worked  in  the  Wabash  railroad  shops  for  awhile 
at  his  trade,  then  went  to  Kansas  City  and  found  employment  with  the 
Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  Railroad  Company,  beginning  as  ma- 
chinist there  on  October  1,  1884,  and  remained  there  until  October  1,  1890, 
then  came  to  Springfield  for  this  company,  working  in  their  shops  here 
until  October  1,  1891,  when  he  was  appointed  machine  shop  foreman.  In 
March,  1907,  he  was  promoted  to  general  foreman  of  the  South  Side  shops 
which  position  he  has  occupied  to  the  present  time,  and  was  placed  in  charge 
of  the  round  house  here  on  August  11,  1911.  He  has  under  his  direction 
on  an  average  of  one  hundred  men.  Everything  is  under  a splendid  system 
of  modern  management  and  he  is  a man  of  such  fine  executive  ability  that  he 
gets  the  best  results  possible  from  his  men  and  at  the  same  time  wins  and 
retains  their  good  will  and  friendship. 

Mr.  Woodson  was  married  in  1889  to  Julia  D.  Wray,  a daughter  of 
Joseph  A.  and  Christiana  (Rea)  Wray,  who  were  born  near  Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania.  To  this  union  two  children  have  been  born,  namely : Doro- 

thy L.  is  a student  of  piano  under  Miss  Atwood,  of  Springfield,  and  she  has 
decided  musical  talent ; Gladys  is  a student  in  Drury  College. 

Politically,  Mr.  Woodson  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 
the  Masonic  order,  Solomon  Lodge;  also  the  Royal  Arcanum,  and  the  Mod- 
ern Woodmen  of  America.  He  is  a member  of  Calvary  Presbyterian  church, 
in  which  he  was  a deacon  for  some  time.  He  has  long  been  active  in  church 
-work. 


1128 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN  FIELDER. 

That  period  of  the  nineteenth  century  embracing  the  decades  between 
1830  and  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war  was  characterized  by  the  immi- 
gration of  the  pioneer  element  which  made  the  great  state  of  Missouri  what 
it  is  today.  The  immigrant's,  were  sturdy,  heroic,  sincere  and,  in  the  main, 
upright  people,  such  as  constitute  the  strength  of  the  commons  ealth.  It  is. 
scarcely  probable  that  in  the  future  of  the  world  another  such  period  can 
occur,  or,  indeed,  any  period  when  such  a solid  phalanx  of  strong-minded 
men  and  noble,  self-sacrificing  women  will  take  possession  of  a new  country. 
The  period  to  which  reference  is  made,  therefore,  cannot  be  too  much  or 
too  well  written  up,  and  the  only  way  to  do  justice  to  such  a subject  is  to 
record  the  lives  of  those  who  led  the  van  of  civilization  and  founded  the 
institutions  which  today  are  the  pride  and  boast  of  a great  state  and  a strong 
and  virile  people.  Among  those  who  came  to  Greene  county  when  it  was 
still  largely  in  its  primitive  wildness  was  the  late  Benjamin  Franklin  Fielder, 
who  was  not  only  a leading  actor  in  the  great  drama  which  witnessed  the 
passing  of  the  old  and  the  introduction  of  the  new  conditions  in  this  locality, 
but  who  enjoyed  an  excellent  reputation  that  penetrated  to  adjoining  counties 
during  his  career  here  of  over  sixty  years.  Lie  devoted  his  life,  which  em- 
braced the  unusual  span  of  ninety  vears,  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and  by  close 
application  he  established  those  habits  of  industry  and  frugality  which  insured 
his  success  in  later  years.  With  the  able  assistance  of  bis  estimable  life  com- 
panion he  forged  ahead,  extended  the  acres  of  cultivable  land  and  in  due  time 
found  himself  upon  the  high  road  to  prosperity  with  a good  farm  in  his 
possession  and  all  the  comforts  and  conveniences  of  life  surrounding  him. 
He  was  regarded  as  an  enterprising  and  typical  farmer  of  the  progressive 
type.  His  thorough  system  of  tillage,  the  good  order  of  his  fences,  the  well- 
cared-for  condition  of  his  fields,  the  commodious  and  comfortable  buildings, 
all  demonstrated  his  successful  management  and  substantial  thrift,  and  his 
long  residence  in  the  vicinity  of  Springfield  won  for  him  a very  high  place  in 
the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  neighbors  and  friends. 

Mr.  Fielder  was  born  in  Maury  county,  Tennessee,  on  February  7,  1824. 
He  was  a son  of  John  and  Mary  (Denton)  Fielder,  one  of  the  old  families 
in  that  section  of  the  South,  and  there  they  spent  their  lives,  dying  in  Maury 
county.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  a successful  farmer  and  was  influential 
in  public  affairs.  He  was  at  one  time  sheriff  of  Maury  county.  His  family 
consisted  of  eight  children,  all  now  deceased,  namely:  Mrs.  Martha  Speer, 
Thompson,  Benjamin  F.,  Mrs.  Mary  Wilkes,  Samuel  P.,  Ellen,  Louisa  and 
the  youngest  died  in  infancy  unnamed. 

Benjamin  F.  Fielder  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Tennessee 
and  there  worked  when  a boy.  He  received  a limited  education  in  the  rural 


BENJAMIN  F.  FIELDER. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI 


I I 29- 


Schools  of  his  neighborhood,  and  remained  at  home  until  he  was  about  thirty 
years  of  age.  when  he  came  overland  to  Greene  county.  Missouri,  in  the  year 
1853,  and  settled  on  a farm  about  three  miles  southeast  of  the  business  center 
of  Springfield,  which  was  then  a mere  village,  but  which  has  now  spread 
almost  to  the  Fielder  homestead.  However,  he  had  learned  the  carpenter’s 
trade  in  his  native  state  and  followed  this  for  some  time  after  coming  to 
Greene  county  in  connection  with  farming,  in  fact,  he  liked  to  use  tools  so 
well  that  he  worked  at  his  trade  at  times  during  all  his  active  life.  Being 
industrious  and  managing  well,  he  prospered  and  became  owner  of  a number 
of  good  farms  in  this  county,  all  of  which  he  placed  under  high-grade  im- 
provement and  an  excellent  state  of  cultivation.  His  widow  still  owns  the 
old  home  place,  lying  just  east  of  the  National  cemetery,  and  which  fine  farm 
contains  one  hundred  and  five  acres.  Old  age  finally  rendering  him  unfit 
for  the  strenuous  work  of  the  farm,  he  removed  to  a comfortable  dwelling 
on  East  State  street,  Springfield,  which  he  purchased,  and  here  he  resided 
from  1913  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  December  4,  1914.  He  was 
twice  married,  first  in  Tennessee  to  Mary  Estes,  about  1851.  Four  children 
were  born  to  this  union,  Mary  A.  Brown,  living  near  Ozark,  Missouri ; Roxie, 
deceased;  William  Thomas  is  living  in  this  county,  and  Andrew  J.  is  living 
in  Lindsay,  California. 

Mr.  Fielder  was  married  on  February  6,  1877,  on  his  farm  in  this 
county,  to  Mary  S.  Barnes.  She  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  on 
September  28,  1846.  She  is  a daughter  of  Matthew  C.  and  Luceta  A.  (Town- 
send) Barnes.  Her  father  was  born  in  Indiana  on  January  18,  1823.  He 
spent  his  early  life  in  that  state,  eventually  removing  to  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  on  a farm,  dying  here  on  December 
7,  1908.  He  was  thirteen  years  old,  when  he  came  here,  Springfield  at  that 
time  being  a small  trading  center  on  the  wild  prairies.  Mr.  Barnes  became  a 
minister  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  was  prominent  in  that  de- 
nomination in  the  early  days  in  this  locality  when  most  preachers  were  also 
farmers.  He  is  remembered  as  a man  of  fine  characteristics,  beloved  by  all 
who  knew  him,  and  he  did  much  for  the  moral  and  general  uplift  of  the 
county.  His  wife  was  born  in  Logan  county,  Kentucky,  on  August  20,  1827, 
and  her  death  occurred  about  twenty-seven  years  ago  near  Monett,  in  Barry 
county,  Missouri,  when  she  was  in  the  prime  of  life.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Barnes  eleven  children  were  born,  nine  daughters  and  two  sons;  five  of  them 
are  still  living,  namely:  Mrs.  Mary  S.  Fielder,  widow  of  our  subject;  Mrs. 
Virginia  Thomas,  Mrs.  Ellen  Decker,  Mrs.  Lula  Williams  and  Mrs.  Geneva 
Tharp. 

The  union. of  Benjamin  F.  Fielder  and  wife  resulted  in  the  birth. of  four 
children,  named  as  follows:  Mrs.  R.  L.  Matthews  lives  in  Springfield,  Cor- 
delia lives  at  home,  Benjamin  F.,  Jr.,  resides  in  Springfield,  Mrs.  G.  W. 


1130 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Chapman  lives  at  Hunter,  Missouri.  These  children  all  grew  up  on  the  home- 
stead southeast  of  the  city  and  all  were  given  good  educational  advantages. 

Thompson  Fielder,  a brother  of  our  subject,  was  also  an  early  settler 
in  this  county  and  he  was  a soldier  in  the  Mexican  war. 

Benjamin  F.  Fielder  was  a member  of  St.  Paul’s  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  South.  In  earlier  life  he  was  a Democrat,  but  in  later  years  voted 
for  prohibition.  He  was  long  an  active  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  having 
in  early  life  united  with  Polk  lodge  at  Columbia,  Tennessee.  He  led  a quiet 
home  life,  never  taking  an  active  part  in  politics  and  was  never  a candidate 
for  office. 

The  following  article  on  Mr.  Fielder’s  death  occurred  in  the  Springfield 
Republican  in  its  issue  of  December  6,  1914: 

“Away  back  in  ’53  a prairie  schooner  pulled  by  a span  of  horses  rattled 
and  creaked  its*  way  across  the  country  from  Maury  county,  Tennessee.  A 
jolly  party  was  in  the  schooner.  Ben  F.  Fielder  and  his  brother,  T.  F.  Fielder, 
with  their  wives  and  babies,  were  searching  for  a new  home.  Both  had  been 
married  less  than  two  years.  It  was  autumn  and  the  whole  world  looked 
bright. 

“For  days  the  party  looked  over  the  Missouri  country — and  drove  on. 
Arriving  in  the  Ozarks,  the  F ielders  drove  more  slowly,  having  been  enamored 
with  the  beauty  and  prospects  of  the  hillsides.  Arriving  in  a little  village  of 
log  cabins  on  November  17,  1853,  they  made  their  camp.  That  was  the  town 
of  Springfield. 

“Yesterday  morning  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Greene  county  passed  away. 
It  was  “Uncle  Ben”  Fielder,  the  last  of  the  four  grown-ups  who  traveled 
across  the  country  in  the  schooner  to  Springfield.  He  died  at  the  family 
home  on  East  State  street.  For  the  last  month  “Uncle  Ben,”  as  he  was 
known  to  hundreds  of  people  in  the  county,  had  been  failing  in  health.  He 
grew  weaker,  but  firmly  believed  to  the  last  that  he  would  recover  and  again 
go  about  among  his  friends.  Prior  to  the  beginning  of  the  month  of  illness 
“Uncle  Ben”  was  hale  and  hearty  and  walked  about  town  unassisted.  He 
was  known  here  as  the  oldest  Mason  in  Missouri. 

“Soon  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Fielder  joined  the  South 
Side  Mount  Pisgah  church  and  for  years  was  the  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school.  Years  ago  the  pupils  of  the  class  he  taught  presented  a 
beautiful' Bible  to  him,  which  was  at  his  side  on  his  death  bed.” 

We  also  quote  the  following  article  from  the  Springfield  Daily  Leader, 
under  date  of  December  6,  1914: 

“Benjamin  F.  Fielder,  whose  funeral  will  be  held  this  afternoon  at  the 
family  home,  was  a member  of  the  famous  Seventy-sixth  Regiment,  Missouri 
Militia,  which  successfully  frustrated  the  attack  on  Springfield  on  January  8, 
1863,  attempted  under  order  of  General  Marmaduke.  The  engagement  at 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 I3I 


the  southern  and  western  outskirts  of  the  city  was  the  only  active  service 
■experienced  during  the  Civii  war  by  Mr.  Fielder. 

“The  decedent’s  activity  in  the  memorable  battle  was  given  last  evening 
by  Martin  J.  Hubble,  a Greene  county  pioneer. 

“ ‘I  first  met  Mr.  Fielder  in  the  town  of  Columbia,  Tennessee,  in  the  year 
1852,’  said  Mr.  Hubble.  ‘I  was  clerking  in  a country  store  there  at  the  time 
and  Mr.  Fielder  purchased  a razor  from  me.  From  that  time  until  the  death 
of  Mr.  Fielder  we  were  firm  friends  and  he  was  often  a guest  at  my  home 
after  his  removal  to  Missouri.  He  was  in  possession  of  the  razor  at  the 
time  of  his  death. 

“ ‘My  friend  came  to  Springfield  in  the  early  fifties.  He  was  induced  to 
•come  to  Greene  county  by  the  obvious  opportunities  for  a farmer  here.  Land 
was  much  higher  priced  in  Tennessee  than  it  was  in  this  state.  Mr.  Fielder 
was  never  active  in  politics,  as  he  was  of  a retiring  disposition.  Recognition 
should  be  given  his  moral  characteristics.  His  word  was  as  good  as  his  bond, 
and  he  was  a devoted  prohibitionist;  in  fact,  he  was  one  of  the  noblest  men 
with  whom  I have  ever  been  associated.’  ” 

Mr.  Fielder,  despite  the  fact  that  he  was  nearly  ninety  years  of  age  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  was  unusually  well  preserved.  He  was  able  to  read 
without  glasses,  and  until  a short  time  before  he  died  he  made  daily  walks 
about  the  city. 


JAMES  J.  GIDEON. 

The  name  of  Judge  James  J.  Gideon  has  been  a prominent  and  honored 
one  in  Greene  county  for  many  decades  and  he  is  still  in  the  front  ranks  of 
the  local  bar.  His  force  and  effectiveness  are  strongly  emphasized  in  his  argu- 
ments to  the  jury,  as;  he  seems  not  so  much  to  look  at  them,  as  to  look  through 
them,  less  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  how  they  felt,  than  to  rivet  their  attention, 
and,  as  it  were,  to  grasp  their  attention  by  the  compass  of  his  own.  The  calm 
and  masterly  manner  in  which  he  disposes  of  the  preliminary  considerations 
is  the  reminder  of  the  experienced  general,  quietly  arranging  his  forces  and 
preparing  to  press  down  with  overwhelming  force  upon  a single  point.  His 
manner  becomes  aroused;  his  action  animated.  It  is  first  the  expression  of 
extensive  views  and  the  enunciation  of  general  principles  applicable  to  the 
case;  then  the  application  of  those  to  particular  facts,  examining  the  testimony 
of  each  witness,  showing  its  weakness,  the  suspicions  attaching  to  it  and  its 
inconsistency  either  with  itself  or  with  the  other  parts  of  the  evidence.  As  a 
judge  he  was  an  active,  hard  worker.  Always  careful,  painstaking  and 
prompt,  he  was  a valuable  member  of  the  court — always  sustained  himself 
-well  on  the  bench.  The  decisions  made  bv  him  were  always  short,  clear  and 


1 :32 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


to  the  point,  disposing  of  cases  rapidly  and  satisfactorily.  Possessed  and 
imbued  as  he  is  to  a large  degree  with  the  elementary  principles  of  the  law, 
he  was  able  in  his  written  opinions  to  make  them  models  of  perspicuity  and 
force  and  plain  to  the  comprehension  of  all.  But  while  he  has  distinguished 
himself  as  a lawyer  and  jurist,  lye  has  a far  greater  claim  to  the  respect  of 
the  people  of  Springfield  and  vicinity  in  his  sturdy  integrity  of  character  and 
his  life-long  course  as  a friend  of  justice. 

Judge  Gideon  was  born  on  Ozark  Mountain  soil,  was  reared  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  pioneer  period  and  he  springs  from  a sterling  Irish-Scotch  ancestry 
of  Colonial  American  stock.  His  birth  occurred  in  Taney  county,  in  a section 
that  is  now  a part  of  Christian  county,  Missouri,  on  December  n,  1846.  He 
is  a son  of  William  C.  and  Malinda  (Byrd)  Gideon.  James  Gideon,  the 
great-grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  the  founder  of  the  branch  of  the  family 
in  America.  He  came  from  Dublin,  Ireland,  with  his  brothers,  Reuben  and 
Edward,  anti  bringing  bis  wife,  Nancy.  His  sons  were  Edward,  William, 
Isham,  James  and  John.  They  all  settled  on  land  in  southwestern  New  York. 
Edward,  brother  of  James,  was  killed  in  battle  during  the  Revolutionary  war. 
All  of  the  family  moved  to  North  Carolina  about  1781  and  settled  on  the 
Yadkin  river,  fames  Gideon  moved  to  what  is  now  Hawkins  county,  Ten- 
nessee,  in  1821,  where  he  settled  on  wild  land  and  there  established  the  family 
home,  cleared  and  developed  a farm.  He  took  with  him  the  apple  trees  with 
which  to  plant  his  orchard.  Several  members  of  the  Gideon  family  went 
with  him  besides  his  own  immediate  family.  He  was  a substantial  farmer 
and  lived  to  be  an  aged  man,  passing  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  Tennessee. 
William  Gideon,  his  son  and  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  born  in 
the  state  of  New  York  in  1789,  and  went  with  the  rest  of  the  family  to  North 
Carolina,  and  there  he  married  Matilda  Wood,  and  to  them  these  children 
were  born:  James  H.,  Burton  A.,  William  C.,  Francis  M.,  Woodson  T., 
Green  B.,  John  A,,  Minerva  and  Elizabeth.  Mr.  Gideon  moved  to  Tennessee 
in  1821  and  engaged  in  farming,  although  he  was  a hatter  by  trade.  He  was 
a member  of  the  Baptist  church  and  was  an  elder  in  the  church  for  forty 
years.  However,  in  his  old  age  he  became  a Universalist.  In  the  spring  of 
1836  he  came  to  Missouri  and  settled  on  land  north  of  Ozark,  entering  two 
hundred  acres  of  wild  land  two  miles  from  that  town  and  here  began  life  in 
true  pioneer  fashion.  He  became  a successful  farmer  here  and  a well-known 
and  highly  respected  citizen.  His  death  occurred  in  1868  at  the  age  of 
seventy-nine  years.  His  son,  William  C.  Gideon,  our  subject’s  father,  was 
born  in  Hawkins  county,  Tennessee,  on  February  15,  1824,  and  received  a 
limited  education  in  the  schools  of  his  day,  and  was  but  twelve  years  old 
when  he  , came  with  his '.father  to  Missouri,  and  was  reared  among  the  fron- 
tiersmen of  this  state  in  a rugged  and  primitive  environment.  When  twenty- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1133 


one  years  old  he  married  Malinda  Byrd,  a daughter  of  James  Byrd  and  wife, 
and  to  this  union  eight  children  were  born,  namely:  Thomas  J.,  James  J., 
Francis  M.,  William  W.,  John  M.,  Martin  V.,  George  B.  and  Matilda. 

William  C.  Gideon  settled  on  a farm  in  what  was  then  Taney  county, 
now  Christian  county,  Missouri,  and  during  his  life  lived  on  a number  of 
different  farms  in  this  locality.  Fie  was  a hard  worker  and  managed  well, 
and  even  prior  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  between  the  states  he  owned 
four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Christian  county.  He  cleared  up 
several  farms.  During  the  war  he  was  obliged  to  remove  his  residence  to 
Greene  county,  settling  four  miles  south  of  Springfield  on  account  of  the 
depredations  of  guerrillas.  His  sympathies  were  with  the  Union,  and  during 
the  war  he  served  in  the  Home  Guards,  three  months  under  Capt.  Jesse  Gal- 
loway, and  on  March  5,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Missouri  State 
Militia,  and  was  mustered  into  United  States  service.  He  was  promoted  to 
sergeant  and  detailed  as  recruiting  officer  at  Springfield,  Missouri,  for  Rabbs’ 
Batterv,  having  been  transferred  to  the  Eighth  Missouri  State  Militia.  While 
in  this  service,  he  was  killed  by  a band  of  guerrillas,  in  Christian  county,  at 
the  home  of  his  father  on  December  16,  1863,  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-nine 
years.  He  had  participated  in  the  battle  of  Ozark  and  the  battle  of  Springfield 
when  Marmaduke  and  Shelby  made  their  raid  and  attempted  to  capture  the 
town  on  January  8,  1863.  He  was  also  in  other  engagements  and  proved  to 
be  a brave  and  gallant  soldier.  In  religion  he  was  a Methodist.  He  was  a 
man  whose  judgment  was  respected  by  the  people  and  he  was  influential  in 
his  community.  He  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  four  years.  In  politics  he 
was  a Douglas  or  war  Democrat,  but  after  the  war  began  became  a Repub- 
lican. He  was  a man  of  quiet  and  peaceful  disposition,  was  honorable  in 
character,  and  had  the  confidence  of  the  community  in  which  he  lived. 

Judge  James  J.  Gideon  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm  in  Christian 
county  and  there  worked  hard  when  a boy.  He  received  his  earlv  education 
in  the  common  schools,  and  when  a boy,  being  fired  with  the  patriotism  of 
the  youth  of  this  country  during  the  Civil  war,  he  ran  away  from  school  at 
the  age  of  sixteen  years,  and  on  June  20,  1863,  enlisted  at  Springfield  in 
Battery  A,  First  Arkansas  Light  Artillery.  After  serving  a short  time  in 
this  battery  he  re-enlisted  in  Company  H,  Sixteenth  United  States  Cavalry, 
in  which  he  served  twenty  months.  While  in  this  regiment  he  was  in  the 
fight  at  Boonville  against  General  Price,  at  the  battle  near  Jefferson  City,  at 
Big  Blue,  where  General  Marmaduke  was  captured,  Independence  and  in  the 
Newtonia  fight  and  many  skirmishes,  in  all  of  which  he  deported  himself  as 
creditably  as  did  any  of  the  veterans  of  his  regiment.  He  was  promoted  to 
corporal  and  was  honorably  discharged  on  July  1,  1865.  During  his  service 
he  was  neither  wounded  nor  imprisoned.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was 


H34 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


elected  captain  of  Company  E,  Ninety-ninth  Regiment,  Missouri  Militia,  but 
saw  no  active  service  as  such.  After  his  military  career  he  returned  home, 
attended  school  and  farmed.  On  December  29,  1868,  he  married  Mary  S. 
Ball,  a daughter  of  Captain  Jackson  and  Elizabeth  (Keltruer)  Ball.  To  Judge 
and  Mrs.  Gideon  the  following  children  were  born : Percy  P.,  Frederick  E., 
Nora  (died  when  thirteen  years  old),  Kate  M.,  who  died  on  November  20, 
1900,  and  Mary,  born  on  January  1,  1894,  died  on  March  10,  1907. 

After  his  marriage  Judge  Gideon  settled  on  a farm  near  Ozark,  but 
agricultural  pursuits  were  not  exactly  to  the  tastes  of  a man  of  his  active- 
mind  and  laudable  ambitions,  and  he  began  the  study  of  law  during  his  spare 
moments,  and.  making  rapid  progress,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  January, 
1872,  and  immediately  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Ozark,  where 
he  soon  had  a good  practice  and  where  he  continued  until  1886.  During  this 
time  he  won  the  confidence  of  the  people  of  his  county  and  filled  the  office  of 
public  administrator  and  prosecuting  attorney  for  eight  years.  He  also  rep- 
resented his  county  in  the  state  Legislature  one  term  and  was  elected  to  the 
state  Senate  from  the  Nineteenth  Senatorial  District  in  1884  and  served  one 
term,  giving  his  constituents  entire  satisfaction  in  both  offices.  On  July  26, 
1886,  he  removed  to  Springfield,  where  he  still  resides  and  where  he  was- 
successful  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  from  the  start  and  his  ability 
recognized,  in  1888,  by  his  election  as  prosecuting  attorney  for  one  term  and 
in  the  year  1902  by  his  election  as  judge  of  the  criminal  court.  In  November, 
1900,  he  was  again  elected  judge  of  the  criminal  court  for  one  term,  which 
important  office  he  filled  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people.  It  is  said  that 
under  his  administration  the  business  of  the  criminal  court  was  dispatched 
expeditiously,  as  indicated  in  the  beginning  of  this  article,  and  that  wisdom 
accompanied  his  judgments,  which  were  tempered  with  mercy.  Judge  Gideon 
is  widely  known  throughout  southwestern  Missouri  as  a stanch  leader  in 
the  Republican  party  and  a successful  politician.  He  has  never  been  defeated 
before  a convention  or  at  the  polls  for  any  office  for  which  he  has  seen  fit 
to  run  except  in  the  free  silver  craze  of  1896.  He  is  still  active  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession.  Fraternallv  he  belongs  to  Solomon  Lodge  of 
Masons  at  Springfield  and  at  Ozark  held  all  the  offices  of  Friend  Lodge,  No. 
352.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  an 
active  member  of  Capt.  John  Matthews  Post,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,. 
Springfield,  of  which  he  has  been  commander,  and  he  was  at  onetime  assistant 
inspector  general  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Judge  Gideon’s  life  record  might  well  be  emulated  by  the  ambitious 
youth  whose  fortunes  are  yet  in  the  making,  for  our  subject  is  an  example 
of  the  self-made  man  who  came  up  from  the  soil  and  has  battled  his  way 
to  the  front  unaided  and  along  honorable  lines. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1135 


GEORGE  WESLEY  NIEDERHUTH. 

The  evolutions  in  the  industrial  world  and  the  improved  modes  of  manu- 
facturing things  have  been  marvelous  in  the  past  half  century,  and  scarcely 
an  industry  exists  that  has  been  left  untouched  by  the  spirit  of  reform.  The 
demand  of  the  age  is  for  labor-saving  devices,  improved  appliances,  machin- 
ery, and  short  cuts  generally  to  desired  ends.  George  Wesley  Niederhuth, 
chief  engineer  at  Drury  College  and  agent  for  a number  of  standard  makes 
of  motorcycles,  is  one  of  Springfield’s  young  men  who  is  giving  much 
thought  to  these  things  and  has  a comprehensive  understanding  of  modern 
mechanical  industries  in  general. 

Mr.  Niederhuth  was  born  on  August  2,  1889,  at  Eldora,  Iowa.  He  is 
a son  of  Rev.  Otto  Niederhuth,  who  was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  on 
February  12,  1862,  where  he  spent  his  boyhood  and  attended  school,  emi- 
grating to  America  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  he  became  a minister 
in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  having  studied  theology  at  Wesleyan 
Academy  at  Wilbraham,  Massachusetts,  in  1884;  also  studied  at  the  Ger- 
man college  and  the  Iowa  Wesleyan  University  at  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa;  then, 
being  well  equipped  for  his  serious  life  work,  he  went  to  Bismark,  North 
Dakota,  having  charge  of  the  Grand  Forks  Mission,  extending  sixty  miles 
north  and  south  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  east  and  west.  He  drove 
over  this  large  field  with  horse  and  buggy  and  during  winter  often  with 
thermometer  registering  thirty  degrees  below.  Later  he  filled  appointments 
at  Crookston,  Minnesota,  Eldora,  Iowa,  also  Olderbolt,  Colesburg,  Burt  and 
Burlington,  of  that  state;  Brighton,  Illinois;  Hermann,  Mt.  Vernon  and  Trux- 
ton,  Missouri,  being  still  the  pastor  of  the  German  Methodist  church  at  the 
last  named  place.  He  has  done  an  excellent  work  in  all  these  charges  and 
is  a learned  and  eloquent  expounder  of  Holy  Writ.  Politically,  he  is-  a 
Republican,  and  fraternally  a member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen.  His  wife 
was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Louisa  Launroth,  a native  of  Burlington, 
Iowa.  To  them  nine  children  were  born,  and  were  named  as  follows:  Lulu 
is  the  wife  of  Rev.  Herman  Langer,  a Missouri  Methodist  minister;  George 
W.,  of  this  sketch;  Esther  is  the  wife  of  Louis  Schultz,  a farmer  of  Madi- 
son, Nebraska;  Oscar,  deceased;  Otto,  deceased;  Irwin,  deceased;  Raymond, 
Earl  and  Alberta  are  all  three  at  home  with  their  parents. 

George  W.  Niederhuth  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools, 
then  studied  two  years  at  Central  Wesleyan  College  at  Warrenton,  Mis- 
souri, and  after  that  took  the  International  Correspondence  School  course- 
in  electrical  and  mechanical  engineering.  His  first  employment  was  at  No- 
komis,  Illinois,  as  assistant  night  engineer  at  the  electric  power  plant  there, 
later  being  promoted  to  engineer  and  then  to  the  position  of  chief  engineer, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I 1 36 

remaining  there  three  years.  He  then  came  to  Hermann,  Missouri,  as  assist- 
ant engineer  at  the  Starr  Roller  Mills,  where  he  remained  nearly  a year,  then 
went  to  Warrenton,  Missouri,  and  entered  college,  working  his  way  through, 
and  also  worked  at  spare  times  at  the  city  electric  plant  there.  He  then 
came  to  Springfield,  and  secured  a position  as  engineer  at  the  Woodruff 
building  in  January,  1911,  filling  this  position  until  December  nth  follow- 
ing, then  accepted  his  present  position,  that  of  chief  engineer  at  Drury  Col- 
lege. He  has  given  entire  satisfaction  in  all  these  places,  being  faithful, 
trustworthy  and  having  an  excellent  working  knowledge  of  both  electrical 
and  mechanical  engineering.  He  has  for  some  time  also  been  agent  for  the 
best  makes  of  motorcycles  and  does  high-class  motorcycle  repairing  at  his 
home  at  1090  East  Harrison  street.  He  handles  motorcycle  accessories,  such 
as  lamps,  tires,  horns,  etc.,  and  he  has  built  up  a good  business  in  this  line. 
He  has  furnished  motorcycles  to  the  special  police  of  this  city  for  some  time. 

Mr.  Niederhuth  was  married  on  September  14,  1911,  to  Ella  Boehm, 
a daughter  of  John  Boehm,  a veteran  of  the  Union  army,  formerly  of  Her- 
mann, Missouri,  now  of  Springfield. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  two  children  have  been  born,  namely:  John 

Wesley  and  Allyn  Edison. 

Politically,  Mr.  Niederhuth  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  formerly 
belonged  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  is  a member  of  the 
National  Association  of  Stationary  Engineers.  He  holds  membership  with 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church. 


HENRY  PROSERPI. 

It  is  not  strange  that  the  little  republic  of  Switzerland  should  lose  many 
of  its  enterprising  citizens  who  come  to  the  United  States  and  establish  their 
homes,  for  our  institutions  are  similar  to  their  own  and  they  do  not  have 
such  a hard  time  adjusting  themselves  here  as  do  the  emigrants  from  other 
countries  of  Europe,  born  and  reared  under  conditions  which  are  just  about 
the  antithesis  of  our  own.  The  ports  of  entry  of  America  have  ever  been 
freely  opened  to  the  Swiss,  and  having  thus  extended  to  them  a hearty  hand 
of  welcome,  they  have  been  coming  to  our  shores  for  two  centuries  or  more, 
and  their  substantial  homes  now  adorn  the  towns,  hills  and  plains  in  every 
state  in  the  Union.  They  have  been  loyal  to  our  institutions  and  have  proven 
to  be  splendid  citizens  in  every  respect.  Thus  they  have  aided  us  in  pushing 
forward  the  civilization  of  the  western  hemisphere  and  we  have  helped  them 
in  many  ways,  giving  them  every  opportunity,  which  they  have  not  been  slow 
to  grasp,  being  people  of  thrift,  tact  and  energy. 

One  of  the  worthy  class  mentioned  in  the  preceding  paragraph  is  Henry 


W! 


m 


HENRY  PROSERPI. 


MRS.  HENRY  PROSEREI. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1137 


.Proserpi,  who  is  engaged  in  cement  contracting  in  Springfield,  his  birth 
Paving  occurred  in  Switzerland  on  October  25,  1855.  He  is  a son  of  Balyds- 
our  and  Christina  (White)  Proserpi,  both  these  parents  being  born  in  Canton 
Fazeno,  Switzerland,  and  there  they  grew  to  maturity,  were  educated  in  the 
common  schools  and  were  married  and  they  spent  their  lives  in  their  native 
country,  the  death  of  the  father  occurring  in  1873,  and  the  mother  passed 
away  in  1871.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom  Henry,  of 
this  sketch,  was  the  youngest.  Six  of  these  children  still  survive. 

Henry  Proserpi  grew  to  manhood  in  Switzerland  and  there  received  a 
public  school  education,  which  was  somewhat  limited,  and  he  may  be  classed 
with  our  self-made  men.  He  emigrated  from  his  native  land  when  he  was 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  in  1881,  coming  to  the  United  States  and  pene- 
trating the  interior  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  arriving  here  with  but  seven 
dollars  and  fifty  cents  as  his  sole  capital,  and  unable  to  speak  a word  of 
English.  But  he  had  a trade  and  plenty  of  grit  and  determination,  so  it  was 
not  long  until  he  was  on  his  feet.  He  began  working  at  the  cement  and  stone 
business  when  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  he  has  followed  the  same  ever 
since,  mastering  the  various  ins  and  outs  of  the  same  when  but  a boy.  He 
-started  on  his  own  account  here  in  1884  and  has  become  widely  known  in 
Greene  county  in  his  special  line  of  endeavor.  He  has  done  numerous  big 
jobs  for  the  Frisco  railroad,  and, among  the  notable  larger  jobs  which  he  has 
had  was  the  Landers  Theater,  on  which  he  did  all  the  cement  work,  and  the 
auditorium  at  Drury  College.  He  is  known  to  be  a man  of  advanced  ideas 
and  does  his  work  promptly,  neatly  and  honestly.  He  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful in  a financial  way. 

Mr.  Proserpi  was  married  on  December  20,  1884,  to  Belle  Hopkins,  a 
daughter  of  James  Hopkins,  a farmer  of  Phelps  county,  Missouri,  and  she  is 
-one  of  a family  of  twelve  children,  six  sons  and  six  daughters.  Mrs.  Pro- 
serpi’s  father  was  from  Tennessee.  He  died  in  Phelps  county,  and  the 
mother  was  Fanny  Morrow  and  was  born  in  Indiana.  She  is  still  living  in 
Phelps  county,  Missouri. 

Seven  children,  two  sons  and  five  daughters,  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Proserpi,  namely : Rosa  Gertrude,  born  on  November  2,  1885,  married 
Clyde  Sperry,  a real  estate  and  insurance  man  of  Springfield,  and  they  have 
•one  child,  Harold  Eugene  Sperry;  Daisy  Christina,  born  on  November  8, 
1887,  is  at  home;  Joseph  Franklin,  born  on  November  6,  1889,  died  in  in- 
fancy; Tessie  May,  born  on  November  6,  1890,  died  in  infancy;  Charles 
Ernest,  born  on  January  27,  1894;  Georgia  F.,  born  on  November  28,  1897, 
and  Mamie  A.,  born  on  February  21,  1900. 

Politicallv  Mr.  Proserpi  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Woodmen  of  the  AVorld.  He  and 
his  family  attend  the  Baptist  church.  Their  home  is  at  2133  Benton  avenue. 

(72) 


1138 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


FRANCIS  A.  GALLAGHER. 

The  career  of  Francis  A.  Gallagher,  superintendent  of  the  Springfield 
Traction  Company,  has  been  a varied  one,  with  success  in  every  line  to 
which  he  has  turned  his  attention,  for  at  the  outset  he  realized  that  to 
achieve  anything  worth  while  in  this  world  one  must  not  only  have  big  ideas 
of  a practical  and  sane  nature,  but  there  must  also  be  courage,  sound  judg- 
ment, persistency  and  close  adherence  to  high  ideals.  He  has  never  waited 
for  some  one  else  to  do  his  planning  or  to  execute  his  plans,  but  has  been 
self-reliant  and  resourceful,  and  so  it  is  not  surprising  that  he  is  now  filling 
a very  responsible  position  while  yet  a young  man. 

Mr.  Gallagher  was  born  February  17,  1875,  in  Bradford  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  is  a son  of  Francis  A.  and  Winifred  (Collom)  Gallagher. 
The  father  was  born  at  Painesville,  Ohio,  in  1850,  and  the  mother’s  birth 
occurred  in  Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  22,  1851.  These  par- 
ents grew  up  in  their  respective  communities  and  received  common  school 
educations,  and  when  young  in  years  the  father  went  to  Titusville,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  established  his  home,  and  there  he  engaged  in  the  oil 
business.  He  became  a prominent  man  in  politics.  He  was  a member  of 
the  Catholic  church.  His  death  occurred  at  Titusville,  November  17,  1874, 
when  a young  man.  His  widow  still  survives,  and  makes  her  home  in  Brad- 
ford, Pennsylvania. 

Francis  A.  Gallagher,  only  child  of  his  parents,  grew  to  manhood  in 
his  native  state  and  there  received  a common  school  and  college  education. 
When  but  a boy  he  began  his  railroad  career  by  taking  a position  with  the 
Erie  Railroad  Company,  working  at  different  office  positions.  He  then  went 
to  the  Standard  Oil  Company,  working  at  different  places  in  Pennsylvania, 
West  Virginia,  Ohio  and  Kentucky.  In  1896  he  went  into  construction 
work  for  the  Pierce  Construction  Company,  building  street  railways,  etc. 
This  firm  was  located  at  Bradford,  Pennsylvania.  Later  our  subject  went  to 
Michigan  in  the  same  business  for  the  Marquette  Railway  Company,  re- 
maining there  until  1907  when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  took  a 
position  as  superintendent  of  the  Springfield  Traction  Company,  which  he 
has  filled  to  the  present  time  with  his  usual  eminent  satisfaction  that  has 
marked  all  his  work  in  the  past.  Since  coming  here  he  has  rebuilt  the  sys- 
tem, relaying  every  foot  of  track,  constructing  new  barns,  etc.,  and  has 
given  the  people  of  Springfield  a modern  and  satisfactory  street  railway. 
He  maintains  his  offices  at  1405  Boonville  street.  He  has  always  been  a 
close  observer  and  a deep  student  of  his  line  of  work  and  has  therefore  kept 
well  abreast  of  the  times  in  his  special  field. 

Mr.  Gallagher  was  married  on  June  26,  1901,  in  Bradford,  Pennsyl- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1139 


vania,  to  Edna  Holmes,  a native  of  that  place,  where  she  was  reared  and 
educated,  including  both  the  public  schools  and  a college  course  of  several 
years.  She  is  a daughter  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Venetti)  Holmes,  both 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  where  they  grew  up,  were  educated  and  married 
and  established  the  family  home  at  Bradford  where  they  are  well  known 
and  influential.  Mr.  Holmes  was  engaged  in  the  oil  business  for  many 
years  there. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gallagher  three  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Francis  A.,  Jr.,  born  on  May  17,  1902,  in  Bradford,  Pennsylvania;  John  H., 
born  on  June  10,  1911,  and  Mary  Elizabeth,  born  on  June  28,  1913. 

Mr.  Gallagher  and  family  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  Frater- 
nally, he  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus  and  to  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks;  at  the  present  time  he  is  state  trustee  of  the  latter 
order,  and  is  one  of  the  active  and  prominent  Elks  of  Missouri.  He  and  his 
wife  have  made  many  friends  since  locating  in  Springfield. 


GUY  H.  McGUIRE. 

Whenever  an  attempt  is  made  to  write  the  history  of  a successful  en- 
terprise or  the  worthy  career  of  any  man,  it  has  been  found  that  ability, 
backed  by  energy  and  push,  has  been  the  basis  of  it  all,  and  this  fact  can 
not  fail  to  impress  itself  upon  the  writer  of  history  proper,  or  that  branch 
of  history  which  consists  of  the  biographies  of  those  who  have  achieved  suffi- 
cient distinction  to  make  the  record  of  their  lives  of  interest  to  the  public. 
Guy  H.  McGuire,  a well-known  North  Side  groceryman,  is  one  of  Spring- 
field’s business  men  who  owes  his  success  in  life  to  his  own  fighting  qualities 
— the  fighting  ability  that  overcomes  obstacles. 

Mr.  McGuire  was  born  at  Brighton,  Polk  county,  Missouri,  October  9, 
1878.  He  is  a son  of  Henry  and  Margaret  (Cunningham)  McGuire,  both 
natives  of  Tennessee,  the  birth  of  the  father  occurring  on  January  1,  1849, 
and  the  mother's  birth  occurred  on  August  22,  1857.  They  grew  to  ma- 
turity on  the  farms  of  their  parents  in  their  native  state  and  in  Polk  county, 
this  state.  They  attended  the  old-fashioned  schools,  and  were  children  when 
their  parents  brought  them  to  Missouri,  each  locating  in  Polk  county.  The 
father  devoted  his  active  life  to  general  farming  near  the  village  of  Brighton, 
but  he  and  his  wife  are  now  living  in  Springfield.  They  have  always  been 
known  as  plain,  honest,  church-going  people,  highly  respected  by  all  who 
know  them.  They  are  the  parents  of  five  children,  named  as  follows : Mrs. 

Nora  Page  lives  in  Springfield;  Guy  H.  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Grace  Randalls 
is  also  a resident  of  this  city;  Jessie  is  the  wife  of  R.  W.  Coleman  and  lives 


1140 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


in  Springfield ; Esther  married  W.  T.  Font  and  lives  in  this  city.  These 
children  all  received  common  school  educations  and  they  are  all  well  situ- 
ated in  life. 

Guy  H.  McGuire  spent  his  early  childhood  on  the  farm  in  Polk  county, 
and  when  nine  years  of  age  removed  with  his  parents  to  Springfield,  the 
family  locating  on  Commercial  street,  and  here  he  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools.  He  began  his  career  in  the  grocery  business  when  but 
a boy,  first  driving  a wagon;  he  then  engaged  in  farming  a few  years  in  both 
Polk  and  Greene  county,  as  well  as  other  sections  of  the  Southwest.  He 
went  into  the  grocery  business  for  himself  in  1906  on  Commercial  street, 
this  city,  later  moving  to  his  present  location,  318  West  Commercial  street, 
where  he  has  built  up  a large  business  and  maintains  one  of  the  most  mo<J- 
ernly  appointed  and  attractive  grocery  stores  of  its  size  in  Springfield.  He 
carries  a complete  line  of  staple  and  fancy  groceries  at  all  seasons,  and  he 
always  aims  at  honesty  and  promptness  in  dealing  with  his  many  customers. 

Mr.  McGuire  was  married  011  February  17,  1904,  in  Springfield,  to 
Margaret  Wells,  a native  of  Webster  county,  Missouri,  and  a daughter  of 
P.  P.  and  Mary  (Humphrey)  Wells,  the  father  a native  of  North  Carolina 
and  the  mother  was  born  near  Lead  Hill,  Arkansas,  and  her  death  occurred 
in  Springfield  on  February  8,  1913.  Mr.  Wells  is  living  retired  in  this  city. 
In  his  earlier  life  he  dealt  extensively  in  the  cattle  business,  later  was  a 
merchant. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McGuire  one  child  has  been  born.  Jack  P.,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  September  5,  1906,  in  Kansas  City. 

Politically,  Mr.  McGuire  is  a Democrat,  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to 
the  Modern  Woodmen. 


EDWARD  WAYNE  WOOLDRIDGE. 

Practical  industry,  wisely  and  vigorously  applied,  never  fails  of  success. 
It  carries  a man  onward  and  upward,  brings  out  his  individual  character  and 
acts  as  a powerful  stimulus  to  the  efforts  of  others.  The  greatest  results 
in  life  are  often  attained  by  simple  means  and  the  exercise  of  the  ordinary 
qualities  of  common  sense  and  perseverance.  This  fact  having  been  recog- 
nized early  in  life  by  Edward  Wayne  Wooldridge,  for  many  years  one  of 
the  well-known  members  of  the  Frisco  office  force  in  Springfield,  he  seized 
the  small  opportunities  that  he  encountered  on  the  rugged  hill  that  leads  to 
life’s  lofty  summit  where  lies  the  ultimate  goal  of  success,  never  attained 
by  the  weak,  ambitionless  and  inactive. 

Mr.  Wooldridge  was  born  at  Stockton,  Cedar  county,  Missouri,  on 
Friday,  August  10,  1866.  He  is  a son  of  Madison  Brasher  and  Ann  Eliza 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


(Morgan)  Woolridge,  the  father  a native  of  Christian  county,  Kentucky, 
where  his  birth  occurred  on  December  *22,  1S32;  and  the  later  was  born  in 
eastern  Tennessee,  October  27,  1847.  His  great-grandfather  was  Edward 
Wooldridge,  born  on  April  30,  1789,  and  his  maternal  great-great-grand- 
father was  Thomas  Brasher.  Each  side  of  the  house  may  be  traced  back  to 
sterling  old  Southern  ancestry.  The  parents  of  our  subject  grew  to  maturity 
in  Dixie  land,  received  such  educational  advantages  as  the  times  afforded, 
and  in  pioneer  days  joined  the  numerous  train  of  emigrants  to  southwest 
Missouri,  locating  in  Cedar  county,  where  they  became  well  and  favorably 
known  for  their  industry,  old-fashioned  hospitality  and  general  spirit  of 
altruism.  The  father,  who  was  born  and  reared  a Southerner,  was  at  heart 
a stanch  Unionist,  and,  like  many  another  during  the  polemic  civil  drama 
of  the  early  sixties,  had  conflicting  opinions  as  to  his  duties.  He  first  served 
six  months  in  the  Confederate  cause,  then  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Fifteenth 
Missouri  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  always  said  the  hardest  battle  in  which 
he  ever  took  part  was  the  “parting  of  the  ways,”  when  having  to  decide  be- 
tween love  for  the  South  and  its  traditions  and  institutions  and  his  con- 
science. A physician  by  profession,  he  served  at  the  front  as  surgeon,  was 
in  many  of  the  great  battles  of  the  war  and  was  several  times  wounded. 
He  once  performed  the  operation  of  trephining  on  a wounded  comrade,  with 
only  an  ax  for  an  anvil,  a pair  of  old  scissors  and  an  old-time  half-dollar 
which  he  shaped  to  nearly  fit  the  broken  skull;  a shell  from  the  enemy's 
ranks  had  just  destroyed  what  crude  surgical  instruments  he  then  pos- 
sessed. But  the  patient  recovered  and  is  at  this  writing  living  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty-nine  years,  strong  and  healthy.  The  wound  was  washed 
in  dirty  water  through  which  a cannon  had  but  recently  been  drawn,  but 
the  same  kind  of  water  often  made  a very  fine  cup  of  coffee,  an  experience 
which  thousands  of  soldiers  on  both  sides  had.  After  the  close  of  the  war 
Doctor  Wooldridge  returned  to  Stockton  and  resumed  the  practice  of  his 
profession  and  for  many  years  his  name  was  a household  word  in  Cedar 
county,  throughout  which  he  enjoyed  a good  practice.  His  death  occurred 
in  1899,  and  his  wife  passed  away  in  1892.  They  were  the  parents  of  the 
following  children : Edward  Wayne  Wooldridge,  Clara  flay  Davis,  Carrie 

Lee  Harris,  Lula  Margaret  Wooldridge,  John  Franklin  Wooldridge  and 
Madison  Bruce  Wooldridge. 

Edward  W.  Wooldridge  grew  to  manhood  at  Stockton  and  received 
his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  there  and  the  Stockton  Academy, 
later  attending  the  Southwestern  Telegraph  Institute,  in  Sedalia,  Missouri, 
the  Southwestern  Business  College  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  the  Berlitz  School 
of  Languages  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  the  Strasburg  Conservatory  of  Music, 
Washington  University  of  St.  Louis,  and  the  Cincinnati  Phonographic  Insti- 
tute. He  thus  obtained  a high  education,  making  an  excellent  record  in  each 


1 142 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


of  these  institutions,  in  fact,  he  has  remained  a student  all  his  life  and  is 
familiar  with  the  world’s  best  literature,  the  sciences,  the  arts  and  the  cur- 
rent topics  of  the  age. 

The  major  portion  of  Mr.  Wooldridge’s  life  has  been  spent  in  railroad 
service;  however,  when  a young  man  he  was  a banker,  a mine  owner  and 
a teacher.  He  is  now  interested  in  the  Joplin  lead  and  “Jack”  (zinc) 
fields.  He  always  taught  young  men  who  could  not  afford  the  expense  of 
special  training.  His  specialty  was  rapid  mathematical  calculations,  in  which 
he  is  commonly  spoken  of  as  one  of  the  highest  proficiency.  He  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Frisco  System  in  1891,  filling  various  positions  in  the  general 
offices  at  Springfield  and  St.  Louis  until  promoted  to  his  present  position, 
chief  clerk  of  the  car  service  department.  Owing  to  his  fidelity,  accuracy 
and  trustworthiness  he  has  always  been  regarded  by  the  head  officials  of  the 
road  as  one  of  their  most  efficient  and  worthy  employees. 

Mr.  Wooldridge  was  married  on  December  18,  1909,  to  Beatrice  Van 
Derford,  a lady  of  many  estimable  characteristics.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Monroe  and  Belinda  (Britton)  Van  Derford,  a prominent  family  of  Neosho, 
Missouri.  To  this  union  one  child  has  been  born,  namely:  Wayne  Wool- 

dridge. 

Politically,  Mr.  Wooldridge  is  a Democrat,  but  always  votes  indepen- 
dently in  local  elections.  He  never  aspired  to  any  political  office,  not  even 
having  been  judge  or  clerk  at  elections.  Religiously,  he  is  a member  of  the 
Christian  church,  or  Disciples  of  Christ.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of 
the  Masonic  order,  both  branches  of  the  York  and  Scottish  Rites,  a past 
potentate  of  Abou  Ben  Adhem  Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  a past  master  and  past  high  priest  in  the  Ma- 
sonic Blue  Lodge  and  Chapter.  He  holds  beautiful  jewels  presented  by  each 
of  these  bodies  in  honor  of  long  years  of  devoted  service  to  the  cause  and  in 
recognition  of  his  having  been  presiding  officer  of  the  several  bodies.  He  is 
one  of  the  best  known  and  most  influential  Masons  in  southern  Missouri,  and 
one  would  judge  from  his  daily  life  that  he  endeavors  to  live  up  to  the  high 
precepts  of  this  time-honored  order.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Woodmen 
of  the  World  and  a vice-president  of  the  Frisco  Railroad  Club  of  Spring- 
field.  He  was  offered  a Carnegie  hero  medal,  for  what  his  modesty  calls  “al- 
leged” heroism  in  rescuing  a boy  and  an  old  man  from  drowning  in  icy 
waters  at  St.  Louis  in  the  year  1898,  when  he  plunged  into  the  stream  and 
after  two  trips  brought  them  safely  to  shore;  however,  the  experience  ivas  a 
dear  one  as  he  was  not  only  badly  cut  and  mangled  by  the  heavy  pieces  of 
floating  ice,  but  he  suffered  a long  time  from  the  exposure.  Personally,  he 
is  a plain,  unassuming  gentleman  of  genial  and  courteous  address,  makes  and 
retains  friends  readily,  being  esteemed  for  his  true  worth  by  all  with  whom 
he  comes  in  contact. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1143 


THOMAS  SCHOFIELD. 

Among  the  sturdy  characters  which  the  British  Isles  has  sent  to  the 
new  Republic  of  the  West  is  Thomas  Schofield,  a retired  railroad  man  of 
Springfield,  who  has  inherited  many  of  the  fine  qualities  of  the  Anglo-Sax- 
ons and  has  therefore  succeeded  in  his  active  life  work  and  at  the  same  time 
been  a good  citizen.  The  United  States  always  welcomes  such  men  to  her 
shores  and  offers  them  opportunities  very  often  greater  than  they  enjoyed 
in  their  native  land. 

Mr.  Schofield  was  born  May  15,  1841,  in  the  town  of  Failsworth,  near 
Manchester,  England.  He  is  a son  of  James  and  Amelia  (Johnson)  Scho- 
field and  a grandson  of  Joseph  Schofield.  They  were  all  born,  reared,  edu- 
cated and  married  in  their  native  land.  The  grandfather  devoted  his  life 
to  general  farming,  and  the  father,  who  emigrated  to  America  with  his 
family  about  a half  century  ago,  was  a stone  mason  by  trade;  also  followed 
farming  in  Illinois  for  some  time.  Fie  established  the  family  home  at  the 
town  of  Bellville  that  state.  He  was  killed  by  a locomotive  on  the  Bellville 
& St.  Louis  Railroad  when  sixty-seven  years  of  age.  His  family  consisted 
of  eight  children,  only  two  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  Thomas,  of  this 
sketch;  and  Betsy,  who  married  Joseph  Tungue,  who  lives  in  England. 

Thomas  Schofield  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  land  and  there  re- 
ceived a common  school  education  at  Failsworth,  leaving  school  when  thir- 
teen years  of  age.  After  working  on  the  farm  with  his  father,  he  began  his 
career  as  railroader  with  the  Lancanshire  & Yorkshire  railroad,  spending  a 
year  in  the  goods  department,  then  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  arriving 
here  February  22,  1864,  during  the  Civil  war  period,  landing  in  New  York 
City,  where,  however,  he  did  not  long  remain,  coming  direct  to  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  where  he  went  to  work  for  the  Ohio  & Mississippi  Railroad  Company, 
in  the  freight  department,  repairing  and  building  freight  cars.  This  road 
later  became  the  Baltimore  & Ohio  by  which  name  it  is  now  known.  Mr. 
Schofield  remained  with  the  road  for  a period  of  twenty-five  years,  during 
which  he  was  connected  with  a number  of  different  departments,  being  fore- 
man and  in  charge  of  the  caboose  gang,  later  in  the  coach  department  for  four 
or  five  years,  then  was  passenger  carpenter  in  the  shops  of  that  road,  rank- 
ing among  the  most  skilful  in  the  coach  department.  In  September,  1888, 
he  was  employed  by  the  Frisco  Railroad  in  the  coach  department  as  carpen- 
ter. He  also  remained  with  this  road,  for  a period  of  twenty-five  years,  when 
in  June,  1913,  he  was  retired  on  a pension.  He  worked  both  in  the  old  north 
■side  shops  and  the  new  shops.  Fie  has  evidently  been  not  only  a very  highly 
skilled  workman  but  also  trustworthy  and  conscientious  else  he  could  not 
have  spent  a half  century  in  one  line  of  work,  during  which  period  he  was 


H44 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


employed  only  by  two  different  companies.  In  1909  Mr.  Schofield  made  a. 
trip  to  England,  visiting  and  sightseeing. 

Our  subject  was  married,  June  18,  1867,  to  Jane  Schofield,  a daughter  of 
James  and  Mary  (Swift)  Schofield.  She  was  born  in  England  only  a 
fourth  of  a mile  from  the  birthplace  of  our  subject  and  there  she  grew  to 
womanhood  and  was  educated.  To.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schofield  four  children 
have  been  born,  namely:  Lillie  A.  married  Harry  Fenton,  a cabinet  maker 

in  the  new  shops  of  the  Frisco  and  they  live  in  Springfield;  Emma  J.  is  the 
wife  of  Clarence  Warner,  a fireman  on  the  Frisco  and  they  live  in  Spring- 
field;  Albert  L.,  a sketch  of  whom  appears  on  another  page  of  this  work,, 
is  also  a Frisco  employee  of  this  city;  Earl  B.  married  Carrie  Thompson  and 
he  is  employed  in  the  local  Frisco  offices. 

Politically,  Thomas  Schofield  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  which  he  joined  on  May  26,  1879,  thirty-six  years 
ago,  being  a member  of  Oriental  Lodge  No.  86.  Subject  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Second  Presbyterian  church. 


REV.  FAYETTE  HURD. 

The  life  of  a man  like  Rev.  Fayette  Hurd  is  worthy  of  emulation  by  the 
youth  of  the  land  whose  destinies  are  yet  to  be  determined,  for  it  has  been  led 
along  high  planes  of  endeavor,  inculcating  right  thinking  and  therefore  right 
living,  for  the  world  is  rapidly  coming  to  understand  the  Biblical  phrase, 
“As  a man  thinketh  so  is  he.”  Rev.  Hurd  is  a scion  of  a sterling  old  family 
of  Michigan,  but  the  latter  part  of  his  long  and  useful  life  has  been  spent  in 
the  Southwest,  in  teaching  and  in  the  ministry  of  the  gospel,  and  while  he  is 
now  living  retired  from  active  work,  making  his  home  in  Springfield,  he  still 
“goes  about  doing  good.” 

Reverend  Hurd  was  born  at  Burlington,  Michigan,  August  12,  1835. 
He  is  a son  of  Homer  C.  and  Sarah  Jane  ( McGee)  Hurd.  The  father  was 
born  in  Connecticut,  August  23,  1808,  and  his  death  occurred  at  Burlington, 
Michigan,  February  12,  1873.  T-'he  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in  War- 
ren county,  New  York,  October  24,  1811,  and  her  death  occurred  on  Septem- 
ber 1 7,  1888.  These  parents  grew  up  in  their  respective  states  and  received 
common  school  educations,  as  good  as  could  be  procured  in  those  early  days. 
They  were  married  in  Spring  Arbor,  Michigan,  December  4,  1833,  and,  locat- 
ing on  a farm  in  the  township  of  Burlington,  devoted  their  active  lives  to 
general  farming.  Politically,  Homer  C.  Hurd  was  a Republican,  and  was 
twice  a member  of  the  lower  house  of  the  Michigan  Legislature,  besides- 
serving  several  years  as  supervisor  of  Burlington  township.  He  led  a quiet,. 


REV.  FAYETTE  HERD. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1145 


honest  home  life.  His  family  consisted  of  five  children,  two  of  whom  are 
still  living,  namely:  Rev.  Fayette  Hurd,  of  this  review;  Mary  Elizabeth  is 

deceased,  as  is  Sarah  Janette;  Edward  H.  is  living  in  Union  City,  Michigan; 
George  F.,  deceased. 

Rev.  Fayette  Hurd  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Michigan, 
where  he  worked  when  a boy,  and  in  the  winter  time  he  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Union  City,  Michigan,  after  which  he  entered  the  University  of 
Michigan  at  Ann  Arbor  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  1859. 
From  this  institution,  after  a course  of  special  graduate  studies,  he  secured, 
in  1891,  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy.  He  then  studied  theology’  at 
Andover  Seminary  in  Massachusetts,  in  preparation  for  the  ministry  of  the 
Congregational  church,  and  he  was  graduated  there  in  1863,  having  made  an 
excellent  record  in  both  the  above  named  schools.  Returning  to  Michigan 
he  was  pastor  of  a number  of  churches  of  his  denomination,  then  went  to 
Iowa  and  filled  the  pulpits  of  Montour  and  Cherokee,  in  that  state,  subsequently 
returning  to  his  native  state,  continuing  the  work  of  the  ministry  there  until 
1891,  when  he  went  to  Vinita,  Oklahoma,  where  he  taught  three  years  in  an 
academy,  and  in  1894  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  has  since  lived 
practically  retired  from  active  work,  although  continuing  a prominent  worker 
in  church  affairs.  In  all  his  charges  he  built  up  the  church  and  strength- 
ened the  congregation  and  was  popular  wherever  his  work  took  him,  for  he 
was  regarded  from  the  first  as  an  earnest,  conscientious  worker  for  the 
general  good  of  the  church,  and  as  a scholarly,  logical,  forceful  and  eloquent 
pulpit  orator. 

Reverend  Hurd  was  married  on  June  19,  1886,  to  Julia  T.  Robinson, 
at  Ascutneyville,  Vermont:  She  was  born  in  New  Hampshire,  and  is  a 

daughter  of  Williams  D.  and  Mary  Z.  (Clement)  Robinson,  a highly  esteemed 
family  who  spent  their  lives  in  New  Hampshire,  where  she  grew  to  woman- 
hood and  received  a good  education,  completing  her  schooling  at  Mary 
Sharp's  College  in  Tennessee. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  one  child  was  born,  a son,  Carlos  F.  Hurd,  a 
distinguished  journalist,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Iowa,  September  22,  1876. 
After  passing  through  the  public  schools  he  entered  Drury  College  at  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  1897,  arid  soon 
thereafter  began  his  career  as  a newspaper  man,  and  most  of  his  work  has 
been  in  St.  Louis.  He  has  for  some  time  been  a member  of  the  editorial 
staff  of  the  Post  Dispatch.  He  was  abroad  with  his  wife  in  the  spring  of 
1912  and  he  was  the  only  newspaper  man  on  board  the  Carpathia.  which 
rescued  part  of  the  passengers  of  the  ill-fated  Titanic,  and  had  the  distinc- 
tion of  being  the  first  to  report  to  the  world  that  great  disaster,  perhaps  the 
greatest  news  from  the  newspaper  man's  standpoint  of  modern  times.  He 
was  married  on  November  29,  1906,  to  Catherine  Stewart  Cordell,  a native 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I I46 

of  Missouri,  and  the  daughter  of  John  H.  Cordell,  of  Marshall,  Missouri, 
where  she  was  educated.  To  Carlos  F.  Hurd  two  children  have  been  born, 
namely:  Clement  R.,  and  Emily  V.  Hurd.  This  family  has  for  some  time 

resided  in  St.  Louis,  while  the  immediate  subject  o-f  this  sketch  has  a home 
on  Summit  avenue,  Springfield,  though  planning  on  early  removal  to  St. 
Louis. 

Reverend  Hurd  is  a Republican  politically.  He  holds  membership  with 
the  First  Congregational  church  of  this  city  and  has  been  for  some  years 
and  till  cpiite  recently,  clerk  of  the  same,  and  active  in  the  general  work  of 
the  church.  He  is  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  Springfield  chapter 
of  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution  and  has  been  for  some  years  an  active  and 
enthusiastic  member  of  the  Trinity  Tyrants,  a local  literary  and  social  club 
of  men  and  women  which  is  organized  and  conducted  on  somewhat  original 
lines.  When  in  the  university  he  was  a member  of  the  Zeta  Psi  fraternity. 


THEODORE  OTT. 

Theodore  Ott  was  born  on  November  12,  1845,  near  Cologne,  in  the 
Rhine  country,  Germany.  He  is  a son  of  Adam  and  Mary  Ott,  natives  of 
Germany,  where  they  grew  up  and  were  married,  and  made  their  home  until 
1857  when  the  family  emigrated  to  America,  locating  in  Calumet  county, 
Wisconsin,  where  the  elder  Ott  became  owner  of  a large  farm,  farming 
having  been  his  business  in  the  old  country.  He  continued  this  line  of  en- 
deavor until  1865  when  he  removed  to  Chicago  and  lived  with  his  son, 
Theodore,  of  this  sketch,  until  his  death  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years 
and  he  was  buried  in  Chicago.  His  family  consisted  of  nine  children,  namely: 
Gertrude  married  John  Smith,  a farmer  of  Calumet  county,  Wisconsin; 
Helena  married  William  French,  of  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin,  he  being  now 
deceased;  Henry  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Calumet  county,  Wisconsin;  Theo- 
dore of  this  sketch.  The  other  five  children  are  deceased. 

Theodore  Ott  was  twelve  years  old  when  his  parents  brought  him  to 
the  United  States.  He  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  in  Wisconsin  until 
1863.  He  received  a common  school  education.  When  eighteen  years  of 
age  he  went  to  Chicago  and  worked  in  a furniture  factory  as  wood  shaper 
and  sawyer,  for  the  Thayer  & Tobey  Furniture  Company,  with  which  firm 
he  remained  until  1873  when  he  began  working  for  the  McClusky  & Craig 
Company,  also  furniture  manufacturers,  remaining  with  this  concern  a year 
and  a half,  as  shaper  and  sawyer,  and  while  there  lost  a finger  in  a saw.  He 
then  went  to  Nashville,  Tennessee,  in  1874  and  worked  for  the  A.  H.  Field 
& Nashville  Furniture  Company  as  wood  moulder  and  sawyer,  in  fact,  did 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1147 


all  kinds  of  wood  work  for  one  year,  then  went  to  Humboldt,  Tennessee, 
where  he  worked  in  the  factory  of  the  Humboldt  Furniture  Company  for 
nine  months,  when  the  plant  was  destroyed  by  fire.  This  firm  also  operated 
a plant  there  in  which  were  manufactured  wagons,  buggies  and  fruit  box 
materials  and  our  subject  worked  in  this  three  years,  after  which  he  went  to 
Kansas  City,  Missouri,  and  worked  six  months  in  the  planing  mill  of  Rich- 
ardson & Heinz.  He  came  to  Springfield  in  1887  and  began  working  for 
the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  Railroad  Company  in  their  shops 
which  are  now  controlled  by  the  Frisco  lines.  The  year  he  came  he  pur- 
chased a lot  at  the  corner  of  Brower  and  Grant  streets  and  built  a comfort- 
able home.  He  has  been  running  a wood  working  machine  for  twenty-seven 
years  and  has  long  been  regarded  an  expert  in  this  line  of  work.  He  was 
journeyman  for  a number  of  years,  and  when  the  Frisco  took  over  these 
shops  he  was  promoted  to  foreman  of  the  mill  room  which  responsible  posi- 
tion he  still  holds,  having  an  average  of  ten  men  under  his  direction. 

Mr.  Ott  was  married  in  November,  1865,  to  Elizabeth  Bower,  a daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  Bower,  a farmer  in  Wisconsin  at  that  time.  Mrs.  Ott  was 
born  in  Canada. 

Besides  owning  a good  home  on  Brower  street  our  subject  owns  a valu- 
able farm  adjoining  Hazelwood  cemetery.  His  family  consisted  of  the 
following  children,  namely:  Mary,  Annie,  Adam,  Frank,  Josephine  are  all 

deceased ; Abbie  married  George  Creiger,  an  Iowa  farmer ; Anton  is  a wood 
worker  in  a box  factory  in  Los  Angeles,  California;  Allois,  a barber  by  trade, 
lives  at  Ozark,  Missouri,  where  he  also  conducts  a moving  picture  show;  he 
is  married  and  has  three  children,  Louis,  Allois  and  Elizabeth. 

Politically,  Theodore  Ott  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Catholic 
church,  the  Catholic  Knights  and  was  formerly  a member  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias. 


GEORGE  W.  CONDON. 

The  fair  Sunflower  state  just  to  the  west  of  us  is  a land  of  great  oppor- 
tunity and  a pleasant  place  in  which  to  live,  therefore  not  a very  large  per- 
centage of  her  native  sons  leave  her  prairies  for  other  climes;  however,  some 
find  it  to  their  advantage  to  do  so,  and  this  is  well  for  the  communities  in 
which  they  locate,  for  the  native  Kansasan  is  almost  without  exception  a 
man  of  energy,  tenacity  of  purpose,  ingenuous  and  withal  a good  citizen. 
We  have  been  fortunate  in  securing  a number  of  them  in  Greene  county, 
among  whom  must  consistently  appear  the  name  of  George  W.  Condon, 
foreman  of  the  Oxweld  plant  of  the  reclamation  department  of  the  Frisco’s 
South  Side  shops,  Springfield. 


1148 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mr.  Condon  was  born  at  Osage  City,  Kansas,  Feruary  4,  1880.  He  is 
a son  of  Charles  and  Catherine  (Hett)  Condon;  the  mother  is  a native  of 
England,  and  is  now  fifty-eight  years  of  age.  The  father  is  sixty  years  old 
and  lives  at  Hanna,  Illinois.  He  is  a native  of  the  state  of  New  York  from 
which  state  he  moved  to  Pennsylvania  where  he  grew  to  manhood,  and  was 
for  some  time  employed  as  telegraph  operator  with  the  Western  Union  Tele- 
graph Company,  at  Williamsburg,  Pennsylvania,  later  worked  in  the  same 
position  at  Osage,  Kansas,  for  a year,  then  went  into  the  coal  business  for 
himself  at  the  last  named  city,  operating  a soft  coal  mine  for  about  five 
years,  then  worked  for  three  years  as  a coal  miner,  after  which  he  went  to 
Hanna,  Illinois,  and  was  a manager  in  the  coal  mining  fields  there  for  five 
years,  then  he  engaged  in  the  insurance  business  for  a period  of  ten  years, 
representing  the  Home  Insurance  Company  of  New  York,  and  was  also  in 
the  real  estate  business.  He  is  at  this  writing  assistant  state  mine  inspector 
for  the  state  of  Illinois,  which  position  he  has  held  some  time.  He  has  made 
his  home  at  the  town  of  Hanna  for  the  past  ten  years.  He  was  justice  of 
the  peace  there  for  some  time,  and  was  also  elected  police  justice  which 
position  he  now  holds.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a thirty-second 
degree  Mason  and  a member  of  the  Shrine  and  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows.  His  family  consists  of  eleven  children,  namely:  Charles 

died  when  seven  years  of  age;  William  died  when  nineteen  years  old;  the 
next  three  children  died  in  infancy;  Thomas  is  a lawyer  in  San  Francisco; 
George  W.  of  this  sketch;  Robert  is  engaged  in  coal  mining  in  North  Da- 
kota; Mary  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Wise,  a carpenter  and  contractor  at  Anna, 
Kansas;  Margaret  married  Earl  Welling,  who  is  engaged  in  the  hotel  busi- 
ness at  West  Carlisle,  Ohio;  and  Joseph  who  is  engaged  in  the  plumbing 
business  in  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 

George  W.  Condon  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  leaving  school 
when  fifteen  years  of  age  and  worked  as  clerk  in  a grain  and  feed  store  at 
Osage  City,  Kansas,  for  three  years,  and  then  engaged  in  coal  mining  there 
for  six  years,  then  operated  a coal  mine  there  two  years,  after  which  he  en- 
gaged in  the  laundry  business  there  for  four  years.  After  this  he  began 
railroading,  working  for  the  Atchison,  Topeka  & Santa  Fe  railroad  in  its 
shops  at  Topeka,  in  1910,  as  machinist  helper  for  about  six  months,  then  he 
was  promoted  to  acetylene  welder  which  position  he  held  until  1913.  In 
June  of  that  year  he  went  with  the  Oxwelcl  Acetylene  Company  of  Chicago, 
as  demonstrator,  and  remained  in  that  position  until  October  1,  1913,  then 
came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  installed  this  system  for  the  Chicago 
company  in  the  Frisco  shops  and  now  he  is  foreman  of  that  department, 
and  has  ten  men  under  his  direction.  The  plant  is  under  the  general  direc- 
tion of  the  reclamation  department  of  the  South  Side  shops. 

Mr.  Condon  was  married  on  June  16,  1908,  to  Mary  Clerico,  a daugh- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1149 


ter  of  Louis  and  Anna  Clerico,  of  Osage  City,  Kansas,  where  she  grew  to 
womanhood  and  was  educated.  To  this  union  one  child,  Marguerite  Con- 
don, has  been  born. 

Politically,  Mr.  Condon  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Catholic 
church,  and  fraternally  is  a member  of  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose  and  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

Mr.  Condon  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  man  to  use  the  Oxweld 
system  on  any  railroad  in  the  United  States. 


C.  M.  GEORGE. 

There  is  such  a fascination  in  railroad  work  that  those  who  once  enter 
it  seldom  abandon  it  for  some  other  vocation,  and  it  is  not  by  any  means  an 
uncommon  thing  to  find  that  men  are  still  working  at  this  line  of  endeavor 
who  have  perhaps  been  offered  better  positions  in  other  lines.  Many  will 
remain  active  in  the  work  until  old  age  compels  them  to  retire  or  the  com- 
pany voluntarily  retires  them  on  a pension.  They  evidently  do  not  remain  in 
the  work  because  it  is  easier  than  anything  else  or  because  the  element  of 
danger  is  lacking,  but  the  fascination  is  there,  nevertheless,  and,  too,  the  re- 
muneration is  good  and  certain,  better,  perhaps,  than  in  most  lines. 

One  of  the  most  capable  and  well  known  engineers  on  the  Frisco,  run- 
ning out  of  Springfield  is  C.  M.  George,  who  has  been  in  the  train  service 
here  for  a period  of  twenty-five  years,  although  he  is  scarcely  a middle-aged 
man.  He  was  born  in  Montgomery,  Illinois,  March  20,  1870,  and  is  a son 
of  I.  E.  and  Mary  (Tevbaugh)  George.  The  father  was  born  in  Henry 
county,  Indiana,  in  the  year  1837,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Illinois  in 
1848.  Her  death  occurred  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  December  31,  1911. 
I.  E.  George  began  railroading  early  in  life  and  for  a period  of  thirty  years 
was  an  engineer.  He  came  to  Springfield  in  1888  and  began  working  for 
the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  road,  and  later  worked  in  the  com- 
pany’s shops  here,  and  subsequently  was  employed  in  the  Frisco  shops  on 
the  North  Side.  His  family  consisted  of  five  children,  namely:  C.  M.,  of 

this  sketch;  E.  E.  is  deceased;  John  W.  is  deceased;  Della  is  deceased,  and 
Bessie,  who  is  deceased. 

C.  M.  George  spent  his  boyhood  in  Illinois  and  there  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools,  remaining  in  his  native  state  until  the  fall  of  1888, 
when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  has  made  his  home  ever 
since.  In  March,  1889,  he  began  firing  on  a freight  for  the  Kansas  City, 
Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  road,  with  which  he  remained  as  fireman  until  1897, 
when  he  was  promoted  to  engineer,  and  has  worked  in  this  capacity  ever 


ii5° 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


since,  being  in  the  employ  of  the  Frisco  for  many  years,  this  road  having 
purchased  the  old  “Gulf  road”  in  1900.  Mr.  George  is  regarded  as  one  of 
the  ablest  and  most  trustworthy  engineers  on  the  system  and  he  has  long  had 
a regular  freight  run  from  Springfield  to  Thayer  on  the  Ozark  division. 

Mr.  George  was  married  on  December  22,  1898,  at  West  Plains,  Mis- 
souri, to  Mamie  Buchanan,  a native  of  Texas,  who  came  to  Missouri  with  her 
parents  when  she  was  a child.  She  received  a high  school  education.  She 
is  a daughter  of  W.  A.  and  Belle  Buchanan. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Albert 
V.,  born  in  August,  1901 ; Mary  Margaret,  born  January  5,  1905 ; and  Rose- 
belle,  born  in  1908.  They  are  all  attending  school. 

Politically,  Mr.  George  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  order,  and  he  is  a member  of  Division  No.  378,  Brotherhood  of 
Engineers.  Fie  resides  in  a neat  cottage  on  North  Grant  street. 


JOHN  H.  HASTEN. 

Everyone,  in  addition  to  his  ordinary  workaday  life,  whether  it  be  pro- 
fessional, political,  commercial,  or  one  of  manual  labor,  by  which  he  earns 
his  daily  bread,  needs  to  have  something  aside  from  his  material  existence 
to  which  he  can  turn  for  relaxation.  If  he  is  to  escape  the  limitations  of  a 
humdrum,  commonplace,  provincial,  and  narrow  existence,  he  must  build  for 
himself  a home  in  the  realm  of  the  ideal.  Thus  he  will  be  able  to  escape 
when  he  wishes  from  the  ordinary  environment  of  business  or  professional 
life  and  become  a citizen  of  the  world,  living  in  a sense  a life  as  wide  as  that 
of  humanity.  John  H.  Hasten,  president  of  the  Springfield  Bakery  Com- 
pany and  for  many  years  a well  known  business  man  of  this  city,  is  one  who 
knows  the  value  of  good  ideals — an  intellectual  abode,  and  thus  he  is  not 
only  a successful  man  of  affairs  but  is  a citizen  who  is  highly  appreciated 
by  those  who  know  him. 

Mr.  Hasten  is  a worthy  representative  of  one  of  the  sterling  pioneer 
families  of  Greene  county,  and  his  birth  occurred  in  Cass  township,  in  the 
northern  part  of  this  county,  on  August  27,  1869.  He  is  a son  of  Isaac  N. 
Hasten,  also  a native  of  that  vicinity,  where  he  grew  to  manhood,  attended 
the  district  schools  and  engaged  successfully  in  farming  many  years,  later  in 
life  locating  in  the  village  of  Cave  Spring,  not  far  from  the  Hasten  home- 
stead and  there  he  engaged  in  general  mercantile  pursuits  for  a period  of 
twelve  or  fifteen  years,  enjoying  a large  trade  with  the  surrounding  locality, 
dealing  honestly  and  courteous  with  his  many  customers  and  carrying  a large 
and  well  selected  general  stock  of  goods  at  all  seasons.  Finally  he  removed 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


H51 


to  Springfield  and  engaged  in  the  retail  grocery  business  on  West  Commer- 
cial street  with  his  usual  success  until  his  death  about  five  years  later,  in 
July,  1897,  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years.  He  was  not  only  a capable  busi- 
ness man  but  an  influential  citizen  and  active  in  public  affairs.  For  a period 
of  nearly  twenty  years  he  served  Cass  township  as  justice  of  the  peace  in  a 
manner  that  reflected  much  credit  upon  his  ability  and  to  the  eminent  satis- 
faction of  the  people,  his  decisions  being  characterized  by  a uniform  fair- 
ness and  sound  principles  of  jurisprudence.  He  was  also  a member  of  the 
school  board  in  his  district  and  was  a great  advocate  of  good  education,  do- 
ing much  to  encourage  better  schools  in  his  part  of  the  county.  Politically, 
he  was  a Republican.  During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  this  county  in 
the  Forty-sixth  Missouri  Cavalry  and  saw  three  and  one-half  years  of  faith- 
ful and  commendable  service  for  the  Union,  proving  a gallant  and  intelli- 
gent soldier. 

The  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  known  in  her  maidenhood 
as  Mary  Jennings,  who  was  born  on  August  22,  1850,  in  Neosho,  Missouri. 

Mrs.  Mary  Hasten,  our  subject’s  mother,  is  still  living,  now  at  an  ad- 
vanced age,  and  makes  her  home  with  her  son,  John  H.,  of  this  sketch,  who 
is  the  youngest  of  her  three  children,  her  daughter  being  Docia,  who  mar- 
ried Joseph  B.  Wilson,  a farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Cass  township;  the 
eldest  child,  William,  died  in  infancy. 

John  H.  Hasten  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Cass  township 
and  there  he  worked  when  a boy.  He  received  his  education  in  the  district 
schools  of  his  community  and  in  Morrisville  College  in  Polk  county,  later 
attending  Drury  College,  Springfield,  and  finally  took  a business  course 
in  this  city.  When  nineteen  years  of  age  he  went  into  business  with  his 
father  and  helped  manage  the  grocery  store  on  Commercial  street  which 
was  a success  from  the  start.  He  was  in  partnership  with  his  father 
and  upon  the  latter’s  death  he  bought  out  the  heirs  and  continued  to  con- 
duct the  store  until  1901  when  he  sold  out  to  South  Brothers,  and  en- 
gaged in  the  grocery  and  seed  business  on  East  Commercial  street,  in  part- 
nership with  R.  A.  Fisher  under  the  firm  name  of  Hasten  & Fisher.  They 
continued  successfully  until  1907  when  our  subject  sold  out,  having  other 
business  interests  which  took  the  major  portion  of  his  time.  In  1905,  with 
others,  he  organized  the  Springfield  Bakery  Company,  of  which  he  has  since 
been  president  and  he  has  been  the  principal  spirit  in  building  up  one  of  the 
largest,  best  equipped  and  popular  bakeries  in  the  Southwest.  Further  men- 
tion of  this  industry  is  made  on  another  page. 

Mr.  Hasten  was  married  on  August  28,  1891,  to  Josie  N.  Lee,  a daugh- 
ter of  Robert  and  Ruth  (Watson)  Lee.  Mr.  Lee  was  a successful  farmer 
of  Cass  township,  Greene  county,  where  Mrs.  Hasten  was  born,  grew  to 


■1152 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


womanhood  and  educated.  Later  Mr.  Lee  moved  to  California  and  engaged 
in  the  vineyard  and  fruit  raising  business. 

Fraternally,  Mr.  Llasten  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  order,  including  all 
branches,  such  as  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine 
and  the  Order  of  Eastern  Star  ; he  also  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  the  Modern  Woodmen  and  the  Court  of  Honor.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  school  bpard  of  Cass  township  for  two  years.  Religiously  he 
belongs  to  the  Baptist  church,  to  which  his  wife  also  belongs,  and  in  which 
lie  was  formerly  trustee  and  is  now  deacon.  He  is  active  in  church  work 


H.  M.  MOOIVIAW. 

Among  the  substantial  farmers  living  in  Brookline  township  is  H.  M. 
Moomaw,  a man  who  has  an  interesting  life  record.  He  originally  came 
from  the  Old  Dominion,  his  people  on  both  sides  of  the  house  having  been 
among  the  residents  of  that  grand  old  state  in  the  early  days,  but  little  of 
our  subject’s  life  has  been  spent  there,  he  having  been  lured  across  the  conti- 
nent when  a boy  to  the  far  West,  where  he  sought  that  elusive  yellow  metal 
— gold — that  has  both  made  and  ruined  its  thousands,  and  the  last  forty-live 
years  of  his  life  have  been  devoted  to  general  agricultural  pursuits  in  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  where  he  started  in  a modest  way  and  eventually  has 
become  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  this  locality. 

Mr.  Moomaw  was  born  in  Virginia,  December  13,  1841.  He  is  a son 
of  Christian  and  Frances  ( Noff singer)  Moomaw,  both  natives  of  Virginia 
but  of  German  descent.  They  grew  to  maturity  in  their  native  state  and 
were  married  there,  and  established  their  home  on  a farm  and  lived  there 
until  their  son,  LI.  M.,  was  six  years  of  age,  when  they  removed  to  northern 
Indiana,  where  the  family  resided  about  seventeen  years  on  a farm,  and 
there  our  subject  grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  district.  In  1864  our  subject  left  his  parental  home  in  the 
Hoosier  state  and  made  the  long,  hazardous  overland  journey  across  the 
plains  to  Virginia  City,  Montana,  where  he  remained  six  months,  then  went 
on  to  Portland,  Oregon,  remaining  there  about  seven  months,  and  then  went 
to  Idaho,  where  he  spent  about  four  years,  during  which  time  he  did  con- 
siderable prospecting  for  gold,  then  went  back  to  Portland,  Oregon,  and 
from  there  to  San  Francisco.  After  remaining  in  California  awhile  he  took 
a ship  on  the  Pacific  ocean  for  the  Isthmus  of  Panama.  After  crossing  the 
isthmus  he  took  ship  for  New  York  City,  and  from  there  went  to  South 
Bend,  Indiana.  Remaining  at  home  about  six  months,  he  came,  in  1869,  to 


MRS.  H.  M.  MOOMAW. 


H.  M.  MOOMAW. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I:53 


Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  located  permanently,  after  his  extensive  wan- 
derings, during  which  he  gained  a vast  knowledge  of  the  world.  He  located 
on  a farm  about  seven  miles  northwest  of  Springfield,  purchasing  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  of  railroad  land  on  which  he  lived  about  four  years, 
then  sold  out  and  moved  to  Brookline,  this  county,  and  in  1881  bought  a fine 
farm  of  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  all  tillable  but  a few  acres,  which 
embrace  a small  oak  grove.  He  made  many  important  improvements  here 
with  advancing  years,  and  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  on 
an  extensive  scale,  rotating  his  crops  scientifically  and  becoming  known  as 


MAPLE  GROVE  FARM— RESIDENCE  OF  H.  M.  MOOMAW. 


one  of  the  most  progressive  farmers  of  his  township.  In  November,  1913, 
his  four  thousand  dollar  home  was  destroved  by  fire. 

Mr.  Moomaw  was  married  in  November.  1872,  to  Mar}-  Dale,  in  Greene 
county,  Missouri.  She  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  June  4,  1846,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  Solomon  and  Catherine  (Zink)  Dale,  both  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  they  grew  up  and  were  married,  but  when  Mrs.  Moomaw  was 
a young  girl  the  family  moved  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  here  the 
parents  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  on  a farm,  dying  several  years  ago, 
and  here  their  daughter,  Mary,  grew  to  womanhood  and  attended  the  public 
schools.  Mrs.  Moomaw  died  on  April  28,  1914. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moomaw  eight  children  were  born,  all  of  whom  are 

(73) 


1^54 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


living  at  this  writing,  namely:  William,  Lottie,  Arthur,  Dot,  Efifie,  Homer, 

Curtis  and  Earle. 

Politically,  Mr.  Moomaw  is  a Democrat,  but  he  has  never  been  active 
in  the  affairs  of  his  party,  devoting  his  attention  to  his  farm  and  his  home. 


JOHN  H.  JONES. 

We  are  glad  to  note  in  this  series  of  biographical  articles  that  so  many 
of  the  progressive  citizens  of  Greene  county  have  been  born  and  reared 
here,  for  this  is  an  indication  of  at  least  two  things — that  they  are  men  of 
keen  discernment,  being  able  to  see  and  appreciate  present  conditions  as 
they  are,  and  that  the1  county  is  indeed  one  of  the  favored  sections  of  the 
great  commonwealth  of  Missouri,  else  these  people  would  have  sought 
opportunities  elsewhere.  As  it  is  they  did  not  need  to  heed  the  call  of  the 
wanderlust  that  is  heard  at  some  stage  or  other  in  the  lives  of  all  young 
men.  One  of  this  number  who  has  been  contented  to  spend  his  life  in  his- 
native  locality  is  John  H.  Jones,  the  energetic  druggist  at  Fair  Grove, 
Jackson  township. 

Mr.  Jones  was  born  in  this  county  on  November  4,  1877.  He  is  a son 
of  James  T.  and  Rachael  A.  (Norton)  Jones.  The  father  was  born  in 
Dallas  county,  Missouri,  November  14,  1846,  and  there  he  grew  to  man- 
hood on  a farm  and  attended  the  rural  schools.  Remaining  in  that  county 
until  1870,  he  removed  to  Greene  county  and  entered  government  land 
which  he  improved  into  a good  farm  and  on  which  he  establishd  a com- 
fortable home  and  here  our  subject  was  born.  The  place  first  consisted  of 
eighty  acres.  As  the  elder  Jones  prospered  through  good  management,  he 
added  to  his  original  holdings  until  he  now  has  a farm  of  two  hundred 
and  fifty-five  acres,  which  is  well  improved  and  productive.  He  has,  how- 
ever, retired  from  active  life  and  keeps  his  land  rented,  and  is  residing  in 
Fair  Grove,  where  he  moved  ten  years  ago,  buying  a good  home  there. 
He  devoted  all  his  active  life  to  general  farming  and  raising  live  stock  and  has 
been  very  successful  in  his  life  work.  He  was  married  in  1868  to  Rachel 
A'.  Norton,  who  was  bom  in  Tennessee,  May  14,  1846,  and  when  young  in 
years  her  parents  brought  her  to  Missouri,  the  family  locating  in  Webster 
county  and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood  on  a farm  and  she  attended  the 
country  schools.  She  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  church.  To  these  par- 
ents four  children  have  been  born,  namely : William  G.  lives  in  Greene 

county:  Messer  F.  is  deceased;  John  H.  of  this  sketch;  and  Mrs.  Vada 
Bass,  of  this  county. 

John  H.  Jones  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  his  native  com- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


11  55 

inunity  and  there  he  assisted  with  the  general  work  during  the  summer 
months,  and  attended  the  district  schools  in  the  winter.  He  continued  to 
work  on  the  farm  until  the  fall  of  1901.  The  following  year  he  entered  the 
St.  Louis  College  of  Pharmacy,  where  he  made  a good  record  and  from 
which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1906.  Soon  thereafter  he  went 
into  the  drug  business  at  Fair  Grove,  which  he  has  continued  with  ever- 
increasing  success  to  the  present  time,  having  built  up  an  extensive  trade. 
He  has  a neat  store  which  is  stocked  with  a full  line  of  drugs  and  drug 
sundries.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  a business  way  and  owns  several 
lots  and  buildings  in  Greene  county  and  a forty-acre  farm  in  Dallas  county, 
also  a town  lot  in  Oklahoma. 

Mr.  Tones  has  remained  unmarried.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat. 
Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the 
Woodmen  of  the  World. 


IRVIN  W.  WINGO. 

Widely  known  in  Greene  and  Dallas  counties,  Irvin  W.  Wingo,  of  near 
Fair  Grove,  is  a man  deserving  of  a conspicuous  position  for  his  biography 
in  a work  of  the  province  of  the  one  in  hand,  for  his  career  has  been  fraught 
with  a large  measure  of  success  both  as  an  educator  and  agriculturist.  Over 
three  decades  of  his  career  were  devoted  to  school  work  with  most  com- 
mendable results,  and  for  many  years  as  county  -superintendent  of  schools 
in  the  latter  county  he  did  much  to  raise  the  standard  of  work  in  this  field 
and  place  the  county  high  in  the  list  of  thdse  of  southwestern  Missouri  do- 
ing good  educational  work.  Although  a school  man  in  the  broadest  and 
best  sense  of  the  term  and  as  such,  making  every  other  consideration  secon- 
dary to  his  professional  and  official  duties  he  never  became  narrow  or 
pedantic  as  have  so  many  whose  lives  have  been  spent  in  intimate  association 
with  the  immature  minds  within  the  four  walls  of  the  school  room.  He  re- 
mained a well  rounded,  symmetrically  developed  man,  fully  alive  to  the 
demands  of  the  times,  thoroughly  informed  on  the  leading  questions  before 
the  public  and  has  ever  taken  broad  views  of  men  and  things,  and  is  there- 
fore a useful  and  influential  citizen  in  his  locality. 

Mr.  Wingo  was  born  in  Dallas  county,  Missouri,  July  8,  1861.  He  is 
a son  of  Jasper  and  Nan  (Johns)  Wingo,  both  natives  of  Tennessee,  the 
father  born  in  the  middle  section  of  the  state,  October  24.  1838,  and  the 
mother’s  birth  occurred  in  Weakly  county,  February  24,  1842.  The}'  came 
to  Missouri  when  young  in  years,  with  their  parents,  and  here  grew  to  ma- 
turity on  farms  and  were  educated  in  the  early-day  common  schools  and  were 


1156 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


married  in  Dallas  county,  in  1859.  During  the  war  between  the  states 
Joseph  Wingo  joined  the  Union  army  under  Captain  Kershner,  in  Company 
A,  Eighth  Missouri  Calvary,  and  he  saw  considerable  service,  taking  part 
in  the  battles  of  Prairie  Grove  and  Brownsville  and  a number  of  minor  en- 
gagements. At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  honorably  discharged  at  St. 
Louis,  after  which  he  returned  to  Dallas  county  and  resumed  farming.  He 
owned  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  He  is  now  living  in  Fair  Grove, 
Gteene  county,  in  retirement,  being  advanced  in  years.  His  wife  also  sur- 
vives. They  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church  and 
are  highly  respected  by  a wide  circle  of  friends.  Two  children  were  born 
to  them,  Irvin  W.,  of  this  review;  and  William  W.  of  Springfield,  who  is 
employed  by  the  Frisco  Lines. 

Irvin  W.  Wingo  was  reared  on  the  homestead  in  Dallas  county  and 
there  worked  hard  when  a boy  during  the  crop  seasons,  and  in  the  winter 
time  he  attended  the  common  schools,  receiving  thereby  and  through  his 
individual  efforts  at  home  a good  education.  He  began  teaching  school 
when  only  sixteen  years  of  age,  teaching  twelve  years  in  rural  schools,  then 
entered  the  Missouri  State  Normal  at  Warrensburg,  taking  a full  course 
in  teachers’  work,  graduating  in  1889.  He  was  then  fully  equipped  for 
his  chosen  profession.  Returning  to  his  native  county  he  was  elected  princi- 
pal of  the  schools  at  Buffalo,  county-seat  of  Dallas  county,  remaining  in  that 
position  five  years.  He  then  taught  one  year  in  the  old  Springfield  Normal, 
then  taught  three  years  at  Cassville,  Missouri,  after  which  he  came  to  Fair 
Grove  and  taught  until  1911,  thus,  out  of  a period  of  thirty-four  years,  he 
engaged  in  teaching  thirty-two  years,  during  which  his  services  were  in 
large  demand  and  he  gave  eminent  satisfaction  wherever  he  was  employed, 
being  progressive  in  his  ideas  and  building  up  the  work  in  general.  He 
was  elected  school  commissioner  of  Dallas  county  for  two  terms,  without 
opposition,  and  was  offered  a third  term  but  declined.  This  is  sufficient 
criterion  that  his  official  duties  were  ably  and  satisfactorily  performed. 

Finally  tiring  of  the  school  room,  Mr.  Wingo  moved  to  his  fine  farm 
of  four  hundred  and  twenty  acres  which  he  had  purchased  while  teaching 
and  has  since  devoted  his  time  and  attention  to  general  agricultural  pur- 
suits with  gratifying  results,  now  specializing  in  the  dairy  business  for 
which  he  is  well  equipped  in  every  respect  and  he  finds  a very  ready  market 
for  his  products.  Everything  is  kept  in  an  up-to-date  and  sanitary  condi- 
tion. His  place  is  well  improved  along  all  lines  and  he  has  a commodious 
home  in  the  midst  of  attractive  surroundings.  Fie  is  one  of  the  progres- 
sive and  substantial  men  of  his  community  and  one  of  the  most  influential, 
and  yet  is  a man  of  entirely  unassuming  manners. 

Mr.  Wingo  has  been  twice  married,  first,  on  October  10,  1881,  to  Ollie 
J.  Wills,  by  whom  three  children  were  born,  namely:  Fred,  who  is  em- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1157 


ployed  in  Springfield;  Elbert  lives  in  Springfield;  and  Mrs.  Gertrude  Jones, 
also  of  that  city.  The  wife  and  mother  was  called  to  her  eternal  rest  on 
September  15,  1886.  She  was  a daughter  of  Jack  and  Mollie  (Goss)  Wills,. 
On  December  26,  1889,  Mr.  Wingo  married  Julia  McKee,  a daughter  of 
Melvin  and  Phoebe  Ann  (Grimes)  McKee,  both  now  deceased.  To  this 
second  union  eleven  children  have  been  born,  named  as  follows : Glenn 

is  living  at  home;  Carl  W.,  Mrs.  Bessie  Albright,  Russell  is  teaching  school,. 
Ruth  is  attending  high  school  at  Fair  Grove,  Ralph,  Charles  is  deceased, 
Tewett,  Jasper,  Phoebe  Ann,  and  an  infant  son,  deceased. 

Politically,  Mr.  Wingo  is  a Republican.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  Order,  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows..  Mrs.  Wingo  is  a member  of  the  Christian  church. 


JOHN  M.  LANE. 

Successful  farming  calls  for  the  best  of  judgment.  It  means  good 
crops,  good  live  stock  well  fed  and  handled,  and- a thoroughly  balanced  busi- 
ness in  every  way.  John  M.  Lane,  a farmer  of  Jackson  township,  Greene 
county,  seems  to  know  what  constitutes  success  in  agriculture  and  is  there- 
fore making  a good  living  on  the  place  where  he  has  been  privileged  to< 
spend  his  entire  life.  That  he  knows  what  to  do  and  when  to  do  it  is  evi- 
denced from  the  fact  that  this  farm  is  today  as  productive  as  it  was  when 
it  first  came  into  possession  of  the  Lane  family  over  a half  century  ago. 

Mr.  Lane  was  born  on  the  home  place  in  the  township  and  county 
above  mentioned,  September  8,  i860.  He  is  a son  of  William  and  Sarah 
(Rudde)  Lane.  The  father  was  born  in  Tennessee  on  a farm  and  there 
he  was  reared  and  was  educated  in  the  rural  schools  in  his  native  commun- 
ity. He  came  to  Missouri  when  a young-  man,  and  located  in  Greene 
county  at  an  early  day.  When  the  war  between  the  North  and  South 
began  he  cast  his  lot  with  the  Union  army,  as  first  lieutenant  in  Company 
E,  Seventy-second  Missouri  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  he  proved  to  be  a 
brave  and  efficient  soldier.  He  fought  in  the  battle  of  Springfield,  January 
8,  1863,  'n  which  he  was  gallantly  engaged  in  defending  the  city  from  Mar- 
maduke’s  raiders  when  he  was  severely  wounded  from  the  effects  of  which 
he  died  eleven  days  later.  During  the  gold  fever  days  of  the  early  fifties  he 
had  made  two  trips  across  the  great  western  plains  to  California,  driving  a 
herd  of  cattle  to  the  West.  He  secured  a farm  of  two  hundred  and  sixty- 
five  acres  in  Greene  county  and  was  a man  of  much  industiy.  His  wife 
was  born  in  Caswell  county,  North  Carolina,  and  her  parents  brought  her 
from  that  state  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  when  she  was  a young  girl  and 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I 158 

here  she  grew  up  on  a farm  and  received  her  education  in  the  common 
schools.  After  the  death  of  her  husband  she  managed  the  home  farm  un- 
til her  marriage  to  John  McCabe.  Her  death  occurred  in  1889  on  the  home- 
stead. She  gave  thirty  acres  for  the  town  site  of  Stafford.  She  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Her  father,  Joseph  Rudde, 
was  a large  slave  owner  in  the  early  days  and  he  settled  the  place  where 
our  subject  now  lives. 

To  William  Lane  and  wife  three  children  were  born,  namely:  Thomas, 
deceased;  John  M.  of  this  sketch;  and  Edward,  of  Kansas  City. 

John  M.  Lane  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  attended  the  neigh- 
borhood schools.  He  has  never  left  the  homestead  and  owns  one  hundred 
and  fifty-five  acres  of  the  same,  which  he  has  kept  well  cultivated  and  well 
improved,  and  although  the  land  has  been  in  the  Lane  family  for  seventy- 
five  years  it  has  been  so  carefully  tilled  and  handled  that  it  is  still  pro- 
ductive and  more  valuable  than  ever  before.  General  farm  products  and 
live  stock  are  raised. 

.Mr  Lane  was  married  in  1888  to  Tobiatha  Winn,  which  union  resulted 
in  the  birth  of  three  children,  namely:  Sadie  R.,  William  and  Mrs.  Jane 
Hessie.  The  wife  and  mother  passed  away  in  1898.  She  was  a daughter 
of  Richard  M.  and  Martha  Winn.  Our  subject  subsecjuently  married  Mrs. 
Allie  (Fitch)  Lane,  widow  of  his  deceased  brother.  By  this  second  union 
one  child  has  been  born,  Joe.  By  her  first  marriage  the  second  Mrs. 
Lane  became  the  mother  of  five  children,  namely : James,  Richard,  Blue 

is  teaching  school  in  Strafford;  Thomas,  and  John. 

Politically,  Mr.  Lane  is  a Republican.  His  wife  is  a member  of  the 
Baptist  church. 


WILLIAM  A.  McMEHEN. 

The  student  interested  in  the  history  of  the  northwestern  part  of  Greene 
county  does  not  have  to  carry  his  investigations  far  into  the  annals  of 
Walnut  Grove  township  before  learning  that  William  A.  McMehen  has  long 
been  an  active  and  leading  representative  of  its  fine  agricultural  interests 
and  that  his  labors  have  proven  a potent  force  in  making  this  a rich  farming 
region.  Through  several  decades  he  has  carried  on  diversified  farming  and 
stock  raising,  gradually  improving  his  extensive  farm,  and  while  he  has 
prospered  in  this  he  has  also  found  ample  opportunity  to  assist  in  the 
material  development  of  his  locality,  and  his  co-operation  has  been  of  value 
to  the  general  good. 

Mr.  McMehen  is  one  of  the  few  Canadians  in  Greene  county,  and,  like 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1159 


all  of  his  fellow  countrymen,  is  energetic  and  resourceful.  His  birth  oc- 
curred in  the  province  of  Ontario,  Canada,  April  30,  1864.  He  is  a son  of 
James  and  Hannah  (McConnell)  McMehen.  The  father  was  born  in  same 
locality  as  was  our  subject,  April  26,  1826,  and  the  mother  was  also  born  in 
Canada.  There  these  parents  grew  to  maturity,  each  received  fairly  good 
educations  in  the  schools  there  and  were  married  in  that  country.  Remov- 
ing from  Ontario  in  1865  they  first  located  near  Champaign,  Illinois,  where 
they  spent  five  years  on  a farm,  then  came  on  to  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
and  here  James  McMehen  became  owner  of  a good  farm  of  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres,  to  which  he  later  added  sixty  acres,  and  was  a successful  gen- 
eral farmer,  and  here  his  death  occurred  in  February,  1908.  The  mother 
of  our  subject  is  still  living,  now  advanced  in  years,  and  makes  her  home  in 
the  town  of  Walnut  Grove,  on  part  of  the  old  homestead.  She  is  a member 
•of  the  Methodist,  church,  of  which  Mr.  McMehen  was  also  a member.  They 
were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  one  of  whom  is  deceased,  and  named  as 
follows : Mrs.  Barbara  Rice,  Andrew  M.,  Charles  A.,  William  A.,  Mrs. 

Minnie  E.  Reger,  John  A.,  and  James.  The  other  child  died  in  early  life. 

William  A.  McMehen  was  six  years  old  when  his  parents  removed  with 
him  from  Canada  to  Illinois  and  there  he  spent  his  early  boyhood,  being 
six  years  old  when  the  family  established  their  future  home  at  Walnut 
Grove,  Missouri,  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  where  he  now 
lives,  and  attended  the  public  schools.  He  worked  for  his  father  until  he 
was  twenty-one  years  old,  then  bought  a part  of  the  homestead,  to  which 
he  has  added  until  he  now  owns  one  of  the  finest  and  best  improved  farms 
of  Walnut  Grove  township,  comprising  three  hundred  thirty-two  and  one- 
half  acres,  where  he  has  been  very  successful  as  a general  farmer  and  stock 
raiser,  making  a specialty  of  shorthorn  cattle  and  he  also  deals  extensively 
in  live  stock  especially  mules  and  cattle,  being,  like  his  brothers,  an  excel- 
lent judge  of  both. 

Mr.  McMehen  was  married  in  1892  to  Nattie  Waltz,  who  was  born  in 
Polk  county,  this  state,  and  reared  there  on  a farm.  She  received  a good  edu- 
cation and  in  her  girlhood  taught  school  very  successfully  for  some  time. 
She  is  a daughter  of  Elias  and  Helen  (Britton)  Waltz,  the  father  now  de- 
ceased but  the  mother  is  still  living. 

The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  resulted  in  the  birth  of  one  child, 
Ena  Lee  McMehen,  born  on  December  20,  1907. 

Politically,  Mr.  McMehen  is  a strong  Democrat,  loyal  to  the  party  in 
both  victory  and  defeat.  Fraternally  he  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  order. 
Including  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is 
a member  of  the  Methodist  church.  Fie  is  one  of  the  influential  men  of  this 
.■section  of  the  county. 


1 1 Go 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


MANSEL  PUTMAN. 

The  social,  business  and  political  history  of  this  section  is  filled  with 
the  deeds  and  doings  of  self-made  men,  and  no  man  in  the  pioneer  period 
of  Greene  county  was  more  deserving  of  the  appellation  than  was  Mansel 
Putman,  who  has  long  been  sleeping  the  sleep  that  knows  no  waking,  like 
the  Scottish  hero  of  “The  Lady  of  the  Lake,’’  for  Mr.  Putman  marked  out 
his  own  career  in  his  youth  and  steadily  followed  it  to  the  final  ending  of 
his  mortal  career,  his  success  having  been  attributed  to  his  earnest  and  per- 
sistent endeavor,  and  to  the  fact  that  he  consistently  tried  to  follow  the 
teachings  of  the  “Golden  Rule.” 

Mr.  Putman  was  born  on  January  12,  1822,  in  Marshall  county,  Ten- 
nessee, and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  resided  until  1842  when  he  immi- 
grated to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  at  the  age  of  twenty  years,  with  his 
parents,  John  and  Polly  (Garrett)  Putman.  The  family  located  seven  miles 
north  of  Springfield,  where  John  Putman  bought  a claim  on  which  he  farmed 
until  his  death,  September  27,  1867,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four 
years.  The  land  was  mostly  in  the  rough,  but  he  was  a hard-working  man 
and  cleared  most  of  it.  Politically  he  was  a Benton  Democrat,  and  religiously 
he  was  a member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  church,  being  a member  of  the 
Zion  congregation. 

Minerva  James,  wife  of  Mansel  Putman,  was  born  on  August  8,  1820, 
in  Madison  county,  Tennessee,  and  she  and  Mr.  Putman  were  married  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1849.  She  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  with  her  parents, 
Thomas  and  Nancy  (Gately)  James,  and  her  death  occurred  on  the  home- 
stead farm  in  this  county,  Novembeh  27,  1905.  Mary  Jane  Putman  was 
their  only  child.  She  is  the  wife  of  Ammon  Knighten,  a sketch  of  whom 
appears  on  another  page  of  this  work. 

The  death  of  Mansel  Putman  occurred  on  November  9,  1895,  on  a 
farm  in  Franklin  township,  where  Mrs.  Knighten  was  born  and  reared  and 
has  lived  all  her  life,  having  succeeded  to  the  ownership  of  the  homestead 
upon  the  death  of  her  mother  in  1905.  She  was  educated  in  the  rural 
schools. 

Politically,  Mr.  Putman  was  a Republican,  and  he  was  in  sympathy  with 
the  Union  during  the  Civil  war.  He  was  a member  of  the  Home  Guards, 
and  while  the  war  was  in  progress  he  was  taken  from  his  home  and  shot 
by  a band  of  General  Price’s  soldiers,  but  he  finally  recovered  from  his 
wounds. 

He  belonged  to  the  Union  League  and  the  Grange.  He  was  a member 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church  at  Mt.  Comfort.  His  wife  also  held 
membership  there,  and  they  were  both  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  church,  lib- 
eral in  their  support  of  the  same. 


MANSEL  PUTMAN.  MRS.  MANSER  PUTMAN. 


GREENE  COUNTY^  MISSOURI. 


1 161 


Mr.  Putman  was  a very  successful  farmer  and  a highly  respected  citi- 
zen. He  was  one  of  a family  of  fourteen  children,  all  now  deceased  but 
John  G.  and  Joseph  Edward  Putman.  The  former  is  engaged  in  farming 
in  Franklin  township;  he  was  born  in  Marshall  county,  Tennessee,  and  came 
with  his  parents  to  Missouri  in  1842.  After  devoting  his  active  life  to  gen- 
eral farming  he  is  now  living  in  retirement,  and  has  reached  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty-six  years.  His  son.  Seth  Jerome  Putman,  operates  the  home 
farm.  John  G.  Putman  has  seven  children,  namely:  Mrs.  Mary  C.  Porter 

lives  on  a farm  in  Greene  county;  one  son  died  in  infancy;  Mary  S.,  who 
was  the  wife  of  William  Clark,  died  in  1913;  Mrs.  Nellie  Saltsgaver,  Seth 
Jerome,  Norma  Alice  and  Nancy  Ellen. 


WILLIAM  J.  CRAWFORD. 

William  J.  Crawford  was  born  on  June  18,  1862,  at  Coshocton,  Coshoc- 
ton county,  Ohio.  He  is  a son  of  Robert  Crawford,  who  was  born  in  Steu- 
benville, Ohio,  and  he  grew  to  manhood  and  attended  school  in  his  native 
state.  When  a young  man  he  engaged  in  the  cooperage  business  at  Coshoc- 
ton, making  barrels  in  large  numbers,  later  he  was  in  the  real  estate  business 
there,  owning  considerable  land,  and  was  a successful  business  man.  He 
engaged  in  farming  on  an  extensive  scale,  not  only  operating  his  own  vast 
acreage  but  rented  some  land  and  worked  it  on  the  shares.  At  times  he  em- 
ployed over  one  hundred  hands.  He  was  a prominent  and  influential  man  in 
his  community.  Politically,  he  was  a stanch  Democrat  of  the  Jackson  type 
and  took  much  interest  in  politics,  holding  numerous  offices,  such  as  that  of 
overseer  of  roads,  township  treasurer,  a member  of  the  school  board  in  his 
district,  of  which  he  was  president  for  a period  of  twelve  years,  during 
which  he  did  much  for  the  educational  uplift  of  the  township.  He  was  at 
one  time  urged  to  become  candidate  to  the  state  legislature  but  declined. 
He  was  a man  of  fine  personal  character.  His  word  was  as  good  as  his 
bond  and  he  enjoyed  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  who  knew  him.  He 
loved  his  home  and  was  best  contented  when  by  his  own  fireside  and  was. 
never  known  to  neglect  his  family  in  any  way,  which  was  a mutually  helpful 
and  happy  one.  He  was  a well-read  man  and  a good  debater,  and  was  in 
deportment  quiet  and  unassuming.  He  reached  an  advanced  age  and  was 
active  up  to  the  last,  dying  in  1903  when  past  his  eighty-first  birthday.  He 
married  Evelyn  Daugherty,  a daughter  of  George  Daugherty,  of  Belmont, 
Ohio.  Her  death  occurred  in  1904  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  She 
was  a woman  of  fine  Christian  sentiment,  helpful  and  neighborly.  To  these 
parents  five  children  were  born,  namely:  George  died  in  infancy;  John 

M.,  who  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Frisco  system,  died  in  1912:  Lenore,  who 


I 1 62 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


taught  school  tor  some  time,  died  in  Ohio;  William  j.  of  this  sketch;  and 
Harriet  E.,  who  is  the  wife  of  J.  N.  Edwards,  a traveling  salesman  of 
Springfield. 

James  Crawford,  paternal  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  review, 
engaged  in  the  cooperage  business  at  Steubenville,  Ohio,  for  many  years, 
making  iron-bound  barrels  which  he  shipped  to  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania, 
and  he  was  very  successful  as  a business  man.  He  lived  at  Steubenville  until 
his  death. 

William  j.  Crawford  grew  to  manhood  at  Coshocton  and  there  he  at- 
tended the  common  and  high  schools,  leaving  school  when  seventeen  years 
of  age  to  enter  the  milling  business  at  his  home  town,  serving  an  apprentice- 
ship of  two  and  one-half  years  in  the  Empire  Mills  there.  He  then  came  to 
Topeka,  Kansas,  where  he  had  charge  of  the  Shawnee  Mills  for  a period 
of  nine  years,  being  head  miller,  and  he  was  responsible  for  the  prestige  and 
general  popularity  of  these  mills  during  that  period.  Next  we  find  him  at 
Newton,  Kansas,  where,  for  fifteen  months  he  operated  the  Newton  Mill  & 
Elevator  Company’s  plant.  He  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  the  latter 
nineties  and  while  here  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Spanish-American  war, 
on  August  20,  1898,  in  Company  A,  Thirty-second  United  States  Volun- 
teers, and  served  in  the  army  until  1901  with  a most  creditable  record,  hav- 
ing seen  active  service  in  the  Philippine  Islands,  taking  part  in  several  cam- 
paigns on  the  island  of  Luzon,  and  fought  in  the  battles  of  Tarlac,  Oraim, 
Colcobin  and  others,  also  was  in  many  skirmishes.  He  was  injured  while  in 
the  service  and  was  for  two  months  in  a hospital  in  San  Francisco,  in  which 
city  he  was  mustered  out  in  May,  1901.  Soon  after  he  went  to  his  old  home 
in  Ohio,  and  from  there  returned  to  Springfield  and  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Frisco  railroad,  first  as  check  clerk  in  the  freight  department,  then 
became  chief  of  the  delivery  department  in  the  inbound  freight  department 
w hich  responsible  position  he  still  holds. 

Mr.  Crawford  was  married  in  1902  to  Mary  E.  Voorhees,  a daughter 
of  George  W.  and  Elizabeth  (Bretz)  Voorhees.  He  was  a captain  in  the 
Union  army  during  the  Civil  war,  having  enlisted  at  Scio,  Harrison  county, 
Ohio.  Mrs.  Crawford's  uncle,  Richard  Voorhees,  is  at  this  writing  circuit 
judge  in  Ohio,  his  circuit  embracing  the  counties  of  Coshocton,  Muskingum 
and  Summit.  The  V oorhees  has  long  been  a prominent  family  in  Ohio  and 
Indiana.  Mrs.  Crawford  was  born  in  Ohio,  grew  to  womanhood  there  and 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools. 

The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  been  without  issue. 

Politically,  Mr.  Crawford  is  a Democrat  in  principle,  but  he  votes  inde- 
pendently. He  is  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  he  belongs  to 
the  Presbyterian  church.  He  resides  on  Washington  avenue  in  a pleasant 
home. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


H63 


MR.  P.  V.  COLLIER, 

The  Walk-Over  shoe  man  of  Springfield,  Mo.,  who  has  one  of  the  best  and  most  up-to- 
date  shoe  stores  in  the  State  of  Missouri,  which  carries  a complete  line  of 
men’s  and  women’s  “Walk  Over”  shoes.  Located  at  312  South  Street. 


B.  F.  RATHBONE. 

Many  minds  .labor  under  the  misapprehension  that  real  patriotism 
is  peculiar  to  men  of  high  genius  or  the  favorites  of  fortune.  The  true 
patriot  is  one  who,  from  love  of  country,  does,  or  tries  to  do,  in  the  proper 
sphere,  all  that  appears  necessary  to  promote  her  honor,  prosperity  and 
peace.  The  substantial  elements  of  this  precious  virtue  which  underlies 
the  welfare  of  every  nation,  and  especially  of  one  professing  to  be  free, 
like  our  own,  are  furnished  by  men  in  every  walk  of  life,  who  step  out  of  the 
realm  of  mere  self-love,  and  seek  to  further  and  augment  the  commonweal. 
Among  those  who  fill  the  highest  seats,  and  prove  themselves  most  deserv- 
ing of  public  gratitude,  many  have  been  the  farmers  of  the  land,  who  have 
redeemed  this  great  country  from  the  wilderness  and  made  even  the  rocks 
drip  with  fatness  and  blessing;  or  they  may  have,  many  of  them,  come 
from  the  ranks  of  tradesmen,  doing  their  allotted  tasks  in  the  shops  and 
factories  of  the  country,  in  fact  a patriot  and  useful  citizen  may  spring 
from  any  walk  of  life.  B.  F.  Rathbone,  formerly  an  agriculturist,  and  for 
many  years  one  of  the  Frisco’s  dependable  shop  employees,  was  born  under 
alien  skies,  but  he  has  spent  most  of  his  life  in  America,  fifty-seven  years 
of  which  have  been  lived  in  Greene  county. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


II64 

Mr.  Rathbone  was  born  March  13,  1848,  in  Birmingham,  England. 
He  is  a son  of  Thomas  H.  and  Sarah  Ann  (Warr)  Rathbone,  a sketch  of 
whom  will  be  found  on  another  page  of  this  work.  The  father  of  our 
subject  immigrated  to  the  United  States  in  the  spring  of  1851,  and  the 
family  followed  during  the  autumn  of  that  year.  They  all  remained  in 
New  York  City  until  1858,  when  they  removed  to  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
and  established  their  permanent  home. 

B.  F.  Rathbone,  of  this  sketch,  was  three  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
brought  him  from  England.  He  spent  his  boyhood  in  New  York  City, 
where  he  attended  school.  He  also  went  to  school  after  coming  to  Greene 
county,  having  attended  the  Capt.  John  R.  Kelso  Academy.  However,  his 
education  was  limited,  the  Civil  war  having  interfered  with  his  studies. 
The  family  settled  at  the  old  Rathbone  spring,  northeast  of  Springfield,  and 
there  our  subject  worked  on  the  farm  when  he  was  a young  man,  in  fact, 
he  followed  general  farming  until  1882,  in  which  year  he  removed  to 
Springfield,  and  in  August  of  that  year  began  working  in  the  old  North 
Side  Frisco  shops.  His  first  work  for  this  road  was  the  hauling  of  all 
the  rock  for  the  culverts  from  Springfield  four  miles  east  of  the  city.  His 
first  work  in  the  shops  proper  was  as  blacksmith’s  helper.  Fie  remained 
in  the  shops  until  1888,  when  he  was  elected  constable  of  Campbell  town- 
ship, and  he  became  deputy  sheriff  under  Joe  C.  Dodson,  however,  he  served 
but  a short  time  in  this  capacity  when  he  was  appointed  to  a position  on  the 
police  force.  He  served  in  all  twelve  years  in  the  various  official  posi- 
tions, proving  to  be  an  efficient  and  dependable  officer.  He  then  returned 
to  the  shops  and  finished  learning  his  trade.  About  nine  years  ago  he  was 
assigned  to  the  work  of  spring  maker  at  the  North  Side  shops,  and  this 
position  he  has  continued  to  hold  to  the  present  time,  having  long  since 
become  an  expert  in  his  line. 

Mr.  Rathbone  was  married  March  13,  1871,  in  Springfield  to  Emily 
Rush  (Woods),  a daughter  of  Samuel  Woods,  a well-known  citizen  here 
a few  decades  ago.  He  came  to  Greene  county  from  Tennesee  in  an  early 
day  and  devoted  his  attention  to  general  farming.  During  the  latter  years 
of  his  life  he  served  one  term  as  county  treasurer,  and  prior  to  that  was 
deputy  sheriff.  He  made  a good  official  and  was  well  liked  by  all  who 
knew  him.  He  was  a gentleman  of  the  old  school.  Our  subject’s  wife’s 
mother  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Mary  Ragsdale.  To  their  union 
six  children  were  born,  only  three  of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing.  Mrs. 
Rathbone  was  born  at  Springfield,  reared  to  womanhood  and  educated  here. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rathbone  six  childrep  were  born,  all  of  whom  sur- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


H65 

vive,  namely:  Emma  R.,  born  March  1,  1872,  is  the  wife  of  Albert  L. 
Schofield;  Ernest  G.,  born  January  9,  1874,  married  Erma  Smith,  and  they 
reside  in  Springfield;  Harold  EL,  born  August  29,  1877,  married  Ida  Robin- 
son, to  which  union  two  children  were  born,  Milton  and  Marjorie;  John  D., 
born  May  24,  1879,  married  Mary  Culler,  and  they  have  two  children,  Erma 
and  Dorothy;  Walter  G.,  born  September  9,  1884,  married  Clara  Parker, 
and  they  have  two  children,  Ross  and  Emily;  Edith  L.,  born  January  18, 
1891,  married  Brandt  Gaffga,  and  they  have  one  child,  Emily  L. 

Politically  Mr.  Rathbone  is  a Republican  and  he  has  always  been 
loyal  in  his  support  of  the  party.  He  is  a member  of  the  Orient  Lodge  No. 
86,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  he  served  as  captain  of  Ascolon  Division  No.  15, 
Uniform  Rank,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  Lodge  No.  '218,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  having  passed  the  chairs  in  both  these  orders.  He 
also  belongs  to  the  Blacksmiths’  Union.  The  family  holds  membership  in 
the  Benton  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


JOHN  A.  McMEHEN. 

At  the  outset  of  his  career  John  A.  McMehen,  well-known  farmer  and 
stockman  of  Walnut  Grove  township,  Greene  county,  recognized  the  fact 
that  it  takes  self-reliance,  perseverance  and  fortitude  to  win  success  in  any 
line  of  human  endeavor,  so  he  did  not  seek  any  shady  lanes  to  the  goal  of 
prosperity,  but  began  to  work  diligently  and  along  honorable  lines  to  advance 
himself  and  the  result  is  that  he  is  now  numbered  among  the  successful  and 
progressive  citizens  of  his  locality,  and  is  a creditable  representative  in  every 
way  to  the  McMehen  family,  one  of  the  most  influential  in  the  vicinity  of 
Walnut  Grove  for  the  past  forty  years  or  more. 

Mr.  McMehen  was  born  on  a farm  near  Champaign,  Illinois,  Novem- 
ber 12,  1869,  some  four  years  after  his  parents,  James  and  Hannah  R.  (Mc- 
Connell) McMehen,  settled  there.  (See  sketch  of  William  A.  McMehen  on 
another  page  of  this  volume  for  further  mention  of  parents.) 

John  A.  McMehen  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  being  a small 
boy  when  the  family  removed  here  from  Illinois,  and  he  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  local  public  schools.  ITe  remained  on  the  home  farm  until  he 
reached  young  manhood,  doing  his  share  of  the  general  work,  then  started 
out  for  himself,  buying  seventy-three  acres  from  his  father  and  at  the  pres- 
ent time  he  owns  a productive  and  well-kept  place  of  one  hundred  sixty-nine 
and  one-half  acres.  In  connection  with  general  farming  he  handled  live 


1 1 66 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


stock  on  an  extensive  scale,  especially  mules,  and  is  one  of  the  well-known 
and  successful  stockmen  of  the  county,  being  all  excellent  judge  of  them- 

Mr.  McMehen  was  married  on  December  24,  1893,  t°  Jessie  B.  Roun- 
tree, who  was  born  in  Cedar  county,  Missouri,  October  22,  1874,  and  there 
she  grew  up  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Thomas  B.  and  Dorothy  (Haley)  Rountree,  both  of  whom  still  live  on  the 
homestead  in  Cedar  county,  and  are  actively  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  Cain  Hill,  Missouri. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McMehen  six  children  have  been  born,  namely:  The 
first  child  died  in  infancy,  unnamed;  John  A.,  Jr.,  born  August  26,  1898; 
Rountree,  born  on  September  7,  1900;  Blon,  died  on  April  29,  1902;  Jessie 
B.,  born  March  23,  1903,  and  Andrew  M.,  born  December  30,  1912. 

Politically,  our  subject  is  a Democrat,  fraternally  a member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic order,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Methodist  church.  His  wife  is  a member 
of  the  Christian  church. 


JEFFERSON  F.  HANSELL. 

One  of  the  popular,  capable  and  courteous  passenger  conductors  of  the 
Frisco  System  is  Jefferson  E.  Hansell,  a man  who  is  universally  liked  not 
only  by  railroad  men  but  by  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact.  He  has 
had  charge  of  passenger  trains  between  Springfield  and  Memphis  for  twen- 
ty-five years  for  the  Frisco  and  the  old  “Gulf”  railroad,  and  it  stands  to  rea- 
son that  no  one  could  retain  such  a responsible  position  a quarter  of  a cen- 
tury were  they  not  capable,  honest  and  trustworthy. 

Mr.  Hansell  was  born  July  1,  1856,  in  Marion,  Lynn  county,  Iowa. 
He  is  a son  of  Joseph  and  Hannah  (Leeka)  Hansell,  both  natives  of  Ohio, 
the  father  born  near  Cincinnati.  They  grew  up  in  the  Buckeye  state,  re- 
ceived such  educational  advantages  as  the  schools  of  those  early  times  af- 
forded, and  there  they  were  married.  Joseph  Hansell  learned  the  carpen- 
ter's trade  when  a young  man  and  became  a successful  carpenter  and  con- 
tractor, and  in  later  life  was  a traveling  salesman.  He  was  a soldier  in  the 
Civil  war,  enlisting  in  1861,  in  Company  K,  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  un- 
der Captain  Christian,  Mr.  Hansell  having  located  in  Iowa  in  1855.  He 
served  three  years  in  the  Union  army,  principally  against  the  hostile  Indians- 
of  the  West,  and  he  saw  a great  deal  of  hard,  active  service.  After  the  war 
he  returned  to  Marion,  Lynn  county,  Iowa.  His  family  consisted  of  four 
children,  namely:  Francis  M.  was  a soldier  in  the  Union  army  during  the 

Civil  war;  Mary  Elizabeth,  William  Madison  and  Jefferson  E.  of  this- 
sketch.  These  children  are  all  living  at  this  writing.  Politically  Joseph 
Hansell  was  a Republican,  and  he  was  a member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


i I 67 

Jefferson  E.  Hansell  grew  to  manhood  at  Marion,  Iowa,  and  received 
his  education  in  the  public  and  high  schools.  After  leaving  school  he  drove 
a team  across  the  great  western  plains  to  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  and  back. 
In  1881  he  began  his  career  as  a railroader,  which  he  has  continued  to  the 
present  time,  a period  of  thirty-three  years.  He  first  secured  employment 
with  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & Quincy,  first  as  freight  brakeman,  then  was 
promoted  to  freight  conductor.  In  1886  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri, 
with  his  family  and  went  to  work  for  the  Frisco  railroad,  first  as  brake- 
man,  and  for  three  weeks  worked  on  the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Mem- 
phis railroad,  which  road  was  purchased  by  the  Frisco  Railroad  Company 
in  1900.  On  December  25,  1889,  Mr.  Hansell  was  promoted  to  passenger 
conductor  and  placed  in  charge  of  a train  between  Springfield  and  Mem- 
phis, and  this  has  been  his  run  continuously  to  the  present  time.  He  took 
the  first  train  over  the  mammoth  bridge  across  the  Mississippi  river  at  Mem- 
phis, May  12,  1902. 

Mr.  Hansell  was  married,  May  17,  1881,  to  Minette  Risser,  who  was 
born  at  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa,  October  15,  1862.  She  is  a daughter  of  Daniel 
and  Martha  (Foarisend)  Risser.  Mr.  Risser  was  horn  in  Germany,  from 
which  country  he  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  the  United  States  when 
he  was  five  years  old.  The  family  first  located  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and 
there  Daniel  Risser  grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  education,  and  from 
there  he  moved  to  Salem,  Iowa.  He  was  born  in  1832,  and  died  in  1904. 
His  wife  was  born  in  Richmond,  Indiana,  and  came  west  in  1845  to  Iowa. 
She  was  born  in  1842,  and  is  still  living,  making  her  home  in  Springfield, 
Missouri.  She  and  Mr.  Risser  were  married  in  Salem,  Iowa.  Politically, 
Mr.  Risser  was  a Democrat,  and  he  served  for  some  time  as  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  was  also  postmaster  for  a while  at  Pilot  Grove,  Iowa.  His  fam- 
ily consisted  of  eleven  children,  five  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely : Mi- 

nette, wife  of  Mr.  Hansell  of  this  sketch;  C.  H.,  Omer  E.,  Mamie  and 
Etna.  Mrs.  Hansell  grew  to  womanhood  in  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa,  and  there 
received  her  education  in  the  public  schools  and  an  academy,  under  Profes- 
sor Howe,  completing  the  teacher’s  course,  but  was  married  before  she 
could  begin  a career  as  teacher. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hansell,  all  living, 
namely:  Bertha,  born  December  2,  1882,  is  the  wife  of  Mathew  FI.  Galt; 

Emma  E.,  born  December  2,  1885,  is  single  and  is  living  at  home;  Jeffer- 
son E.,  born  October  25,  1891,  is  a reporter  on  the  Springfield  Republican ; 
Don  M.,  born  May  1,  1893,  is  in  the  hardware  business  and  lives  at  home. 

The  Hansell  home  is  a beautiful  new  brick  structure  at  1440  East  Wal- 
nut street.  Politically,  Mr.  Hansell  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  order,  in  which  he  has  attained  the  thirty-second  degree.  He  is 
a member  of  the  Order  of  Railroad  Conductors  and  the  Springfield  Club. 


1 1 68 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ROBERT  EZRA  DARBY,  M.  D.,  D.  D.  S. 

No  doctor  of  dental  surgery  is  better  known  in  southwestern  Missouri 
than  Dr.  Robert  Ezra  Darby,  of  Springfield,  and  certainly  none  are  his 
superiors  and  few  his  equals  in  applying  this  branch  of  science  for  the 
good  of  humanity.  He  has  for  years  ranked  as  one  of  the  leaders  among 
his  professional  brethren  in  Greene  county  and  in  the  state  of  Missouri. 

Dr.  Darby  is  descended  from  a sterling  old  American  family. 
Daniel  Darby,  his  paternal  grandfather,  was  born  near  Ripley,  West  Vir- 
ginia, October  31,  1799,  and  died  on  November  27,  1862.  He  married 
Phoebe  Evans,  of  Ohio,  September  12,  1822.  She  was  a daughter  of  Jona- 
than and  Sarah  (Faucette)  Evans.  Mrs.  Phoebe  Darby  was  born  on  Novem- 
ber 13,  1803,  and  died  January  18,  1880.  Her  great-grandfather  came  to 
America  from  Wales.  The  names  of  her  brothers  were,  Ephraim,  Jona- 
than, Samuel,  Robert,  Edward  and  Mark,  the  latter  dying  in  childhood ; and 
her  sisters  were  Mrs.  Ellen  Stoots,  Mrs.  Margaret  Starcher,  Mrs.  Tabitha 
Wright,  Mrs.  Sarah  Starcher,  Mrs.  Lydia  Long,  Mrs.  Priscilla  Beezley, 
Mrs.  Ann  Stoots.  Thirteen  children  were  born  to  Daniel  Darby  and  wife, 
four  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  namely:  Jedediah,  Jonathan,  Sarah  Ann, 

and  Cynthia;  the  nine  reaching  maturity  were,  Elizabeth,  who  married  Noah 
Bray,  was  born  in  West  Virginia,  September  29,  1823,  died  January  21, 
1851;  Rebecca,  born  in  West  Virginia,  December  23,  1826,  died  January 
24,  1842 ; Joseph  Wright,  who  became  a Baptist  minister,  was  born  in  Indiana, 
May  9,  1832,  and  died  in  Cedar  Hill,  Texas,  January  23,  1863;  Ezra  Fau- 
cette, father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  next  in  order  of  birth;  Ruami, 
born  in  Vermillion  county,  Illinois,  April  4,  1837,  died  December  24,  1913, 
having  remained  unmarried;  Ephraim  Evans,  a minister  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  South,  was  born  in  Hickory  county,  Missouri,  December 
10,  1839,  and  lives  in  Center  Point,  Texas;  William  Henry,  a farmer  and 
carpenter,  was  born  in  Hickory  county,  this  state,  April  18,  1842,  now  lives 
in  Dallas  county,  Missouri;  George  Washington,  farmer,  born  in  Hickory 
county,  May  13,  1844,  lives  in  Corpus  Christi,  Texas;  Isabella  Jane,  who 
married  Rev.  Samuel  Lopp,  was  born  in  Hickory  county,  February  1,  1847, 
lives  with  a daughter  in  Pennsylvania.  The  four  last  named  reared  large 
families. 

Daniel  Darby  was  a mechanic  of  unusual  ability  and  served  the  new 
country  wonderfully  well.  His  early  manhood  was  spent  in  Ohio,  Indiana 
and  Illinois.  He  made  a model  of  one  of  the  first  mowing  machines  which 
clipped  the  grass  in  his  own  yard  to  the  delight  of  the  patentee.  He  had 
a wagon  shop  in  Danville,  Illinois.  He  also  made  furniture  and  wooden 
clocks;  one  of  the  latter  he  brought  with  him  to  Missouri  in  1838.  He  set- 


DR.  R.  B.  DARBY.  MRS.  R.  E.  DARBY. 


WENDELL  EZRA  DARBY. 


ROBERT  STEM  MO  NS  DARBY. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


II69 


tied  in  that  part  of  the  state  which  later  was  made  a part  of  Hickory  county. 
There  he  established  a tannery  of  thirty  vats  and  manufactured  and  sold 
leather.  He  built  a grist-mill  with  a forty-foot  tread  wheel  on  which  the 
weight  of  walking  oxen  turned  the  machinery  that  ground  the  wheat  into 
flour  and  the  corn  into  meal.  He  also  established  a nursery  farm,  from 
which  he  supplied  the  country  for  miles  around  with  fruit  trees.  He  also 
had  his  own  blacksmith  shop  as  well  as  carpenter  shop.  He  supplied  the 
needs  of  the  country  with  everything  from  a plow,  spinning  wheel  or  fan- 
ning mill  to  a wooden  clock.  The  power  to  become  skilful  with  tools  seems 
to  have  been  inherited  by  Doctor  Darby. 

Jedediah  Darby,  the  paternal  great-grandfather  of  Doctor  Darby  of 
this  sketch,  was  a native  of  Vermont,  and  at  the  age  of  twelve  years  he 
was  bound  out  to  a millwright  to  learn  the  trade.  He  was  then  living  in 
Pennsylvania,  but  subsequently  moved  to  West  Virginia.  He  married 
Rebecca  Sayers,  and  in  later  life  removed  to  Iroquois  county,  Illinois',  where 
his  death  occurred  while  he  was  in  his  eighties.  Six  sons  and  four  daughters 
were  born  to  Jedediah  Darby  and  wife,  namely:  Daniel,  Owen,  Moses, 

Aaron,  Elijah,  Elisha,  Hannah,  Eliza,  Sarah  and  Nancy.  Longevity  is  one 
notable  characteristic  of  this  family,  two  members  of  which  live  to  be  well 
into  the  nineties — one  of  them  still  living. 

Samuel  Darby,  father  of  Jedediah,  was  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
war.  He  lived  in  Pennsylvania,  and  when  last  heard  from  was  one  hundred 
and  one  years  old.  His  ancestors  came  from  England.  The  older  stock  of 
Darbys  were  tall,  strong  men,  with  great  endurance. 

Our  subject’s  maternal  family  also  goes  back  through  many  genera- 
tions of  excellent  citizens.  The  Andrew's  family  came  to  America  from 
England.  Adam  Andrews  lived  near  Petersburg,  Virginia.  He  died  of  the 
“black  plague”  while  a soldier  during  the  War  of  1812.  This  family, 
although  living  near  Richmond,  the  Confederate  capital,  were  always  op- 
posed to  negro  slavery.  Dr.  Mark  Andrews,  a son  of  Adam  Andrews,  grand- 
father of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  v?as  born  in  Chesterfield  county,  Vir- 
ginia, December  28,  1812.  He  married  Martha  Ann  Griggs,  April  12,  1835. 
She  died  on  February  21,  1836.  One  child  was  born  of  this  marriage — -Mar- 
tha Ann  Eliza,  the  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Martha  Griggs  had 
two  brothers  and  one  sister  vrho  came  West.  Joseph  -went  to  California, 
William  to  Greenfield,  Missouri.  The  sister  married  Jacobs,  a well-known 
merchant  and  hanker  of  Greenfield,  Missouri.  Dr.  Mark  'Andrews  later 
married  Virginia  Thompson,  August  25,  1836.  They  came  to  Missouri  in 
1840  and  located  at  Buffalo,  Dallas  county.  Here  she  taught  the  first  school 
ever  taught  in  that  town ; was  also  a teacher  in  the  Sunday  school.  Thev 
moved  to  the  farm  near  Urbana  in  1850.  Doctor  Andrews  lived  a verv 
(74) 


I I/O 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


active  life  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  and  became  very  prominent. 
Overwork  and  exposure  hastened  his  death  which  occurred  on  June  31,, 
1865.  His  family  consisted  of  eleven  in  number,  namely:  Mary  Elizabeth, 

who  married  William  Howard,  was  born  June  16,  1837,  and  died  in  1885;. 
Robert  Jones,  born  December  31,  1838,  died  while  a soldier  in  the  Union 
army,  July  6,  1864;  Virginia  Atkinson,  born  June  1 1 , 1840,  married  C.  P. 
Fletcher,  lives  in  Meade,  Kansas;  Emily  Frances,  born  July  13,  1843,  is- 
the  wife  of  W.  H.  Darby,  of  Urbana,  Missouri;  Lucy  Jane,  born  July  4, 
1845,  ’s  the  wife  of  1.  N.  Reser,  of  Urbana,  Missouri;  Dr.  John  Polk 
Andrews,  born  July  14,  1847,  lives  at  Marionville,  Missouri;  Harriet  Ver- 
linda,  horn  March  7,  1850,  is  the  wife  of  W.  B.  Coon,  of  Republic,  Mis- 
souri; Jesse  Edwin,  born  February  19,  1852,  died  June  18,  1853;  Joseph 
William,  born  September  11,  1854,  was  a farmer,  and  died  in  1893;  Susan 
Buchanan,  born  March  4,  1857,  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Darby,  of  Medford, 
Oregon;  Mark  Lafayette,  born  July  7,  1859,  is  a farmer  of  Urbana,. 
Missouri. 

Ezra  Faucett  Darby,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in 
Vermilion  county,  Illinois,  October  30,  1834.  In  1838,  when  he  was  but 
four  years  old,  his  father  came  to  Missouri,  and  settled  in  that  part  of  the 
state  which  was  later  organized  into  Hickory  county.  There  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  devoted  his  active  life  to  general  farming,  stock  raising,  ship- 
ping and  also  fruit  growing.  He  became  one  of  the  most  influential  citizens 
there,  taking  a very  active  part  in  public  affairs,  always  striving  to  better 
general  conditions  of  living;  he  was  a friend  to  education,  the  church  and 
everything  that  made  for  advancement.  He  was  ever  broad-minded  and  a 
man  of  charitable  impulses.  He  enlisted  in  the  Federal  army  at  Urbana, 
Missouri,  in  the  fall  of  1863,  in  Company  A,  Eighteenth  Iowa  Volunteer 
Infantry,  under  Captain  Stonaker.  He  was  at  once  sent  with  the  regiment 

into  Arkansas,  the  first  stop  being  at  Fort  Smith.  He  was  in  the  cam- 

paign to  Camden,  that  state,  in  1864.  He  took  part  in  a number  of  skir- 
mishes. He  was  ordered  from  his  regiment  to  the  United  States  hospital 
at  Little  Rock,  as  ward  master,  in  May,  1865.  While  in  the  army  he  demon- 
strated what  he  taught,  that  one  can  live  the  life  of  a Christian,  and  of  tem- 
perance, even  in  the  face  of  adverse  circumstances.  He  married  Martha 
Andrews,  April  14,  1859.  She  was  born  in  Dinwiddie  county,  Virginia, 
January  29,  1836.  Her  father  moved  to  Missouri  in  1840,  and  settled  in 
Buffalo,  where  she  attended  school.  She  was  a woman  of  strong  mind  and 
hire  Christian  sentiment.  Like  her  husband  she  was  a member  of  the  Meth- 
odist church  more  than  fifty  years.  She  grew  up  in  the  days  when  every- 

body worked  in  establishing  and  maintaining  the  home,  in  the  days  of  the 
spinning  wheel,  carding  machine  and  loom  and  she  helped  make  the  cloth- 
ing worn  by  the  family,  doing  her  full  share  of  the  household  duties.  She 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


II7I 

was  a helpmeet  beyond  reproach,  one  of  the  most  devoted  of  mothers,  with 
great  forethought  for  others  and  but  little  for  herself.  This  splendid  old 
couple  retired  from  farm  life  in  1898  and  came  to  Springfield.  They  built 
a cozy  home  in  a suburban  orchard  tract  where  they  enjoyed  a quiet  life  un- 
til necessary  to  break  up  housekeeping,  in  1912.  They  then  went  to  live 
with  their  daughter  in  Fort  Scott,  Kansas,  where  Mrs.  Darby  died  Sep- 
tember 26,  1914.  Of  their  children  the  first  born  died  in  infancy;  Ira  Bar- 
ber, born  January  4,  1876,  died  January  28,  1878;  the  other  five  children 
reached  maturity  and  have  families  of  their  own.  They  are,  Mark  Evans, 
born  June  12,  1862,  lives  in  Springfield,  and  he  has  been  appointed  to  the 
fifth  two-year  term  as  state  inspector  of  apiaries;  Robert  Ezra,  subject  of 
this  review;  William  Daniel,  a merchant  at  Marionville,  Missouri,  was  born 
June  22,  1866;  Vernon  Kingsley,  a merchant,  lives  at  Marionville  also,  and 
he  was  born  on  June  2,  1871 ; Mary  Alice,  born  on  June  25,  1873,  is  the 
wife  of  W.  O.  Pardue,  of  Ft.  Scott,  Kansas. 

Doctor  Darby  was  born  in  Plickory  county,  Missouri,  March  31,  1864. 
There  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  assisted  with  the  general 
work.  Fie  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  and  private  schools,  later 
entering  Marionville  Collegiate  Institute  at  Marionville,  Missouri,  from  which 
institution  he  was  graduated  in  1886.  Entering  the  Missouri  State  Univer- 
sity, he  was  graduated  from  the  normal  department  in  1888.  He  taught 
school  a few  terms,  then  studied  dentistry  and  medicine.  He  was  graduated 
from  the  Western  Dental  College  in  Kansas  City  in  1892,  and  from  the 
University  Medical  College  of  Kansas  City  in  1893.  He  began  the  practice 
of  dentistry  in  Hickory  county,  remaining  there  and  in  the  adjoining  county 
of  Dallas  until  he  came  to  Springfield  in  April,  1895,  and  established  his  per- 
manent business,  which  has  gradually  increased  with  advancing  vears  until 
he  has  long  since  taken  a position  in  the  front  rank  of  his  profession  in  Greene 
county,  and  has  been  busy  from  the  first.  He  is  a member  of  the  lecture 
staff  at  Burge-Deaconess  hospital.  He  has  been  a trustee  of  Marionville 
College  several  years.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Springfield 
Dental  Societ.y,  and  was  its  second  president.  He  joined  the  Missouri  State 
Dental  Association  in  1892.  He  has  read  papers  and  given  many  clinics 
before  it.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  National  Dental  Association.  He 
was  elected  president  of  the  Missouri  State  Dental  Association  in  1909  in 
Kansas  City;  and  presided  over  and  was  one  of  the  leading  spirits  in  the 
annual  meeting  in  St.  Louis  in  May,  1910,  when  the  association  was  reorgan- 
ized to  affiliate  more  closely  the  National  Dental  Association.  That  was  a 
memorable  event,  being  a part  of  a general  move  to  raise  the  standard  of  the 
profession  in  the  entire  United  States,  and  make  it  a greater  power  for  good. 
In  all  these  positions  of  trust  he  has  discharged  his  duties  with  fidelity 
and  an  ability  and  soundness  of  judgment  that  has  reflected  much  credit 


1172 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


upon  himself  and  to  the  eminent  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  Doctor 
Darby  is  a learned  and  forceful  writer  on  subjects  of  interest  to  his  profes- 
sion. They  have  been  published  in  the  leading  professional  journals  and  some 
of  them  widely  copied — one  of  which  we  chanced  to  see  in  the  British  Jour- 
nal of  Dental  Science,  published  in  London. 

Politically,  Doctor  Darby  may  be  classed  as  an  independent  Democrat. 
In  religious  matters  the  same  independence  is  strongly  characteristic.  He 
thinks  for  himself  and  makes  his  own  interpretations.  Lie  has  a good 
library,  and  is  a good  reader  on  a wide  range  of  subjects.  He  is  a member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  was  a member  of  the  building  com- 
mittee when  the  present  structure  of  the  Dever  Benton  Avenue  Methodist 
church  was  built,  and  he  was  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school  for  ten 
years;  the  school  was  noted  for  being  well  graded,  studious,  and  for  its 
system  and  well-ordered  management.  He  has  served  the  church  in  many 
official  capacities  and  is  at  present  a trustee. 

Doctor  Darby  was  married  on  May  22,  1895,  1°  Mattie  Stemmons,  a 
daughter  of  F.  B.  Stemmons,  deceased,  for  many  years  a prominent  farmer 
and  stock  raiser  near  Golden  City,  Jasper  county,  Missouri.  There  Mrs. 
Darby  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  later 
attending  Marionville  Collegiate  Institute,  from  which  she  was  graduated 
in  1887.  She  then  spent  two  years  in  the  Missouri  State  University,  but 
prior  to  that  she  had  taught  one  term  in  Lawrence  county.  She  had  intended 
to  follow  teaching,  but  her  mother’s  death  occurring  after  she  left  the 
Marionville  school  she  remained  at  home  to  help  her  father.  After  his  sec- 
ond marriage  she  then  entered  the  University  at  Columbia.  Mrs.  Darby 
was  a teacher  in  the  Sunday  school  for  many  years,  taking  an  active  part  in 
church  work.  She  being  a great  home  woman,  with  a wide  circle  of  friends, 
Mrs.  Darby  has  been  of  incalculable  assistance  to  her  husband,  her  encour- 
agement, sympathy  as  well  as  counsel  resulting  in  much  of  his  success.  To 
our  subject  and  wife  three  children  have  been  born,  namely  Winfred,  born 
March  12,  1898,  and  died  April  22,  1899;  Wendell  Ezra,  born  May  17, 
1909;  and  Robert  Stemmons,  born  August  20,  1913. 

Mrs.  Darby  has  an  interesting  ancestry.  Martin  and  Alexander  Stem- 
mons, two  brothers,  came  to  this  country  from  Germany.  Martin  never 
married.  Alexander’s  wife  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  To  them  four  sons 
were  born,  namely:  Jacob,  Martin,  Henry  and  Stephen.  We  find  these 

names  running  through  all  the  families  of  succeeding  generations.  Martin, 
Alexander  and  the  latter’s  oldest  son,  Jacob,  who  was  Mrs.  Darby’s  great- 
grandfather, were  in  the  Revolutionary  war  under  General  Washington. 
One  descendant  never  used  glasses  and  could  read  fine  print  and  write  well 
at  the  age  of  ninety  years.  Pie  had  one  son  who  moved  to  Lagrange,  Texas, 
where  he  and  his  wife  died,  childless.  They  left  by  their  will,  except  enough 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1173 


for  a monument  to  themselves,  fourteen  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres  of 
land  and  all  property  to  found  an  orphans’  home  and  for  other  charitable 
purposes. 

Jacob  Stemmons  was  born  in  Virginia.  He  died  in  Logan  county,  Ken- 
tucky, at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  He  married  Nancy  Stovall  and  settled 
in  Campbell  county,  Virginia,  in  1790.  He  manufactured  bells,  and  was  a 
silversmith.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  one  of  whom  died  in 
infancy;  the  other  nine  are,  Elizabeth  married  Isaac  Lewis;  Mary  G.  mar- 
ried William  Gallian;  Lucinda  P.  never  married;  Alexander  Henry  became 
a Methodist  minister;  Jaquillian  Martin  became  a physician;  Mrs.  Dorothy 
H.  Armstrong;  Martha  Wesley  married  William  B.  Hamilton;  M.  Ann 
Benton  married  Doctor  Stephens;  and  Harriet  Madison  married  Thomas 
Noll. 

Dr.  Jaquillian  Martin  Stemmons  was  born  in  Logan  county,  Kentucky, 
in  1803.  He  was  killed  during  the  Civil  war,  in  March,  1861.  He  was 
twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Harriet  Allen,  a daughter  of  Doctor 
Allen  of  Logan  county,  Kentucky,  in  which  county  their  children  were  all 
born.  Doctor  Stemmons  and  family  came  to  Jasper  county  in  1854.  Two 
years  later  a scourge  of  flux  swept  the  county,  taking  his  wife  and  three 
daughters.  Eleven  children  lived  to  be  grown  and  also  the  two  half  brothers, 
making  in  all  thirteen.  Their  children  were  named  as  follows : William 

Henry,  a blacksmith,  lived  to  be  eighty-three  years  of  age;  John  Martin,  who 
was  a lawyer  in  Dallas,  Texas,  for  many  years,  died  at  the  age  of  seventy 
years;  Anna  C.,  who  married  Robert  Seymour,  died  at  the  age  of  seventy 
years;  Jacob  died  when  a child;  Mary  Etta  died  when  twenty  years  of  age; 
Thomas  Jefferson  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years;  Wilbur 
Fisk,  an  insurance  and  real  estate  dealer  in  Golden  City,  Missouri,  died  when 
about  seventy  years  of  age;  Martha  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years; 
Redford  was  just  entering  young  womanhood  when  she  died;  Felix  Beverly, 
a farmer,  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years;  Napoleon  L.,  a blacksmith,  is 
living  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years;  James  B.,  a farmer,  is  now  sixty-two 
years  old. 

Doctor  Stemmons’  second  wife  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Susan 
Pane,  and  she  was  a native  of  Virginia.  To  this  last  union  two  children 
were  born,  namely : Alexander  Clay,  who  is  engaged  in  the  real  estate  and 

insurance  business  in  Carthage,  Missouri;  and  Jaquillian  Martin,  a physician 
of  Oologah,  Oklahoma.  Two  sons  of  the  first  marriage  served  in  the  South- 
ern army  and  four  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  war. 

F.  B.  Stemmons,  son  of  Dr.  Jaquillian  Martin  Stemmons,  Sr,,  and 
father  of  Mrs.  M.  Darby,  was  a prominent  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Jas- 
per county,  Missouri.  He  was  a man  who  loved  the  good  and  the  beautiful 
and  was  always  a friend  to  the  needy  and  those  in  distress.  He  was  a mem- 


ii74 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


her  of  the  Methodist  church  for  many  years.  He  married  Eliza  J.  Clark, 
March  6,  1867,  She  was  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church 
but  after  her  marriage  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  She 
was  a woman  loved  by  all  who  knew  her,  was  devoted  to  her  home  and 
family.  She  lived  a consistent  Christian  life  for  years  and  strove  to  train 
her  children  in  Christian  service.  Her  children  were  named,  Mattie  Ann, 
born  December  22,  1867;  Jaquillian  Orange,  born  August  25,  1870,  died 
when  a child;  James  Monroe,  a farmer  near  Golden  City,  married  Alice 
Parker;  he  was  born  January  16,  1872;  Marietta,  born  April  25,  1875,  and 
died  October  7,  1894;  Mrs.  Clara  Allman,  born  March  20,  1879,  lives  in 

Glasgow,  Montana;  Luther  Beverly,  born  May  1,  1882,  is  a farmer  in 

Nebraska,  and  is  unmarried;  Mrs.  Maggie  Bell  Marshall,  born  November 

14,  1884,  lives  in  Regina,  Canada;  three  children  died  in  infancy,  unnamed. 
F.  B.  Stemmons  was  twice  married.  His  second  wife  was  Mrs.  Lydia 
Wilson,  and  to  this  union  one  child  was  born — Ruth  Stemmons,  born  July 

15,  1891,  and  lives  in  Carthage,  Missouri.  The  death  of  F.  B.  Stemmons, 
father  of  Mrs.  Darby,  occurred  September  27,  1897. 

Of  Mrs.  Darby’s  maternal  ancestors,  we  mention  Orange  R.  Clark, 
her  grandfather,  who  was  born  in  St.  Louis  county,  Missouri,  February  6, 
1820.  He  was  the  twelfth  and  youngest  child  of  Alexander  and  Mary 

Clark.  He  was  a Union  soldier  during  the  Civil  war,  and  was  killed  July 

20,  1864.  He  was  well  educated  for  his  time  and  had  a good  library.  He 
was  elected  county  judge  of  Jasper  county  in  i860  but  because  of  the  Civil 
war  never  served  his  term.  Alexander  Clark  was  born  March  17,  1762; 
Mary,  his  wife,  was  born  February  2,  1777.  The  following  children  were 
born  to  them:  John,  whose  birth  occurred  August  2,  1793;  James,  born 
September  25,  1795;  Patience,  born  January  22,  1798;  Thomas,  born  Sep- 
tember 18,  1799;  Idarvey,  born  June  12,  1802;  Mary,  born  November  29, 
1804;  William  Alexander,  born  February  16,  1807  ; D.  Franklin,  born  April 
26,  1809;  Elizan,  born  February  19,  1811;  Pamelia,  born  January  7,  1814; 
Henry  B.,  born  February  3,  1817;  Orange  Rector,  born  February  6,  1820. 

Martha  Lewallen,  daughter  of  S.  L.  Lewallen,  was  born  in  Bowling 
Green,  Kentucky,  November  13,  1818.  Her  grandfather  came  to  America 
from  Scotland.  In  an  early  day  her  family  emigrated  to  Missouri,  locating 
in  Pike  county,  where  she  later  married  O.  R.  Clark,  February  20,  1840. 
She  and  Air.  Clark  moved  the  same  year  to  Jasper  county,  this  state,  and 
settled  on  a farm  near  White  Oak  where  their  children  were  born.  Her 
death  occurred  November  11,  1880.  Their  children  were,  Mary  Margaret, 
born  October  27,  1840,  and  died  July  29,  i860;  Thomas  Kerr,  born  Decem- 
ber 5,  1841,  died  January  1,  1842.  Three  girls,  triplets,  were  born  October 
2.  1843;  one  dLd  October  2,  1843;  the  other  two  also  died  in  1843:  Will- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1175 


iam  B.,  born  September  13,  1845,  and  died  March  29,  1873;  Eliza  jane, 
born  September  6,  1849,  died  February  16,  1889;  she  was  the  wife  of  F. 
B.  Stemmons,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  Mrs.  Darby.  John  F.  Clark 
was  born  March  26,  1852,  he  became  a minister  in  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian church;  Martha  Frances  Clark,  born  July  7,  1855,  and  died  Sep- 
tember 15,  1856;  James  O.  Clark,  born  October  4,  1858,  is  farming  near 
Craik,  Saskatchewan,  Canada.  He  is  growing  this  year  (1915)  eight  hun- 
dred acres  of  wheat. 

The  Stemmons,  Allen,  Clark  and  Lewallen  families  were  industrious, 
law-abiding,  temperate,  God-fearing  people.  By  occupation,  they  were  farm- 
ers, for  the  most  part,  but  there  have  been  editors,  physicians,  ministers  and 
merchants  among  them. 

Doctor  Darby,  when  asked  about  the  secret  of  his  success,  gave  due 
credit  to  the  wisdom  of  his  good  father  and  mother  who  instilled  within 
him  high  ideals  in  life  and  brought  him  to  manhood  with  noble  purposes. 
Other  traits  in  his  family  history  are  important,  two  of  which  are  typified 
in  his  grandfathers — the  one  a physician,  with  splendid  training  for  scien- 
tific thought,  the  other  a genius  in  mechanical  construction.  The  combining 
■of  scientific  knowledge  and  ability  in  construction  is  said  to  be  of  the  great- 
est importance  in  his  profession. 


HON.  JOHN  S.  PHEFPS. 

The  grand  old  state  of  Connecticut  has  sent  out  thousands  of  her  sons 
in  the  founding  and  upbuilding  of  new  communities  in  the  West.  Many 
of  these  have  served  their  adopted  states  long  and  well,  and  have  left  the  im- 
print of  their  character  and  courage  upon  the  history  of  their  times,  carving 
their  names  and  fame  upon  the  very  foundation  stones  of  many  of  the  great 
commonwealths.  But  never  did  the  old  state  make  a better  gift,  never  did  she 
send  out  a better  man,  a brighter  intellect,  than  when  she  gave  John  S.  Phelps 
to  Missouri.  The  prominence,  both  state  and  national,  of  this  most  dis- 
tinguished citizen  of  Greene  county  of  a past  generation,  may  well  serve 
as  a reason  why  this  sketch  is  given  a conspicuous  position  in  this  volume. 

Mr.  Phelps  was  born  in  Simsbury,  Hartford  county,  Connecticut,  De- 
cember 22,  1814.  He  was  a son  of  Elisha  Phelps,  who  was  a lawyer  of 
great  prominence  in  the  old  Nutmeg  state,  who  served  his  fellow  citizens 
in  the  state  Legislature,  state  offices  and  four  terms  in  the  national  Con- 
gress. Noah  Phelps,  our  subject’s  paternal  grandfather,  was  first  a cap- 
tain, then  a colonel  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  a most  successful  scout 
and  spy.  He  was  one  of  the  “committee  of  safety”  that  planned  the  cap- 


II76  GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 

ture  of  Ticoncleroga.  Like  his  son  and  grandson  he,  too,  served  the  people 
in  legislative  and  other  capacities  of  public  trust. 

John  S.  Phelps  was  reared  in  his  birthplace,  receiving  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  and  in  Washington  (now  Trinity)  College  at  Hart- 
ford, completing  his  course  there  in  1832,  graduating  when  seventeen  years 
old.  Subsequently  he  studied  law  under  his  father  for  three  years,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  on  the  twenty-first  anniversary  of  his  birth.  After 
a year  and  a half  of  practice  in  Hartford,  he  married  there  and  determined 
to  come  West  and  seek  a better  and  wider  field  for  an  ambitious  young 
lawyer.  Acting  with  that  wisdom  and  foresight  which  ever  characterized 
him  in  both  public  and  private  life,  he  chose  the  newly  admitted  state  of 
Missouri,  and  in  1837,  set  foot  upon  her  soil.  It  was  necessary  to  be  re- 
examined, before  being  enrolled  as  a member  of  the  Missouri  state  bar,  and 
young  Phelps  went  to  Boonville,  where  Judge  Tomkins  of  the  Supreme 
court  had  agreed  to  meet  and  examine  him;  the  judge,  however,  failed  to 
come,  and  Mr.  Phelps  mounted  a horse  and  proceeded  to  Jefferson  City, 
where  the  judge  resided.  Here  again  was  a disappointment  for  Judge 
Tompkins  was  some  distance  in  the  country  at  a sawmill,  and  there,  sitting* 
on  a log  in  the  woods  in  Cole  county,  Missouri’s  future  governor  was  ex- 
amined and  licensed  to  practice  in  all  courts  of  record,  the  license  being 
written  on  a leaf  torn  from  an  old  blue  ledger,  that  being  the  only  paper  in 
the  mill  camp.  Armed  with  this  document,  the  young  lawyer  started  for 
the  great  Southwest,  locating  at  Springfield,  then  a mere  hamlet  with  but 
fourteen  white  families.  He  at  once  entered  upon  a good  practice.  When  here 
less  than  a week  he  was  retained  to  defend  Charles  S.  Yancey,,  who  after- 
wards became  circuit  judge.  He  rapidly  rose  to  the  head  of  his  profession, 
practicing  over  a district  extending  from  Warsaw  on  the  north  to  Forsyth 
on  the  south  and  from  Waynesville  on  the  east  to  Neosho  on  the  west.  He 
was  soon  recognized  as  the  leading  member  of  the  bar  in  that  section,  for 
young  as  he  was,  his  great  legal  attainments  enabled  him  to  cope  success- 
fully with  the  most  experienced  lawyers. 

His  public  life  began  at  an  early  age.  In  1840  he  was  chosen  to  rep- 
resent Greene  county  in  the  General  Assembly  of  Missouri,  and  but  little 
of  his  life  was  spent  in  retirement  from  that  time  until  his  death.  In  1844 
he  was  elected  to  Congress,  and  for  eighteen  consecutive  years,  served  in 
the  same  high  position  of  public  trust.  He  was  the  father  of  the  postage 
stamp.  Any  attempt  at  a full  statement  of  his  acts  comprised  in  those 
years — his  many  valuable  services — would  far  transcend  the  limits  of  this 
work ; but  the  bare  fact  that  for  twelve  years  he  was  a member  of  the  com- 
mittee on  ways  and  means — always  the  most  important  committee  of  a 
legislative  body — and  part  of  the  time  its  chairman,  is,  in  itself,  the  best 
evidence  of  the  esteem  and  confidence  reposed  in  him  on  the  part  of  his  co- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1177 


workers  in  Congress.  He  believed  in  a tariff  for  revenue  only,  and  voted 
for  the  tariff  of  1846,  a measure  denounced  by  the  protectionists  as  one 
fraught  with  destruction  to  the  manufacturing  interests  of  the  country. 
In  about  ten  j^ears  thereafter,  when  a further  reduction  of  duties  was  advo- 
cated and  carried,  the  leading  manufacturers  of  the  country  besought  Con- 
gress not  to  interfere  with  the  duties  established  in  1846.  Mr.  Phelps 
favored  the  measure  granting  bounty  lands  to  soldiers.  He  favored  the 
granting  of  lands  by  the  general  government  to  Missouri  to  aid  in  building 
a railroad  from  St.  Louis  to  the  southwest  corner  of  the  state.  In  1853 
when  Congress  was  discussing  the  building  of  a trans-continental  railway, 
Mr.  Phelps  favored  the  construction  of  a road  through  the  Indian  country 
to  Albuquerque,  thence  to  San  Francisco,  on  which  route  a road  was  later 
built. 

During  his  last  term  in  Congress,  which  was  in  Abraham  Lincoln’s 
first  administration,  he  was  part  of  the  time  in  the  held,  the  great  Civil  war 
being  then  in  progress;  and  he  was  appointed  on  the  committee  of  ways 
and  means  before  he  had  been  sworn  in  as  a member,  a compliment  never 
before  tendered  to  any  other  citizen.  In  1861  he  raised  a regiment,  known 
as  the  “Phelps  Regiment,’’  which  did  valiant  service  for  six  months,  and 
was  commanded  by  Colonel  Phelps  in  person  at  the  memorable  engage- 
ment at  Pea  Ridge,  in  which  it  suffered  such  heavy  loss.  Without  solici- 
tation on  his  part  Colonel  Phelps  was  appointed  military  governor  of  Ar- 
kansas, in  1862,  which  he  accepted,  but  ill  health  soon  necessitated  his  re- 
turn to  St.  Louis.  In  1864  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law  in  Springfield, 
his  Congressional  career  having  closed  in  1863.  He  was  nominated  for 
governor  of  Missouri  in  1868  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  but  he  failed  of 
election  but  he  ran  12,000  ahead  of  his  ticket,  but  eight  years  afterwards 
he  was  elected  to  this  high  office  by  a larger  majority  than  any  governor  of 
this  state  ever  received  up  to  that  time,  and  no  man  ever  did  greater  honor 
to  that  highest  office  than  he,  and  no  lady  ever  did  the  honors  of  the  gov- 
ernor’s mansion  with  more  becoming  grace  than  did  his  daughter,  Mrs. 
Mary  Montgomery.  Had  not  the  constitution  fixed  the  one  term  limit  on 
the  governor’s  office,  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  Mr.  Phelps  would  have  been 
re-elected,  had  he  been  willing.  In  the.  convention  of  1876,  no  less  a per- 
sonage than  the  Hon.  George  G.  Vest — Missouri’s  greatest  senator  since 
Benton — was  defeated  by  Governor  Phelps  for  the  Democratic  nomination. 
After  the  expiration  of  his  gubernatorial  term  Governor  Phelps  lived  in 
partial  retirement,  only  occasionally  giving  legal  advice  in  some  very  im- 
portant cases.  He  spent  considerable  time  in  travel,  including  northern 
Mexico  and  Oregon.  President  Grover  Cleveland  tendered  him  the  posi- 
tion as  American  minister  to  any  country  in  Europe,  excepting  the  four- 
great  powers,  but  he  declined  the  honor  owing  to  failing  health. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


II78 

Few  men  had  greater  conversational  powers  or  enjoyed  more  keenly 
the  social  intercourse  of  friends,  than  did  Missouri’s  great  governor,  from 
Greene  county.  He  enjoyed  a large  circle  of  distinguished  acquaintances 
from  various  parts  of  the  Union,  and  when  he  was  summoned  to  his  eternal 
rest  in  1886  he  was  mourned  not  only  by  the  state  but  by  the  nation  as  well. 

David  R.  Francis,  mayor  of  St.  Louis,  afterwards  governor  of  Mis- 
souri, declared  a half-holiday  in  St.  Louis  and  came  in  person  to  attend 
the  funeral. 

Great,  genial,  magnanimous,  easy  of  approach,  and  yet  dignified  withal, 
scholarly,  brilliant  and  a genteel  gentleman  in  all  the  relations  of  life,  Gov- 
ernor Phelps  was  just  the  style  of  a man  that  a whole  people  delighted  to 
honor  and  revere,  following  his  lead  with  the  implicit  confidence  which  is 
ever  the  surest  criterion  in  pronouncing  him  a great  man. 


JAMES  O’BYRNE. 

Springfield  has  long  been  headquarters  for  a great  number  of  commer- 
cial travelers.  Men  representing  a wide  diversity  of  firms  maintain  their 
homes  here,  which  some  of  them  have  an  opportunity  to  visit  only  infre- 
quently. It  is  a good  residence  town  for  their  families,  is  conveniently  and 
centrally  located  in  one  of  the  best  sections  of  the  Union,  and  salesmen  go 
out  in  all  directions  in  the  adjacent  territory,  representing  not  only  local 
houses  but  companies  in  many  of  the  eastern  and  northern  cities.  Of  this 
number  the  name  of  James  O’Byrue  should  have  specific  mention,  as  he  is 
not  only  one  of  the  most  successful  but  one  of  the  best  known  traveling  men 
out  of  the  Queen  City  of  the  Ozarks. 

Mr.  O'Byrne  is  a native  of  northern  Ireland,  and  is  a son  of  Patrick 
O’Byrne  and  wife.  His  paternal  grandfather,  James  O'Byrne,  emigrated 
from  the  Emerald  Isle  to  America  in  an  early  day  and  proved  his  loyalty  to 
the  United  States  by  enlisting  in  our  army  during  the  War  of  1812,  and  he 
fought  at  the  memorable  battle  of  New  Orleans  under  Gen.  Andrew  Jack- 
son.  He  was  a farmer  and  also  a manufacturer  of  Irish  linen  of  a su- 
perior quality.  He  finally  returned  to  Ireland,  where  his  death  occurred  at 
the  unusual  age  of  one  hundred  and  three  years,  and  was  buried  beside  his 
wife.  He  spent  ten  or  twelve  years  in  the  United  States.  His  son,  Patrick 
O'Byrne,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Ireland,  where  he  learned  the 
machinist’s  trade  when  a young  man.  After  emigrating  to  America  he  fol- 
lowed his  trade  in  New  York  City,  working  in  one  shop  for  a period  of 
:seven  years.  After  spending  ten  years  in  this  country  he  returned  to  his 
native  land.  His  wife  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Margaret  McCal- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1179 


lig,  a daughter  of  Hugh  McCallig,  a native  of  Ireland.  Two  sons  and  one 
daughter  were  born  to  Patrick  O'Byrne  and  wife,  James,  our  subject,  being 
the  only  one  living  and  the  only  one  to  come  to  America.  The  death  of  the 
father  occurred  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-eight  years. 

James  O’ Byrne  spent  his  boyhood  in  Ireland  and  received  a good  Com- 
mon school  education.  He  has  always  been  a commercial  man,  and  he 
came  to  the  United  States  before  the  Civil  war.  On  April  17,  1861,  at 
New  Orleans,  he  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  army,  among  the  first  to  of- 
fer his  services,  and  as  a private  in  the  Third  Louisiana  Volunteer  Infantry 
he  served  with  valor  and  credit  all  through  the  struggle  of  four  hard  years, 
participating  in  many  important  campaigns  and  nearly  all  the  great  battles. 
After  the  war  he  remained  in  the  South  until  the  spring  of  1867,  reaching 
Springfield,  Missouri,  on  March  17,  and  he  has  made  his  home  here  ever 
since.  He  has  traveled  in  every  state  in  the  Union,  also  Central  America 
and  South  America  and  Australia,  having  a record  as  a commercial  trav- 
eler which  few  can  equal  in  the  United  States.  He  has  no  doubt  traveled 
more  miles  as  a salesman  than  any  other  man  in  the  Middle  West.  He  has 
met  with  uniform  success,  no  matter  what  territory  was  assigned  to  him, 
and  has  been  faithful  and  trustworthy  at  all  times,  ever  alert  to  the  good 
of  the  firm  he  represents.  He  is  a man  of  tact,  diplomacy  and  earnestness, 
a good  mixer  and  makes  and  retains  friends  easily.  He  is  one  of  the  most 
widely  known  commercial  travelers  in  the  country.  He  has  long  owned  a 
nice  home  in  Springfield. 

Mr.  O’Byrne  was  married,  September  27,  1876,  in  this  city,  to  Mar- 
garet Hayes,  a daughter  of  James  Hayes,  who  owned  a livery  stable  on 
Boonville  street,  Springfield,  for  many  years,  or  up  to  a few  years  of  his 
death.  Mrs.  O’Byrne  was  born  in  Mexico,  Missouri,  where  she  received  a 
good  education. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  eleven  children  have  been  born,  nine  sons  and 
two  daughters,  namely:  James  Patrick  died  when  twenty-six  years  of  age; 

Ann  married  Edward  L.  Maurice,  who  has  long  operated  a confectionery 
on  South  street,  this  city,  and  recently- added  a cafe;  John,  who  lives  in 
Springfield,  Missouri,  is  a widely  known  race  horse  man,  having  for  years 
participated  in  races  in  the  United  States  and  Canada ; Margaret  Ellen  is 
engaged  in  the  coal  business  with  her  brother  in  Springfield ; Leo,  who  lives 
in  Texas,  is  a commercial  traveler;  Edward  Emmett  is  engaged  in  the  coal 
business  on  Main  street,  this  city;  Joseph  William  is  a member  of  the  firm 
of  Walker-O’Byrne  Electric  Company  on  East  Walnut  street,  Springfield; 
Eugene  is  an  attorney-at-law,  with  an  office  in  this  city ; Lawrence  is  a 
salesman  for  the  Walker-O'Bvrne  Electric  Company;  Francis  Xavier  is  em- 
ployed in  Mr.  Maurice’s  cafe;  Hugh  Vincent  lives  in  Lewistown,  Montana. 

Politically,  Mr.  O’Byrne  is  a Democrat.  He  is  the  oldest  Catholic 


n8o 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


resident  in  Springfield.  He  is  a stanch  friend  of  Father  Lilly.  Fraternally,, 
he  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  He  holds  membership  in  the 
Church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Illinois 
Commercial  Travelers’  Association.  He  recalls  with  much  satisfaction  his 
meeting  with  Count  John  A.  Creighton,  of  Omaha,  Nebraska,  on  the  last 
birthday  of  that  well-known  gentleman.  During  his  residence  of  nearly  a 
half  century  in  Springfield  our  subject  has  seen  many  important  changes 
take  place  here  and  has  always  been  interested  in  the  city’s  general  wel- 
fare. Although  his  vocation  has  made  it  necessary  for  him  to  be  absent 
from  the  city  a great  deal  during  this  long  period,  nevertheless  he  is  well 
known  here  and  has  a host  of  good  friends. 


MAX  SCHARFF. 

Among  the  enterprising  citizens  of  Springfield  who  originally  came 
from  the  German  Empire  is  Max  Scharff,  the  major  portion  of  whose  active 
career  as  a man  of  affairs  has  been  spent  in  America,  having  for  a number 
of  years  been  a resident  on  a plantation  of  the  far  .South  before  casting  his 
lot  with  the  people  of  the  Queen  City  of  the  Ozarks. 

Mr.  Scharff  was  born  in  Esslingen,  Rhinepfalz,  Bavaria,  September  9, 
1854.  There  he  grew  to  be  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  received  his  educa- 
tion, emigrating  to  the  United  States  shortly  after  the  close  of  the  Franco- 
Prussian  war,  in  1871.  He  was  then  seventeen  years  of  age.  He  landed  in 
Vicksburg,  Mississippi,  subsequently  locating  in  Louisiana  on  a sugar  plan- 
tation, where  he  resided  until  1891,  in  which  year  he  came  to  Springfield, 
Missouri,  and  engaged  in  business  on  South  street  for  one  year,  then  moved 
to  the  northwest  corner  of  Campbell  and  Walnut  streets  after  the  new  build- 
ing was  completed  here,  in  1892  and  this  has  been  his  location  ever  since. 
His  industry  and  good  management  has  resulted  in  success.  He  owns  a 
modern  and  attractive  home  in  this  city. 

Mr.  Scharff  was  married  September  6,  1882,  to  Rosa  Scharff,  of 
Natchez,  Mississippi.  She  was  a daughter  of  Daniel  and  Carolina  (Wert- 
heimer) Scharff.  Her  father  is  a native  of  Germany.  To  our  subject  and 
wife  four  children  have  been  born,  two  sons  and  two  daughters,  namely: 
Daniel  is  engaged  in  business  with  his  father;  Clarence  is  a traveling  sales- 
man with  headquarters  at  Vicksburg,  Mississippi;  Clara  is  the  wife  of  M. 
A.  Ullman,  a member  of  the  firm  of  the  Ullman-Netter  Dry  Goods  Com- 
pany of  Springfield;  Fay  is  the  wife  of  Marx  Netter,  a member  of  the  firm 
of  the  Ullman-Netter  Dry  Goods  Company. 

The  mother  of  the  above  named  children  died  in  Louisiana  in  October, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 1 8 1 


1889,  and  Mr.  Scharff  was  married  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  on  September  1, 
1895,  t0  Carrie  Hart,  of  that  city.  She  is  a daughter  of  Meyer  Hart,  a 
native  of  Villmar,  Nassau,  Germany,  on  the  river  Lahn.  There  he  grew 
to  manhood  and  was  educated.  He  came  to  America  in  1896,  and  his  death 
occurred  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  1907. 

Mr.  Scharff  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  blue  lodge,  Acacia,  No.  116,  at 
Plaquemine,  Louisiana.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Royal  Arcanum  and  to  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  also  Florence  lodge  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat;  however,  he  is  somewhat  of 
an  independent  voter  and  does  a great  deal  of  “scratching”  on  his  ballot, 
his  aim  always  being  to  support  the  best  man  for  the  place  sought,  and  his 
method  is  one  to  be  commended  to  the  voters  of  all  parties.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Temple  Israel  of  Springfield,  being  vice-president  of  the  same, 
and  has  been  influential  in  the  work  here  for  years.  He  has  led  a quiet, 
law-abiding  life,  never  having  served  on  a jury,  and  has  never  been  sued 
or  had  to  stand  a law  suit. 


HENRY  T.  WATTS. 

Restlessness  causes  many  of  us  to  leave  our  parental  halls  and  seek  our 
fortunes  in  distant  lands.  Some  people  feel  this  wanderlust  spirit  so  strongly 
that  they  have  no  control  over  it.  Offer  to  them  whatever  inducements  you 
please — wealth,  honor,  a pleasant  home — they  will  not  yield  to  them,  but 
rather  struggle  against  the  hardships  which  the  building  up  of  a new  domicile 
in  a foreign  land  implies.  It  is  exactly  this  hardship  that  attracts  them. 
They  dislike  nothing  more  than  the  monotony  of  a well-regulated  life,  and 
consider  themselves  well  repaid  for  their  troubles  by  the  charms  which  ever- 
changing  enterprises  offer  them.  Another  cause  for  emigration  is  the  attrac- 
tion which  another  occupation  holds  out  to  the  new-comer.  It  is  the  outcome 
of  the  excellent  and  infallible  law  of  supply  and  demand.  These  are  doubt- 
less some  of  the  reasons  that  have  brought  millions  of  Europeans  to  America, 
among  them  being  the  Watts  family,  of  which  Henry  T.  Watts,  foreman  of 
the  air  room  at  the  Frisco’s  North  Side  shops,  Springfield,  is  a creditable 
representative. 

Mr.  Watts  was  born  in  London,  England.  December  18,  1868.  He  is 
a son  of  Robert  Watts,  a native  of  Summersetshire,  his  birth  having  occurred 
near  the  town  of  Yoeville,  England,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood,  was  edu- 
cated and  married.  He  was  there  engaged  in  wool  buying  until  he  emigrated 
with  his  family  to  the  United  States,  in  1872,  having  first  traveled  through 
Canada,  and  located  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  where  he  took  up  the  carpenter's 


1 1 82 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


trade  and  worked  as  a journeyman.  After  remaining  in  St.  Louis  ten  years 
he  removed  to  Springfield,  in  1882,  where  he  followed  carpentering,  con- 
tracting and  building  for  a number  of  years;  also  worked  as  coach  carpenter 
and  bridge  builder  for  the  Frisco  railroad  for  many  years.  His  death  oc- 
curred at  his  home  here  in  1908  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years,  and  he  was 
buried  in  Hazelwood  cemetery.  Fie  was  a member  of  St.  John’s  Episcopal 
church  in  England,  but  after  coming  to  Springfield  he  united  with  the  Baptist 
church.  His  wife,  who  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Emily  Baker,  was 
born,  reared  and  educated  in  the  same  locality  in  England  of  which  he  was  a 
native.  She  is  residing  in  Springfield  with  her  unmarried  daughter  at  their 
home  on  Sherman  street,  and  she  will  be  seventy -two  years  of  age  on  July  4, 
1915.  To  these  parents  the  following  children  were  born:  Alice,  Mollie, 

Bessie,  Henry  T.,  Frederick,  Minnie  and  Frances. 

Henry  T.  Watts  was  four  years  old  when  his  parents  brought  him  to 
America.  Fie  spent  his  boyhood  in  St.  Louis  and  received  a common  school 
education,  which  was  very  limited,  for  he  went  to  work  when  only  nine  years 
of  age,  and  has  supported  himself  since  that  time,  his  record  being  one  of  self- 
reliance,  grit  and  unswerving  perseverance,  and  he  is  deserving  of  much 
credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished.  When  a boy  he  worked  for  the  news- 
paper known  as  the  Springfield  Southwest,  the  name  of  which  was  later 
changed  to  the  Southwesler.  He  held  the  position  of  “printer’s  devil’’  for 
three  years,  then  worked  as  pressman  for  some  time  at  the  plant  of  the 
Springfield  Patriot,  and  later  was  pressman  on  the  Springfield  Republican. 
As  pressman  he  turned  out  the  first  daily  paper  in  Springfield,  in  the  building 
opposite  the  Metropolitan  Hotel  on  College  street.  He  remained  in  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Republican  five  or  six  years.  From  there  he  went  to  Johnstown, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1886,  and  was  there  during  the  memorable  flood,  then  went 
to  Pittsburgh,  but  later  returned  to  Johnstown.  He  subsequently  worked  as 
machinist  at  Rankin,  Pennsylvania,  with  the  Braddock  AAfire  Company,  and 
learned  his  trade  there.  Returning  to  Springfield  on  a visit,  he  accepted  a 
position  at  his  trade  in  the  Frisco’s  North  Side  shops,  first  being  under  in- 
structions, then  worked  during  the  year  of  1888  as  regular  machinist,  and 
continued  as  journeyman  for  sixteen  or  seventeen  years,  when  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  round-house  as  air-brake  inspector  in  the  North  Side  shops, 
which  position  he  held  for  four  years,  then  was  promoted  to  foreman  of  the 
air  room  there,  in  July,  1909,  and  is  still  holding  this  position,  and  discharg- 
ing his  duties  in  an  able  and  acceptable  manner.  He  has  ten  men  under  his 
direction.  They  do  repair  work  for  the  entire  system. 

Mr.  Watts  lives  at  1352  Clay  street,  where  he  bought  a lot  and  had  a 
neat  dwelling  erected  according  to  his  own  plans.  He  was  married,  in  1880, 
to  Minnie  Sterling,  a daughter  of  John  and  Alary  (Shepard)  Sterling.  Her 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  1183; 

father  is  a farmer  near  Crocker,  Missouri.  She  grew  up  in  this  state  and 
received  a common  school  education. 

The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  been  without  issue. 

Politically,  Mr.  Watts  is  a Republican.  He  is  prominent  in  fraternal 
circles,  being  a member  of  the  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  the  Royal 
Arch,  the  Blue  Lodge,  the  White  Shrine  and  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star  r 
also  the  Woodmen  of  the  World,  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose  and  the  Inter- 
national Association  of  Machinists. 


MARION  A.  NELSON. 

We  do  net  find  many  Greene  county  people  who  originally  came  from 
Arkansas.  The  reason  is  perhaps  that  they  have  as  good  a country  as  ours, 
and  find  it  to  their  advantage  to  stay  at  home.  Arkansas  is  a great  state 
in  every  respect,  greater  than  most  citizens  in  other  states  ever  dream.  This 
is  due  partly  to  the  fact  that  there  has  never  been  a “boom”  there,  the  rail- 
roads have  not  put  forth  much  effort  to  advertise  it,  as  they  have  had  such, 
overrated  states  as  Oklahoma,  Florida  and  California,  consequently  the 
general  public  does  not  really  know  of  the  vast  resources  and  opportunities 
to  be  found  in  the  state  just  to  the  south  of  us.  Marion  A.  Nelson,  en- 
gaged in  the  life  insurance  business  in  Springfield,  is  one  of  the  enterprising 
young  men  from  that  state  who  has  cast  his  lot  with  the  people  of  Greene 
county. 

Mr.  Nelson  was  born  at  Wihnar,  Drew  county,  Arkansas,  November 
20,  1875.  He  is  a son  of  Thomas  D.  and  Maggie  N.  (Alexander)  Nelson. 
The  father  was  born  in  Tennessee,  in  which  state  he  grew  to  manhood  and. 
there  enlisted  in  a regiment  in  the  Confederate  army  during  the  Civil  war, 
serving  with  credit  until  the  close  of  the  conflict.  After  the  w'ar  he  came 
to  Arkansas  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  until  1882,  when  he  went 
to  Louisiana,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home,  and  there  he  is  still  en- 
gaged in  business.  His  family  consisted  of  nine  children.  The  maternal 
grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a native  of  the  state  of  Mississippi,  and 
during  the  Civil  war  he  was  a soldier  in  the  Confederate  army  and  was 
killed  in  battle.  His  family  consisted  of  three  children,  all  now  deceased. 
His  daughter,  Maggie  N.  Alexander,  mother  of  our  subject,  died  April  2 5,.. 
1914,  in  Dubach,  Louisiana. 

Marion  A.  Nelson  spent  his  childhood  in  Drew  county,  Arkansas,  be- 
ing seven  years  of  age  when  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  northern  Louis- 
iana, where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  education  in  the  public 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I 184 


schools  there.  After  graduating  from  the  high  school  in  his  community  he 
began  his  career  by  entering  the  lumber  and  mercantile  business,  continuing 
these  lines  with  ever-increasing  success  in  northern  Louisiana  and  southern 
Arkansas  until  1909,  when  he  took  a position  with  the  Equitable  Life  As- 
surance Society,  in  which  his  advancement  has  been  rapid,  and  he  now  oc- 
cupies the  responsible  position  of  agency  manager  for  this  district,  with 
headquarters  at  Springfield,  and  he  is  discharging  his  duties  in  an  able  and 
faithful  manner  that  is  highly  satisfactory  to  the  company. 

Mr.  Nelson  was  married  on  February  17,  1902,  to  Pearl  Hale,  at  Junc- 
tion City,  Arkansas,  and  they  resided  at  that  place  until  1913,  when  they 
removed  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  they  have  since''  made  their  home. 
They  are  the  parents  of  four  children,  namely:  Marion  Hale,  James  Den- 

ny, Maurice  Sanders  and  Rose  Elizabeth. 

Politically,  Mr.  Nelson  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 
the  Masonic  order,  including  the  Royal  Arch  degree.  He  has  long  been 
quite  active  and  influential  in  this  order,  and  while  in  Arkansas  was  deputy 
grand  master.  He  has  also  been  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  for 
many  years,  and  has  been  equally  active  and  prominent  in  this  order,  hav- 
ing passed  all  the  chairs  while  living  in  Arkansas.  He  is  a member  of  St. 
Paul's  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South,  in  Springfield.  He  and  his  wife 
have  made  many  warm  friends  since  locating  in  this  city. 


FRANK  A.  FREY. 

The  chief  characteristics  of  Frank  A.  Frey,  prominent  agriculturist  and 
stock  man  of  Taylor  township,  Greene  county,  who  also  maintains  a home 
in  Springfield,  are  keenness  of  perception,  an  unflagging  energy,  honesty  of 
purpose  and  motive  and  everv-day  common  sense,  which  have  enabled 
him  not  only  to  advance  his  own  interests  in  a most  gratifying  manner, 
but  also  to  largely  contribute  to  the  moral  and  material  interests  of  the 
community.  Fie  worked  his  way  from  a modest  beginning,  having  landed 
from  a foreign  strand  on  our  shores  many  years  ago,  “a  youth  to  fortune 
and  to  fame  unknown,’’  step  by  step  to  a position  of  no  mean  importance, 
by  his  individual  efforts,  which  have  been  practically  unaided  from  boy- 
hood, which  fact  renders  him  the  more  worthy  of  the  praise  that  is  freely 
accorded  him  by  his  fellow  men.  His  life  has  been  one  of  unceasing  in- 
dustry and  perseverance,  and  the  honorable  and  systematic  methods  he  has 
ever  employed  are  commended  to  others,  if  they  court  the  goddess  Suc- 
cess. 

Mr.  Frey  was  born  in  Alsace,  France,  March  9,  1853. 


He  is  a son  of 


MRS.  FRANK  A.  FREY. 


FRANK  A.  FRET, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 185 

Francis  Joseph  and  Christina  (Herd)  Frey,  both  natives  of  Alsace,  for- 
merly a part  of  France,  now  a province  of  Germany.  There  they  grew  up, 
were  educated  and  married,  and  spent  their  lives,  and  to  them  two  sons 
were  born,  Aloys  Frev,  now  deceased,  and  Frank  A.  Frey,  of  this  sketch. 

Frank  A.  Frey  sent  his  boyhood  in  his  native  land,  and  there  received 
his  education.  When  eighteen  years  old  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States, 
in  1871,  landing  in  New  York,  where  he  remained  only  a month,  then  came 
on  west  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  spent  one  year,  then  spent  two  years  in 
Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  butcher  business,  then 
went  to  Paris,  Illinois,  where  he  worked  for  George  Mullins  in  the  meat 
business  for  five  years,  then  started  in  the  same  business  for  himself,  and 
continued  to  operate  successfully  a meat  market  there  for  nine  years,  when 
he  .sold  out  and  went  to  Grand  Island,  Nebraska,  where  he  continued  his 
former  vocation  for  two  years,  then  sold  out  and  came  to  Springfield,  Mis- 
souri and  here  established  a meat  business,  which  he  carried  on  with  his 
usual  success  for  seven  years,  then  sold  out  and  started  in  the  live  stock 
business  in  connection  with  general  farming  in  Taylor  township,  a few 
miles  from  Springfield,  where  he  owns  a valuable  and  productive  farm  of 
two  hundred  and  forty  acres,  which  he  has  placed  under  modern  improve- 
ments and  a high  state  of  cultivation,  and  there  carries  on  general  agri- 
cultural pursuits  and  stock  raising  on  an  extensive  scale,  and  has  become 
one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Greene  county.  He  keeps  large  numbers  of 
various  kinds  of  live  stock  of  a good  grade,  and  there  is  no  better  judge 
of  stock  in  the  county  than  he.  A substantial,  convenient  and  attractive  set 
of  buildings  are  to  be  seen  on  his  farm,  and  everything  about  the  place 
denotes  good  management,  thrift  and  good  taste.  Mr.  Frey  also  owns  a 
fine  new  residence  in  Freemont  street  in  Springfield,  where  his  family  re- 
sides, and  from  there  he  makes  frequent  trips  to  his  rural  home.  His  hold- 
ings contain  over  thirty-five  acres  inside  the  city  limits,  some  of  which  is 
platted  and  is  very  valuable. 

Mr.  Frey  was  married  first,  in  1881,  in  Paris,  Illinois,  to  Emma  Ormis- 
ton,  whose  death  occurred  twenty-two  years  later,  on  January  31,  1903.  She 
was  a daughter  of  David  and  Plarriet  Ormiston,  who  lived  in  Paris,  Illi- 
nois, in  which  city  Mrs.  Frey  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  To 
this  first  union  one  son  was  born,  Paul  A.  Frey,  who  is  engaged  in  farm- 
ing two  miles  south  of  Springfield.  In  1909  our  subject  was  married  a 
second  time,  his  last  wife  being  Mrs.  Susie  Smith,  of  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, widow  of  Samuel  Smith,  and  a daughter  of  John  and  Julia  (Miller) 
Harpster.  She  was  born  on  April  29,  1856,  and  she  received  a common 
school  education  in  White  county,  Illinois,  where  she  was  born  and  reared. 
This  last  union  has  been  without  issue. 

(75) 


1 1 86 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mrs.  Frey’s  first  husband  was  S.  R.  Smith,  an  old  railroad  man.  In  late 
life  he  was  injured,  losing  his  right  arm,  and  with  his  wife,  went  to  farming- 
in  Taylor  township,  Greene  county,  and  from  a small  beginning  he  and  his 
wife  accumulated  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres.  Mr.  Smith  died  in  1904, 
leaving  his  widow  with  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Greene 
county  and  a heavy  mortgage  to  pay.  It  is  greatly  to  her  credit  as  a man- 
ager, as  well  as  to  Greene  county’s  wonderful  resources,  to  state  that  in 
one  year  Mrs.  Smith  had  paid  up  the  mortgage,  cleared  her  property  and 
had  an  abundance  of  stock  and  property  free  of  debt. 

Politically,  Mr.  Frey  has  been  a Democrat  since  old  enough  to  exer- 


RESIDENCE  OF  FRANK  A.  FREY. 


cise  the  right  of  suffrage,  However,  he  has  never  cared  for  public  office, 
having  no  time  to  take  from  his  private  business  affairs.  Fraternally,  he  is 
a member  of  the  Masonic  order.  Mr.  Frey,  in  1882,  and  again  in  1886, 
crossed  the  Atlantic  to  visit  his  native  land. 

Mr.  Frey’s  grandfather  served  in  the  French  wars  under  Napoleon  for  a 
period  of  fourteen  years  and  attained  the  rank  of  second  lieutenant,  and  took 
part  in  the  great  battle  of  Waterloo,  seeing  the  fall  of  the  mighty  Corsican. 
Our  subject  is  the  possessor  of  a number  of  interesting  relics  and  heir- 
looms, including  a number  of  grim  reminders  of  the  terrible  wars  of  his 
native  country  a century  or  more  ago.  Among  these  is  a sword  carried 
by  his  grandfather,  who  was  with  Napoleon  during  the  last  years  of  the 
emperor’s  career  in  France. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


H87 


ROBERT  A.  ROWLAND. 

Robert  A.  Bowland  has  established  a reputation  for  honesty  and  in- 
tegrity which  is  attested  by  the  high  estimation  in  which  he  is  held  by  his 
fellow  citizens,  being  a citizen  and  neighbor  highly  honored  in  his  locality, 
and  in  his  sphere  of  life,  nobly  and  faithfully,  has  he  performed  every  duty 
that  presented  itself.  Formerly  he  was  one  of  our  efficient  school  teachers, 
and  later  served  Greene  county  many  years  as  treasurer,  and  thus  is  well 
known  over  the  city  and  county.  He  is  a man  of  positive  temperament, 
firm  in  his  convictions,  forcible  and  fearless  in  his  adhesion  to  principles, 
and  is  regarded  by  all  who  know  him  as  an  honorable  man  and  obliging  gen- 
tleman. 

Mr.  Bowland  was  born  in  Morrow  county,  Ohio.  He  is  a son  of  Boyd 
M.  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Colmery)  Bowland,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania, 
from  which  state  they  moved  to  Ohio  when  young  and  were  married  in  the 
latter  state,  and  were  educated  in  the  public  schools.  The  mother  of  our 
subject  taught  school  for  some  time  prior  to  her  marriage.  Boyd  M.  Bow- 
land devoted  his  life  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  moved  his  family  from 
Ohio  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  when  his  son,  Robert  A.,  of  this  sketch, 
was  a small  child.  Politically,  the  elder  Bowland  was  a Republican.  Dur- 
ing the  Civil  war  he  was  a soldier  in  the  Union  army,  and  after  the  war 
he  served  for  some  time  as  postmaster  at  Iberia,  Morrow  county,  Ohio. 

Eleven  children  were  born  to  Boyd  M.  and  Elizabeth  Bowland,  eight 
of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing.  They  were  named  as  follows:  Charles 
C.  and  Harry  C.  are  the  two  eldest;  Boyd  M.,  Jr.,  is  deceased;  Robert  A., 
of  this  sketch;  William  B.  is  deceased;  David  M.,  Cora  E.,  Edward  B., 
Leroy  R.  and  Calvin  are  all  living;  and  Samuel  M.,  the  youngest,  is  de- 
ceased. 

Robert  A.  Bowland  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  there  as- 
sisted with  the  work  when  a boy.  He  received  a good  education  in  the 
public  schools  and  the  normal  school  in  Springfield.  He  began  life  for  him- 
self by  engaging  in  farming  for  a few  years,  then  taught  school  a number 
of  years  with  much  success,  and  later  was  a deputy  assessor,  and  served  as 
such  in  the  Greene  county  court  house  for  three  years  under  W.  A.  Smith. 
During  that  time  he  mastered  thoroughly  the  ins  and  outs  of  the  office,  and 
in  1904  made  the  race  for  county  treasurer  and  was  elected  by  a large  ma- 
jority. His  record  as  a public  official  in  this  connection  was  so  highly  com-, 
mendable  and  he  proved  to  be  such  a careful,  honest  and  obliging  public 
servant,  that  he  was  re-elected  and  held  the  office  eight  years,  to  the  satis- 
faction of  all  concerned.  Mr.  Bowland  owns  a good  home  in  Springfield, 
which  is  tastily  kept  by  a lady  of  refinement,  known  in  her  maidenhood  as 
Emma  V.  Kerr,  whom  Mr.  Bowland  married  in  1895.  She  is  a native  of 


1 1 88 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Kansas,  and  when  she  was  but  a child  she  came  with  her  parents  to  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  locating  on  a farm  near  Republic,  where  she  completed 
her  education  in  the  Republic  high  school.  To  this  union  one  child  was 
born,  Robert  Paul,  born  at  Republic,  Missouri,  August  19,  1900,  and  is  at 
home  attending  public  school.  Her  parents  were  born  in  Indiana  and  went  to 
the  Sunflower  state  many  years  ago,  but  remained  only  a few  years. 

Politically,  Mr.  Rowland  is  a Republican.  Pie  and  his  family  are 
members  of  the  First  Baptist  church,  in  which  he  is  a deacon  and  an  active 
worker.  Fraternally,  our  subject  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  the  Modern  Woodmen.  Mrs.  Rowland  is  a charter  member 
of  the  Wild  Rose  camp,  Royal  Neighbors,  of  Republic. 


OWEN  M.  EVANS. 

There  are  not  many  V ermonters  in  Greene  county,  notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  this  New  England  state  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  American  Union, 
and  has  been  sending  her  population  westward  for  over  a century  to  help 
build  up  and  develop  the  newer  sections  of  our  country.  They  have  the  record 
of  being  good  citizens  wherever  they  have  located,  being  industrious,  intelli- 
gent and  law-abiding,  for  the  most  part.  Owen  M.  Evans,  chief  engineer  at 
the  Springfield  Wagon  Works,  and  one  of  Greene  county’s  honored  citizens, 
is  such  a man. 

Mr.  Evans  was  born  in  Castleton,  Rutland  county,  Vermont,  December 
27,  1862.  Fie  is  a son  of  Moses  Evans,  a native  of  Wales,  the  little  rugged 
country  where  all  the  numerous  family  of  Evanses  originated.  There  he 
grew  to  manhood  and  from  there  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  the  fifties, 
locating  at  once  in  the  famous  Vermont  quarry  district.  Pie  engaged  in  pros- 
pecting and  got  out  roofing  slate  for  himself,  owning  and  operating  slate  quar- 
ries at  Castleton.  His  death  occurred  in  1897,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years, 
and  he  was  buried  at  Fair  Haven,  Vermont.  Before  leaving  Wales  he  joined 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  was  a member  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  and  was  for  many  years  active  in  church  work.  Politically,  he 
was  a Republican.  His  wife,  who  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Jane 
Williams,  was  also  a native  of  Wales,  where  she  spent  her  early  childhood, 
emigrating  to  America  when  thirteen  years  of  age,  and  lived  with  her  brother 
in  Vermont  until  her  marriage.  Her  mother  died  some  time  before  she  left 
her  native  land.  She  was  a daughter  of  Owen  Williams  and  wife.  She  died 
in  1910  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years  and  is  buried  at  Fair  Haven,  Ver- 
mont. To  Moses  and  Jane  Evans  thirteen  children  were  born,  named  as  fol- 
low : Annie  married  William  Peck,  a carpenter  and  contractor  at  Stamford, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I 189 

Connecticut,  where  they  still  reside;  Owen  M.,  of  this  sketch;  John  is  en- 
gaged in  farming  in  Pennsylvania;  Laura  married  William  Owens  and  they 
live  in  New  York  City;  Jane,  widow  of  John  Tackebury,  lives  in  New  Ro- 
chelle, New  York  ; William  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  New  York 
City;  Moses  is  engaged  in  the  bakery  and  confectionery  business  in  West 
End,  New  Jersey;  Elizabeth  has  remained  single  and  is  engaged  as  book- 
keeper for  the  Bell  Telephone  Company  at  New  Rochelle,  New  York;  [Mar- 
garet, widow  of  Llew  Perry,  lives  in  New  York  City;  Katie,  who  lives  in 
Florida,  is  a twin  sister  of  Nellie,  who  married  Harry  Owens,  a slate  operator 
at  Poultnev,  Vermont;  Winifred  is  unmarried  and  makes  her  home  at  New 
Rochelle,  New  York. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  the  above  named  children,  whose  name  was 
Owen  Evans,  was  a native  of  Wales,  where  he  spent  his  entire  life;  he  was 
a slate  operator,  and  this  business  has  been  the  principal  vocation  of  many  of 
his  descendants. 

Owen  M.  Evans,  of  this  sketch,  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  state, 
and  there  attended  the  common  schools,  and  when  twelve  years  of  age  he 
went  to  work  cutting  stone,  continuing  for  three  years,  then  worked  as  a 
farm  hand  in  that  community  for  three  years,  after  which  we  find  him  oper- 
ating pumps  and  engines  at  the  slate  quarries  at  Castleton,  subsequently 
working  as  engineer  for  the  Castleton  Milling  Company,  holding  this  posi- 
tion one  year.  Leaving  Vermont  when  twenty-eight  years  of  age,  in  1890, 
he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  soon  thereafter  secured  employment 
with  the  Dunlap  Construction  Company,  later  worked  for  the  Metropolitan 
Street  Railway  Company,  then  was  trimmer  and  lineman  for  the  Springfield 
Lighting  Company.  In  March,  1893,  he  was  employed  by  the  Metropolitan 
Electric  Railway  as  chief  electrician  at  the  power  house,  and  he  held  this 
position  until  the  spring  of  1900,  when  he  went  with  the  Springfield  Brewing- 
Company  as  chief  engineer,  leaving  there  in  July,  1901,  and  began  working 
as  night  engineer  for  the  Springfield  Ice  and  Refrigerator  Company.  In 
November  of  that  year  he  went  with  the  Springfield  Wagon  Company  as 
chief  engineer,  which  position  he  has  continued  to  fill  to  the  present  time, 
giving  his  usual  satisfactory  and  faithful  service.  When  he  began  with  the 
last-named  firm,  steam  was  used  throughout  the  plant,  but  Mr.  Evans  de- 
voted his  spare  time  for  years  to  the  study  of  electricity  and  has  become 
a capable  and  thorough  electrician,  and,  at  his  solicitation,  the  company  in- 
stalled an  electric  power  plant  in  1914.  In  January,  1913,  Mr.  Evans  was 
promoted  to  the  position  of  assistant  superintendent,  the  duties  of  which  he 
ably  discharged  for  a period  of  two  years,  but  finding  the  work  too  engross- 
ing, he  resigned,  preferring  the  position  of  chief  engineer.  He  has  been  in 
the  employ  of  the  Springfield  Wagon  Works  thirteen  years. 

Mr.  Evans  was  first  married  in  1886,  to  Annie  Fox,  a daughter  of  Henry 


1 190 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


and  Margaret  Fox.  Fler  death  occurred  in  1909,  at  the  age  of  forty-six 
years.  This  union  was  without  issue.  In  1911  Mr.  Evans  married  Millie 
Grantham,  widow  of  Howard  M.  Grantham.  This  union  has  also  been 
without  issue. 

Mr.  Evans  is  a member  of  the  National  Association  of  Steam  Engineers, 
in  which  he  has  long  been  active  and  influential;  in  fact,  he  has  the  honor  of 
being  known  as  the  founder  of  this  new  important  and  widely  known  asso- 
ciation, of  which  he  has  for  some  time  been  president.  He  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  order,  including  the  Knights  Templars.  He  is  also  a member  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Woodmen  of 
the  World,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  Sisters,  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star  and  the  Royal  Neighbors.  Pie 
is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church,  and  politically  is  a Re- 
publican. He  is  chairman  of  the  board  of  stationary  engineer  examiners. 
He  was  twice  elected  city  councilman  from  the  Sixth  ward  and  served  two 
terms  of  four  years  in  this  capacity.  He  is  known  as  the  father  of  the  Con- 
crete Paving  Company,  of  Springfield.  He  is  devoted  to  the  work  of  city 
progress,  and  he  was  one  of  the  prime  factors  in  starting  the  movement  that 
led  to  the  paving  of  our  streets.  He  has  always  been  conservative  in  the 
expenditure  of  the  city’s  money;  in  fact,  has  done  much  for  the  general  and 
permanent  good  of  Springfield  in  many  ways,  and  in  all  the  positions  of 
trust  which  he  has  occupied  he  has  proven  himself  to  be  most  capable,  ener- 
getic, honest  and  trustworthy,  meriting  the  esteem  in  which  he  is  universally 
held,  and  he  ranks  vdth  the  most  representative  and  useful  of  our  citizens. 


OMER  E.  RISSER. 

Among  the  well  known  and  popular  railroad  men  of  Springfield  is 
Omer  E.  Risser,  passenger  conductor,  who  has  been  connected  with  the 
Frisco  for  over  a quarter  of  a century,  and  his  long  retention  by  the  sys- 
tem would  indicate  that  he  is  a man  of  ability  and  worthy  of  the  trust  re- 
posed in  him.  He  is  of  German  descent  on  his  father’s  side  and  has  in- 
herited many  of  the  commendable  qualities  of  those  people,  and  his  suc- 
cess in  life  has  been  due  entirely  to  his  own  efforts. 

Mr.  Risser  was  born  in  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa,  July  26,  1864.  He  is  a 
son  of  Daniel  and  Martha  (Townsend)  Risser.  The  father  was  born  in 
Germany  in  1830,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  had  the  advantages 
of  a good  education,  and  he  served  three  years  in  the  army,  as  is  the  cus- 
tom in  that  country  of  every  able  bodied  man  when  he  becomes  of  certain 
age.  He  was  a shoemaker  by  trade,  which  he  followed  for  a livelihood, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I I9I 

and  became  quite  an  expert  workman.  He  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
when  a young  man  and  spent  several  years  in  Indiana,  where  he  was  mar- 
ried; later  lived  in  Iowa  during  a protracted  period,  but  finally  removed 
to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  his  death  occurred  in  1898.  The  mother  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  1832,  in  New  England,  of  Quaker 
parents,  and  was  reared  in  their  faith.  She  is  now  living  on  East  Walnut 
street,  Springfield,  Missouri.  To  Daniel  Risser  and  wife  eleven  children 
were  born,  five  of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing,  namely:  Mrs.  J.  E.  Han- 
sell,  of  Springfield  (a  complete  sketch  of  Mr.  Hansell  and  family  appears 
on  another  page  of  this  work)  ; Dr.  C.  H.  Risser  lives  in  North  Manches- 
ter, Indiana;  Omer  E.  Risser,  of  this  sketch;  Mamie  Risser  is  living  with 
her  mother  in  Springfield;  Mrs.  A.  T.  Moore,  who  lives  on  West  Walnut 
street.  Springfield. 

Omer  E.  Risser  received  his  education  in  the  public  and  high  schools 
of  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa,  and  when  but  a boy  he  took  up  railroading  as  a 
career,  first  working,  however,  for  the  American  Express  Company,  in  the 
office  at  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa.  In  1883  he  went  to  work  for  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  & Quincy  Railroad  Company,  with  which  he  remained  until 
1886,  in  January  of  which  year  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  went 
to  work  for  the  Frisco  system  as  brakeman,  his  run  being  between  Spring- 
field  and  Newburg,  Missouri.  In  1888  Superintendent  W.  A.  Thomas  re- 
quested our  subject  to  go  to  the  southwestern  division,  at  Talihina,  Indian 
Territory  (now  Oklahoma),  and  after  working  there  a short  time  he  was 
promoted  to  freight  conductor.  Mr.  Risser  worked  between  Talihina  and 
Paris,  Texas,  until  1893:  then  returned  to  Springfield  and  went  to  work 
on  the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  railroad  as  brakeman  behind 
twenty-six  extra  conductors.  In  1897  he  was  promoted  to  the  regular  crew 
again  as  conductor  of  a freight,  and  in  1903  he  was  promoted  to  extra  pas- 
senger conductor,  and  for  many  }^ears  his  run  has  been  between  Spring- 
field  and  Thayer,  this  state.  He  has  been  very  successful  as  a conductor 
and  is  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  popular  men  of  his  division. 

Mr.  Risser  was  -married  June  19,  1889,  in  Springfield,  to  Rose  Con- 
lin,  who  was  born  in  St.  Louis,  December  11,  1864.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Ann  (Mooney)  Conlin,  both  born  in  Ireland,  from  which 
country  they  came  to  America  in  early  life  and  were  married  in  Auburn, 
New  York. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Risser,  namely: 
Ralph  D.,  born  March  23,  1892,  is  at  present  employed  in  the  city  engineer’s 
office,  Springfield;  Kathryn,  born  January  8,  1896,  and  Marjorie,  born  De- 
cember 28,  1899. 

Politically,  Mr.  Risser  is. a Democrat.  In  1890  he  joined  Division  30, 
Order  of  Railroad  Conductors,  and  when  on  the  old  Gulf  road  was  trans- 


1 192 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ferred  to  Division  321.  He  joined  the  Masonic  order  in  1907,  is  a Knight 
Templar  and  became  a member  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine  in  1908.  In  1910  he  was  elected  councilman  from  the 
fifth  ward  and  served  two  years  with  much  credit.  Since  1907  he  has  been 
secretary  of  the  local  Order  of  Railway  Conductors,  and  was  a delegate 
to  the  annual  meetings  of  the  order  at  Jacksonville,  Boston  and  Detroit. 
He  has  long  been  an  active  and  influential  worker  in  the  same. 


OB  ADI  AH  CLARK  MITCHELL. 

Few  can  draw  rules  for  their  guidance  from  the  pages  of  Plutarch,  but 
all  are  benefited,  one  way  and  another,  by  the  delineation  of  those  traits  of 
character  which  find  scope  in  the  common  walks  of  the  world.  The  unos- 
tentatious routine  of  private  life,  although  in  the  aggregate  more  important 
to  the  welfare  of  the  community,  than  any  meteoric  public  career,  can  not, 
from  its  very  nature,  figure  in  the  public  annals,  though  each  locality’s  his- 
tory should  contain  the  names  of  those  individuals  who  contribute  to  the 
success  of  the  material,  civic  and  moral  welfare  of  the  community  and  to 
its  public  stability;  men  who  lead  wholesome  and  exemplary  lives  which 
might  be  profitably  studied  by  the  oncoming  generation.  In  such  a class 
must  consistently  appear  the  name  of  Obadiah  Clark  Mitchell,  the  present 
efficient  and  popular  postmaster  of  Springfield,  Missouri,  a man  who  has 
led  a plain,  industrious  life,  a large  part  of  which  has  been  in  government 
service,  and  suffice  it  to  say  that  his  record  is  without  blemish,  for  he  has 
always  endeavored  to  do  his  duty  faithfully,  deal  honestly  with  everyone 
and  contribute  somewhat  to  the  general  public  good  in  an  unobtrusive  man- 
ner. He  is  one  of  the  best  examples  in  Greene  county  of  the  successful 
self-made  man,  and  is  deserving  of  a great  deal  of  credit  for  what  he  has 
accomplished  in  the  face  of  obstacles,  having  climbed,  step  by  step,  from 
an  environment  none  too  promising  in  his  youth  to  a position  of  promin- 
ence in  the  affairs  of  the  capital  city  of  the  Ozarks.  His  example  might  be 
studied  with  profit  by  the  youth,  discouraged  and  hesitating  at  the  parting 
of  the  ways. 

Mr.  Mitchell  was  born  in  Dallas  county,  Missouri,  October  20,  1858. 
lie  is  a son  of  Greenberrv  Mitchell  and  Sarah  (Williams)  Mitchell,  both 
natives  of  the  state  of  Tennessee,  the  father  born  in  1819  and  the  mother 
in  1822.  They  each  represented  fine  old  families  of  that  state.  There  they 
grew  to  maturity,  received  such  educational  advantages  as  the  early  days 
afforded  and  there  they  were  married.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three  years- 
Greenberry  Mitchell  began  the  ministry  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  church. 


O.  C.  MITCHELL. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1193 


About  the  year  1850  he  moved  to  Missouri  as  a missionary  of  his  church, 
and  was  one  of  the  pioneer  ministers  of  this  section  of  the  state.  He  was  a 
man  of  sterling  character,  a powerful  preacher  of  the  old  school  and  he 
did  an  excellent  work  among  the  frontier  settlers  here,  some  of  the  older 
citizens  yet  remember  him  and  revere  his  memory  for  his  kind,  helpful  and 
unselfish  life.  He  was  called  to  his  reward  in  the  Silent  land  in  1&88.  His 
wife  died  in  Greene  county  in  1882.  They  are  both  buried  at  the  Union 
Grove  cemetery,  near  Fair  Grove,  Missouri. 

To  Rev.  Greenberry  Mitchell  and  wife  nine  children  were  born,  six 
sons  and  three  daughters,  two  of  the  sons  and  one  of  the  daughters  being- 
now  deceased.  Those  living  are,  Samantha  is  the  wife  of  IT.  A.  Highfielck 
and  they  live  at  Highfield,  Arkansas;  David  H.  lives  at  Marshfield,  Mis- 
souri; Rebecca  A.  is  the  widow  of  George  W.  Cooksey,  of  Strafford,  Mis- 
souri; Robert  G.  lives  in  Cassville,  Missouri;  Allen  J.  makes  his  home  at 
Placid,  this  state  ; and  Obadiah  C.,  of  this  review. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a common  school  education  and 
spent  one  year  in  Morrisville  College,  in  Polk  county,  Missouri,  after  which 
he  engaged  in  farming  until  March  9,  1887,  when  he  came  to  Springfield 
and  secured  employment  with  the  Frisco  railroad  with  which  he  remained 
two  years,  then  secured  a position  on  the  police  force  under  Mayor  Walker, 
which  he  held  for  two  years,  discharging  his  duties  most  faithfully,  then 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business  for  a year.  In  1893  he  was  appointed  mail 
carrier,  in  which  capacity  he  served  in  a highly  satisfactory  manner  to  all 
concerned  until  in  February,  1914.  when  he  w-as  appointed  postmaster  at 
Springfield,  and  he  is  proving  to  be  a most  faithful,  conscientious  and  capa- 
ble public  servant,  giving  eminent  satisfaction  to  both  the  department  and 
the  people.  He  has  served  the  government  faithfully  for  a period  of  twen- 
ty-one years. 

Air.  Alitchell  was  married  October  2,  1878,  to  Elizabeth  Donnell,  who 
was  born  in  Greene  county,  Alissouri,  March  26,  1858.  She  was  reared 
to  womanhood  and  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  her  native  community, 
and  she  has  proven  to  be  a most  faithful  helpmate.  To  Mr.  and  Airs. 
Alitchell  one  child  has  been  born,  John  E.  Alitchell,  who  is  employed  in  the 
Frisco  shops  at  Springfield. 

Politically,  Air.  Alitchell  is  a Democrat  and  has  been  a worker  in  the 
party  since  attaining  his  majority.  He  has  been  a member  of  the  Baptist 
church  since  1877.  He  is  a member  of  the  Ozark  Alountain  Branch,  No. 
203,  National  Association  of  Letter  Carriers.  He  has  been  president  of  the 
same  for  ten  years,  and  has  been  a delegate  to  the  state  and  national  con- 
ventions of  the -order.  He  is  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Royal 
Arcanum  and  the  Woodmen  of  the  World. 


ii94 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IRVIN  H.  CAMPBELL. 

The  old  Keystone  state  has  furnished  many  of  her  good  citizens  to 
the  newer  western  states  who  have  been  of  inestimable  value  in  develop- 
ing them,  for  it  seems  that  they  have  ever  been  people  noted  for  their  en- 
terprise and  courage.  Although  poor  when  they  came  into  the  wilder  west, 
many  of  them,  a few  years  finds  them  in  possession  of  good  homes,  for 
they  work  with  a will,  are  not  thwarted  by  obstacles  and  make  good  citi- 
zens in  general.  One  of  this  number  was  the  late  Irvin  H.  Campbell,  for 
many  years  a successful  agriculturist,  later  devoting  his  time  to  railroad- 
ing, and  was  one  of  the  trusted  employees  of  the  Frisco  System  for  a num- 
ber of  years. 

Mr.  Campbell  was  born  in  Huntington,  Pennsylvania,  January  8,  1848. 
He  is  a son  of  Armstrong  Campbell  and  wife,  both  natives  of  the  state  of 
Pennsylvania,  where  they  grew  up,  were  educated  in  the  early-day  schools 
and  married,  later  removing  to  Ohio,  and  from  that  state  moved  finally  to 
Illinois,  the  mother,  however,  dying  while  the  family  lived  in  Ohio.  Arm- 
strong Campbell  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming.  His  death  occurred 
in  1893.  He  was  twice  married,  the  only  child  by  his  first  wife  being  Irvin 
H.,  the  subject  of  this  memoir.  Four  children  were  born  to  his  second 
marriage. 

Irvin  H.  Campbell  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  he  as- 
sisted his  father  with  the  general  work  on  the  same  during  the  crop  season, 
and  during  the  winter  attended  the  district  schools  in  Ohio.  However,  he 
had  little  opportunity  to  receive  an  extensive  education  in  his  boyhood,  but 
he  developed  himself  and  always  depended  upon  his  individual  resources. 

Mr.  Campbell  was  a soldier  in  the  days  immediately  following  the 
Civil  war,  having  enlisted,  in  May,  1865,  in  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and 
Thirty-second  Regiment,  Ohio  National  Guard.  This  was  during  the  re- 
construction period  and  his  service  was  about  the  same  as  if  he  had  enlisted 
during  the  regular  period  of  the  Civil  war,  in  which  he  would  gladly  have 
served  had  he  been  old  enough.  He  saw  some  service,  however,  and  was 
in  one  skirmish.  He  was  honorably  discharged,  and  not  long  thereafter 
came  west  to  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  where  his  father  had  previously  lo* 
cated,  and  there  he  took  up  farming,  which  he  followed  until  March  8, 
1881,  when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  first  secured  employ- 
ment in  the  Queen  City  Mills,  with  which  he  remained  some  time,  then  went 
to  work  for  the  Frisco  railroad,  remaining  with  this  company  until  about 
a year  prior  to  his  death,  when  he  retired  from  active  life,  after  a faithful 
and  successful  career  as  railroader. 

Mr.  Campbell  was  married  June  5,  1869,  in  Illinois,  to  Anna  S.  Ott, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1195 


-who  was  born  in  Maryland,  April  21,  1853.  She  is  a daughter  of  Jacob 
D.  and  Margaret  Ann  (Houck)  Ott,  both  natives  of  Maryland  and  repre- 
sentatives of  old  Southern  families.  Mr.  Ott  was  a tanner  by  trade.  When 
the  wife  of  our  subject  was  five  years  old  the  Ott  family  moved  to  Illinois, 
and  later  came  to  Missouri,  where  the  death  of  the  father  occurred  in  1904. 
The  mother  is  still  living,  making  her  home  in  Springfield.  Mrs.  Camp- 
bell is  the  oldest  of  ten  children,  all  living.  She  received  a good  education 
in  the  common  schools  in  Illinois. 

Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Campbell,  namely:  Eva  M., 
born  October  30,  1870,  makes  her  home  in  Springfield;  Blanche  E.,  born 
April  30,  1872,  married  J.  E.  Ledman,  and  they  have  one  child,  Margaret 
Ann,  born  March  17,  1913;  Lillian  B.,  born  August  30,  1874,  has  remained 
unmarried;  William  E.,  born  October  8,  1885,  died  in  infancy. 

Politically,  Mr.  Campbell  was  a Republican  in  his  earlier  years,  but 
later  was  a Socialist.  He  was  a Christian  Scientist  in  his  religious  beliefs, 
and  he  was  formerly  a member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  but  in 
later  years  dropped  his  membership  in  the  same.  He  was  a man  of  fine 
character  and  had  a large  number  of  friends  here. 


WILLIAM  C.  BILLASCH. 

Parents  should  carefully  consider  the  inclinations  of  their  children. 
The  great  mistakes  of  life  are  owing  in  a large  measure  to  the  fact  that 
young  people  adopt  professions  or  enter  businesses  for  which  they  have  no 
natural  ability.  It  is  easy  to  see  that  if  young  men  could  start  out  in  early 
life  in  the  pursuit  for  which  nature  has  best  adapted  them,  and  if  they 
should  persist  in  that  line  industriously  and  energetically,  success  would  be 
assured  in  every  instance,  no  matter  if  they  were  not  possessed  with  bril- 
liancy or  unusual  ability;  persistence  in  this  one  line  will  bring  success. 
William  C.  Billasch,  foreman  painter  of  the  Springfield  Wagon  Works,  has 
followed  his  profession  from  boyhood,  having  been  fortunate  in  selecting 
the  vocation  for  which  he  seems  to  have  been  well  qualified  by  nature. 

Mr.  Billasch  was  born  in  Dubuque,  Iowa,  June  18,  1856.  He  is  a 
son  of  George  F.  Billasch,  whose  death  occurred  in  Dubuque  in  1910  at 
the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  He  had  been  inspector  in  a leather  factory 
there  and  previously  held  a similar  position  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 
He  was  a native  of  Germany,  from  which  country  he  came  to  America  when 
young  and  settled  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  became  superintendent  of  a 
large  tannery.  He  came  west  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine  years,  establish- 
ing his  future  home  in  Dubuque,  Iowa.  After  working  there  and  at  Sioux 


i iq6 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


City  for  some  time  as  leather  inspector  in  factories,  he  worked  as  round- 
house foreman  for  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company  for  a period  of 
forty  years,  retiring  five  years  prior  to  his  death.  While  living  in  Phila- 
delphia he  also  engaged  in  the  cooperage  business  for  six  or  seven  years. 
Politically,  he  was  a Republican.  He  was  a life  member  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  by  which  lodge  he  was  buried.  He  belonged  to  the 
Lutheran  church.  His  wife,  who  was  Henrietta  Louise  Reinicka  before  her 
marriage,  was  a native  of  Germany,  from  which  country  she  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  when  a girl,  locating  in  Philadelphia,  and  there  she  and 
Mr.  Billasch  were  married.  Her  death  occurred  also  in  the  year  1910,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-one  years.  These  parents  were  an  excellent  old  couple, 
industrious  and  honest.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  namely : 
William  C.,  subject  of  this  sketch;  Theodore  died  when  fourteen  years  of 
age;  George  is  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  in  Dubuque,  Iowa;  Edward 
is  superintendent  of  a hardware  factory  in  Chicago ; Albert  lives  in  Indian- 
apolis, Indiana,  where  he  is  in  the  employ  of  the  Indianapolis  Railway  and 
Construction  Company ; Henry  Louis  is  deceased ; he  and  Henrietta  Louise 
were  twins;  she  is  the  wife  of  August  Northdorf,  who  is  employed  as  fore- 
man for  the  Brunswick-Balke-Collender  Company,  of  Chicago. 

William  C.  Billasch  received  a common  school  education  and  took  a 
course  in  a business  college  in  Chicago.  He  studied  two  years  at  a night 
school.  When  thirteen  years  of  age  he  went  to  work  in  the  A.  A.  Cooper 
Wagon  Works  at  Dubuque,  Iowa;  then  worked  three  years  in  Chicago  in 
the  Schuttler  Wagon  Works,  two  and  one-half  years  of  which  were  spent 
in  the  painting  department,  and  then  was  foreman  in  the  plant  of  the  Web- 
ber Wagon  Company  in  Chicago  for  a period  of  seventeen  years,  in  the 
painting  department,  and  in  that  city  he  also  worked  a year  in  the  Staver 
Manufacturing  Company.  From  there  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri, 
in  the  fall  of  1895,  and  took  a position  as  foreman  painter  in  the  plant  of 
die  Springfield  Wagon  Works,  assuming  charge  of  that  department,  which 
position  he  has  held  continuously  for  a period  of  twenty  years,  which  fact 
would  indicate  that  he  has  been  not  only  an  expert  in  his  line  but  faithful 
and  reliable  all  the  while. 

Mr.  Billasch  -was  married  August  30,  1879,  to  Catherine  Wyant,  a 
daughter  of  Peter  and  Christina  (Eckert)  Wyant.  To  our  subject  and 
wife  six  children  have  been  born,  one  of  whom  is  deceased.  They  were 
named  as  follows;  Christina,  deceased;  Henrietta  is  the  wife  of  A.  A. 
Scott,  a traveling  salesman,  and  they  live  in  Kansas  City,  Kansas ; Louise 
is  the  wife  of  William  Powell,  who  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  meat  busi- 
ness in  Kansas  City,  Kansas;  George  is  record  clerk  for  the  telephone  com- 
pany at  Springfield;  Fred  is  clerking  in  Repp’s  dry  goods  store,  Spring- 
field;  Gertrude,  who  has  remained  unmarried,  lives  at  home  and  is' em- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1197 


ployed  as  stenographer  at  the  office  of  the  Hall  Drug  Company,  Spring- 
field. 

Politically,  Mr.  Billasch  is  a Democrat  and  he  has  been  more  or  less 
influential  in  local  public  affairs  since  coming  to  this  city,  and  for  two 
terms  he  served  as  a member  of  the  city  council  from  the  fourth  ward,  un- 
der both  Mayor  Blain  and  Mayor  Lee.  His  record  as  councilman  was  emi- 
nently creditable  and  satisfactory.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Loyal  Or- 
der of  Moose  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  his  membership 
in  the  latter  being  in  Chicago.  Fie  is  a member  of  the  Reformed  Lutheran 
church. 


HENRY  M.  HECKART. 

For  a period  of  thirty-four  years  the  name  of  Henry  M.  Heckart  was 
a synonym  in  Springfield  and  this  section  of  Missouri  for  high-class  jew- 
elry, for  he  maintained  an  extensive  jewelry  store  here  during  that  period, 
and  was  known  as  one  of  our  leading  business  men  and  a friend  to  the 
Oueen  City  on  every  occasion,  and  his  influence  for  promoting  the  devel- 
opment of  the  city  along  material  and  civic  lines  was  most  potent,  yet  this 
was  done  in  his  usual  quiet,  unobtrusive  manner,  for  he  was  not  a man  who 
sought  the  limelight  of  publicity,  merely  endeavoring  to  lead  a useful  life 
as  a citizen  and  win  success  along  legitimate  lines,  and  although  he  was 
compelled  to  rely  upon  himself  entirely  from  boyhood,  he  exercised  such 
discretion  and  perseverance  as  to  bring  to  him  a large  measure  of  prosperity, 
and  he  will  long  be  missed  from  the  commercial  circles  of  the  city  and 
county. 

Mr.  Heckart  was  born  in  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  February  28,  1855. 
He  was  a son  of  John  and  Nancy  (Pool)  Heckart,  both  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania, of  Dutch  ancestry,  both  being  old  families  of  the  Keystone  state. 
The  father  of  our  subject  devoted  his  active  life  to  the  lumber  business.  He 
and  his  wife  grew  to  maturity  in  their  native  state,  where  they  received 
such  educational  advantages  as  the  early-day  schools  afforded,  and  there 
they  were  married,  but  the  latter  part  of  their  lives  was  spent  in  Missouri, 
where  they  died.  To  these  parents  eight  children  were  born,  five  of  whom 
are  living  at  this  writing. 

Henry  M.  Heckart  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  city  and  there  re- 
ceived a limited  education  in  the  public  schools.  This  lack  of  early  train- 
ing, however,  was  subsequently  made  up  by  contact  with  the  business  world 
and  by  wide  home  reading.  When  but  a boy  he  decided  upon  the  jewelry 
business  as  a life  work,  and  began  in  this  line  in  a modest  way  in  Marsh- 
field, Webster  county,  Missouri,  and  there  got  a good  start.  Seeking  a 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


i ig8 

larger  field,  he  came  to  Springfield  in  1878  and  established  a jewelry  store, 
which  gradually  grew  in  volume  of  business  with  advancing  years  until  it 
became  one  of  the  most  extensive  and  best  known  in  southwestern  Mis- 
souri. He  remained  on  the  public  square  all  the  while,  and  at  the  time  of 
his  death  his  was  the  oldest  business  of  its  kind  in  Greene  county.  He  car- 
ried an  extensive,  carefully  selected  and  up-to-date  stock  of  everything 
found  in  the  large  jewelry  stores  in  the  important  cities  of  the  country.  He 
also  maintained  a repair  department  in  which  only  artisans  of  the  highest 
skill  were  employed. 

Mr.  Heckart  was  married,  December  26,  1878,  to  Belle  Jarrett,  who 
was  born  in  Sedalia,  Missouri.  She  is  a daughter  of  Edward  and  Rebecca 
(Jones)  Jarrett,  both  parents  natives  of  Huntsville,  Alabama. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Heckart  two  children  were  born,  namely  Bessie, 
born  January  8,  1880,  died  November  27,  1891,  and  Harry  E.,  born  May 
29,  1884,  married  Maurine  McClintock,  and  they  make  their  home  in  Los 
Angeles,  California,  where  he  is  engaged  in  business. 

Henry  M.  Heckart  was  a home  man  and  a business  man,  and  there- 
fore cared  little  for  political  life.  He  was  a member  of  Grace  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  in  which  he  was  an  active  worker  and  for  a number  of 
years  was  a member  of  the  board  of  trustees.  He  was  a man  of  honest 
principles  and  good  habits  and  was  respected  by  all  who  knew  him  during 
the  more  than  three  decades  that  he  lived  in  Springfield  and  conducted  his 
jewelry  store.  His  death  occurred  November  17,  1912. 


GEORGE  F.  WINTERS. 

It  is  the  men  of  broad  and  comprehensive  views  who  give  life  to  com- 
munities— men  who  have  foresight  and  energy,  pluck  and  energy  to  for- 
ward whatever  enterprises  they  are  interested  in  and  who  still  retain  an 
untarnished  reputation  through  it  all.  Such  a man  is  George  F.  Winters, 
superintendent  of  the  Springfield  Wagon  Works.  He  is  deserving  of  a 
great  deal  of  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished,  for  he  has  mounted  the 
ladder  of  success  without  the  aid  of  any  one  and  by  honest  efforts,  having 
from  the  beginning  of  his  career  sought  to  do  well  whatever  he  undertook. 

Mr.  Winters  was  born  September  13,  1873,  at  Cincinnati,  Arkansas. 
He  is  a son  of  Charles  Winters,  who  was  born  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  and  who 
is  now  living  in  retirement  in  Springfield,  after  working  for  the  Spring- 
field  Wagon  Works  about  twenty-four  years.  He  came  to  this,  city  in 
1883,  having  previously  been  employed  by  the  James  Oats  Wagon  Works 
at  Cincinnati,  Arkansas,  making  wagon  gears  under  contract.  He  learned 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1199 


the  wood  worker's  trade  when  a young  man  and  became  quite  expert  in 
the  same.  On  March  9,  1915,  he  reached  the  age  of  eighty  years.  He  is  a 
self-made  man,  has  always  been  a great  reader,  and  when  nineteen  years 
old  taught  school  for  some  time  in  Chicago.  For  a period  of  nine  years 
he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  government,  making  wagons,  and  worked  at 
this  during  the  Civil  war  in  Springfield.  However,  he  spent  three  years 
of  the  war  period  as  a private  in  an  Iowa  volunteer  infantry  regiment.  Po- 
litically, he  is  now  a Democrat,  but  in  his  earlier  life  was  a Republican.  He 
belongs  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  is  a member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church.  His  wife  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Lucy  Moller, 
a daughter  of  William  Moller,  of  Springfield.  To  Charles  Winter  and 
wife  eight  children  were  born,  namely:  Della  is  the  wife  of  F.  L.  McClel- 

lan, who  is  in  the  postoffice  service  in  Omaha,  Nebraska;  William  is  en- 
gaged in  the  poultry  business  at  Houston,  Texas;  Charles,  Jr.,  is  connected 
with  the  wagon  works  at  Fort  Smith,  Arkansas;  George  F.,  of  this  sketch; 
Samuel  died  in  infancy;  Hazel  died  in  infancy;  Winnie  is  the  widow  of 
Lawrence  Denman,  deceased ; Bert  is  engaged  in  the  poultry  business  in 
Springfield. 

George  F.  Winters  grew  to  manhood  in  Arkansas  and  received  his 
education  in  the  schools  of  Fayetteville.  He  left  school  when  seventeen 
years  of  age  and  went  to  work  in  a grocery  store,  then  sold  hay  for  six 
months,  after  which  he  came  to  Springfield  on  October  23,  1890,  and  soon 
thereafter  found  employment  at  the  Springfield  Wagon  Works,  laboring  in 
the  yards  for  sixty  cents  a day,  then  worked  in  the  wood  shop  there  until 
1900,  at  bench  work,  and  ran  a wood  shaper.  He  was  then  promoted  to 
foreman  of  the  mill  room  or  the  wood  shop,  which  position  he  held  until 
1914,  when  he  was  promoted  to  the  responsible  position  he  now  holds,  that 
of  superintendent  of  the  entire  plant,  the  duties  of  which  he  is  discharging 
in  a manner  that  reflects  much  credit  upon  his  ability  and  fidelity  and  to  the 
entire  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  He  has  on  an  average  one  hundred  and 
twenty  men  under  his  direction,  and  he  knows  how  to  handle  them  so  as  to 
get  the  best  results  and  at  the  same  time  keep  on  the  best  of  terms  with 
them.  He  understands  thoroughly  every  phase  of  the  business  and  is  a 
conscientious,  industrious  workman,  who  has  been  the  recipient  of  the  high- 
est trust  from  the  head  officials  of  the  plant  from  the  first.  He  has  been 
employed  continuously  in  this  widely  known  plant  for  nearly  twenty-five 
years. 

Mr.  Winters  was  married  in  1900  to  Letha  Van  Hoosen,  a daughter  of 
Alex  Van  Hoosen,  a traveling  salesman,  who  was  born  in  North  Carolina. 
The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  been  without  issue. 

Politically,  Mr.  Winters  is  a Democrat.  He  carries  large  life  insur- 
ance. He  belongs  to  the  Presbvterian  church. 


[200 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


FRANK  BOYDEN  WILLIAMS. 

One  of  the  most  successful  and  best  known  members  of  the  Greene 
county  uar  is  Frank  F>oyden  Williams,  whose  name  for  years  has  figured 
prominently  m important  cases  m local  courts.. 

i\±r.  Williams  was  born  at  .Golden  Uity,  Barton  county,  Missouri, 
November  23,  1609.  Fie  is  a son  of  Frank  and  Maria  B.  ( Morgan ) Will- 
iams, natives  of  Memphis,  Tennessee,  and  Burksville,  Kentucky,  respec- 
tively. I hey  grew  to  maturity  in  the  South  and  were  educated  and  married 
there,  and  made  their  home  in  Kentucky  until  soon  after  the  close  of  the  Civil 
war,  when  they  removed  from  the  Blue  Grass  state  to  Cedar  county, 
Missouri.  The  father  of  our  subject  devoted  his  life  to  farming  and  stock 
raising.  He  removed  from  Cedar  to  Barton  county  and  owned  a good 
farm  near  Golden  City.  Luring  the  war  between  the  states  he  was  a lieu- 
tenant in  Company  F,  Second  Mississippi  Cavalry,  Confederate  Army, 
under  Gen.  Nathan  B.  Forrest,  one  of  the  greatest  military  geniuses  the 
war  produced  011  either  side,  and  Mr.  Williams  proved  to  be  a faithful 
and  gallant  officer  under  this  great  chieftain  until  he  was  mustered  out 
December  2,  1862. 

Frank  B.  Williams  received  his  education  at  Sparta,  Wisconsin,  and 
Watertown,  South  Dakota,  attending  the  common  schools  there,  later  was 
a student  at  Yankton  College,  Yankton,  South  Dakota,  then  entered  the 
law  department  of  Washington  University,  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  where  he 
made  a good  record  and  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated,  June 
.20,  1895.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Searcy,  Arkansas,  soon  after  his 
graduation,  and  in  1896  he  located  for  the  practice  of  his  profession  at 
Springfield,  Missouri,  enrolling  as  an  attorney-at-law,  Greene  county  bar, 
March  9th  of  that  year,  and  here  he  has  remained  to  the  present  time,  en- 
joying a good  practice.  He  was  elected  a member  of  the  Springfield  city 
council  in  April,  1898,  and  was  re-elected  in  1900.  and  during  that  period 
he  looked  well  to  the  interests  of  the  city  in  every  way.  He  was  elected 
probate  judge  of  Greene  county,  in  November,  1902,  and  served  one  term 
of  four  years,  after  which  he  re-entered  practice  of  the  law,  January  1,  1907, 
and  in  December,  1912,  he  formed  a partnership  for  the  practice  of  his 
profession  with  Matthew  H.  Galt,  under  the  firm  name  of  Williams  & 
Galt,  which  still  continues,  with  offices  in  the  Woodruff  building. 

On  June  27,  1905,  he  united  in  marriage  with  Harriett  E.  Kellond, 
daughter  of  William  A.  and  Fanny  J.  Kellond,  a highly  respected  family 
of  Springfield,  and  to  this  union  three  children  have  been  born,  namely : 
Frances  Kellond  Williams,  Harriett  Morgan  Williams,  and  Katherine  Sel- 
fridge Williams. 


JUDGE  FRANK  R WILLIAMS. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1201 


Politically,  Judge  Williams  is  a Democrat  and  is  active  in  the  affairs 
of  the  party.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  united  lodge  of  Ancient  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Woodmen 
of  the  World,  also  belongs  to  the  University  Club,  the  Springfield  Club, 
and  the  Country  Club. 


FRANK  WYGAL. 

In  most  cases  when  a young  man  or  a young  woman  starts  out  in  life, 
they  are  at  a loss  to  know  what  to  undertake,  and  the  consideration  of  what 
they  are  best  intended  for  by  nature  is  the  last  thing  which  they  consider. 
They  are  apt  to  be  guided  by  circumstances,  choosing  the  undertaking  or 
enterprise  that  offers  itself  most  conveniently,  or  are  governed  by  considera- 
tions of  gentility,  selecting  something  that  is  genteel,  or  so  considered,  or 
taking  up  enterprises  or  professions  that  seem  to  offer  the  greatest  reward 
for  the  least  effort,  or  that  give  the  most  promise  of  social  position.  Frank 
Wygal,  foreman  blacksmith  at  the  Springfield  Wagon  Works,  selected  a 
trade  for  which  he  was  well  qualified  by  nature,  one  that  he  liked,  and,  not 
being  afraid  of  hard  work,  he  has  made  a success  at  it. 

Mr.  Wygal  was  born  on  March  17,  1854,  at  Newcastle,  Pennsylvania. 
Fie  is  a son  of  Daniel  Wygal,  who  was  born  in  western  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
grew  up,  attended  school,  and  learned  the  wagonmaker’s  trade,  and  finally 
went  into  business  for  himself  at  Newcastle,  then  came  west,  and  continued 
his  business  in  Eldora,  Iowa,  later  moved  to  Cass,  Missouri,  then  to  Paola, 
Kansas,  being  in  business  for  himself  all  the  while,  and  under  the  firm  name 
of  Wygal  & Sons  he  operated  a large  concern  at  Paola,  his  sons,  Frank  and 
Sylvester,  being  associated  with  him.  His  death  occurred  in  Kansas  at  the 
age  of  seventy-six  years,  having  remained  active  in  business  to  the  end.  He 
was  active  in  Republican  politics,  and  he  was  a member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  His  wife,  who  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Mary  Cubberson, 
died  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years.  To  these  parents  ten  children  were 
born. 

Frank  Wygal  received  a common  school  education.  He  spent  his  early 
boyhood  in  Pennsylvania,  being  eleven  years  of  age,  when,  in  1865,  about 
the  close  of  the  Civil  war,  his  parents  took  him  to  Iowa.  He  went  to  work 
when  eighteen  years  of  age  with  B.  Miller,  manufacturer  of  wagons  and 
buggies,  with  whom  he  remained  three  years,  learning  the  trade,  at  which 
he  became  an  expert  in  due  time.  He  was  then  for  a period  of  eight  years 
associated  with  his  brother  and  J.  W.  Miller  in  the  same  line  of  endeavor.  He 
came  to  Springfield  in  1884  and  on  August  1st  of  that  year  began  working 
(76) 


1202 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


for  the  Spring-field  Wagon  Works,  as  foreman  of  the  blacksmith  department, 
which  position  he  has  held  continuously  to  the  present  time,  a period  of  over 
thirty  years,  which  fact  is  certainly  a criterion  of  his  fidelity,  ability  and  good 
habits.  He  mastered  all  phases  of  the  work  in  his  department  before  coming" 
here,  and  he  has  been  quick  to  adopt  new  methods  from  time  to  time,  thus 
keeping  fully  up-to-date,  and  he  has  done  much  to  establish  the  sound  repu- 
tation of  this  firm  over  the  southwest.  At  present  he  has  thirty  hands  under 
his  direction.  He  resides  in  his  own  cozy  home  on  Poplar  street,  which  was 
built  according  to  his  own  plans. 

Mr.  Wygal  was  married  in  1882  to  Katie  A Bigelow,  a daughter  of 
Seth  G.  Bigelow  and  wife,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been  born — 
Win nifred  C.,  who  is  secretary  of  the  Young  Women’s  Christian  Association 
at  Reno,  Nevada.  She  has  been  highly  educated,  having  attended  the  Spring- 
field  high  school,  Drury  College  and  the  Normal,  also  the  University  of 
Nevada  and  took  a post-graduate  course  at  Columbia  University,  in  New 
York.  Olive,  the  youngest  daughter,  who  was  educated  in  the  common  and 
high  schools  of  Springfield,  is  the  wife  of  R.  M.  Humble,  a farmer  of  Stone 
county,  Missouri. 


REV.  WILLIAM  D.  SIDMAN. 

Any  'conflict  waged  on  our  planet  between  good  and  evil  belongs  to 
the  basic  work  of  divine  mind  before  it  belongs  to  us.  The  “power  not 
ourselves  that  makes  for  righteousness,"  is  more  interested  in  the  success, 
of  the  good  cause  than  we  can  be.  The  constitution  of  this  moral  universe 
is  against  evil  and  oppression  and  injustice.  The  stars  in  their  courses  eter- 
nally fight  against  Sisera.  The  thought  should  gird  one  with  strength  for 
mortal  endeavor.  He  who  strikes  with  a hammer  finds  all  the  force  of 
gravitation  adding  force  to  his  blow.  And  he  who  combats  any  of  the 
gigantic  evils  under  the  sun  has  the  support  of  infinite  and  invincible  al- 
lies. Let  the  fact  nerve  the  arm  and  cheer  the  spirit  of  each  halting  re- 
former to  the  end  of  time.  May  it  encourage  us  all  to  believe  with  Tenny- 
son in  that  “one  far-off  divine  event  to  which  the  whole  creation  moves.” 

Believing  in  the  above  theory,  Rev.  William  D.  Sidman,  superintendent 
of  the  Springfield  district  of  the  St.  Louis  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  left  a lucrative  practice  as  a physician  to  take  up  the  work 
of  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  in  order  that  he  might  accomplish  more  good 
“between  these  walls  of  time,”  to  which  Longfellow  referred  in  his  poem, 
“The  Builders.”  Rev.  Sidman  was  born  in  Vinton  county,  Ohio,  June  9, 
j 860.  He  is  a son  of  Wesley  C.  and  Rebecca  (Rose)  Sidman.  The  father 
was  born  near  Syracuse,  New  York,  September  11,  1834.  When  a small 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


!20  3 


boy  he  came  to  Ohio,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  received  a common 
school  education.  He  was  a carpenter  and  cabinet  maker  by  trade  and  be- 
came a very  skilled  workman.  When  the  Civil  war  broke  out  he  joined  the 
Union  army,  in  which  he  served  four  years,  after  which  he  returned  to 
Ohio,  but  later  removed  to  Illinois,  where  he  continued  to  work  at  his  trade, 
then  went  back  to  Ohio,  and  after  spending  a few  years  there  came  to 
Springfield,  Missouri,  and  worked  at  his  trade  for  some  time.  He  retired 
from  active  life  six  years  ago.  His  wife,  Rebecca  Rose,  was  born  near 
Logan,  Hocking  county,  Ohio,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  received 
a common  school  education.  Her  death  occurred  September  27,  1909.  To 
these  parents  seven  children  were  born,  namely:  William  D.,  of  this  sketch; 

John  W.  lives  in  St.  Louis;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hamilton  lives  in  Carterville, 
Missouri;  Mrs.  Delia  Jones  lives  in  Springfield;  Robert  R.  is  deceased;  Mrs. 
Captolia  Irving  resides  in  St.  Louis,  and  Bessie  M.  is  teaching  in  Spring- 
field. 

William  D.  Sidman  grew  to  manhood  in  Ohio,  and  there  he  received 
a good  education,  was  graduated  from  the  Nelsonville  high  school,  later 
studied  medicine  and  was  graduated  from  the  medical  department  of  the 
University  of  Cincinnati  in  1884.  He  began  the  practice  of  his  profession 
soon  thereafter  at  Rushville,  Ohio,  and  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in 
1887.  He  engaged  successfully  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  for  a period 
of  six  years,  building  up  a large  practice  as  a general  physician,  but,  believ- 
ing that  the  ministry  was  his  true  calling,  he  abandoned  the  practice  of  med- 
icine and  joined  the  conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  1895, 
and  has  remained  in  the  same  to  the  present  time,  having  had  charge  of 
churches  of  this  denomination  at  the  following  places : Stockton,  Republic, 
Greenfield,  Osceola,  Poplar  Bluff  and  Marionville,  Missouri. 

He  is  at  present  superintendent  of  the  Springfield  district  of  the  St. 
Louis  conference,  to  which  responsible  post  he  was  assigned  on  March  18, 
1913.  He  is  widely  known  throughout  the  conference  as  an  able  and  earn- 
est church  worker  and  a learned  theologian  and  forceful  and  accomplished 
pulpit  orator. 

Rev.  Mr.  Sidman  was  married  February  23,  1882,  to  Ina  M.  Carnes, 
who  was  born  in  Nelsonville,  Ohio,  and  there  grew  to  womanhood  and 
received  a high  school  education.  She  is  a daughter  of  Alfred  H.  and 
Emily  (Bridges)  Carnes.  Mrs.  Sidman  is  a lady  of  admirable  Christian 
character  and  is  an  active  member  of  the  various  societies  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  and  she  has  made  a host  of  warm  personal  friends  since 
coming  to  Springfield,  as  has  also  her  husband.  Their  union  has  been 
blessed  by  the  birth  of  one  child,  Emma,  who  was  born  February  5,  1885, 
who  has  remained  single  and  is  living  at  home. 

Fraternally,  our  subject  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  order. 


1204 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ALBERT  WOOD. 

From  the  farms  of  Greene  county  the  city  of  Springfield  has  drawn  its 
best  citizenship  during  the  past  half  century.  The  farmer  boy,  tiring  of  what 
he  considers  drudgery,  is  often  glad  of  an  opportunity  to  leave  the  plow  and 
take  a position  in  the  city,  no  matter  if  the  work  is  really  harder  than  his 
former  work.  Often  he  is  wise  in  making-  the  change;  again,  it  is  questiona- 
ble if  he  betters  his  condition.  The  railroad  shops  here  have  absorbed  the 
larger  number  of  these  young  men  from  the  rural  districts.  Employing  such 
large  numbers  of  men  and  paying  good  wages,  the  prospective  employee  has 
usually  found  a place  waiting  for  him  in  some  one  of  the  many  departments 
of  the  Frisco’s  local  plants,  and  if  he  has  been  energetic,  wide-awake  and 
trustworthy,  he  has  found  his  services  appreciated  and  has  been  advanced 
accordingly.  Albert  Wood  is  one  of  the  boys  who  left  the  farm  and  went 
to  work  in  the  shops,  and,  while  yet  a young  man,  he  has  risen  to  the  position 
of  foreman  of  the  steel  car  repairing  department  in  the  North  Side  Frisco 
shops. 

Mr.  Wood  was  born  in  Franklin  township,  Greene  county,  on  February 
22,  1886.  He  is  a son  of  Alec  J.  and  Sarah  (Johnson)  Wood,  the  mother, 
a daughter  of  Zadock  Wood,  is  now  fifty-two  years  old.  The  father  was 
born  and  reared  in  this  county,  four  miles  from  his  present  farm  in  Frank- 
lin township,  where  he  owns  fifty  acres,  and  has  always  engaged  in  general 
farming.  Ide  is  fifty-four  years  old.  Politically,  he  is  a Republican,  and 
for  ten  vears  was  road  overseer  in  his  community,  and  has  done  more  for  the 
good  roads  movement  there  than  any  other  one  man.  He  is  a member  of  the 
New  Salem  church. 

To  Alec  J.  Wood  and  wife  four  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Roxie  is  the  wife  of  Julius  Webber,  a farmer  of  Franklin  township;  Albert, 
of  this  sketch;  Clarence  is  employed  in  the  North  Side  Frisco  shops;  Madge 
lives  at  home. 

fames  Wood,  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a native  of 
England,  having  been  born  in  the  world’s  greatest  city — London.  He  emi- 
grated to  America  when  a young  man,  locating  first  in  New  Orleans,  Lou- 
isiana. where  he  lived  for  some  time,  finally  coming  to  Missouri  in  an  early 
day.  He  entered  a homestead  in  Franklin  township,  Greene  county,  and  here 
established  the  future  home  of  the  family,  and  developed  a farm  from  the 
wilds.  He  served  in  the  Federal  army  during  the  Civil  war  in  the  Home 
Guards. 

Albert  Wood  grew  to  manhood  on  the  homestead  and  there  worked 
when  he  was  a boy.  He  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools,  and 
remained  with  his  parents  until  1907,  when  he  came  to  Spring-field  and  secured 


GREENE  COUNTY^  MISSOURI. 


1205 


employment  in  the  freight  yards  of  the  North  Side  Frisco  shops  as  laborer. 
Three  months  later  he  went  to  work  at  steel  car  repairing,  and  remained  at 
this  until  1912,  when  he  was  appointed  foreman  of  the  steel  car  repairing 
department  there,  and  has  held  this  responsible  position  ever  since,  giving 
splendid  satisfaction.  He  has  forty-two  hands  under  his  direction. 

Mr.  Wood  was  married  in  December,  1910,  to  Effie  Bleckledge,  a daugh- 
ter of  Frank  Bleckledge  and  wife.  To  this  union  two  children  have  been 
born,  namely : Thelma  and  Alice. 

Politically  Mr.  Wood  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


HARRY  E.  MARTIN. 

In  all  ages  of  the  world  industry,  perseverance  and  energy,  where  intel- 
ligently applied,  have  achieved  results  which  could  only  have  been  gained 
by  having  one  end  in  view,  and  by  improving  every  opportunity  of  ultimately 
attaining  that  object.  Harry  E.  Martin,  chief  engineer  of  the  Springfield 
Furniture  Company,  is  an  example  of  what  can  be  accomplished  when  the 
spirit  of  determination  is  exercised  in  connection  with  the  every-day  affairs 
of  life. 

Mr.  Martin  was  born  on  March  17,  1879,  at  Richland,  Missouri.  He  is 
a son  of  John  H.  and  Mary  (Young)  Martin,  the  latter  a daughter  of  Pres- 
ton Young,  and  she  is  now  about  fifty-four  years  of  age,  the  former  being  a 
year  older,  and  they  now  make  their  home  near  Richland,  Pulaski  county, 
this  state,  where  Mr.  Martin  is  a machinist  by  trade.  Fie  formerly  lived 
in  Springfield,  where  he  was  chief  engineer  and  master  mechanic  for  the 
Davis  planing  mill  for  a period  of  twenty-five  years,  and  for  ten  years  he 
worked  as  a machinist  at  the  Springfield  Wagon  Works.  He  is  at  this  writ- 
ing building  a corn-mill  at  Brumley,  Miller  county.  He  owns  and  operates 
a large  farm  in  Pulaski  county.  His  family  consists  of  three  children, 
namely:  Harry  E.,  of  this  sketch;  Icy  is  the  wife  of  Arthur  Bryant,  a farmer 
of  near  Richland,  Missouri ; William  lives  in  St.  Louis,  where  he  is  working 
as  electrician  for  the  street  railway  company. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  Charles  Martin:  he  was 
a wagon  manufacturer  by  trade,  an  early  settler  of  Miller  county,  this  state, 
and  died  there  many  years  ago. 

Harry  E.  Martin  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Rich- 
land and  Springfield.  Fie  worked  for  some  time  in  the  Davis  planing  mill, 
where  he  finally  became  fireman,  but  his  principal  work  there  was  as  an  ap- 
prentice machinist  under  his  father.  Later  he  worked  on  a farm  which  his 


1206 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


father  owned.  When  only  eighteen  years  old  he  was  filling  the  position  of 
engineer  for  the  Culver  Lumber  Manufacturing  Company  at  Kansas  City. 
In  1903  he  returned  to  Springfield  and  became  engineer  for  the  Springfield 
Furniture  Company,  and  in  a short  time  was  promoted  to  chief  engineer, 
which  position  he  still  holds,  discharging  his  duties  with  his  usual  fidelity 
and  ability.  He  is  also  master  mechanic  at  this  plant,  and  has  many  hands 
under  his  direction.  He  is  an  expert  machinist  and  does  all  the  machine 
work  for  this  large  factory.  He  has  kept  well  up-to-date  both  as  a machinist 
and  engineer,  and  has  no  superiors  in  either  line  in  Greene  county.  He  has 
also  found  time  to  make  himself  an  expert  electrician,  and  was  instrumental 
in  obtaining  the  new  electric  plant  for  the  concern  with  which  he  is  now  con- 
nected. He  is  a self-made  man,  and  learned  to  be  an  electrician  through  ex- 
tensive home  study,  taking  the  course  of  the  American  Correspondence 
School. 

Mr.  Martin  was  married  in  December,  1906,  to  Lillian  Bergstresser,  a 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Ellen  (East)  Bergstresser,  of  Harlan,  Iowa.  This 
union  has  been  without  issue.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin  own  a pleasant  home 
on  the  National  Boulevard,  where  they  operate  a chicken  hatchery,  composed 
of  thirty-eight  incubators. 

Politically,  Mr.  Martin  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  Woodmen  of  the  World,  and  to  the  National  Association  of  Sta- 
tionarv  Engineers.  He  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  treasurer  of  the 
local  order  of  the  latter.  Religiously,  he  is  a member  of  the  First  Christian 
church. 


NAPOLEON  GOSNEY. 

It  is  the  dreams  ahead  that  keep  hope  in  us  all.  To  some  it  is  dreams 
of  financial  success,  to  others  political  power;  still  others,  perhaps,  it  is 
dreams  of  health,  pleasure,  fame  or  the  chance  to  be  of  service  to  mankind. 
To  those  who,  in  early  life,  fate  has  not  been  overly  kind,  it  has  been  the 
dreams  of  the  possible  opportunities  held  by  the  mystical  future  that  has 
given  them  hope  to  continue  the  battle,  often  against  seemingly  overwhelm- 
ing odds.  Napoleon  Gosney,  for  many  years  one  of  the  leading  contractors 
of  Springfield,  who  for  some  time  has  been  living  retired,  had  dreams  when 
he  was  a boy,  and  these  led  him  to  a useful  .and  succesful  life  in  a material 
way,  as  well  as  caused  him  to  so  shape  his  ends  as  to  become  a helpful 
citizen. 

Mr.  Gosney  was  born  at  Ottawa,  Canada,  May  24,  1852.  He  is  a son 
of  Andrew  and  Delphine  Gosney.  The  father  was  born  near  Montreal, 
Canada,  and  the  mother  was  born  at  Ottawa.  They  grew  in  their  native 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


120/ 


localities  and  received  common  school  educations,  and  were  married  in  Ot- 
tawa. Andrew  Gosney  was  a contractor  in  stone  and  lime,  and  was  also  a 
stone  cutter.  He  died  at  the  age  of  forty-five  years,  when  our  subject  was  a 
small  boy.  His  wife  survived  to  the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years,  and  her 
parents  lived  to  be  over  one  hundred  years  of  age.  To  Andrew  Gosney 
and  wife  eleven  children  were  born,  named  as  follows:  Delphine,  deceased; 

Severe  died  in  1910;  Henry,  Emma  and  Leon,  all  deceased;  Napoleon,  of 
this  review;  Emily,  deceased;  Lenore  lives  in  Minnesota;  Mrs.  Eugenia 
Dugan  is  living  near  Cleveland,  Ohio ; Exzelda  lives  in  Ottawa,  Canada, 
and  one  died  in  infancy. 

Napoleon  Gosney  grew  to  manhood  in  Canada  and  received  a common 
school  education.  He  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father  in  a business 
way  and  learned  to  be  a stone  cutter  and  mason.  When  seventeen  years  of 
age  he  left  Canada  and  moved  to  Akron,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  about  four 
years,  then  traveled  over  the  East  and  South  working  at  his  trade.  He 
came  to  Missouri  in  1877,  locating  in  Springfield  later,  and  here  engaged  in 
•construction  work,  organizing  at  different  times  several  construction  com- 
panies and  became  one  of  the  best  known  men  in  this  line  of  endeavor  in 
this  section  of  the  state.  He  has  done  an  immense  amount  of  construction 
work  for  the  Frisco.  Operating  for  many  years  on  an  extensive  scale,  giv- 
ing his  close  attention  to  his  affairs  and  exercising  good  judgment  and  fore- 
sight, he  accumulated  a comfortable  competence.  He  retired  from  active 
life  about  eight  years  ago  on  account  of  failing  health. 

Mr.  Gosney  was  married  at  Carthage,  Missouri,  September  10,  1878, 
to  Josephine  A.  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Winchester,  Indiana,  August  16, 
1858,  and  she  spent  her  girlhood  days  in  the  Hoosier  state  and  was  edu- 
cated there.  She  removed  with  her  parents  in  1872  to  Jasper  county,  Mis- 
souri, where  the  family  home  was  established.  She  is  a daughter  of  George 
A.  Smith  and  Nancy  Ann  Paxton,  who  were  born  in  Pennsylvania.  Mr. 
Smith  was  a millwright  by  trade.  He  bought  a large  farm  in  Jasper  coun- 
ty, Missouri,  and  was  a successful  farmer,  and  there  his  death  occurred 
about  1884.  His  wife  was  a native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  she  was  reared 
and  married  in  Cleveland,  Ohio.  She  died  in  1892  at  the  family  home  near 
Carthage. 

Five  children  have  been  born  to  Napoleon  Gosney  and  wife,  namely: 
Eugenia  May,  wife  of  William  Henrv  McCowan,  was  born  March  5,  1879, 
and  is  at  present  living  in  Springfield.  She  has  six  children:  Josephine 

Anna,  born  September  5,  1904:  William  Henry  McGowan,  Jr.,  born  March 
6,  1907;  Frances  Eugenia,  born  March  15,  1910;  Richard  Gosney,  born 
July  16,  1911;  Mary  Eileen,  born  April  19,  1913,  and  Nell  Genevieve,  born 
June  .25,  1914.  Vera  Pearl,  wife  of  O.  B.  McGlothlan,  was  born  October 
19,  1881,  and  is  living  on  a farm  in  Webster  county,  Missouri.  She  has 


I2o8 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


three  children:  Loriene  Josephine,  born  May  14,  1904;  Lucile  Donella,. 

born  December  30,  1905,  and  Vera  Cordus,  born  December  24,  1907.  Les- 
ter S.,  born  August  5,  1883,  is  working  in  Kansas  City  at  this  writing. 
Josephine  and  Reynold  are  both  deceased. 

Politically,  Mr.  Gosney  is  a Republican  and  has  been  loyal  to  the  party 
through  both  victory  and  defeat.  During  his  residence  in  Springfield  of 
twenty-two  years  he  has  become  well  known  and  has  always  been  regarded 
as  a good  and  honorable  citizen  in  every  respect.  The  family  belong  to  the 
Christian  church,  to  which  Mr.  Gosney  gives  liberal  support. 


CHARLES  LOUIS  KING. 

For  many  years  Charles  Louis  King  has  occupied  a prominent  place  in 
the  business  circles  of  Walnut  Grove  and  few  men  are  better  known  in 
Greene,  Polk  and  Dade  counties.  As  merchant,  stock  man  and  banker,  each 
role  having  been  successfully  followed  by  him,  his  career  has  been  charac- 
terized by  industry  and  sound  judgment,  and  fair  dealing  is  his  watchword 
in  all  his  transactions.  He  has  for  a decade  been  president  of  the  Citizen’s 
Bank  at  Walnut  Grove.  He  is  optimistic,  looking  on  the  bright  side  of  life 
and  never  complains  at  the  rough  places  in  the  road,  knowing  that  life  is  a 
battle  in  which  no  victories  are  won  by  the  slothful,  but  that  the  prize  is  to 
the  vigilant. and  the  strong  of  heart. 

Mr.  King  was  born  at  Walnut  Grove,  Missouri,  February  7,  1868.  He 
is  a son  of  John  M.  and  Nancy  E.  (Carlock)  King,  the  father  born  at  Walnut 
Grove  on  November  12,  1839,  and  the  mother  was  born  at  Dadeville,  this 
state,  on  October  5,  1845,  each  representatives  of  pioneer  families  in  this 
section  of  the  Ozarks.  They  grew  to  maturity  amid  frontier  scenes,  were 
educated  in  the  early-day  subscription  schools,  and  upon  reaching  maturity 
married  and  established  their  home  at  Walnut  Grove,  where  Mr.  King  spent 
his  life,  engaged  in  various  pursuits,  such  as  farming  and  operating  a hotel, 
and  was  always  well  and  favorably  known  throughout  this  locality.  During 
the  Civil  war  John  M.  King  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Sixth  Missouri  Infantry, 
Federal  army,  and  served  faithfully  as  a private  for  two  years,  when  he 
was  discharged  on  account  of  disability. 

Charles  L.  King  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  community  and  received’, 
his  education  in  the  Walnut  Grove  schools,  and  here  he  has  spent  the  major 
portion  of  his  life.  When  twenty  years  of  age  he  went  to  California  and 
herded  cattle  on  one  of  the  large  ranches  of  that  state  for  a period  of  five 
years,  during  which  time  he  became  an  excellent  judge  of  cattle,  and,  upon 
returning  to  Walnut  Grove,  bought  and  shipped  live  stock  for  a period  of  six 


CHARLES  L.  KING. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1209 


years  with  much  success,  then  operated  a drug  store  here  for  three  years, 
enjoying  a good  trade.  He  then  went  to  Oklahoma,  where  he  engaged  in 
the  hardware  business  for  a year,  then  returned  to  Walnut  Grove  and  organ- 
ized the  Citizen's  Bank,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present  he  has  been  presi- 
dent, a period  of  ten  years,  during  which  his  able  management  and  conservative 
policy  have  resulted  in  the  building  up  of  one  of  the  sound  and  safe  banking 
institutions  in  this  part  of  the  state  and  a large  business  is  carried  on  with 
the  country,  a general  banking  business  being  done  along  the  most  approved 
and  modern  methods  of  banking.  Mr.  King  also  finds  time  to  deal  extensively 
in  the  mule  business. 

On  December  31,  1912,  Mr.  King  was  united  in  marriage  to  Audrey  B. 
Morgan,  of  Humansville,  Missouri,  a daughter  of  Daniel  W.  and  Eliza  A. 
Morgan,  a highly  respected  and  well-known  family  of  that  place. 

Politically  Mr.  King  is  a Democrat  and  has  been  more  or  less  active  in 
local  party  affairs,  although  not  as  a candidate  for  public  honors.  In  1907 
he  united  with  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Walnut  Grove,  of  which  he  has 
since  been  a consistent  member.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  at  Springfield  and  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  at  Walnut  Grove.  He  is  a good  mixer,  friendly,  obliging  and 
has  no  trouble  in  retaining  the  many  friendships  which  he  forms  everywhere 
he  goes. 


JOHN  W.  HARTT. 

In  these  days  of  large  commercial  transactions,  when  credits  cut  a 
large  factor  in  the  daily  round  of  business,  the  province  of  the  banker  is 
very  wide  and  very  important.  The  excellence  of  the  banks  of  the  pres- 
ent compared  with  those  of  the  past  gives  to  all  classes  of  business  men 
first-class  security  for  their  deposits,  assistance  when  they  are  in  need  of 
ready  money  to  move  their  business,  and  a means  of  exchanging  credits 
that  could  be  accomplished  in  no  other  way.  In  a large  measure  the  suc- 
cess of  the  present  time  in  all  branches  of  business  is  largely  the  result  of 
the  present  banking  methods.  One  of  the  flourishing  and  substantial  banks 
of  Greene  county  is  the  Bank  of  Strafford,  of  which  John  W.  Hartt  is  the 
present  able  and  popular  cashier. 

Mr.  Hartt  was  born  in  Hardeman  county,  Tennessee,  February  19, 
1869.  He  is  a son  of  John  S.  and  Eliza  A.  (Johnson)  Hartt.  The  father 
was  born  in  Missouri.  August  10,  1839,  and  was  reared  on  a farm  in  this 
state.  He  received  a limited  education  in  the  public  schools.  When  a young- 
man  he  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade,  which  he  followed  in  later  life.  He 
also  devoted  considerable  time  to  the  butchering  business,  maintaining  the 


1210 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


same  in  several  different  parts  of  his  native  state,  his  last  location  being 
hair  Grove,  Greene  county,  where  his  death  occurred  in  the  year  1889.  He 
was  a member  of  the  Baptist  church.  His  wife  was  born  in  Hardeman 
county,  Tennessee,  January  13,  1841,  and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood 
and  was  educated,  coming  to  Missouri  in  1876.  She  survived  her  husband 
two  years,  dying  in  Fair  Grove.  She,  too,  was  a member  of  the  Baptist 
church.  To  these  parents  seven  children  were  born,  namely:  Joseph,  de- 

ceased; Amanda,  deceased;  John  W.,  of  this  sketch;  James,  deceased; 
Frank,  deceased;  Margaret;  Mrs.  Mae  Putman  lives  in  Springfield. 

The  first  seven  years  of  our  subject's  life  were  spent  in  Tennessee. 
He  lived  with  his  parents  in  different  parts  of  Missouri  until  he  was  six- 
teen years  old,  when  he  came  with  the  family  to  Fair  Grove.  He  received 
a common  school  education  and  when  a young  man  worked  on  the  farm 
and  also  learned  the  carpenter’s  trade,  which  he  followed  for  some  time. 
Fie  worked  for  some  time  in  different  stores,  including  the  Long  Brothers’ 
general  merchandise  store  at  Fair  Grove.  He  then  carried  the  mail  for 
eighteen  months;  then  went  into  the  drug  business  for  himself;  later  be- 
came assistant  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Fair  Grove,  in  which  he  remained 
two  years,  and  then  went  to  Strafford  and  assisted  in  organizing  the  Bank 
of  Strafford,  of  which  he  is  the  present  cashier.  Fie  has  done  much  toward 
building  up  a popular  and  sound  banking  institution  which  would  be  a credit 
to  any  community.  It  has  a capital  stock  of  ten  thousand  dollars,  is  ex- 
cellently housed  and  modernly  equipped  and  managed  under  safe  and  con- 
servative methods,  and  has  a large  list  of  depositors.  A general  banking- 
business  is  carried  on.  The  directors  of  the  bank  are  L.  C.  Ricketts,  Theo. 
Thorson,  A.  B.  Grier,  C.  A.  Womack,  J.  J.  Foster,  Jr.,  W.  P.  Camp,  J.  W. 
Hartt.  The  officers  are:  L.  C.  Ricketts,  president;  Theo.  Thorson,  vice- 

president;  J.  W.  Hartt,  cashier,  and  T.  F.  Womack,  bookkeeper. 

Mr.  Hartt  came  to  Strafford  in  February,  1911,  and  on  the  14th  of 
that  month  the  bank  began  business,  which  has  increased  gradually  in  vol- 
ume ever  since. 

Our  subject  was  married  September  15,  1896,  to  Sarah  I.  Minor,  who 
was  born  in  Kansas  in  1877.  She  is  a daughter  of  William  and  Amanda 
Minor.  They  spent  their  lives  on  a farm  and  are  now  deceased. 

Mrs.  Hartt  grew  to  womanhood  on  the  home  farm  and  received  a good 
education.  One  child  has  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  Pauline  Iiartt, 
whose  birth  occurred  October  24,  1907. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hartt  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  order,  and  in  religious  matters  he  is  a member  of  the  Baptist 
church.  He  is  a man  who  has  relied  very  largely  upon  his  own  resources 
and  has  succeeded  in  life  despite  obstacles  that  would  probably  have  thwart- 
ed the  purpose  of  a man  of  less  ambition  and  determination. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 2 1 I 


JAMES  W.  REILLY. 

The  name  Reilly  has  long  been  a familiar  one  among  railroad  men  of 
Springfield,  for  both  onr  subject  and  his  father  before  him  were  long  on 
the  Frisco  payrolls  in  this  city,  having  come  here  from  the  great  Crescent 
City  of  the  far  South  shortly  after  the  close  of  the  war  between  the  states. 
The  one  is  now  living  in  retirement  and  the  other  has  passed  on  to  his  eternal 
rest. 

James  W.  Reilly  was  born  on  January  25,  1856,  at  New  Orleans,  Lou- 
isiana. He  is  a son  of  John  and  Bridget  (Fitzpatrick)  Reilly,  and,  as  the 
names  would  indicate,  his  Irish  blood  comes  from  both  sides  of  the  house. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  County  Cavan,  Ireland,  where  he  spent 
his  boyhood  days,  emigrating  to  New  York  City  when  a young  man,  and 
from  there  went  south  to  New  Orleans,  working  some  time  as  a laborer  and 
gang  foreman.  Coming  to  Missouri  in  the  sixties  he  assisted  in  building  the 
St.  Louis  & San  Francisco  railroad  line  from  St.  Louis  to  Springfield,  work- 
ing from  Rolla  to  Neosho.  Later  he  became  gang  foreman  in  the  North  Side 
shops,  Springfield,  having  long  been  connected  with  the  blacksmith  depart- 
ment, and  was  numbered  among  the  Frisco  employees  for  a period  of  twenty 
years.  His  death  occurred  in  1897  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years,  and  he 
was  buried  in  St.  Mary’s  cemetery.  He  and  his  wife  were  both  members 
of  the  Catholic  church.  The  mother  of  our  subject  died  in  1886  at  the  age 
of  fifty-five  years.  The  following  children  were  born  to  John  Reilly  and 
wife,  namely:  James  W.,  of  this  sketch;  Charles,  who  was  a car  repairer 

in  the  Frisco  shops  at  Springfield,  died  when  forty-nine  years  of  age;  Mary 
is  the  widow  of  Warren  Reed,  deceased,  and  lives  with  her  children  in  St. 
Louis;  Eugene  died  in  infancy;  John  is  a car  repairer  in  the  Frisco’s  North 
Side  shops,  Springfield ; Ellen  married  John  Powell,  a traveling  engineer 
for  the  Chicago  & Eastern  Illinois  railroad  and  lives  at  Danville,  Illinois. 

James  W.  Reilly  was  twelve  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  St.  Louis. 
Two  years  later  he  was  employed  as  water-boy,  when  the  road  was  being- 
built  into  Springfield,  having  thus  begun  his  railroad  career  at  a tender  age, 
after  a brief  schooling.  However,  it  was  not  long  until  his  father  removed 
with  him  to  a farm,  where  they  remained  some  time,  then  young  Reilly  re- 
turned to  the  city  and  went  to  work  in  the  North  Side  railroad  shops,  learning 
the  trade  of  car  repairer.  He  worked  as  foreman  for  sixteen  years  in  the 
North  Side  shops,  also  as  journeyman  for  some  time.  At  intervals  he  had  en- 
gaged in  farming-  for  short  periods.  In  September,  1911,  he  left  the  road 
permanently  and  has  since  lived  in  retirement.  He  owns  several  valuable  prop- 
erties in  Springfield,  which  he  keeps  rented.  He  now  lives  on  the  site  where 
his  father  built  the  first  house  for  the  family  upon  coming  here,  it  being  one 


1212 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


of  three  homes  in  the  section  of  the  city  now  known  as  “the  North  Side.” 
Our  subject  erected  his  present  splendid  residence  in  1911. 

Mr.  Reilly  was  married  in  1879  to  Mary  E.  Hooper,  a daughter  of 
Spencer  and  Harriet  F.  (Kane)  Hooper.  Her  father  was  a native  of  North 
Carolina,  from  which  state  he  came  to  Missouri  in  1845,  located  in  Greene 
county,  and  the  Hooper  family  lived  on  a farm  on  the  Cherry  street  road, 
near  Springfield.  Mrs.  Reilly  grew  to  womanhood  in  this  locality  and  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Greene  county. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  six  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Paul 

married  Hattie  Dodson  and  is  employed  as  switchman  in  St.  Louis  for  the 
Iron  Mountain  railroad;  Kate  married  T.  E.  McKenna,  a Springfield  switch- 
man, and  they  have  four  children,  Francis,  Thomas,  Elenore  and  Paul;  James 
L.  is  a switchman  for  the  Cotton  Belt  at  Jonesboro,  Kansas.  He  married 
Maud  Gaffker  and  they  have  two  children,  Clifford  and  Louise;  Charles  died 
in  infancy;  Ralph  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  on  Jefferson  street,  this 
city ; he  married  Annie  Connelly  and  they  have  two  children,  Connelly  and 
Clarence;  Clarence  died  on  May  26,  1914. 

Politically,  Mr.  Reilly  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Catholic  Knights  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


COLUMBUS  JEFFERSON  PIKE,  M.  D. 

Proper  intellectual  discipline,  thorough  professional  knowledge  and  the 
possession  and  utilization  of  the  qualities  and  attributes  essential  to  success 
has  made  Dr.  Columbus  Jefferson  Pike,  of  Willard,  Greene  county,  eminent 
in  his  chosen  calling,  and  he  has  by  his  own  efforts  risen  to  a place  in  the 
front  rank  of  the  enterprising  general  practitioners  in  a county  long  distin- 
guished for  the  high  order  of  its  medical  talent. 

Doctor  Pike  was  born  at  Brighton,  Polk  county,  Missouri,  March  12, 
1861.  He  is  a son  of  James  M.  and  Polly  (DeRossett)  Pike.  The  father 
was  born  in  1808  in  Montgomery  county,  Tennessee,  and  in  that  state  he 
spent  his  boyhood  days  and  received  his  education  in  the  town  of  Clarksville, 
remaining  in  his  native  state  until  1835,  when  he  emigrated  to  Missouri  and 
settled  on  a farm  in  Polk  county.  He  had  married  in  Tennessee  and  three 
of  his  children  were  born  there  before  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Mis- 
souri. Upon  coming  to  this  state  he  first  settled  on  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  near  Morrisville,  where  he  lived  for  seven  years,  then  sold  out  and 
bought  about  three  hundred  acres  near  Brighton,  and  he  operated  this  excel- 
lent farm  until  1854,  when  he  entered  the  mercantile  business  at  Brighton, 
which  he  continued  until  1863,  when  his  store  was  burned,  and  he  returned 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  12 1 3 

J.to  his  farm,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  in  1878.  He  was  a prominent 
man  in  that  community.  He  was  a Democrat  and  a Southern  sympathizer 
during  the  war  between  the  states,  and  religiously  he  belonged  to  the  Bap- 
tist church.  James  M.  Pike  was  twice  married,  first  to  Miss  Mallard,  by 
which  union  twelve  children  were  born,  namely:  William,  born  in  1830,  died 
in  1904;  Sarah  lives  in  Slagle;  James  M.,  Jr.,  died  in  1912;  Mrs.  Mary  Jane 
Slagle  died  in  1862;  the  fifth  and  sixth  children,  twins,  died  in  infancy;  Mrs. 
Lucy  Bryant  is  deceased ; Mrs.  Rebecca  Slagle  lives  at  Brighton,  Missouri ; 
Polly  Ann  is  deceased;  George  W.  lives  in  Texas;  Carney  and  Joseph  J.  both 
reside  at  Slagle,  Polk  county.  Polly  DeRossett  was  the  second  wife  of  James 
M.  Pike,  and  to  this  union  ten  children  were  born,  namely : Mrs.  Lora  Lick- 
lider  lives  at  Slagle,  Polk  county ; Richard  lives  at  Cliquot,  Missouri ; Emily 
died  May  25,  1914;  Thomas  Leander  lives  at  Pleasant  Hope,  Polk  county; 
Ransom  is  a merchant  at  March,  this  state ; Sebain  is  a Baptist  preacher  and 
lives  at  Bolivar,  Polk  county;  Dr.  Columbus  J.,  of  this  sketch;  the  eighth  and 
ninth  children,  twins,  died  in  infancy;  Robert  L.,  the  youngest  of  the  twenty- 
two  children,  is  engaged  in  farming  at  Rocky  Ford,  Colorado.  The  mother 
of  these  children,  Polly  DeRossett,  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1825,  and  her 
death  occurred  in  1905. 

Dr.  Columbus  J.  Pike,  of  this  sketch,  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  his 
father’s  farm,  and  he  was  seventeen  years  old  when  the  death  of  his  father 
occurred.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  at  Slagle, 
Polk  county.  He  began  life  for  himself  by  entering  the  drug  business  at 
Brighton,  which  he  continued  four  years,  reading  medicine  the  meantime, 
and  finally  entered  the  Kansas  City  Medical  College,  from  which  he  was  grad- 
uated in  1890,  having  made  an  excellent  record  there.  Pie  began  at  once  the 
practice  of  his  profession  at  Pleasant  Hope,  his  native  county,  where  he  got 
a good  start,  but  remained  only  eighteen  months,  when  he  located  at  North- 
view,  Webster  county,  Missouri,  and  practiced  there  for  a period  of  eight 
years  in  a most  satisfactory  manner,  then  came  to  Willard,  Greene  county. 
Desiring  to  further  add  to  his  medical  knowledge,  he  took  a post-graduate 
course  in  the  New  York  Post-Graduate  College,  from  which  he  was  grad- 
uated in  1904,  after  which  he  returned  to  Willard,  and  has  since  been  con- 
tinuously engaged  in  the  general  practice  of  medicine,  enjoying  all  the  while 
a lucrative  practice,  and  uniform  success  has  attended  his  work  in  his  voca- 
tion. He  stands  high  with  the  people  and  his  professional  brethren  in  this 
section  of  the  state,  as  may  be  surmised  from  the  fact  that  he  was  president 
of  the  Southwestern  Missouri  Medical  Society  for  the  year  1913,  his  office 
expiring  in  April,  1914.  In  this  responsible  position  he  discharged  his  duties 
in  a manner  that  reflected  credit  upon  himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  all 
concerned.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Missouri  State  Medical  Association, 
the  Greene  County  Medical  Society  and  the  American  Medical  Association. 


1214 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Politically,  he  is  a Democrat,  fraternally  a member  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Court  of  Honor,  both  at  Willard;  and  in  religious 
matters  he  belongs  to  the  Baptist  church  at  Willard,  of  which  his  wife  is  also 
a member,  and  in  which  she  takes  an  active  part. 

Dr.  Pike  was  married,  August  15,  1880,  to  Mollie  Ryan,  who  was  born, 
reared  and  educated  in  Polk  county.  She  is  a daughter  of  William  Ryan,  an 
early  settler  and  prominent  in  Polk  county. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Dr.  Pike  and  wife,  namely  : Ethel, 

who  married  Horace  Dameron,  a farmer  of  Rogersville,  Missouri,  has  one 
child,  Lucile;  Charles  R.,  who  married  Gettie  Frazier,  a native  of  Greene 
county,  is  engaged  in  the  drug  business  at  Willard,  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren, Lillian  Belle  and  Robert  Ray;  Arbaleta  is  at  home  with  her  parents. 


WILLIAM  C.  CORNELL. 

It  is- not  everyone  that  can  make  a success  of  the  real  estate  business. 
Some  men  fail  at  it  no  matter  how  long  and  hard  they  may  try.  Those  who 
enter  this  line  of  endeavor  should  study  themselves  carefully,  weigh  their  good 
and  bad  qualities  accurately  and  be  influenced  rather  by  sound  reason  than  by 
impulse.  If  he  has  a mind  capable  of  grasping  situations  quickly  and  accu- 
rately, if  the  arithmetic  is  the  easiest  to  him  of  all  text-books,  if  he  likes  the 
work  better  than  anything  else,  and,  finally,  if  he  is  willing  to  be  uniformly 
courteous,  pleasant  and  honest,  then  he  may  open  an  office  and  announce  the 
fact  that  he  has  entered  the  real  estate  field  as  his  serious  occupation.  We  do 
not  know  whether  William  C.  Cornell  did  all  this  or  not,  but  as  manager  of 
the  National  Land  and  Investment  Company,  of  Springfield,  he  has  shown 
himself  to  be  a capable  real  estate  man  in  every  respect,  well  suited  by  nature 
for  the  work  which  he  has  chosen. 

Mr.  Cornell  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  January  3,  1874,  and 
he  comes  of  one  of  our  honored  old  families,  being  a son  of  Leonard  W.  and 
Elizabeth  (Witherspoon)  Cornell,  the  latter  still  living  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
seven  years,  the  father  having  died  in  1914  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years. 
He  was  a son  of  Charles  Cornell,  a native  of  the  state  of  Michigan,  who  died 
there  at  an  advanced  age. 

Leonard  W.  Cornell  was  a soldier  in  the  Union  army,  having  enlisted 
in  1861,  soon  after  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  in  a Michigan  cavalry 
regiment,  but  owing  to  sickness  overtaking  him  he  did  not  get  to  the  front 
and  was  - discharged  for  disability,  but  upon  his  recovery  he  re-enlisted  in 
a different  company  and  regiment  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war  with 
an  excellent  record.  He  is  remembered  as  a quiet,  home  loving  man  and 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1215 


a good  neighbor.  Our  subject’s  maternal  grandparents  were  William  and 
Mary  Witherspoon,  who  were  well  known  Greene  county  farming  people,, 
the  former  having  died  in  1882,  but  the  latter  is  still  living,  having  attained 
the  unusual  age  of  ninety-four  years,  and  she  is  in  possession  of  all  her 
faculties  and  enjoying  good  health.  To  Leonard  W.  Cornell  and  wife 
seven  children  were  born,  four  sons  and  three  daughters,  namely : Arthur, 

John,  Hiram,  William  C.,  Mrs.  E.  O.  Rogers,  Mrs.  Nettie  Jones  and  Mettie 
Cornell. 

William  C.  Cornell  spent  his  early  life  on  the  farm,  removing  with  the 
rest  of  the  family  from  Greene  county  to  Kansas  when  he  was  young,  and 
in  that  state  he  attended  the  public  schools  and  later  was  a student  at  Union 
College,  Lincoln,  Nebraska.  His  father  was  engaged  in  the  wholesale  hay 
and  grain  business,  and  our  subject  assisted  him  in  this  work  until  he  was 
twenty-three  years  of  age,  anti  then  began  life  for  himself  by  engaging  in 
the  livery  business  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  for  two  years,  after  which  he 
was  associated  with  the  Deering  Harvester  Company  until  this  concern  con- 
solidated with  the  International  Harvester  Company,  and  he  continued  with 
the  last  named  firm  until  1909,  giving  eminent  satisfaction  to  both.  In  that 
year  he  began  his  career  as  a real  estate  dealer  in  Springfield  and  has  con- 
tinued in  this  line  to  the  present  time  with  ever  increasing  success,  and  is 
at  this  writing  manager  of  the  National  Land  and  Investment  Company, 
which  is  doing  an  extensive  business  under  his  able  guidance. 

Mr.  Cornell  was  married  on  October  21,  1897,  to  Della  Berry,  a daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Elizabeth  (McCurdy)  Berry,  both  still  living  in  Greene 
county,  at  the  home  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born.  They  were 
among  the  early  pioneers  of  this  county.  Mr.  Berry  was  born  in  North 
Carolina,  January  1,  1841,  and  he  made  the  long  overland  journey  from 
that  state  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  with  his  parents  when  he  was  eight 
years  of  age,  and  he  has  since  resided  in  this  county.  The  original  farm, 
which  the  grandfather  entered  from  the  government,  is  still  in  possession 
of  the  family.  Elizabeth  McCurdy  was  a daughter  of  Thomas  McCurdy, 
and  she  was  born  in  this  county,  February  3,  1842,  and  here  she  grew  up 
and  married  Mr.  Berry  in  i860,  shortly  before  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Civil  war,  in  which  he  served  as  a member  of  the  Home  Guards  of  Spring- 
field.  Elis  father,  William  Berry,  was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  where 
he  spent  his  earlier  years  and  married.  He  spent  his  latter  years  in  Greene 
county,  dying  here  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years.  To  James  and  Eliza- 
beth Berry  the  following  children  were  born:  O.  D.,  R.  P.,  G.  F.,  J.  B., 

Mrs.  L.  F.  Patterson,  and  Della,  wife  of  our  subject. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cornell  has  been  without  issue. 

Politically,  Mr.  Cornell  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  United 
Commercial  Travelers,  and  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 


I2l6 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


SEBASTIAN  DINGELDEIN. 

The  late  Sebastian  Dingeldein,  for  many  years  a well  known  business 
man  of  Springfield,  afforded  in  his  life  and  its  success  and  other  evidence 
that  industry,  economy  and  straightforward  dealings  constitute  the  keynote 
to  honorable  competency.  Pre-eminence  is  a goal  that  most  men  strive  to 
attain.  No  matter  what  field,  whether  it  be  literature,  art,  science  or  com- 
merce, the  ambition  of  the  true  man  will  push  him  to  such  endeavor  that 
his  success  shall  stand  out  with  glaring  distinctness  and  his  position  shall 
be  above  all  others. 

Mr.  Dingeldein,  as  the  name  implies,  was  of  Teutonic  blood,  his  birth 
having  occurred  in  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  October  15,  1842,  and  was 
one  of  a large  family,  seven  daughters  and  six  sons,  and  there  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  received  his  education.  Tie  learned  the  trade  of  brewer  and 
traveled  around  for  some  seven  years.  Emigrating  to  America,  he  landed 
at  New  York  City,  October  6,  1867,  and  went  from  there  to  Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania,  and  in  October,  1868,  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  He 
worked  in  the  largest  breweries  and  malt  houses  in  that  city  for  over  eight 
years,  and  then  came  to  Springfield,  this  state.  Here  he  engaged  in  the 
brewery  business  the  rest  of  his  active  life,  the  brewery  in  question  having 
been  built  in  1872  by  Buehner  & Finkenauer.  Mr.  Dingeldein  leased  this 
property  in  October,  1876,  for  ten  years,  and  in  June,  1882,  bought  it  before 
the  lease  expired,  and  for  a period  of  fourteen  years  he  was  owner  of  the 
Southwest  brewery,  located  on  College  street.  It  is  a substantial  plant  with 
walls  of  the  best  rock  and  laid  in  cement,  the  cellar  having  a capacity  of 
twelve  hundred  barrels.  When  first  started  the  brewery  turned  out  eight 
hundred  barrels  per  day,  but  Mr.  Dingeldein  increased  its  capacity  until,  in 
1882,  it  made  twenty-one  hundred  barrels  per  day.  He  thoroughly  under- 
stood every  phase  of  the  business  and  built  up  a large  and  lucrative  trade, 
shipping  his  products  all  over  the  country.  He  retired  from  active  life  a 
tew  vears  prior  to  his  death,  which  occurred  on  March  24,  1904.  His 
father  died  in  Germany  in  1859  and  his  mother  died  in  1862. 

Mr.  Dingeldein  was  married  in  St.  Louis  to  Dora  Stuedt,  who  was 
born  in  Keppeln,  Prussia,  April  5,  1844.  She  is  a daughter  of  Peter  and 
Annie  ( Greisher)  Stuedt,  whose  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  four 
of  whom  are  still  living — Mrs.  Dingeldein,  of  Springfield ; two  daughters  in 
Illinois,  and  one  in  Prussia.  Mrs.  Dingeldein  grew  to  womanhood  in  Ger- 
many and  received  her  education  in  the  common  schools  there ; however, 
her  textbook  training  was  very  limited.  Her  teacher  was  a man  who  had 
taught  in  the  schools  for  over  fifty  years,  teaching  all  grades,  and  it  was 
compulsory  for  children  to  attend  school  two  years  to  the  local  minister  for 


MR.  AND  MRS.  SEBASTIAN  DINGELDEIN. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1217 


Bible  education,  Bible  history,  etc.  Mrs.  Dingeldein  is  known  to  her  many 
friends  as  a woman  of  kindness,  charity  and  hospitality,  and  her  beautiful 
home  on  College  street  is  often  visited  by  her  many  friends.  Religiously, 
she  is  a Protestant  and  belongs  to  the  German  Evangelical  church. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dingeldein  four  children  were  born,  namely:  Julius 
W.,  born  in  St.  Louis  on  January  24,  1870:  Peter  Edward,  born  in  St. 
Louis  on  December  25,  1873;  Amelia  Margareta,  born  in  1882  in  Spring- 
field,  and  William  Sebastian,  born  in  Springfield,  August  18,  1885,  the  last 
named  being  deceased. 


GEORGE  W.  SMALL. 

Americans  are  often  spoken  of  as  a restless  race,  and  this  is  unques- 
tionably true.  Thousands  of  trains  are  constantly  speeding  from  one  place 
to  another,  carrying  families  to  new  localities — everybody  hunting  a bet- 
ter place  to  live.  Most  of  them  would  be  better  off  to  remain  in  their  old 
communities.  So  when  we  find  a man  like  George  W.  Small,  of  Jackson 
township,  Greene  county,  who  has  spent  his  entire  life  of  sixty-eight  years 
on  the  same  farm,  we  are  ready  to  extend  our  congratulations,  for  such  a 
man  is  worthy  of  admiration.  It  shows  that  he  has  had  stability  and  a wise 
foresight. 

Mr.  Small  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  October  16, 
1846.  He  is  a son  of  Robert  B.  and  Martha  R.  ( Donnall)  Small,  natives  of 
Rockingham  county,  North  Carolina,  but  when  small  children  they  moved 
with  their  parents  from  that  state  to  Tennessee,  where  they  were  reared  on 
farms  and  received  common  school  educations,  and  they  were  married  in 
that  state  and  remained  there  until  the  year  1833,  when  they  emigrated  to 
Greene  county,  Missouri,  being  among  the  first  settlers,  and  here  our  sub- 
ject’s father  entered  land  from  the  government  and  owned  seven  hundred 
acres  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  a very  successful  farmer  and  was 
one  of  the  substantial  men  of  his  locality  and  influential  in  county  affairs. 
His  death  occurred  August  7,  1861.  His  widow  survived  many  years,  dy- 
ing July  17,  1897,  on  the  home  place.  These  parents  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  Ten  children  were  born  to  them,  namely:  Mrs. 
Sarah  Ross,  deceased;  Mrs.  Mary  J.  Barnes : James  B.  is  deceased:  Mrs. 
Cordelia  Duke  is  deceased;  Columbus  lives  in  Greene  county;  George  W., 
of  this  sketch:  Airs.  Christina  Cavin,  deceased;  Julia  is  living  with  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch;  Willie  and  Robert,  deceased. 

George  W.  Small  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  district  schools.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  bought  the 
(77) 


J2l8 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


homestead,  which  he  has  kept  well  improved  and  well  tilled.  He  has  one 
of  the  choice  farms  of  the  township,  consisting  of  five  hundred  and  forty- 
six  acres.  He  carries  on  general  farming  on  an  extensive  scale  and  has 
prospered  by  his  able  management.  He  keeps  an  excellent  grade  of  live- 
stock of  all  kinds  and  is  a believer  in  progress  in  all  lines. 

Mr.  Small  was  married  in  1876  to  Harriett  A.  Pipkin,  who  was  born, 
reared  and  educated  in  Greene  county.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Louis  and 
Frankie  (Roberts)  Pipkin,  highly  respected  farming  people  of  this  county, 
the  Pipkin  family  having  long  been  a well  established  one  here.  The  death 
of  Mrs.  Small  occurred  January  7,  1878.  The  union  of  our  subject  and 
wife  was  without  issue.  Mr.  Small  has  never  remarried. 

Politically,  Mr.  Small  is  a Democrat.  Pie  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
order,  and  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  has  never 
been  especially  active  in  public  affairs,  but  has  always  been  influential  for 
good  in  his  community. 


JACKSON  P.  C.  LANGSTON. 

A man  like  Jackson  P.  C.  Langston,  farmer  of  Jackson  township, 
Greene  county,  is  deserving  of  a great  deal  of  credit,  who,  thrown  upon 
his  own  resources  at  a tender  age,  and  in  a number  of  ways  handicapped 
for  the  battle  of  life,  has,  nevertheless,  forged  ahead  and  kept  the  even 
tenor  of  his  way  until  he  is  not  only  regarded  as  a successful  farmer  but  as 
a good  citizen  in  every  respect. 

Mr.  Langston  was  born  in  Christian  county,  Missouri,  October  11, 
1856,  near  the  town  of  Linden.  He  is  a son  of  George  W.  and  Elizabeth 
(Hayden)  Langston,  the  father  born  near  Nashville,  Tennessee,  in  1836, 
and  the  mother  was  born  near  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky.  George  W.  Lang- 
ston was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  when  a small 
child  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood  on  a farm  and  received  a common 
school  education.  Plis  wife  was  but  a child  when  she  accompanied  her 
parents  from  the  Blue  Grass  state  to  this  county,  and  here  she  grew  up  on 
a farm  and  was  educated  in  the  district  schools,  and  here  they  were  mar- 
ried in  1855.  Mr.  Langston  worked  on  the  farm  when  young  and  later 
handled  a great  deal  of  live  stock  and  was  a good  business  man.  While 
driving  cattle  to  St.  Louis  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years  he  was  seized 
with  an  illness  and  returned  home  and  died  on  April  12,  1858.  Llis  widow 
later  married  John  P.  Simpson,  but  she,  too,  was  fated  to  fill  an  early  grave. 
She  left  two  children,  Jackson  P.  C.,  of  this  sketch,  and  a daughter  by  her 
last  marriage,  Mrs.  Sarah  Comstock. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  but  a child  when  he  lost  his  parents,  and 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1219 


he  was  reared  by  his  grandparents,  having  been  six  years  old  when  taken 
into  their  home.  He  grew  up  on  the  farm,  learned  to  work  there,  and  was 
given  the  advantages  of  a fairly  good  education.  He  remained  with  his 
grandparents  until  a young  man,  then  began  life  for  himself  by  renting 
different  farms  and  thereby  got  a start.  In  1879  he  bought  a farm  near 
Strafford,  Greene  county,  which  he  later  sold  and  bought  another  farm 
west  of  that  town.  Selling  it,  he  purchased  the  place  where  he  now  re- 
sides, owning  eighty  acres  of  productive  land,  which  he  keeps  well  tilled 
and  well  improved  and  on  which  is  to  be  found  a cozy  cottage  and  conven- 
ient outhouses;  in  fact,  he  built  his  own  modern  home  and  made  practi- 
cally all  the  improvements  now  seen  on  the  place.  He  has  lived  in  Jackson 
township  forty-five  years.  He  handles  a great  deal  of  live  stock  from  year 
to  year. 

Mr.  Langston  was  married  in  1877  to  Sophronia  Comstock,  who  was 
born  in  Tennessee,  in  March,  1858.  She  was  brought  to  Greene  county, 
Missouri,  when  small  and  was  reared  here  on  a farm,  that  of  her  parents, 
and  attended  the  rural  schools.  She  is  a daughter  of  Luther  B.  and  Nancy 
(Ferguson)  Comstock,  both  now  deceased. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Langston,  namely: 
Hettie,  who  was  the  wife  of  A.  B.  Grier,  now  deceased;  Arby  J.  lives  in 
Springfield ; Mrs.  Mazie  Sweetin  lives  in  Cuba,  Missouri ; Inez  is  single 
and  at  home  with  her  parents. 

Politically,  Mr.  Langston  is  active  in  Republican  affairs.  He  served 
very  acceptably  as  deputy  sheriff  of  Greene  county  for  two  years,  was  also 
constable  at  Stafford  for  a period  of  six  years,  and  he  was  a committeeman 
from  Jackson  township  for  twelve  years.  In  all  three  capacities  he  proved 
faithful,  alert  and  energetic  and  was  highly  praised  by  his  fellow  partisans. 


DOMINO  DANZERO. 

From  the  far-away  land  of  purple  peaks  and  turquois  skies,  the  genial 
clime  of  sunny  Italy,  the  favored  haunt  of  authors  and  painters,  hails  Dom- 
ino Danzero,  who  is  proprietor  of  a popular  bakery  in  Springfield.  Inherit- 
ing many  of  the  commendable  traits  of  head  and  heart  of  the  respectable 
middle  classes  of  the  realm  of  the  once  mighty  Caesars,  he  has  proven  to  be 
a good  citizen  of  Greene  county,  a man  of  industry,  good  habits  and  proper 
decorum,  and  while  he  at  times  longs  for  the  subtle  beauties  of  his  pic- 
turesque home  land,  as  is  quite  natural  and  right,  he  nevertheless  appre- 
ciates the  opportunities  in  this  our  land  of  the  free  and  is  content  to  re- 
main in  the  broad  republic  of  the  west. 


1220 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mr.  Danzero  was  born  near  Turin,  Italy,  January  13,  1871.  He  is  a 
son  of  Jack  and  Angelina  Danzero,  both  natives  of  the  same  vicinity  in 
which  our  subject  was  born,  and  there  they  grew  to  maturity,  received  com- 
mon school  educations  and  there  married  and  established  their  home,  and 
the  father  is  still  living  in  his  native  land  and  is  still  active,  being  a painter 
and  decorator  by  trade  and  is  a highly  skilled  workman.  The  mother  died 
when  our  subject  was  five  years  of  age.  To  these  parents  two  children 
were  born,  Domino,  of  this  sketch,  and  John,  who  died  when  eleven  years 
of  age. 

Domino  Danzero  grew  to  manhood  in  Italy,  and  there  he  received  a 
good  common  school  education,  attending  high  school  two  years.  When 
nineteen  years  of  age  he  emigrated  to  America  and  settled  in  Chicago,  Illi- 
nois, where  he  worked  in  a bakery  for  four  years,  during  which  time  he 
mastered  the  various  phases  of  this  business.  From  there  he  came  to  St. 
Louis  and  traveled  for  a bakery  there  for  a period  of  seven  years,  giving 
his  employers  entire  satisfaction,  being  energetic  and  courteous  to  the  trade. 
He  then  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home. 
At  first  he  managed  a restaurant  of  his  own,  then  opened  a bakery  on  Jer- 
ferson  street,  and  about  two  years  ago  built  his  own  bakery  at  Elm  and 
Pearl  streets,  which  he  has  since  operated  with  ever  increasing  success  and 
has  built  up  an  extensive  trade  owing  to  the  superior  quality  of  his  products 
which  find  a very  ready  market.  His  plant  is  sanitary  in  every  respect  and 
is  modernly  equipped  and  only  skilled  employees  are  to  be  found  here.  Prompt 
and  honest  service  is  his  aim  and  he  has  therefore  won  the  good  will  of 
the  people. 

Mr.  Danzero  was  married  in  St.  Louis,  August  18,  1902,  to  Bridget 
Roetto,  who  was  born  near  Monett,  Missouri,  February  19,  1883,  and  there 
grew  to  womanhood  and  received  a good  education.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Charles  and  Katherine  Roetto,  both  natives  of  Italy  (born  in  1852  and 
1857,  respectively),  where  they  spent  their  earlier  years,  but  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  in  an  early  day  and  settled  in  Missouri.  Mr.  Roetto  has 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  this  state  for  a period  of  forty-two  years, 
has  become  wealthy  through  his  good  management  and  wise  foresight,  and 
is  the  owner  of  several  finely  improved  and  valuable  farms  near  Monett, 
where  he  and  his  wife  are  still  living  and  are  well  and  favorably  known  in 
that  locality.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roetto  are  the  parents  of  nine  children. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Danzero,  namely:  An- 
gelina, born  September  26,  1903,  and  Leola,  born  June  14,  1907. 

Politically,  Mr.  Danzero  is  a Republican.  Religiously,  he  is  a member 
of  the  Catholic  church,  and,  fraternally,  he  holds  'membership  in  the  Knights 
of  Columbus  and  Modern  Woodmen. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1221 


ARTHUR  W.  BRYANT. 

In  reading  over  the  record  of  the  lives  of  many  of  the  leading  citizens 
one  becomes  impressed  with  the  fact  that  certain  families  show  at  the  outset 
a strong  inclination  toward  books  and  learning  generally,  or  in  at  least 
keeping  up  with  the  times  on  current  topics,  especially  dealing  with  national 
affairs.  The  Bryant  family,  which  has  long  been  well  established  in  Greene 
county,  is  one  of  this  type,  and  we  find  that  Arthur  W.  Bryant,  at  present  a 
progressive  merchant  of  Strafford,  was  formerly  a successful  educator  and 
is  a well  informed  man  on  current  topics. 

Mr.  Bryant  was  born  near  Fair  Grove,  Missouri,  August  io,  1870.  He 
is  a son  of  Junius  A.  and  Sarah  J.  (Harkness)  Bryant.  The  father  was 
born  in  North  Carolina,  June  9,  1834,  and  when  a child  his  parents  re- 
moved to  Maury  county,  Tennessee,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  at- 
tended school,  receiving  an  excellent  education  for  those  times.  He  spent 
his  early  life  on  the  home  farm.  When  twenty-two  years  of  age  he  emi- 
grated to  Missouri  and  located  in  Greene  county,  near  Fair  Grove,  where 
he  purchased  a farm  and  engaged  successfully  in  general  farming  and  stock 
raising.  He  taught  school  a number  of  years  with  much  success.  Being 
successful,  the  last  few  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  retirement  from  ac- 
tive work.  His  death  occurred  January  6,  1910.  During  the  Civil  war 
he  was  a soldier  in  the  Eighth  Missouri  Cavalry,  Union  army,  serving  two 
years  in  Company  C,  proving  to  be  a gallant  soldier  in  every  respect.  He 
was  honorably  discharged  in  St.  Louis  on  account  of  disability.  He  took 
part  in  a number  of  minor  engagements.  He  was  a member  of  the  Baptist 
church.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Tennessee,  February  13, 
1841,  and  when  an  infant  her  parents  brought  her  to  Missouri,  where  she 
grew  to  womanhood  on  the  home  farm  near  Fair  Grove  and  was  educated. 
She  and  Mr.  Bryant  were  married  April  6,  1858.  She  was  a member  of 
the  Baptist  church.  Her  death  occurred  December  10,  1911. 

Seven  children  were  born  to  Junius  A.  Bryant  and  wife,  namely: 
Columbus  N. ; Mrs.  Nannie  Dyer,  deceased  : John  F. ; Walter  W. ; Arthur 
W.,  of  this  sketch;  William  S. ; Viola,  deceased. 

Arthur  W.  Bryant  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  worked 
there  during  his  boyhood,  receiving  a good  common  school  education.  He 
began  life  for  himself  by  teaching  school  four  years,  after  which  he  began 
his  career  as  merchant  in  Strafford  in  1896,  and  has  continued  in  the  same 
line  with  ever  increasing  success  to  the  present  time,  enjoying  a large  and 
lucrative  business  with  the  town  and  surrounding  country,  and  always  car- 
rying a well  selected  stock  of  general  merchandise  at  all  seasons.  His  aim 
is  to  deal  courteously  and  fairly  with  all. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI, 


1 222 

Mr.  Bryant  was  married  March  22,  1897,  to  Lola  M.  Bass,  who  was 
born  near  Bassville,  Greene  county,  December  22,  1877,  and  there  she  was 
reared  on  a farm.  She  is  a daughter  of  Martin  V.  and  Edith  (Allen) 
Bass,  who  are  living  still  on  the  old  home  place  and  are  well  known  in 
this  part  of  the  county.  Mrs.  Bryant  received  a good  education  and  in  her 
girlhood  taught  school  several  years.  She  is  a member  of  the  Baptist 
church. 

Five  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Junius 
S.,  born  January  27,  1898;  the  second  child  died  in  infancy;  Nola  M.,  born 
April  6,  1905;  the  fourth  child  died  in  infancy;  Marion  W.,  born  April 
1,  1911. 

Politically,  Mr.  Bryant  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 
the  Modern  Woodmen  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is 
also  a member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  has  always  borne  an  excellent 
reputation  as  a man  and  citizen. 


ROBERT  JENKINS. 

Not  many  Canadians  are  found  within  the  borders  of  Greene  county, 
which  is  a fact  to  be  deplored,  for  we  who  are  conversant  with  these  ster- 
ling people  know  that  no  better  citizens  are  to  be  found  than  they,  and  that 
community  is  indeed  fortunate  who  can  boast  of  a colony  of  them,  for  they 
are,  without  exception,  thrifty,  persevering,  painstaking,  and,  as  a rule,  law 
abiding  and  honorable  in  all  walks  of  life.  One  such  is  Robert  Jenkins,  a 
successful  farmer  of  Jackson  township. 

Mr.  Jenkins  was  born  in  Sarnia,  Ontario,  Canada,  January  6,  1849. 
He  is  a son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Gordon)  Jenkins.  The  father  was 
born  in  Paisley,  Scotland,  and  was  reared  in  that  country  and  received  a 
good  education.  When  a young  man  he  learned  the  iron  molder's  trade, 
which  he  followed  during  his  active  life.  He  was  a member  of  the  Pres- 
bvterian  church.  His  wife  was  also  a native  of  Scotland,  where  she  was 
reared,  and  there  they  were  married  and  from  that  country  emigrated  to 
Canada  about  a year  before  the  birth  of  our  subject,  and  the  family  moved 
to  Michigan  in  1850,  and  there  the  death  of  the  father  occurred  in  1854. 
The  mother,  who  was  a native  of  the  city  of  Glasgow,  died  in  Sarnia,  On- 
tario, in  1858,  to  which  place  she  returned  after  the  death  of  her  husband. 
To  these  parents  four  children  were  born,  namely : Robert,  of  this  sketch ; 

Mrs.  Mary  Gray,  James  and  William.  The  last  named  is  deceased. 

Robert  Jenkins  was  reared  in  Canada  and  Michigan  until  he  was  four- 
teen years  old,  at  which  age  he  joined  the  United  States  army,  in  the  fall 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1223 


<of  1863,  and  fought  with  the  Federals  in  our  great  Civil  war,  under  Cap- 
tain Steele,  of  the  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry.  He  remained  in  the  army 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  seeing  considerable  hard  service.  He  was  with 
Sherman  on  the  march  to  the  sea  through  Georgia,  took  part  in  the  battles 
of  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  and  others,  and  was  honorably  discharged  at 
Raleigh,  North  Carolina.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  went  to  St.  Louis, 
and  later  to  Kansas,  where  he  learned  the  bricklayer's  trade.  From  there 
he  went  to  Texas,  thence  to  Mississippi,  then  returned  to  Missouri  and  lo- 
cated in  Greene  county  in  1872,  where  he  has  since  resided,  owning  a good 
farm  in  Jackson  township. 

Mr.  Jenkins  has  been  twice  married,  first,  to  Mary  Blankenship,  by 
whom  three  children  were  born,  namely : Inez,  Mrs.  Mazie  Baxter,  and 

the  youngest  died  in  infancy.  The  mother  of  these  children  passed  away 
while  living  in  Springfield.  Mr.  Jenkins  then  married,  on  February  27, 
1890,  Mrs.  Ida  M.  (Lmderwood)  Shinn,  widow  of  Grovener  A.  Shinn.  She 
was  born  in  Milton,  Illinois,  April  2,  1856.  She  is  a daughter  of  F.  J.  and 
Daphna  J.  H.  (Bridgeman)  Underwood.  Mrs.  Jenkins  was  reared  in  Illi- 
nois and  received  a good  education.  She  came  to  Missouri  in  1871  and 
was  married  in  1873  to  Mr.  Shinn,  by  which  union  three  children  were  born, 
namely:  John,  Grovner  Leslie  and  Mrs.  Nellie  U.  Gross.  Airs.  Jenkins’  last 
marriage  has  been  without  issue. 

Politically,  our  subject  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Knights  of 
.Pythias,  and  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal  church. 


HARVEY  MURRAY. 

The  name  of  the  late  Harvey  Alurray  stood  out  distinctly  as  one  of 
the  central  figures  in  professional  circles  in  Greene  county.  Continuous  ap- 
plication through  many  years  gave  him  a clear  and  comprehensive  insight 
into  the  philosophy  and  basic  principles  of  jurisprudence,  and  the  largest 
wisdom  as  to  the  method  and  means  of  attainment  of  ends,  and  he  achieved 
success  in  the  courts  when  most  young  men  are  just  entering  upon  the  form- 
ative period  of  their  lives.  A high  purpose  and  a strong  will,  together  with 
virile  mental  powers,  close  application  to  books  and  devotion  to  duty  made 
him  eminently  useful.  His  individuality  was  impressed  upon  any  work  with 
which  he  was  connected,  and  he  was  always  ready  to  assume  any  amount  of 
responsibility  and  labor  incurred  in  accomplishing  his  ends,  when  once  he 
decided  that  he  was  right.  He  is  remembered  as  a broad-minded,  manly 
man,  a credit  to  his  profession  and  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Ash  Grove 
during  the  generation  that  is  past. 


1224 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mr.  Murray  was  born  on  a farm  near  Ash  Grove,  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, February  6,  1864,  and  he  was  a scion  of  one  of  the  prominent  old 
families  of  this  part  of  the  county.  He  was  a son  of  William  and  Malinda 
(Stone)  Murray,  natives  of  Tennessee.  The  father  died  in  Ash  Grove  and 
the  mother  lives  in  Ash  Grove.  The  father  was  a farmer. 

A sketch  of  T.  J.  Murray,  of  Springfield,  a brother  of  our  subject, 
will  be  found  on  another  page  of  this  work. 

Harvey  Murray  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  there  assisted 
with  the  general  work  when  a boy.  He  enjoyed  good  educational  advan- 
tages in  the  schools  of  Ash  Grove,  later  studied  law  and  was  in  due  course 
of  time  admitted  to  the  bar  and  established  himself  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession  in  Ash  Grove.  He  was  successful  from  the  first  and  his  busi- 
ness increased  until  it  assumed  large  proportions  and  he  ranked  among  the 
leading  lawyers  of  the  county.  He  was  painstaking,  earnest  and  diligent, 
kept  fully  abreast  of  the  times  in  all  that  pertained  to  his  profession  and 
all  fully  recognized  and  appreciated  his  character  for  personal  and  profes- 
sional integrity.  He  never  failed  to  fulfill  all  proper  obligations  and  ap- 
pointments in  all  the  relations  with  his  fellow  men,  and  he  was  ever  ready 
to  identify  himself  with  his  fellow  citizens  in  any  good  work  and  extended 
a co-operating  hand  to  advance  any  measure  that  bettered  the  material,  civic 
and  moral  condition  of  his  home  community. 

Mr.  Murray  was  married  in  Bois  D’Arc,  Missouri,  October  19,  1898,. 
to  Fannie  Lambeth,  who  was  born  in  Lawrence  county,  Missouri.  She  is 
a daughter  of  Jennings  W.  and  Julia  (Bymaster)  Lambeth,  a highly  es- 
teemed family,  who  finally  removed  from  Lawrence  county  to  Bois  D’Arc,. 
where  the  father  of  Mrs.  Murray  became  a prosperous  merchant,  and  there  he 
and  his  wife  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  both  dying:  a number  of  years  ago. 
And  it  was  there  that  Mrs.  Murray  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  a 
good  education  in  the  common  schools.  She  has  an  attractive  home  in 
Springfield,  which  is  a favorite  gathering  place  for  her  many  friends,  w!k> 
never  fail  to  find  her  a genial,  entertaining  and  charming  host. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Murray  was  blessed  by  the  birth  of  one 
child,  Marjorie  Murray,  whose  birth  occurred  on  December  25,  1899.  She 
is  attending  high  school  at  this  writing,  and  is  a young  lady  of  much  promise. 

Politically,  Mr.  Murray  was  a Republican,  and  influential  in  local  party- 
affairs.  Fraternally,  he  belonged  to  the  Masonic  order. 

The  lamentable  and  untimely  death  of  Flarvey  Murray  occurred  on 
September  5,  1899,  by  accident,  resulting  from  a fall  from  a stairway  in  the 
business  section  of  Ash  Grove.  His  death  was  a shock  to  the  people  of  this 
community  where  he  was  regarded  as  a leading  citizen  and  an  able  and  suc- 
cessful attorney,  a man  who  was  universally  liked  and  respected. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 22  v 


WESLEY  C.  SIDMAN. 

Worry  conies  from  failure  to  think  properly,  so  we  are  commanded  to 
consider,  be  still  and  know,  and  to  remember  that  we  live  and  move  and  have 
our  being  in  the  same  universal  spirit  which  has  expressed  itself  in  all  the 
wonders  of  the  material  universe.  Even  a flower  is  the  unfolding  of  a vast 
divine  plan.  We  are,  therefore,  not  to  worry  about  our  life,  but  to  take  up 
our  duties  from  day  to  day,  as  we  know  and  understand  the  right  and — 
wait.  The  long  and  honorable  life  of  Wesley  C.  Sidman,  now  living  in  re- 
tirement in  Springfield,  in  the  fulness  of  his  four  score  years  has  lived  along 
such  a plan,  for  he  knew  from  the  start  that  the  best  he  could  do  was  to 
work  industriously,  live  nobly,  and,  therefore,  worry  has  had  little  place  in 
his  nature. 

Mr.  Sidman  was  born  near  Syracuse,  New  York,  September  n,  1834. 
He  is  a son  of  John  B.  and  Mary  (Quick)  Sidman,  both  natives  of  the  state 
of  New  York,  where  they  were  reared  and  received  limited  educations,  and 
there  they  were  married.  They  were  living  in  Ohio  at  the  time  of  the  father’s 
death,  and  the  mother  died  in  Jasper  county,  Missouri,  a few  years  after 
moving  there  from  the  East.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children. 

Wesley  C.  Sidman  grew  to  manhood  in  Athens  county,  Ohio,  and  there 
received  a common  school  education.  In  his  youth  he  learned  the  carpen- 
ter’s and  cabinetmaker’s  trade,  at  which  he  became  quite  expert,  and  followed 
the  same  throughout  his  active  career.  He  remained  in  Ohio  until  1888,  when 
he  came  to  Springfield.  Missouri,  and  here  he  worked  for  the  St.  Louis  N 
San  Francisco  Railroad  Company  for  a period  of  six  years,  in  the  coach  de- 
partment of  the  North  Side  shops,  giving  satisfaction  in  every  respect.  He 
then  continued  his  trade,  working  for  public  schools  until  he  retired  from 
active  life  some  six  years  ago. 

Mr.  Sidman  was  married,  September  9,  1858,  to  Mary  R.  Rose,  who 
was  born  near  Zanesville,  Perry  county,  Ohio,  where  she  grew  to  woman- 
hood and  received  her  education  in  the  public  schools.  She  proved  to  be  a 
most  faithful  helpmate  and  was  a kind  and  generous-hearted  woman,  who 
left  behind  a host  of  good  friends  when  she  passed  to  her  eternal  rest  in  Sep- 
tember, 1908. 

Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sidman.  namely:  William 

D.,  a Methodist  minister,  living  in  Springfield,  is  represented  in  a separate 
sketch  in  this  volume;  John  W.  lives  in  St.  Louis;  Robert  R.  died  on  No- 
vember 20,  1903;  Mrs.  Mary  Elizabeth  Hamilton  lives  in  Carterville,  Mis- 
souri; Mrs.  Delia  Jones  resides  in  Springfield : Mrs.  Captolia  Irving  lives  in 
St.  Louis ; Bessie  M.  has  remained  at  home  with  her  father. 

Politically,  Mr.  Sidman  is  a Republican.  He  is  a member  of  the  Grand 


1226 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Arni)'  of  the  Republic  by  virtue  of  the  fact  that  he  served  four  years  in  the 
Federal  army,  having  enlisted  in  1861  in  Athens  county,  Ohio,  in  Company 
H,  Eighteenth  Regiment  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  he  saw  much  hard 
service  with  the  army  in  the  South,  taking  part  in  numerous  engagements 
and  fighting  gallantly  for  his  country.  He  was  honorably  discharged  in  Vin- 
ton county,  Ohio,  on  September  24,  1865.  Religiously,  he  is  a member  of 
the  Renton  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


WILLIAM  A.  DAGGETT. 

Believing  with  Longfellow  that  “within  ourselves  is  triumph  or  de- 
feat," William  A.  Daggett,  the  present  librarian  at  the  Springfield  State  Nor- 
mal school,  determined  at  the  outset  of  his  career  to  so  shape  his  course  that 
when  life's  goal  was  reached  he  could  look  backward  along  the  labyrinthin 
highway  without  compunction  or  regret,  and  so  far  he  has  left  no  stone  un- 
turned whereby  he  might  honorably  advance  himself. 

Mr.  Daggett  was  born  on  March  14,  1876,  at  Waldoboro,  Lincoln 
county,  Maine.  He  is  a son  of  Athern  E.  and  Helen  M.  (Parsons)  Dag- 
gett, both  natives  of  Maine,  each  representatives  of  old  families  there.  These 
parents  grew  up  and  were  educated  in  the  early-day  schools  of  that  state 
and  were  married  there  in  1875  and  have  since  resided  near  their  early 
day  home.  To  this  union,  one  son,  William  A.,  was  born.  The  mother  was 
a daughter  of  William  and  Margaret  (Fitzgerald)  Parsons,  descendants  of 
English  emigrants  who  established  the  future  home  of  the  family  among 
the  early  settlers  of  Maine.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  reared  on  the 
farm  of  his  parents  and  he  devoted  the  major  portion  of  his  active  life  to 
agricultural  pursuits ; however,  he  engaged  in  other  lines  of  endeavor,  in- 
cluding the  confectionery  business,  for  a period  of  twenty  years.  Politically, 
he  is  a Republican  and  he  belongs  to  the  Congregational  church. 

William  A.  Daggett  attended  the  public  schools  in  his  native  state  and 
when  fourteen  years  of  age  left  there  and  spent  two  years  in  Tabor  Acad- 
emy  at  Marion,  Massachusetts,  then  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  1893 
and  studied  two  years  in  Drury  Academy  and  four  years  in  Drury  College, 
from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Arts  in  1899.  Soon  thereafter  he  accepted  a position  as  assistant  princi- 
pal at  Rogers  Academy,  Rogers,  Arkansas.  He  taught  mathematics  and 
science  there  for  two  years.  Flis  advancement  as  an  educator  was  rapid  and 
it  was  not  long  until  his  services  were  in  demand  in  other  and  larger  fields 
than  the  one  at  Rogers  where  he  won  such  a creditable  record  during  his 
two  years  at  that  place  as  an  instructor.  Learning  of  his  success  the  board 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1227 


of  the  Springfield  high  school  tendered  him  the  position  of  instructor  in 
history,  which  position  he  accepted,  and  in  which  he  accomplished  a work 
of  far-reaching  importance,  such  as  had  probably  never  before  been  attempted 
here  and  more  signally  successful  than  his  former  efforts  as  teacher.  After 
spending  six  years  in  this  school  in  the  department  of  history,  he  was  se- 
lected librarian  at  the  Springfield  State  Normal,  the  duties  of  which  position 
he  has  since  discharged  in  an  able  and  highly  satisfactory  manner,  and  at 
the  same  time  has  taught  some  in  the  history  department ; however,  he  has 
had  no  classes  for  two  years,  his  increasing  work  as  librarian  claiming  all 
his  time  and  attention,  including  his  committee  work  in  the  school  and  the 
library  instruction  course  by  him.  He  has  also  held  positions  as  an  instruc- 
tor in  athletics  and  physical  culture,  in  which  lines  he  has  pronounced  natu- 
ral ability  of  a high  order. 

Mr.  Daggett  was  married  on  June  12,  1900,  to  Evelina  Park,  youngest 
daughter  of  Dr.  William  H.  Park,  a pioneer  doctor  of  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, also  a prominent  business  man  of  Springfield.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Daggett 
are  the  parents  of  two  children,  Athern,  born  on  January  10,  1904,  and 
Algoa,  born  on  April  11,  1906,  and  died  January,  1914. 

Politically,  Professor  Daggett  is  a Republican,  and  a member  of  the 
First  Congregational  church,  in  the  work  of  which  he  has  been  active  and 
influential  for  a number  of  years,  having  been  identified  with  the  various 
branches  of  the  church  of  this  denomination  in  Springfield.  Personally  he  is 
an  unassuming,  accommodating  and  likable  gentleman. 


ELIHU  HIBLER. 

Referring  to  agriculture,  one  of  the  earliest  bards  of  the  English- 
speaking  race  wrote  the  following : “In  ancient  times  the  sacred  plow  was 

emploved  by  the  kings  and  fathers  of  mankind ; and  some,  with  whom 
compared  your  insect  tribes  are  but  the  beings  of  a summer's  day.  Have 
held  the  scale  of  empire,  ruled  the  storm  of  mighty  war  with  unwearied 
hand,  disdaining  little  delicacies,  seized  the  plow  and  greatly  independent 
lived.”  He  might  also  have  added  that  agriculture  has  been  from  the  days 
of  Cain,  the  greatest  of  all  the  arts  of  man.  for  it  is  the  first  in  supplying 
his  necessities.  As  an  agricultural  region,  Missouri  has  no  superiors.  No 
state  has  a more  natural  svstem  of  natural  drainage,  or  a more  abundant 
supply  of  pure,  limpid  water  than  this  state.  Both  man  and  beast  may  slake 
their  thirst  from  a thousand  perennial  fountains  that  form  our  “blue,  rejoic- 
ing streams  that  catch  the  azure  of  the  skies.”  And  here  Nature  has  also 
generously  bestowed  her  attractions  of  climate,  soil  and  scenery  to  please 


1228 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


and  gratify  man  while  earning  his  bread  by  the  sweat  of  his  brow.  Being 
thus  munificently  endowed,  Missouri  offers  superior  inducements  to  the 
farmer,  and  bids  him  reap  varied  harvests  from  her  broad  domain  and 
avail  himself  of  her  varied  resources.  One  of  the  men  of  a past  generation 
who  wisely  decided  to  devote  his  career  to  tilling  the  soil  in  this,  his  native 
state,  was  the  late  Elihu  Hibler,  and  he  was  not  only  amply  repaid  for  his 
toil,  but  found  comfort  in  his  close  communing  with  Nature,  and  this  in 
turn  made  him  a peaceable  and  k’ind-hearted  citizen  who  always  had  the 
good  will  and  respect  of  his  neighbors  and  acquaintances. 

Mr.  Hibler  was  born  in  St.  Louis  county,  Missouri,  July  26,  1846.  He 
was  a son  of  Alton  and  Mary  A.  (Baxter)  Hibler  and  was  one  of  a family 
of  six  children,  an  equal  number  of  sons  and  daughters,  namely:  Leora, 

Isadore  and  William  are  both  deceased;  Elihu,  subject  of  this  memoir; 
Pamella  is  the  wife  of  J.  W.  Hoggs,  of  Springfield,  and  George,  who  lives  in 
Kansas  City,  d he  father  of  the  above  named  children  devoted  his  active 
life  to  general  farming  in  St.  Louis  county,  this  state,  and  there  his  death 
occurred  many  years  ago. 

Elihu  Hibler  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  community  and  assisted 
his  father  with  the  work  on  the  farm  and  there  laid  the  foundation  for  his 
future  success  as  a husbandman.  He  received  his  earlv  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  district,  and  he  remained  in  St.  Louis  county  until 
the  death  of  his  father,  when  he  removed  to  Bates  county,  Missouri,  and  in 
the  year  iS’84  he  purchased  a farm  there,  which  he  operated  successfully 
many  years,  finally  moving  to  Liberal,  Barton  county,  this  state,  where  he 
purchased  a farm,  on  which  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  and  was  known  as 
one  of  the  leading  general  farmers  and  stock  raisers  of  that  locality. 

Mr.  Hibler  was  married  on  July  25,  1889,  in  Bates  county,  to  Prances 
|.  Maxwell,  a daughter  of  Edley  C.  and  Rebecca  J.  (Park)  Maxwell.  The 
father  was  a native  of  Virginia,  where  he  spent  his  early  life,  finally  remov- 
ing to  Bates  county,  Missouri,  where  he  purchased  a farm,  and  there  he 
and  his  wife  still  reside,  highly  respected  citizens.  Their  family  consisted 
of  seven  children,  five  daughters  and  two  sons,  namely:  John  Beauregard 

lives  in  Lt.  Scott,  Kansas;  William  P.  died  in  infancy;  Trances  J.,  widow 
of  Mr.  Hibler.  subject  of  this  memoir;  Mrs.  Lucy  Coon,  of  Pt.  Scott.  Kan- 
sas, is  the  mother  of  seven  sons  and  one  daughter ; Betty  lived  with  her 
parents  on  the  farm;  and  Della  May,  who  died  when  twenty-seven  vears 
of  age. 

Three  children  were  born  to  Elihu  Hibler  and  wife,  namely:  Edith 

Pamella,  born  October  29.  1890,  was  graduated  from  the  State  Normal; 
she  is  married  and  has  one  son,  William  Elihu,  named  after  his  grandfather, 
our  subject,  he  being  the  tenth  William  in  the  family  line  of  descent,  and 
his  birth  occurred  June  14,  1913;  she  has  made  herself  proficient  in  music. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1229 


especially  in  voice  culture,  and  she  has  for  some  time  been  a successful 
instructor  in  music.  Jessie  Gladys,  second  child  of  our  subject  and  wife, 
was  born  October  15,  1894,  was  graduated  from  the  State  Normal  at  Spring- 
field,  specializing  in  domestic  science  and  music.  Mary  Rebecca,  the  youngest 
child,  was  born  July  25,  1897,  is  now  a student  in  the  Springfield  schools 
and  expects  to  take  the  course  in  the  State  Normal.  These  daughters  have 
all  been  given  excellent  educational  advantages,  which  they  have  duly  appre- 
ciated and  properly  improved.  Their  father,  our  subject,  was  a great 
advocate  of  education,  and  himself  a great  reader  and  student  all  his  life. 

Religiously,  Mr.  Hibler  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
He  was  summoned  to  his  eternal  rest  on  January  11,  1906. 


GEORGE  W.  HENDRICKSON. 

Faithfulness  to  duty,  persistence  in  the  pursuit  of  a worthy  object  and 
a desire  to  be  of  service  to  those  about  him  while  laboring  for  his  own  ad- 
vancement have  been  some  of  the  principles  which  have  been  dominating 
factors  in  the  career  of  George  W.  Hendrickson,  the  present  able  assistant 
postmaster  at  Springfield,  in  which  city  he  has  made  his  home  for  a period 
of  twenty-five  years,  and  where  he  was  formerly  engaged  in  mercantile  pur- 
suits. Like  many  of  our  best  citizens  he  hails  from  the  fine  old  Blue  Grass 
state  and  possesses  many  of  the  winning  traits  of  his  progenitors,  who  were 
Southerners. 

Mr.  Hendrickson  was  born  in  Lewis  county,  Kentucky,  January  6, 
i860.  He  is  a son  of  John  T.  and  Jemima  (Myers)  Hendrickson,  and  was 
one  of  ten  children,  an  equal  number  of  sons  and  daughters,  all  now  deceased 
but  four  sons.  John  T.  Hendrickson,  the  father,  was  a native  of  Kentucky, 
where  he  grew  up,  was  educated  in  the  early-day  schools,  married  and  spent 
his  life  as  a general  merchant  and  died  there  in  1896.  Jemima  Myers, 
mother  of  our  subject,  was  of  Pennsylvania  German  stock.  She  met  and 
married  John  T.  Hendrickson  in  Lewis  county,  Kentucky,  and  spent  the 
rest  of  her  life  there,  dying  in  1866. 

George  W.  Hendrickson  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Lewis 
county,  Kentucky,  where  he  worked  when  a boy  and  there  he  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools  during  the  winter  months,  remaining  on 
the  farm  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  where  he  secured  employment  with  a paint  company,  with  which  he 
remained  for  a short  time,  then  secured  a position  as  clerk  for  the  Cincin- 
nati & Memphis  Packet  Company,  which  he  retained  for  ten  years,  then, 
in  1889,  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  he  and  his  brother  engaged 


I-3° 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


in  the  grocery  business  for  four  years,  after  which  he  sold  out  to  his  brother 
—John  F.  Hendrickson,  and  entered  the  political  arena.  He  was  first  em- 
ployed in  the  sheriff’s  office,  where  he  spent  two  years.  Then  served  as 
deputy  circuit  clerk  for  three  years,  after  which  he  accepted  a position,  in 
1898,  as  assistant  postmaster,  which  he  has  retained  to  the  present  time, 
his  long  retention  being  sufficient  evidence  of  his  satisfactory  service,  hav- 
ing discharged  the  duties  of  this  responsible  position  for  a period  of  eighteen 
years  in  a manner  that  reflected  much  credit  upon  himself  and  to  the  satis- 
faction of  all  concerned,  being  accurate,  alert,  painstaking  and  a man  whose- 
integrity  has  never  been  questioned. 

In  1887,  two  years  before  Mr.  Hendrickson  left  his  position  with  the 
Cincinnati  Packet  Company  in  Ohio,  he  married  Mary  Rittenhouse,  of 
Evansville,  Indiana,  a daughter  of  Thomas  H.  Rittenhouse,  whose  family 
consisted  of  three  children. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hendrickson  four  children  have  been  born,  namely : 
Alberta,  born  on  November  4,  1888,  is  librarian  at  the  Springfield  high 
school;  Willa  died  in  infancy;  Georgia,  born  on  June  10,  1896,  was  educated 
in  the  Springfield  public  and  high  schools,  later  attending  Drury  College;: 
John  F.,  born  on  July  11,  1900. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hendrickson  is  a Republican,  and  has  been  loyal  in  his 
support  of  the  party.  He  served  for  three  years  as  a member  of  the  local 
board  of  education  with  Prof.  J.  Fairbanks.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  and  his  family  attend  the  Presby- 
terian church. 


AZARIAH  WILLIAM  LINCOLN. 

One  of  the  best  known  members  of  the  Greene  county  bar  is  Azariah 
William  Lincoln,  who  has  been  practicing  law  in  Springfield  for  thirty  years,, 
during  which  time  he  has  met  with  continued  success  and  has  kept  well 
abreast  of  the  times  in  his  profession.  Concerning  the  sincerity  of  purpose, 
the  unquestioned  probity  and  uprightness  of  conduct  and  character,  the- 
ability  and  honesty  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  it  may  be  said,  they  are  as  well  known 
and  recognized  as  his  name.  It  occurs  occasionally  that  a peculiar  accent 
accompanies  the  declaration,  when  it  is  said  of  anyone,  that  he  is  honest, 
as  if  to  impart  a whisper  of  suggestion  that  the  quality  is  rare  or  exotic. 
In  its  application  to  men  in  responsible  public  position  it  is  not  true;  the 
reverse  of  it  is.  In  its  application  to  lawyers,  as  a body,  which  is  not  infre- 
quently done,  it  is  false;  the  reverse  of  it  is  true.  Both  Mr.  Lincoln  and 
his  son,  Harold  T.  Lincoln,  a rising  young  lawyer,  are  known  to  be  advo- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I23I 


cates  of  strict  honesty  in  all  relations  of  life,  and  this  has  been  one  of  the 
main  secrets  of  their  success. 

Azariah  W.  Lincoln  was  born  in  Iowa  county,  Wisconsin,  September 
25,  1851.  He  is  a son  of  Thomas  Lincoln,  a native  of  Pennsylvania,  who 
went  to  Wisconsin  with  his  parents  when  a child,  and  after  his  maturity 
he  removed  to  Ohio  in  1862,  and  engaged  in  farming.  Plis  death  occurred 
in  May,  1890.  Lie  was  a son  of  Azariah  Lincoln,  who  died  in  Ohio  in  the 
early  sixties. 

Mr.  Lincoln,  of  this  review,  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  Ohio  and  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  at  Delaware,  Ohio,  from 
which  institution  he  was  graduated.  He  began  studying  law'  with  James  E. 
Wright,  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1881,  before 
the  supreme  court  of  that  state,  but  instead  of  devoting  his  attention  to 
practice  he  engaged  in  educational  work,  was  elected  county  superintendent 
of  schools,  which  responsible  position  he  held  for  three  years  with  satis- 
faction to  all  concerned.  He  then  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  1884, 
and  began  the  practice  of  law,  which  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time, 
and  has  been  very  successful  all  along  the  line  and  ranked  among  the  leaders 
of  the  bar  here  from  the  first.  He  w'as  judge  of  the  probate  court  from 
1887  to  1895,  and  was  judge  of  the  criminal  court  for  two  years.  As  a 
jurist  he  more  than  met  the  expectations  of  his  friends  and  discharged  his 
duties  in  a manner  that  reflected  much  credit  upon  his  ability  and  fidelity, 
his  decisions  being  noted  for  their  fairness  and  profound  insight  into  the 
basic  principles  of  jurisprudence,  as  well  as  his  familiarity  with  the  statutes. 
He  is  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Lincoln  & Lincoln,  and  with  his  son 
enjoys  a large  practice. 

In  April,  1885,  the  marriage  of  Judge  Lincoln  occurred  to  Jennie  M. 
Adams,  a native  of  Mt.  Gilead,  Ohio,  a daughter  of  Henry  H.  Adams,  a 
merchant,  who  at  present  resides  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Lincoln,  in  Spring- 
field,  Missouri.  His  wife  was  know  in  her  maidenhood  as  Isabel  U.  Swaner. 

To  the  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  three  sons  were  born — William 
Lincoln,  born  in  Springfield,  in  January,  1887,  was  graduated  from  the 
local  high  school,  later  attending  Drury  College  several  terms;  he  married 
Pauline  Burns  in  1908;  she  is  a daughter  of  F.  M Burns,  and  to  this  union 
one  child  has  been  born,  William  Burns  Lincoln,  whose  birth  occurred  in 
January,  1910.  Harold  Thomas  Lincoln,  second  son  of  Judge  Lincoln 
and  wife,  was  born  in  Springfield  November  11.  1888.  He  was  graduated 
from  the  Springfield  high  school  and  from  the  Columbia  Law  School  in 
Ohio,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  with  his  father  in  1909, 
and  he  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  younger  generation  of  the 
Greene  county  bar.  In  December,  1911,  he  married  Maggie  Sims,  and  to 
this  union  one  daughter  has  been  born,  Margaret  Lincoln.  Harold  T. 


12^2 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Lincoln  is  a Republican.  He  was  appointed  city  tax  attorney,  which  position 
he  held  two  years,  and  was  assistant  prosecuting  attorney  of  Greene  county 
under  James  H.  Mason.  Urged  by  his  friends,  he  was  a candidate  for  city 
attorney  in  1914,  and  his  election  was  regarded  from  the  first  as  most 
probable,  since  he  is  popular  with  all  classes,  and  his  record  as  a public 
servant  in  his  former  capacities  was  most  commendable  in  every  respect. 

Elwvn  Russell  Lincoln,  youngest  son  of  the  Judge  and  wife,  was  born 
in  Springfield,  October  26,  1896,  and  died  October  27,  1913. 

Mr.  Lincoln  is  a Republican.  He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  order 
.and  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men.  Religiously  he  belongs  to  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church. 


CHARLES  L.  ROBERTSON. 

Year  has  been  added  to  year  and  decade  to  decade  until  seventy-seven 
years  have  been  numbered  with  the  past  since  Charles  I.,  Robertson,  a ven- 
erable and  highly  honored  farmer  of  Murray  township,  came  to  Greene 
county,  this  long  span  of  years  embracing  nearly  the  whole  of  his  life,  which 
has  been  spent  in  this  locality.  Upon  the  arrival  of  the  Robertson  family 
this  section  of  the  state  was  largely  an  undeveloped  region,  awaiting  the 
awakening  touch  of  the  sturdy  pioneers  to  transform  its  wild  lands  into 
rich  farms  and  beautiful  and  comfortable  homes,  to  establish  churches  and 
schools,  and  in  many  other  ways  reclaim  the  country  for  the  use  of  man. 
•Our  subject  has  played  well  his  part  as  a citizen  of  enterprise  and  public 
spirit,  has  lived  to  see  and  take  part  in  the  transformation  of  the  county, 
whose  interests  he  has  ever  had  at  heart,  and,  having  been  a close  observer 
all  the  while,  he  is  an  interesting  talker  on  what  the  vicissitudes  of  time  has 
wrought  here. 

Mr.  Robertson  was  born  in  Hamilton  county,  eastern  Tennessee,  April 
5,  1837.  He  is  a son  of  Jefferson  and  Mary  Ann  (Lodspeach)  Robertson, 
representatives  of  very  old  Southern  families.  Jefferson  Robertson  was 
Torn  in  Roane  county,  Tennessee,  in  1806,  and  there  he  grew  up  and  mar- 
ried and  made  his  home  until  1837  when  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, with  his  family,  Springfield  then  being  known  to  many  of  the  settlers 
as  “Stump  Town.”  In  1839  he  purchased  two  hundred  acres  of  land  where 
•our  subject  now  lives,  the  latter  owning  forty  acres  off  this  tract.  The 
father  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming,  and  here  he  resided  until  his 
death  in  1877,  was  known  to  his  neighbors  as  an  honest,  hospitable  and  hard 
working  man.  He  was  a Democrat,  and  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church.  South,  first,  when  the  services  of  this  denomination  were  held 
in  Murray  school  house;  later,  when  a church  house  had  been  built  at  Willard, 
he  attended  there.  His  wife  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Tennessee,  and 


ME.  AND  MRS.  CHARLES  ROBERTSON. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1233 


when  nine  years  old  she  left  there  with  her  parents  and  the  family  located  at 
Sweetwater,  Tennessee,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  married.  She 
was  born  in  1817  and  died  May  9,  1908,  at  the  unusual  age  of  ninety-one 
years,  having  outlived  her  husband  thirty-one  years,  he  having  died  in  the 
prime  of  life.  She  was  a grand  old  lady,  beloved  by  all  who  knew  her. 

To  Jefferson  Robertson  and  wife  eleven  children  were  born,  namely: 
Charles  L.  of  this  review;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ann  Young  of  Willard,  Greene 
county;  Mrs.  Nancy  Caroline  Grant  of  Polk  county,  Missouri;  Mrs. 
Armeldia  Potter  of  Oklahoma;  John  Lindsay  of  Oklahoma;  Mrs.  Josephine 
Gilmore,  of  Cave  Spring,  Cass  township,  Greene  county;  Mrs.  Eliza  Jane 
Snider,  who  lives  on  the  old  homestead  in  Murray  township;  Mrs.  Sally 
Murray,  of  Murray  township;  Mrs.  Martha  Frances  Philips,  of  Panhandle, 
Texas;  the  two  youngest  children  died  in  infancy  unnamed. 

Charles  L.  Robertson  was  about  two  years  old  when  his  parents  brought 
him  from  the  mountains  of  Eastern  Tennessee  to  the  vicinity  where  he  now 
resides  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father’s  farm  and  there  worked 
hard  when  a boy  in  assisting  to  clear  and  develop  the  place,  and  during  the 
winter  he  attended  the  brief  sessions  of  the  old-time  subscription  schools  in 
his  locality.  He  remained  on  the  homestead  until  he  was  twenty-one  years 
of  age  then  began  farming  for  himself,  settling  on  a part  of  what  he  now 
owns  and  has  lived  here  continuously  to  the  present  time,  successfully] 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  Pie  owns  one  hundred  and 
twenty-acres,  one  hundred  acres  of  which  is  under  cultivation.  He  has 
been  a hard  working  man  all  his  life  and  has  a well  improved  and  well 
kept  place  and  a good  group  of  outbuildings.  He  always  keeps  an  excellent 
grade  of  various  kinds  of  live  stock  and  is  one  of  the  best  known  men  ip 
the  township,  respected  by  all  his  acquaintances. 

Mr.  Robertson  was  married  May  10,  1857,  to  Eliza  Ann  Wittenburg, 
a native  of  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  a daughter  of  Phelix  and  Nancy 
(Robberson)  Wittenburg,  both  natives  of  Eastern  Tennessee,  the  father 
born  August  17.  1810,  and  the  mother  August  15,  1820.  The  latter  was 
eleven  years  old  when  her  parents  brought  her  to  Missouri  and  she  died  here 
October  5,  1844. 

Ten  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robertson,  all  dying  in  early 
childhood  but  two,  who  are  still  living.  Mrs.  Mary  Caroline  Olinger,  of 
Murray  township,  this  county;  and  William  J.,  who  lives  in  Walnut  Grove, 
Missouri. 

Politically  Mr.  Robertson  is  a Democrat,  but  has  never  aspired  to  office, 
preferring  a quiet  home  life.  He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  South,  at  Pearl,  Cass  township,  where  his  wife  and  daughter  also 
hold  membership.  During  the  Civil  war  he  served  three  months  in  the 
'Confederate  army  in  a very  creditable  manner. 

(7§) 


1234 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


WILLIAM  M.  SMITH,  M.  D. 

One  of  the  best-known  physicians  of  the  city  of  Springfield,  an  hon- 
ored veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  and  for  a quarter  of  a century  one  of  the 
respected  citizens  of  Greene  county,  is  Dr.  William  M.  Smith.  He  chose 
medicine  as  his  life  profession  and  life  purpose  and  pursuit.  The  environ- 
ment of  his  earlier  years,  its  discipline,  his  college  course  and  drill,  the 
culture  that  comes  from  hooks  and  study  and  travel,  the  success  with  which 
he  has  met  as  a physician,  and  the  standard  in  his  profession  to  which  he 
has  risen — all  testify  to  the  wisdom  of  his  choice. 

Dr.  Smith  was  born  in  Barnesville,  Ohio,  June  7,  1842.  He  is  a son 
of  John  C.  and  Hannah  (Thompson)  Smith.  The  father  was  born  in  1817, 
was  reared  a Quaker,  and  was  a carpenter  and  contractor  during  his  active 
life.  Toward  the  early  part  of  the  Civil  war,  although  then  advanced  in 
years,  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army  in  August,  1862,  in  the 
One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Col. 
John  LI.  Howe,  and  he  served  in  the  battles  around  Vicksburg,  Mississippi, 
but  the  hardships  of  army  life  proved  too  much  for  him  and  he  died  before 
his  term  of  enlistment  had  expired  and  was  buried  in  the  National  cemetery 
at  Mound  City,  Illinois.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  January  18, 
1818,  in  Huntington  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  a daughter  of  Amos 
Thompson,  a farmer.  She  came  with  her  family  to  Ohio  when  she  was  a 
child,  and  her  parents  both  died  in  that  state.  She  spent  the  latter  part  of 
her  life  at  the  home  of  our  subject  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  her 
death  occurred  in  1889,  and  was  buried  in  Hazelwood  cemetery  here.  Some 
of  the  maternal  great-great-uncles  of  our  subject  were  soldiers  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war.  The  family  is  of  German-English,  Scotch  and  Irish  ancestry. 

Dr.  Smith  was  reared  in  Ohio  and  there  he  received  his  early  education 
in  the  common  schools,  later  graduating  from  the  Kewanee  Academy,  at 
Kewanee,  Illinois,  and  was  preparing  for  college  at  the  time  of  his  enlist- 
ment in  the  Federal  army,  in  September,  1861,  in  Company  A,  Forty-second 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Col.  Stewart,  later  serving  under  Col. 
Northrop.  He  saw  considerable  hard  service  and  proved  to  be  a gallant 
defender  of  the  flag,  participating  in  the  battles  of  Farmington.  Stone  River, 
and  the  great  battle  of  Chickamauga,  in  which  he  was  wounded  and  taken 
prisoner,  but  was  later  paroled  and  sent  to  General  Hospital  in  St.  Louis. 
He  was  honorably  discharged  at  St.  Louis  at  the  expiration  of  term  of 
enlistment  and  later  re-enlisted,  February  7,  1865,  in  the  Ninth  Illinois 
Cavalry,  serving  until  October,  1865,  and  was  discharged  at  Selma,  Alabama. 
After  bis  career  in  the  army  Dr.  Smith  returned  home  and  taught  school 
for  several  terms,  devoting  his  spare  time  to  the  study  of  medicine,  and  in 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1235 

1868  he  entered  the  Keokuk  Medical  College,  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  later  entering 
Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1870. 
He  first  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Atkinson,  Illinois,  remaining 
there  nine  years,  and  had  a good  practice ; he  then  went  to  Sterling,  Illinois, 
and  practiced  three  years,  after  which  he  moved  to  Beadle  county,  South 
Dakota,  where  he  practiced  six  years,  and  in  1888  came  to  Springfield, 
Missouri,  where  he  has  remained  to  the  present  time,  enjoying  an  excellent 
practice  all  the  while  and  ranking  among  the  leading  general  practitioners 
in  the  county. 

Dr.  Smith  is  a member  of  the  Greene  County  Medical  Society,  the 
Southwest  Missouri  Medical  Society,  the  Missouri  State  Medical  Asso- 
ciation and  the  American  Medical  Association.  He  was  president  of  the 
first  named  society  for  one  term.  He  belongs  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic.  He  has  been  secretary  of  the  local  board  of  pension  examiners 
for  the  past  sixteen  years.  Politically  he  is  a Republican  and  religiously  is 
a member  of  the  Congregational  church. 

Dr.  Smith  married  Viola  M.  Ferrin,  December  15,  1870.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Isaac  and  Maria  (Bailey)  Ferrin,  both  natives  of  New  England. 
Mrs.  Smith’s  father  died  when  she  was  an  infant.  The  mother  spent  her 
last  years  with  our  subject  and  died  at  his  home  in  Springfield  in  1890. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Dr.  Smith  and  wife,  namely:  Wells 
Ferrin,  born  in  Atkinson,  Illinois,  in  1871,  was  educated  in  the  Springfield 
high  school  and  Drury  College,  later  was  graduated  from  Beaumont  Medical 
College,  in  1898,  and  he  began  his  practice  in  Springfield,  securing  a position 
in  the  Frisco  Hospital,  where  he  remained  two  years,  then  removed  to 
Arkansas,  and  is  now  division  surgeon  for  the  Iron  Mountain  Railroad, 
with  headquarters  at  Little  Rock.  He  married  Robbie  Blythe,  of  Clarks- 
ville, Arkansas,  in  1905,  and  they  have  four  children,  Helen,  lohn,  Elsie 
and  Elizabeth.  He  is  a thirty-second  degree  Mason,  and  is  a fine  surgeon. 
Charles  Wilbur  Smith,  second  son  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Atkinson, 
Illinois,  in  1873,  was  educated  in  the  Springfield  high  school  and  Drury 
College,  also  studied  at  the  Beaumont  Medical  College,  graduating  with  the 
class  of  1901,  later,  in  1902,  taking  a post-graduate  course  in  the  St.  Louis 
Hospital.  He  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Iveota,  Missouri,  in 
1902,  and  remained  there  six  years,  then  came  to  Spring-field  and  has  been 
engaged  in  practice  here  ever  since,  and  is  one  of  the  most  successful  of  our 
younger  surgeons  and  general  practitioners,  doing  a great  deal  of  surgery. 
He  is  a member  of  the  Greene  County  Medical  Society,  the  Missouri  State 
Medical  Association,  the  Southwest  Missouri  Medical  Society  and  the 
American  Medical  Association.  He  was  at  one  time  health  commissioner 
of  the  city  of  Springfield.  He  is  a thirty-second  degree  Mason,  and  also 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  B.  P.  O.  E.  He  married  Mary  Helen 


1236 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Vail  in  1902.  She  is  a daughter  of  Edward  Vail,  superintendent  of  a local 
coal  company.  One  child  has  been  born  to  Dr.  Charles  W.  Smith  and  wife, 
a daughter,  Vail  Smith,  whose  birth  occurred  in  1903.  Amy  Jessie  Smith, 
daughter  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Atkinson,  Illinois,  was 
educated  in  the  Springfield  high  school  and  graduated  from  Drury  College. 
She  married  Alfred  H.  Mansfield,  an  attorney,  now  chief  claim  agent  of 
the  Missouri  Pacific  Railroad;  they  reside  in  St.  Louis.  To  this  union  one 
child  has  been  born,  Elizabeth,  born  on  August  8,  1914.  Winifred  Elizabeth 
Smith,  youngest  of  our  subject’s  children,  was  born  in  South  Dakota,  was 
educated  in  the  Springfield  high  school  and  Drury  College,  and  she  married 
O.  J.  McCutcheon,  president  of  the  McCutcheon  Bros.  Vehicle  & Harness 
Company,  of  Springfield;  to  them  one  child,  Elizabeth,  was  born  in  1910  in 
this  city.  The  above  named  children  were  given  every  advantage  as  to 
education  and  general  preparation  for  life,  and  they  are  all  popular  wherever 
they  are  known,  and  are  well  situated  in  life. 


JOHN  H.  SHACKELFORD. 

The  Shackelford  family  has  been  known  in  Greene  and  Webster  coun- 
ties during  the  past  three-quarters  of  a century,  the  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  review  having  established  the  future  home  of  the  family  here  in  the 
year  1840  when  Springfield  consisted  of  a few  log  huts,  lately  the  site  of 
the  Kickapoo  Indian  village;  when  the  county  was  sparsely  settled  and  very 
little  development  had  been  done,  the  virgin  soil  being  covered  with  im- 
mense woods  or  rank  wild  grass,  the  haunts  of  many  kindreds  of  the  wild. 
So  the  elder  Shackelford  was  an  important  factor  in  the  early  civilization 
of  the  county,  for  he  was  a builder  by  profession  and  was  a man  who  never 
quailed  at  hardships  and  loved  to  see  reclaimed  this  region  of  promise.  From 
that  early  day  to  this  the  name  of  the  family  here  has  been  one  against  which 
no  aspersions  could  be  cast,  and  has  always  stood  for  good  citizenship. 

One  of  the  best  known  of  the  present  generation  is  John  H.  Shackel- 
ford, widely  known  contractor  of  North  Campbell  street,  Springfield,  who 
was  born  on  October  7,  1855,  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  who  has 
spent  his  life  here  and  in  the  adjoining  county  of  Webster.  He  is  a son 
of  Garland  and  Mary  E.  (Forren)  Shackelford,  and  is  a scion  of  old  Vir- 
ginia people  on  his  father’s  side.  Garland  Shackelford  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia, January  16,  1816,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  spent  his  life 
until  1840  when  he  emigrated  overland  to  Missouri,  reaching  the  present 
site  of  Springfield  on  June  17th  of  that  year.  He  had  learned  the  carpen- 
ter’s trade  when  a young  man  in  his  native  state  and  he  at  once  began 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1237 


working  at  the  same  in  his  new  community,  and  had  the  distinction  of  build- 
ing the  first  frame  house  in  Greene  county,  which  was  erected  for  Major 
Powell,  father-in-law  of  Martin  J.  Hubble.  Pie  did  a great  deal  of  carpenter 
work  and  contracting  and  built  many  of  the  best  houses  in  this  locality  in 
the  pioneer  days.  In  1850  he  joined  the  gold  seekers  across  the  great 
western  plains,  making  the  perilous  journey  to  California,  with  Rip  Weaver 
and  Joe  Farris.  He  returned  to  Springfield  in  1851,  on  account  of  sickness, 
making  the  return  trip  by  way  of  the  Isthmus  of  Panama.  Upon  his  arrival 
here  he  purchased  a farm  two  miles  from  town,  and  continued  building  and 
farming  for  six  years,  and  in  1857  removed  to  Marshfield,  Webster  county, 
this  state,  where  there  was  a better  field  for  his  contracting  and  building 
business.  There  he  also  bought  a fanning  and  carding  mill.  He  became 
one  of  the  leading  men  of  that  county,  and  there  he  spent  the  rest  of  his 
life,  reaching  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-two  years,  his  death  occurring  on 
July  9,  1908.  He  was  twice  married,  Mary  E.  F'orren  being  his  first  wife, 
and  to  this  union  thirteen  children  were  born,  six  sons  and  seven  daughters, 
six  of  whom,  two  sons  and  four  daughters  survive,  namely:  Garland  C., 

of  Springfield;  Mrs.  Mattie  Robertson,  of  Marshfield;  Mrs.  Loma  Darby, 
of  Center  Point,  Texas;  Mrs.  Amelia  McKnight,  of  Nevada,  Missouri;  Mrs. 
Josephine  E.  Lyon,  of  Marshfield,  Oregon,  and  John  H.,  of  this  review. 
The  mother  of  these  children  was  born  in  Tennessee  where  she  spent  her 
girlhood,  coming  to  Springfield  when  twelve  years  of  age,  her  mother  hav- 
ing died  some  time  previously.  She  came  to  this  locality  with  her  father 
who  was  a farmer,  and  here  he  died  during  one  of  the  scourges  of  cholera 
which  swept  the  country  at  intervals  in  those  early  times.  The  death  of 
Mrs.  Shackelford  occurred  on  January  14,  1892,  and  the  father  of  our 
subject  subseciuentlv  married  Miss  Elian  Whiticar.  His  last  union  was 
without  issue. 

John  H.  Shackelford  was  two  years  old  when  his  parents  removed  with 
him  from  Greene  to  Webster  county  in  1857,  and  he  grew  to  manhood  at 
Marshfield  where  he  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  He 
assisted  his  father  with  his  general  work  as  a carpenter,  contractor  and  mill 
man  while  growing  up,  and  upon  reaching  maturity  engaged  in  business  for 
himself  first  as  a farmer  and  later,  March  16,  1883,  he  came  to  Springfield 
and  here  he  has  resided  ever  since,  engaging  in  business,  for  the  most  part 
as  a contractor  for  gravel  and  composition  roofing.  His  present  establish- 
ment is  located  at  968  North  Campbell  street,  where  lie  is  well  equipped 
for  the  prompt  and  successful  carrying  on  of  his  line  of  endeavor,  and  he 
has  built  up  an  extensive  and  constantly  growing  business  and  employs  a 
large  number  of  skilled  workmen.  He  has  a reputation  for  honest,  high- 
grade  and  quick  work  and  is  one  of  the  popular  contractors  of  Springfield. 
He  always  handles  the  best  of  materials  and  his  prices  are  reasonable. 


1238 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mr.  Shackelford  was  married  on  July  4,  1886,  to  Emma  Donald,  a 
daughter  of  William  Donald,  of  Saline  county,  Missouri.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  five  children,  namely:  Mrs.  Julia  Shelby,  of  Springfield,  was  twice 

married,  first  to  ex-senator  S.  R.  Bridges;  she  has  three  children;  Mrs. 
Ella  Louder  is  deceased;  Emma,  who  is  the  wife  of  Mr.  Shackelford  of  this 
sketch;  Leancler  McCord  Donnell,  of  Springfield,  married  Rosie  Roberts, 
and  they  have  four  children;  Royal,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Saline 
county,  this  state,  married  Mattie  Crowder,  and  they  have  two  children. 

To  John  H.  Shackelford  and  wife  two  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Bessie  E.  Tolia  Shackelford  married  Lake  H.  Gibson,  of  Springfield;  he 
is  city  salesman  for  the  G.  D.  Milligan  Grocery  Company,  and  Louis  C. 
Shackelford,  who  was  born  on  May  24,  1892,  was  educated  in  the  Spring- 
field  schools  and  Christian  Brothers  College,  St.  Louis;  he  is  engaged  in  the 
same  line  of  business  as  his  father — gravel  and  composition  roofing,  and  is 
a promising  young  business  man. 

Politically,  Mr.  Shackelford  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
the  Royal  Arcanum  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  and  his 
family  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church. 


THOMAS  OTIS  KLINGNER,  M.  D. 

Whether  in  the  substance  of  our  human  nature  or  the  spiritualities  of 
an  expectant  future  being,  mankind  is  inclined  to  cling,  with  fierce  tenacity, 
to  not  only  the  hope  that  the  ego  may  not  disappear,  but  that  the  tangible, 
if  dissolving  personally,  may  be  fittingly  remembered.  To  rescue,  preserve 
and  perpetuate  was  the  mission  of  the  ancient  Chronicles,  and  this  is  the 
province  of  history ; and  equally  so,  of  biographic  narrative.  “Man’s  so- 
ciality of  nature,”  says  Carlyle,  “evinces  itself,  in  spite  of  all  that  can  be 
said,  with  abundant  evidence  by  this  one  fact,  were  there  no  other;  the 
unspeakable  delight  he  takes  in  biography.”  So  when  a man  like  Dr. 
Thomas  Otis  Klingner,  one  of  the  best-known  specialists  of  his  class  in 
Greene  countv,  has  reached  the  honored  position  in  the  vicinity  which  he 
has  attained,  it  is  meet  that  something  of  his  individuality  be  set  forth. 

Dr.  Klingner  was  born  near  Fair  Grove,  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
March  3,  1874.  He  is  a son  of  John  and  Mollie  (Shade)  Klingner.  The 
father  was  born  at  North  Vernon,  Indiana,  in  1844,  and  there  he  spent  his 
earlier  years  working  on  the  farm  and  attending  the  district  schools  during 
the  winter  months,  and  later  he  began  teaching  in  the  rural  schools,  which 
vocation,  in  connection  with  farming  part  of  the  year,  he  continued  for 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I239 


some  time.  He  eventually  emigrated  to  Missouri  and  located  in  Greene 
county,  where  he  purchased  a farm  near  the  village  of  Fair  Grove  and  there 
he  still  resides,  having  developed  a good  farm  and  reared  his  children  in 
comfort,  giving  them  proper  educational  advantages.  For  many  years  he 
has  served  his  community  as  a local  preacher  in  the  Methodist  church,  in 
which  he  is  an  earnest  and  influential  worker,  and  is  called  on  by  all  denomi- 
nations to  conduct  funerals  and  marriages.  He  is  widely  known  in  his  end 
of  the  county  and  everybody  is  his  friend.  His  good  wife,  who  has  proven 
to  be  a most  worthy  helpmeet,  was  born  in  1845. 

This  family  is  of  German  descent,  as  the  name  would  indicate,  the 
paternal  grandfather,  August  Klingner,  having  been  a native  of  Bingen, 
Germany,  from  which  country  he  emigrated  to  America  in  an  early  day,  with 
his  wife,  and  settled  at  North  Vernon,  Indiana,  where  he  engaged  in  farming, 
and  there  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  The  maternal  grand- 
father, Henry  Shade,  who  was  of  Scotch  descent,  was  a machinist  by  trade, 
and  he  resided  at  many  different  places,  but  spent  the  latter  part  of  his  life 
on  a farm  near  Fair  Grove,  Missouri. 

Seven  children  were  born  to  John  Klingner  and  wife,  named  as  follows: 
Dr.  Thomas  Otis,  of  this  sketch ; Henry  Augustus  resides  at  Wray,  Colorado, 
where  he  is  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business;  John  W.  lives  in  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  and  is  engaged  in  the  undertaking  business ; Charles  E.  is  a 
farmer  and  has  remained  on  the  homestead  with  his  parents;  George  Mack, 
of  Roswell,  New  Mexico,  is  professor  of  English  in  the  high  school  there; 
Mamie  Louise,  who  has  taught  school  for  about  twenty  years,  has  remained 
single  and  lives  at  home ; Florence  Elizabeth,  also  unmarried,  lives  with  her 
parents  on  the  farm. 

Dr.  Thomas  O.  Klingner  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  there  did 
his  full  share  of  the  work  during  the  crop  seasons,  and  during  the  winter 
he  attended  the  district  schools,  later  entered  Morrisville  College,  at  Morris- 
ville,  Polk  county,  Missouri,  where  he  completed  the  course  leading  to  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Philosophy,  however,  was  not  graduated.  AYhen  about 
eighteen  years  of  age  he  commenced  life  for  himself  by  earning  his  own 
living  and  obtaining  money  by  teaching  with  which  to  educate  himself,  also 
followed  other  pursuits,  and  in  1895  he  entered  the  Missouri  Medical  Col- 
lege at  St.  Louis,  where  he  made  a good  record  and  from  which  he  was 
graduated  with  the  class  of  1898  with  the  highest  honors  in  that  class. 
Returning  to  Greene  county,  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at 
AVillard,  where  he  remained  three  years  as  a general  practitioner,  then  spent 
two  years  at  Walnut  Grove,  this  county,  enjoying  a good  practice  at  both 
places.  In  1903  he  took  the  civil  service  examination  and  went  to  AALish- 
ihgton,  D.  C.,  where  he  was  given  employment  in  the  medical  department 


1240 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


of  the  Pension  Bureau,  remaining  there  three  years  to  the  eminent  satis- 
faction of  the  department.  The  last  two  years  there  he  had  the  management 
of  the  eye  and  ear  department.  Pie  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  1906, 
established  an  office  on  Commercial  street,  which  he  has  maintained  for  the 
past  nine  years,  building  up  a large  and  lucrative  practice,  which  is  rapidly 
growing,  and  he  is  now  located  at  318  Landers  building.  He  has  taken  his. 
place  in  the  front  rank  of  his  professional  brethren  who  confine  themselves, 
to  the  treatment  of  the  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat.  He  has  met  with  great 
success  in  this  field.  His  experience  in  Washington  City  was  invaluable  to 
him,  but  in  order  to  further  equip  himself  for  his  chosen  work  he  took  a 
post-graduate  course,  in  1906,  in  the  Chicago  Eye,  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat 
College;  also  in  1912  took  a post-graduate  course  in  the  Chicago  Polyclinic. 

Dr.  Klingner  is  a member  of  the  Greene  County  Medical  Society,  the 
Southwest  Missouri  Medical  Society,  the  Missouri  State  Medical  Asso- 
ciation, and  the  American  Medical  Association,  being  a Fellow  of  the  last 
named.  He  has  been  secretary  of  the  Greene  County  Medical  Society  for 
the  past  five  years,  also  has  been  president  of  the  State  Association  of 
Medical  Secretaries  and  counsellor  for  the  Twenty-eighth  District.  He  is 
oculist  and  aurist  for  the  Burge-Deaconess  Hospital,  the  Southwest  Missouri 
Hospital,  the  Children’s  Home  and  the  hospital  for  the  St.  Louis  & San 
Francisco  Railroad  Company.  He  is  also  vice-president  of  the  Southwest 
Missouri  Hospital,  and  is  secretary  of  the  J.  W.  Klingner  undertaking 
establishment.  In  all  of  the  above  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility  he 
has  discharged  his  duties  .in  a manner  that  has  reflected  much  credit  upon 
himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned. 

Dr.  Klingner  was  married  in  1900  to  Effie  May  Kernaghan,  who  was 
born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  November  27,  1874.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Jesse  and  Elizabeth  Kernaghan,  for  many  years  residents  of  this  county, 
who  later  made  their  home  in  Joplin,  Missouri.  Mr.  Kernaghan,  who  en- 
gaged in  contracting  for  many  years,  is  now  practically  retired  from  active 
life.  His  wife  died  in  Joplin  in  1904  and  was  buried  there.  Mrs.  Klingner 
was  reared  in  Greene  county  and  educated  in  the  public  schools  here. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  two  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Keat- 

ing Kenneth,  born  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  in  1904,  died  in  1908,  and  Mary 
Elizabeth,  born  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  January  10,  1913. 

Fraternally  Dr.  Klingner  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  Order  and  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat,  and  in 
religious  matters  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South. 

Personally  the  Doctor  is  a gentleman  of  the  highest  integrity  and  socia- 
bility and  the  high  position  he  has  gained  in  the  medical  profession  and  the 
countv  is  in  every  way  deserved. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 24  I 


DANIEL  MARTIN  NEE. 

One  of  the  most  promising  of  the  younger  members  of  the  Greene 
county  bar  is  Daniel  Martin  Nee,  a member  of  the  firm  of  De  Vorss  & Nee. 
He  seems  to  be  the  possessor  of  the  necessary  qualification  for  a success  in 
the  legal  field  and  has  most  carefully  prepared  himself  for  his  chosen  calling, 
taking  a great  deal  more  pains  in  this  respect  than  many  of  the  older  lawyers. 
By  wise  and  judicious  legislation,  a barrier  has  been  interposed  against  an 
easy  and  miscellaneous  invasion  of  the  legal  profession,  and  those  who 
propose  to  enter  it  must  submit  to  the  rigid  requirements  of  the  laws  of 
the  present  time.  The  prescribed  course  of  study  must  be  observed,  the 
ordeal  of  examination  must  be  borne,  and  fixed  grades  and  standards  must 
be  touched  before  the  applicant  can  cross  the  statutory  line  that  separates 
him  from  the  bar.  The  result  is,  the  profession  draws  its  nutriment  from 
a better,  cleaner,  stronger  and  more  intellectual  class — men  fitted  for  the 
profession  and  who  will  sustain  its  high  character.  Our  subject  is  of 
this  class. 

Mr.  Nee  was  born  at  Thayer,  Oregon  county,  Missouri,  April  1,  1888, 
but  most  of  his  life  has  been  spent  in  Springfield,  Greene  county,  whither 
the  famity  removed  when  he  was  a child.  He  is  a son  of  Coleman  C.  and 
Mary  (Foley)  Nee,  both  natives  of  Ireland,  and  from  his  progenitors  our 
subject  seems  to  have  inherited  many  characteristics  of  the  Celtic  race 

which  will  be  of  inestimable  benefit  to  him  as  a lawyer.  These  parents 

spent  their  earlier  years  in  the  Emerald  Isle,  from  which  they  emigrated 
to  the  United  States  when  young.  The  Foley  ancestry  were  mostly  tillers 
of  the  soil.  Coleman  C.  Nee  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  his  native  locality  and  when  eighteen  years  of  age  emigrated  to  our 
shores.  Finally  penetrating  into  the  Middle  West,  he  took  up  his  residence 
at  Thayer,  Missouri,  where  he  engaged  in  business.  Seeking  a larger  field 
for  his  operations,  he  removed  to  Springfield  twenty  years  ago  and 
has  been  a successful  business  man  here  ever  since,  well  known  about  town 
and  highly  respected.  Patrick  Nee,  the  paternal  grandfather,  was  born  in 

Ireland,  lived  and  died  there,  following  the  sea  for  a livelihood ; in  fact, 

most  of  the  Nee  progenitors  were  sailors  by  profession,  and  noted  for  their 
ability  and  bravery  in  this  line. 

Daniel  M.  Nee  grew  to  manhood  in  Springfield  and  here  he  received 
his  education,  first  attending  the  parochial  schools,  later  was  graduated 
from  the  public  schools  and  high  school  and  attended  Drury  College  for  a 
time.  In  1906  he  entered  the  law  department  of  the  University  of  Missouri, 
where  he  made  a splendid  record  and  from  which  he  was  graduated  with 
the  class  of  1912.  In  July  of  that  year  he  commenced  practicing  in  Spring- 


1242 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


field  in  partnership  with  J.  T.  De  Vorss,  and  notwithstanding  the  fact  that 
the  firm  is  a new  one,  they  are  doing  a very  satisfactory  volume  of  business, 
with  very  bright  prospects,  their  auspicious  start  auguring  well  for  the 
future. 

Mr.  Nee  has  for  some  time  been  well  known  locally  as  an  athlete  and 
has  devoted  considerable  attention  to  athletics,  of  which  he  has  been  a suc- 
cessful teacher,  and  has  coached  many  baseball  and  football  teams  with 
gratifying  results,  and  at  this  writing  he  is  in  charge  of  the  athletic  teams 
at  Drury  College.  He  was  a professional  baseball  player,  and  by  his  excel- 
lent work  during  vacation  periods  as  a member  of  some  good  team  he 
earned  money  to  defray  his  expenses  in  college,  thus  being  enabled  to  obtain 
his  professional  education. 

Mr.  Nee  is  unmarried.  He  is  a Democrat  politically,  and  in  religious 
matters  is  a Catholic.  He  is  a member  of  the  University  Club  and  the 
■Sigma  Chi.  He  was  popular  among  the  students  while  in  school  in  Spring- 
field  and  at  the  University. 


LEONIDAS  CLARK  ROSS,  M.  D. 

It  is  no  invasion  of  the  province  of  propriety  to  narrate  or  chronicle 
the  exploits,  achievements,  character  or  the  lesser  or  larger  deeds  of  a man 
who  is  yet  a living  personality.  The  truest  biographic  insight  of  an  indi- 
vidual will  come  to  him  who  knows  him  best,  has  most  closely  studied  him 
in  his  particular  spheres  of  thought  and  action,  and  who  has  the  advantage 
of  aids  of  the  subject  of  his  narrative,  as  the  living,  suggesting  source  and 
inspiration  of  it.  The  artist’s  picture  of  the  vanished  original  will  not  be 
an  accurate  photograph  of  it.  It  was  a maxim  of  the  Egoists,  who  were 
uncertain  of  everything,  only  a few  things,  that  “each  one  submit  to  a 
record  of  himself,  for  his  self’s  sake,  but  especially  for  his  friends.”  Thus 
it  affords  the  biographer  pleasure  to  set  forth  appropriately,  but  succinctly, 
and,  we  hope,  accurately,  the  life  record  of  Dr.  Leonidas  Clark  Ross,  who, 
owing  to  the  enviable  position  he  has  gained  in  the  medical  circles  of  Greene 
county,  is  entitled  to  specific  mention  within  these  pages. 

Dr.  Ross  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  January  I,  i860,  and 
is  a scion  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  prominent  families  of  the  county. 
He  is  a son  of  Rev.  David  and  Eliza  (Robberson)  Ross,  the  father  a promi- 
nent minister  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  South,  for  many  years 
in  the  pioneer  days.  His  death  occurred  on  January  6,  1869.  The  mother 
was  a sister  of  the  late  Dr.  E.  T.  Robberson,  of  Springfield,  Missouri,  and 
also  a representative  of  an  old  and  well-known  family.  William  Ross,  our 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1243 


subject’s  paternal  grandfather,  died  in  Morgan  county,  and  was  buried  at 
Versailles,  this  state.  William  Robberson,  the  maternal  grandfather,  spent 
his  life  in  Tennessee,  died  and  was  buried  at  Farmington,  that  state. 

Dr.  Ross’  brother,  Dr.  F.  E,  Ross,  was  for  over  a half  century  one  of 
the  best  known  physicians  of  Greene  county,  having  practiced  medicine  in 
Springfield  from  1865  until  his  death  in  1910.  Elis  widow  still  lives  in 
this  city. 

Dr.  L.  C.  Ross  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  community  and  received 
his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  Springfield.  Finally  deciding  upon  a 
career  as  a physician,  he  entered  the  Missouri  Medical  College  at  St.  Louis, 
where  he  made  a good  record  and  from  which  institution  he  graduated 
with  the  class  of  1891.  In  April  of  that  year  he  began  the  practice  of  his 
profession  in  Springfield,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present  his  patients 
have  continued  to  increase  in  numbers  until  he  is  now  a very  busy  man  and 
ranks  with  the  most  successful  general  practitioners  of  the  county.  Dr. 
Ross  is  a post  graduate  of  the  New  York  Polyclinic,  attending  in  the  year 
1895. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Greene  County  Medical  Society,  the  Missouri 
State  Medical  Association,  the  Southwest  Missouri  Medical  Society  and 
the  American  Medical  Association.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
Order.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat,  and  in  religious  matters  belongs  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South. 

Dr.  Ross  has  remained  unmarried.  He  is  well  liked  by  a wide  acquain- 
tance, being  a man  of  pleasing  address  and  good  habits. 


NANDY  C.  WILLIAMS,  M.  D, 

To  have  the  human  name  preserved  has  ever  been,  not  only  the  desire, 
but  one  of  the  illustions  of  the  race  and  will  doubtless  always  be.  Mauso- 
leums are  built  and  the  tablets  hewn — “A  graven  stone  to  plead  for  tears 
with  alien  eyes,”  for  the  purpose  of  binding  in  memory  the  fact  of  a life. 
In  the  very  earliest  of  the  Hindoo  mythology  the  milk  of  the  sea  was  mys- 
tically churned  to  make  the  amrita  which  gave  immortality;  and,  all  litera- 
ture since  bears  trace  of  similar  fancies.  This  desire  to  be  remembered, 
that  our  dust  shall  retain  the  tender  regard  of  those  whom  we  leave  behind; 
that  the  spot  where  it  shall  lie  will  be  remembered  with  a kind  and  soothing 
reverence;  that  our  children  will  visit  it  in  the  midst  of  their  sorrows;  and 
our  kindred  in  after  times  will  feel  that  a local  inspiration  hovers  round  it, 
has  been  one  of  the  most  potent  forces  in  the  history  of  man.  Hence  the 
value  and  importance  of  biography  and  a volume  of  the  nature  of  the  one 


1244 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


in  hand,  embracing  as  it  does  the  leading  characters  in  the  drama  of  civili- 
zation as  staged  in  Greene  county,  one  of  the  well  known  and  deserving 
actors  in  it  of  the  present  generation  being  the  successful  physician  of  Spring- 
held,  whose  name  forms  the  caption  of  this  article. 

Dr.  Nandy  C.  Williams  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Iowa,  February 
25,  i860.  He  is  a son  of  Uriah  F.  and  Jane  (Graham)  Williams.  The 
father  was  born  near  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  and  there  spent  his  earlier  years, 
finally  emigrating  to  Warren  county,  Iowa,  where  he  established  the  family 
home.  He  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming,  and  his  death  occurred  in 
1878.  His  wife  preceded  him  to  the  grave  in  1871.  William  Williams,  the 
paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a soldier  in  the  Mexican  war  and 
was  killed  in  battle. 

Doctor  Williams  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  and  much  hard  work  fell 
to  his  lot  when  he  was  a boy ; however,  he  was  ambitious  and  forged  ahead 
despite  obstacles.  Fie  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  community  and  also  spent  three  years  in  the  Simpson  Seminary 
College  at  Indianola,  Iowa,  and  in  1884  he  entered  the  Iowa  State  Univer- 
sity at  Iowa  City,  where  he  remained  two  years.  In  order  to  defray  the 
expenses  of  a college  course,  having  to  depend  entirely  upon  his  own  re- 
sources, he  engaged  in  any  kind  of  honorable  work  he  could  get  to  do  dur- 
ing vacations,  and  taught  school  seven  years.  His  undaunted  determina- 
tion brought  success.  Making  up  his  mind  to  enter  the  medical  profession 
at  an  early  age  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  while  still  in  school  and  began 
practicing  under  a preceptor  in  1888,  and  in  1894  received  his  degree  from 
Barnes  Medical  College,  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  In  1895  he  came  to  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession,  which  he  has  con- 
tinued to  the  present  time  with  much  success,  and  has  long  since  ranked  with 
the  best  and  most  popular  general  practitioners  in  Greene  county. 

On  June  17,  1885,  Doctor  Williams  was  married  to  Etta  A.  Lyman, 
who  was  born  near  Bloomington,  Wisconsin,  March  9,  1862.  She  is  of 
Welsh  ancestry.  To  the  doctor  and  wife  one  son  was  born,  Leslie  E.,  born 
at  Clifton  Hill,  Randolph  county,  Missouri,  December  9,  1891 ; he  was  edu- 
cated in  public  and  high  schools  at  Springfield,  this  state,  later  spending 
three  years  in  the  Fine  Arts  Academy  at  Chicago;  he  taught  one  year  in 
the  Art  Institute  of  Chicago,  in  1913,  and  is  now  engaged  in  commercial 
art  work;  he  lives  in  New  York  City,  and  is  unmarried;  he  was  evidently 
born  with  the  artistic  temperament,  which  has  been  well  developed  and  he 
gives  promise  of  a brilliant  career  in  his  chosen  field  of  endeavor. 

The  parents  of  our  subject’s  wife  are  both  deceased,  George  Lyman, 
the  father,  who  devoted  his  life  successfully  to  farming,  died  in  1898,  but 
was  living  retired  at  the  time  of  his  death.  His  wife  had  preceded  him  to 
the  grave  in  1890. 


-GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1245 


Doctor  Williams  is  a member  of  the  Greene  County  Medical  Society, 
the  Southwest  Missouri  Medical  Society,  the  Missouri  State  Medical 
Association  and  the  American  Medical  Association.  Fraternally,  he  belongs 
to  the  Masonic  order,  including  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine  and  the  Order  of  Eastern  Star;  he  also  belongs  to  the  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat,  and  in 
religious  matters  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian  church  which  he  faithfully 
supports. 


THEODORE  A.  COFFELT,  M.  D. 

A name  that  is  deserving  of  a high  position  in  the  list  of  physicians  in 
Greene  county  is  that  of  Dr.  Theodore  A.  Coffelt,  formerly  a Methodist 
minister.  He  is  appreciated  and  respected  in  every  relation  of  life — profes- 
sional, social  and  religious — a learned  doctor,  a sincere  and  reliable  citizen, 
and  in  the  better  and  higher  conception  of  him,  an  honest  man.  The  unos- 
tentatious candor  and  openness  of  his  character  were  never  warped  by  selfish 
instincts,  or  obscured  by  professional  ardor.  As  a friend  and  neighbor  he 
is  known  as  a genial,  generous,  kind-hearted  man,  free  from  circuity  and 
deceit,  gentle  in  disposition,  modest,  judicious,  placid,  reasonable  and  just; 
who  holds  his  own  and  his  friend’s  honor  above  all  the  blandishments  of 
passion  and  the  seductions  of  ambition  and  wealth;  and  who  aims  to  come, 
as  nearly  as  human  nature  can  come,  to  loving  his  neighbor  as  himself. 

Doctor  Coffelt  was  born  in  McDonald  county,  Missouri,  April  io, 
1855.  He  is  a son  of  Rev.  Wyatt  and  Jane  (Sligar)  Coffelt,  the  father  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  and  who  devoted  his  active  life  principally  to  the  min- 
istry and  was  one  of  the  prominent  pioneer  preachers  of  his  day.  He  spent 
the  last  years  of  his  life  on  a farm.  His  death  occurred  in  Springfield, 
Missouri,  October  17,  1901,  and  he  was  buried  in  the  Coffelt  cemetery  near 
Mason  Valley,  Benton  county,  Arkansas.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was 
a daughter  of  Adam  Sligar,  a German;  she  was  born  on  June  18,  1816,  in 
McMinn  county,  Tennessee.  Her  death  occurred  on  January  20,  1886.  She 
and  her  husband  are  buried  in  the  same  cemetery.  They  became  parents  of 
a large  family,  twelve  children,  an  equal  number  of  sons  and  daughters. 

Philip  Coffelt,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  born  in 
Greenbriar  county,  Virginia,  now  a part  of  West  Virginia.  He  was  a son 
of  Henry  Coffelt,  a native  of  Germany,  from  which  country  he  emigrated 
to  America  in  the  old  Colonial  days.  He  was  a member  in  George  Wash- 
ington’s company  at  the  time  of  Braddock’s  defeat,  during  the  French  and 
Indian  war.  Henry  Coffelt  married  Ellen  Ryan,  who  was  born  in  Ireland, 
from  which  country  she  emigrated  to  America  when  five  years  of  age.  She 


1246 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


and  her  older  brother  were  captured  by  the  Indians  when  she  was  seventeen 
years  old,  but  effected  their  escape  after  eight  weeks  of  captivity.  Their 
freedom  was  gained  by  the  wit,  perseverance  and  ingenuity  of  the  girl.  Her 
brother  was  lame,  suffering  with  what  was  then  known  as  white  swelling 
of  the  hip.  When  the  Indians  were  within  one  day's  journey  of  their  set- 
tlement they  compelled  this  girl  and  her  lame  brother  to  carry  wood  from 
the  nearby  forest  into  camp.  The  girl  suspected  that  this  meant  that  they 
were  to  be  burned  at  the  stake  while  the  red  men  engaged  in  their  accus- 
tomed revels  on  such  occasions.  So  she  instructed  her  brother  how  to 
leave  the  encampment,  where  to  go  and  await  her  coming.  He  got  away 
late  in  the  afternoon  and  when  night  came  on  she  made  a break  for  liberty 
herself.  Finding  her  brother  at  the  appointed  rendezvous,  they  concealed 
themselves  under  a fallen  tree  in  a dense  thicket  and  remained  there  for  three 
days,  never  daring  to  move.  At  one  time  the  Indians  in  their  search  for 
the  runaways  climbed  upon  the  very  tree  under  which  the  children  were 
lying.  All  the  sister  and  brother  had  to  eat  during  that  trying  period  was 
the  dried  tongue  of  a horse  which  Ellen  had  stolen  from  her  captors  shortly 
before  she  escaped.  Finally  deciding  that  it  was  safe  for  them  to  leave 
their  hiding-place  they  traveled  by  night,  secreting  themselves  during  the 
day,  and  eventually  came  to  the  Ohio  river,  which  was  at  that  season  low, 
and,  finding  a shallow  place  the  girl  carried  her  brother  on  her  back  across 
the  river,  which  she  waded.  The  hardships  proved  too  much  for  the  cripple 
and  when  sixty  miles  from  home  he  died.  Ellen  having  no  way  of  digging 
a grave,  placed  the  body  in  the  crotch  of  a fallen  tree,  and  with  much  hard 
work  piled  limbs  of  trees,  rocks  and  leaves  over  the  body,  and  that  was  his 
only  grave.  She  made  her  way  back  home  which  she  reached  after  much 
privation  and  suffering  from  hunger  and  exposure.  After  Ellen  Ryan’s 
marriage  to  Flenry  Coffelt  they  settled  in  Greenbriar  county,  Virginia,  and 
to  them  ten  children  were  born.  One  of  their  sons,  Philip,  was  the  grand- 
father of  Dr.  Coffelt  of  this  sketch.  He  married  a Miss  Wyatt,  of  English 
ancestry,  who  was  a cousin  of  Sir  Francis  Wyatt,  first  governor  of  Virginia 
under  old  Colonial  conditions. 

Doctor  Coffelt  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  the 
high  school  at  Pea  Ridge,  Arkansas,  after  which  he  entered  the  medical  de- 
partment of  Vanderbilt  University,  Nashville,  Tennessee,  in  1883,  where 
he  remained  one  term,  and  in  1885  entered  the  Missouri  Medical  College 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1886.  He  has  been  a practicing  physician 
and  surgeon  since  1884.  His  earlier  years  were  spent  in  Arkansas.  Leav- 
ing that  state  in  1891  he  entered  the  post-graduate  department  of  the  Mis- 
souri Medical  College,  where  he  remained  until  1893,  then  removed  to  Car- 
thage, Missouri,  and  began  practicing  as  a specialist  on  the  eye,  ear,  nose  and 
throat.  Remaining  there  two  years,  he  then  entered  the  ministry  of  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1247 


Methodist  Episcopal  church.  South,  and  was  thus  engaged  from  1895  to 
1901,  having  joined  the  Southwest  Missouri  Conference.  During  that  pe- 
riod of  six  years  he  served  the  congregations  of  that  denomination  two  years 
at  Pineville,  in  his  native  county;  two  years  at  Willard,  Greene  county;  and 
two  years  at  Marshfield,  Webster  county.  He  did  an  excellent  work  in 
building  up  the  churches  at  these  places  and  was  regarded  as  an  earnest, 
faithful  and  capable  pastor  in  every  sense  of  the  word.  But  on  account  of 
failing  health  he  gave  up  the  ministry  and  resumed  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine, opening  an  office  in  Springfield  where  he  has  since  remained,  confin- 
ing himself  to  the  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat,  in  which  field  he  has  few  equals 
and  no  superiors  in  southwest  Missouri  and  has  enjoyed  a constantly  grow- 
ing business  all  the  while.  He  maintains  an  up-to-date  suite  of  rooms  in 
the  Woodruff  building.  In  order  to  further  equip  himself  for  this  special 
line  of  work,  the  doctor  took  the  course  in  the  New  York  Post-Graduate 
School  of  Medicine,  from  which  he  was  graduated,  and  he  also  has  a certifi- 
cate of  graduation  from  Washington  University,  1888. 

Doctor  Coffelt  is  a member  of  the  Greene  County  Medical  Society,  the 
Southwest  Missouri  Medical  Society,  the  Missouri  State  Medical  Asso- 
ciation, the  Western  Academy  of  Ophthalmology  and  Oto-Laryngology  and 
the  American  Medical  Association.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic Order,  including  the  Royal  Arch  and  the  Council  degrees.  Politically, 
he  is  a Democrat,  and  he  belongs  to  the  St.  Paul  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
South.  He  has  always  been  an  ardent  worker  in  the  lines  of  his  profession. 
He  has  been  president  of  the  Greene  County  Medical  Society,  also  president 
of  the  Southwest  Missouri  Medical  Society,  vice-president  of  the  Mis- 
souri State  Medical  Association,  and  in  1908  was  appointed  a delegate  to  the 
international  tuberculosis  congress  which  convened  in  Washington,  D.  C. 
He  is  now  president  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Springfield  Hospital. 

Doctor  Coffelt  was  married  on  October  1,  1885,  to  Mary  M.  Clayton, 
a native  of  Arkansas,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated. 
She  is  a daughter  of  Rev.  John  M.  and  Cynthia  (Dameron)  Clayton.  The 
father’s  death  occurred  in  1902  and  the  mother  passed  away  September, 
1914,  in  Fayetteville,  Arkansas. 

Five  children  have  been  born  to  Doctor  Coffelt  and  wife,  named  as 
follows:  Everett  C.,  born  at  Pea  Ridge,  Arkansas,  July  14,  1886,  was  edu- 

cated in  the  high  school  in  Springfield  and  Drury  College;  he  married  Vita 
Hampton,  and  they  have  two  children,  Kenneth,  born  in  1912,  in  Kansas 
City,  and  Kathryn  Ruth,  born  on  March  1,  1915.  Thejr  reside  on  a farm  in 
Webster  county,  Missouri.  Anna  Maud,  second  child  of  Doctor  Coffelt, 
was  born  in  Pea  Ridge,  Arkansas,  September  5,  1889,  was  educated  in  the 
Springfield  high  school  and  Drury  College,  also  attended  the  State  Normal 
here,  and  is  at  this  writing  a student  in  the  Ward-Belmont  School  at 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1248 


Nashville,  Tennessee.  Oscar  T.,  the  second  son,  was  born  in  Pea  Ridge, 
Arkansas,  December  18,  1890,  was  graduated  from  the  Springfield  high 
school  and  is  now  a student  of  Drury  College,  where  he  will  graduate  with 
the  class  of  1915;  Mabel  Ruth,  born  in  Willard,  Missouri,  September  19, 
1898,  is  attending  high  school  in  Springfield;  Glenn  Palmore,  born  in  Marsh- 
field, this  state,  July  11,  1900,  is  in  his  last  year  in  ward  school. 

Doctor  Coffelt  is,  practically  speaking,  a self-made  and  self-educated 
man,  and  is  a credit  to  himself,  his  family  and  the  public;  he  is  a master  of 
his  specific  profession,  and  justly  merits  the  large  practice  which  he  has 
gained  through  skilful  work,  honest  dealings  and  courteous  manners. 


LAFAYETTE  A.  ROSS. 

One  of  the  venerable  and  most  widely  known  citizens  of  the  northern 
part  of  Greene  county  is  Lafayette  A.  Ross,  who  has  spent  practically  the 
entirety  of  his  nearly  four  score  years  in  this  locality,  which  he  has  seen 
grow  from  a wild  and  sparsely  settled  prairie,  dotted  with  log  cabins,  when 
land  could  be  secured  for  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  per  acre  to  its 
present  thriving  state  when  some  of  the  best  acres  are  worth  one  hundred 
and  seventy-five  dollars  each  and  modernly  appointed  homes  are  numerous. 
And  in  this  great  transformation  he  has  played  well  his  part  in  every  respect. 
His  long-  life  of  usefulness,  industry  and  charitable  acts  has  won  for  him 
the  sincere  affection  of  almost  every  man,  woman  and  child  in  Murray  town- 
.ship,  and  of  many  of  those  living  in  townships  adjacent.  His  early  industry 
has  resulted  in  his  possession  of  a neat  competence,  and  while  he  still  enjoys 
the  glow  of  the  golden  rays  of  the  sun  of  life  that  must  eventually  set  behind 
the  horizon  of  the  inevitable,  he  shares  that  enjoyment  with  no  stint  in  the 
companionship  of  the  members  of  his  family  and  his  wide  circle  of  friends, 
won  through  his  residence  here  of  more  than  three-quarters  of  a century. 

Mr.  Ross  was  born  in  Robberson  township,  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
February  21,  1835.  He  is  a son  of  David  and  Louisa  (Robinson)  Ross. 
David  Ross,  who  was  one  of  the'  noted  pioneer  preachers  of  southwestern 
Missouri,  and  one  of  the  most  extensive  agriculturists  and  stock  men  of 
'Greene  county,  was  born  in  Kentucky,  March  12,  1812,  and  he  was  six 
years  of  age  when  his  parents,  William  and  Elizabeth  Ross,  removed  with 
their  family  to  Boonville,  Cooper  county,  Missouri.  William  Ross  was  a 
man  of  ability  and  an  expert  surveyor.  While  living  in  Cooper  county  he 
laid  off  the  town  of  Boonville,  and  about  that  time  was  employed  by  the 
government  of  Mexico  to  assist  in  surveying  the  greater  portion  of  what  is 
now  the  state  of  Texas.  After  returning  from  the  Southwest  to  Cooper 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1249 


county  he  brought  his  family  to  Greene  county,  having  maintained  his  home 
in  the  former  county  six  years.  He  took  up  a claim  in  Robberson  town- 
ship, before  this  locality  had  been  surveyed,  and  on  this  he  erected  a log 
cabin,  made  such  other  improvements  as  were  necessary  in  placing  raw 
prairie  land  under  cultivation,  but  he  subsequently  moved  to  Bolivar,  Polk 
county,  and  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  for  seven  years,  then  located  at 
Versailles,  Morgan  county,  this  state,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life, 
dying  when  past  eighty  years  of  age.  Plis  widow  died  at  the  home  of  their 
son,  David  Ross,  when  past  eighty-two  years  of  age.  They  were  a sterling 
old  pioneer  couple  and  did  much  for  the  advancement  of  early  civilizing 
influences  in  this  section  of  the  state.  David  Ross  was  twelve  years  of  age 
when  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  Robberson  township  Greene  county, 
from  Boonville.  Here  he  engaged  in  farming,  erecting  a log  cabin  and 
starting  in  true  primitive  fashion,  and,  being  a hard  worker,  a man  of  rare 
foresight  and  good  judgment  he  prospered  with  advancing  years  and  became 
owner  of  over  five  hundred  acres  of  fine  farming  land  here,  which  he 
brought  up  to  a high  state  of  cultivation  and  improvement  and  carried  on 
general  farming  and  stock  raising  on  an  extensive  scale,  raising  large  num- 
bers of  horses,  mules,  cattle,  hogs  and  sheep  annually,  and  was  a most  ex- 
cellent judge  of  live  stock.  He  was  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  influen- 
tial of  the  early  settlers  in  this  locality.  For  a period  of  over  thirty-five 
years  he  was  a minister  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South,  and 
preached  in  Springfield  for  many  years  and  all  over  this  country.  He  was 
profoundly  versed  in  the  Bible,  was  an  earnest,  forceful  and  eloquent 
preacher  of  the  old  school.  His  wife,  Louisa  Robinson,  was  born  in  Ten- 
nessee about  1815,  and  her  death  occurred  on  the  home  place  in  Greene 
county  at  an  advanced  age.  He  died  in  1869  at  ^ie  a§'e  °f  fifty-six  years, 
when  in  the  zenith  of  his  powers. 

To  David  Ross  and  wife  twelve  children  were  born,  namely:  Lafayette 
A.,  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  the  eldest;  William  Monroe;  Dr.  Francis 
Emery,  now  deceased,  was  for  over  a quarter  of  a century  one  of  the  lead- 
ing physicians  of  Springfield;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Jane  Whitlock  lives  in  Spring- 
field;  Mrs.  Mary  L.  Skeen  lives  in  Ash  Grove,  this  county;  David  W.  lives 
at  Willard;  Mrs.  Sarah  Melissa  Watson  lives  at  Morrisville,  Polk  county; 
Mrs.  Henrietta  Josephine  Robinson  lives  in  Texas:  Mrs.  Cordelia  Robinson 
lives  in  Oklahoma ; Bennett  J.  is  farming  in  Murray  township ; Mrs.  Laura 
Emma  Appleby  lives  in  Topeka,  Kansas:  Dr.  Leonadus  Clark  is  practicing 
medicine  in  Springfield. 

Lafayette  A.  Ross  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  worked 
hard  when  a boy,  and  received  such  educational  advantages  as  the  early 
schools  afforded.  He  remained  on  the  farm  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of 
(79) 


1250 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


age,  when,  on  April  io,  1853,  he  started  overland  across  the  great  western 
plains  to  the  gold  fields  of  California  where  he  remained  three  years,  return- 
ing home  on  July  7,  1856.  His  experiences  on  his  long  journey  to  and 
from  the  Pacific  coast  and  while  in  the  West  forms  a most  important  and 
interesting  chapter  in  his  life  record.  With  the  exception  of  this  brief 
period  he  has  always  lived  in  the  locality  of  his  birth,  and  has  resided  in 
his  present  home  since  in  April,  1868,  or  over  forty-six  years.  Pie  owns  a 
finely  improved  and  well-kept  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  which 
was  a raw,  unpromising  looking  tract  when  he  purchased  it,  but  by  hard 
work  and  close  application  he  has  made  a fine  farm  of  it  and  has  a commo- 
dious residence  and  substantial  group  of  outbuildings,  his  place  being  now 
well  worth  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  dollars  per  acre.  He  has  always 
followed  general  fanning  and  stock  raising,  and  he  is  still  active,  although 
the  frosts  of  old  age  are  upon  him,  but  he  has  had  an  exceptionally  robust 
constitution  and  has  lived  a careful  life.  Pie  is  a man  of  fine  business  judg- 
ment and  broad-minded  in  practical  affairs. 

Mr.  Ross  was  married  on  September  21,  1856,  to  Malinda  Evans,  a. 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Leathers)  Evans,  all  three  natives  of 
North  Carolina.  Joseph  Evans  was  bom  in  1804,  and  was  fourth  in  a fam- 
ily of  seven  children.  He  grew  up  in  his  native  state  and  when  a young 
man  learned  the  millwright’s  trade  which  he  followed  in  connection  with 
farming,  plying  his  trade  during  the  winter  months.  He  removed  with  his. 
family  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1840,  locating  in  Robberson  town- 
ship, at  the  edge  of  what  has  long  been  known  as  Robberson  Prairie.  Pie 
built  the  first  frame  house  in  Greene  county,  and  also  had  the  distinction  of 
building  here  the  first  saw  mill  and  grist  mill.  He  sawed  logs  for  his  home 
out  of  black  walnut  trees  that  would  now  be  worth  a small  fortune.  Pie 
became  a prosperous  farmer  and  influential  citizen  among  the  early  day 
residents.  His  death  occurred  in  September,  1888,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-five  years.  Ten  children  were  born  to  Joseph  Evans  and  wife,  four 
of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing,  namely : Alexander  makes  his  home  in 

Springfield;  Malinda,  wife  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Emma 
McDaniel,  who  resides  in  Springfield;  Daniel  McCord  lives  in  Willard,  this 
county.  The  paternal  grandparents  of  these  children  were  Daniel  Evans 
and  wife,  who,  with  their  son,  John,  emigrated  from  England  to  the  United' 
States  in  an  early  day  and  settled  in  North  Carolina. 

Eight  children  have  been  born  to  Lafayette  A.  Ross  and  wife,  namely: 
George  Emery  lives  in  Texas;  William  J.  makes  his  home  at  Morrisville, 
Polk  county;  Mrs.  Emma  Ault  lives  in  Tulsa,  Oklahoma;  Mrs.  Lula  R. 
Appleby  is  living  on  the  home  place  with  her  parents ; David  Edward  lives 
in  Willard;  Walter  Evans  makes  his  home  in  Oklahoma.  Two  died  in 
infancy. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1251 


Mr.  Ross  is  a Democrat  but  he  has  never  held  public  office  or  desired 
to  be  other  than'  a quiet,  honorable  and  unobtrusive  citizen.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South,  at  Willard,  has  been  secretary 
and  trustee  of  the  church  at  different  times.  His  wife  is  also  a member  of 
the  same  church,  and  both  are  much  interested  in  general  church  affairs. 


STAHL  BROTHERS. 

The  firm  of  Stahl  Brothers,  horse-shoers  and  general  blacksmiths  at 
218-220-222  West  Pacific  street,  Springfield,  is  one  of  the  most  widely 
known  and  popular  of  its  kind  in  Greene  county  and  special  mention  of  the 
success  of  these  young  men  in  this,  one  of  the  oldest  and  at  the  same  time 
one  of  the  most  important  and  indispensable  of  the  trades,  should  be  noted 
in  a work  of  the  nature  of  the  one  in  hand.  They  believe  in  employing  pro- 
gressive methods  in  their  work  and  maintain  a modernly  equipped  shop, 
where  high-grade  work  is  promptly  done,  and  their  customers  come  from 
over  a wide  territory  adjacent  to  Springfield. 

William  F.  Stahl,  senior  member  of  the  firm,  was  born  on  September 
26,  1878,  in  Sullivan,  Franklin  county,  Missouri.  He  is  a son  of  Julius  and 
Louise  (Rauch)  Stahl,  both  natives  of  the  state  of  New  York  and  of  Ger- 
man descent,  but  they  were  reared  in  St.  Louis,  and  they  are  now  living  in 
Springfield.  The  father  is  a contractor  in  concrete  work  and  is  one  of  the 
well-known  men  in  his  line  in  this  locality,  having  lived  here  twenty-six 
years,  removing  at  that  time  from  Lebanon,  Laclede  county,  Missouri.  To 
Julius  Stahl  and  wife  five  children  were  born,  all  still  living,  namely:  Will- 

iam F.,  Ernest  A.,  Charles  H.,  Julius  A.,  and  Paul  W. 

William  F.  Stahl  received  a common  school  education  and  when  he 
began  life  for  himself  it  was  in  the  brick  business,  later  was  with  his  father 
in  the  concrete  business,  finally  learning  the  blacksmith’s  trade,  having  com- 
menced working  at  the  age  of  eighteen  for  a blacksmith  on  Commercial 
street,  Springfield.  He  then  went  to  Watrous,  New  Mexico,  and  went  into 
business  as  a blacksmith  for  himself,  and  later  established  a shop  at  Canyon 
City,  Colorado,  where  he  remained  until  1906,  when  he  returned  to  Spring- 
field  and  continued  his  business  in  partnership  with  L.  L.  Calk  at  the  corner 
of  Campbell  and  Pacific  streets,  later  purchased  one-half  interest  in  the  firm 
of  Stryker  & Morgan,  buying  out  Mr.  Morgan.  Then  our  subject’s  brother, 
Charles  H.  Stahl,  bought  a one-third  interest  in  the  business,  the  firm  name 
changing  to  Stryker  & Stahl  Bros.  The  latter  purchased  Mr.  Stryker’s  in- 
terest in  1908  and  have  since  conducted  the  business  under  the  firm  name  of 
Stahl  Bros.,  at  the  present  location,  and  have  built  up  a large  and  constantly 


1252 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


increasing  business  and  enjoy  a reputation  for  honest  and  excellent  work  as 
horse  shoers  and  general  blacksmiths.  They  began  in  a modest  way,  start- 
ing with  a small  shop,  but  in  1912  it  was  necessary  for  them  to  add  two  new 
buildings,  and  they  are  now  occupying  a large,  well-arranged  and  substantial 
two-story  brick  structure  and  are  the  leading  blacksmiths  on  the  north  side 
of  the  city  and  equal  to  any  in  Greene  and  adjoining  counties.  Beside  them- 
selves they  require  seven  skilled  assistants. 

William  F.  Stahl  was  married  on  August  7,  1908,  to  Bessie  Sanders, 
who  was  born  in  Mountain  Grove,  Missouri,  and  is  a daughter  of  William 
Sanders  and  wife.  The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stahl  has  been  without 
issue. 

Politically,  he  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen 
and  the  Eagles,  having  been  treasurer  of  the  latter  lodge  for  the  past  six 
years,  is  also  treasurer  of  the  Fraternal  Aid,  of  which  he  has  been  a member 
for  a number  of  years.  He  is  a member  of  the  Germania  Club  and  the 
German  Brotherhood. 

Charles  H.  Stahl,  junior  member  of  the  firm,  was  born  on  October  11, 
1883,  in  Lebanon,  Missouri,  and  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  in  Springfield  and  when  a boy  began  learning  the  blacksmith’s  trade 
and  has  since  followed  this  vocation  in  Springfield.  In  his  earlier  career  he 
worked  for  some  time  in  the  shop  of  L.  L.  Calk.  He  has  remained  unmar- 
ried. Politically,  he  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen 
and  the  Eagles,  the  Germania  Club  and  the  German  Brotherhood.  Both 
these  young  men  stand  well  in  the  circles  and  clubs  in  which  they  move. 


ROBERT  FRANKLIN  BARRETT. 

After  a successful  railroad  career  of  nearly  thirty  years,  Robert  Frank- 
lin Barrett  decided  upon  a less  strenuous  and  quieter  vocation  and  turned 
his  attention  to  the  theater  business  with  the  result  that  he  is  earning  a very 
satisfactory  livelihood  as  proprietor  of  the  “Happy  Hour”  moving  picture 
theater  in  Springfield,  and  while  there  are  times,  as  might  naturally  be  ex- 
pected, when  he  longs  again  for  the  old  life  of  the  train  man,  yet  this  mood 
does  not  last  long,  as. a rule,  and  he  is  well  pleased  with  his  new  vocation. 

Mr.  Barrett  was  born  in  Salem,  Missouri,  November  13,  1855.  Lie  is 
a son  of  William  and  Margaret  (McDole)  Barrett,  both  natives  of  Ireland, 
from  which  country  they  emigrated  to  the  United  States  when  young  in 
years  and  here  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  They  established  their  home  in 
Virginia,  where  they  spent  many  years  and  from  there  removed  to  Mis- 
souri, locating  at  Salem  over  sixty  years  ago  when  that  part  of  the  state  was 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1253 


sparsely  settled.  They  had  been  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Vir- 
ginia and  married  in  that  state.  There  the  father  of  our  subject  learned  the 
business  of  iron  ore  worker  which  he  followed  principally  the  rest  of  his 
life,  dying  near  Salem,  Missouri,  when  his  son,  Robert  F.,  was  a boy.  His 
widow  survived  many  years,  dying  at  Bloomington,  Illinois,  in  October,  1904. 

After  the  death  of  his  father  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  compelled 
to  get  out  and  hustle  for  himself,  but  he  was  by  nature  courageous,  having 
inherited  many  of  the  indomitable  traits  of  his  Irish  ancestors,  and  he  not 
only  made  his  own  way  when  a boy  but  also  managed  to  obtain  a fair  edu- 
cation. He  came  to  Springfield  when  a young  man  and  here  began  his  rail- 
road career  in  1879  as  brakeman  on  the  Frisco,  running  principally  on  the 
western  division,  and  he  also  worked  as  flag  man  on  a passenger  train  for 
some  time.  He  proved  to  be  a very  faithful  employee  wherever  he  was  placed 
and  he  was  promoted  to  freight  conductor  in  1885.  Twelve  years  of  his 
railroad  career  was  spent  with  the  Chicago  & Alton  Railroad  Company,  a 
part  of  which  time  he  was  passenger  conductor.  Reaving  this  road  in  1898 
he  returned  to  the  Frisco  system,  and  was  given  a position  as  freight  con- 
ductor on  the  central  division.  He  continued  with  the  Frisco  until  1907 
when  he  quit  the  road  and  engaged  in  the  moving  picture  business  in  which 
he  has  been  very  successful  and  which  he  has  continued  for  seven  years. 
The  first  three  years  were  spent  at  Hugo,  Oklahoma,  after  which  he  came 
to  Springfield  and  opened  the  “Happy  Hour”  Theater  at  502  East  Commer- 
cial street,  which  has  been  very  popular  and  which  continues  to  be  one  of 
the  best  patronized  in  the  city,  for  Mr.  Barrett  knows  what  a good  show  is 
and  tries  to  give  his  patrons  the  best  and  at  the  same  time  make  them  as  com- 
fortable as  possible  no  matter  what  the  season  or  the  weather  is.  He  has  a 
neat,  clean  and  sanitary  place  and  a full  modern  equipment,  including  an 
up-to-date  electric  piano.  He  shows  the  “Universal”  program.  He  shows 
four  reels  daily. 

Mr.  Barrett  was  married  on  December  7,  1898,  in  Ft.  Smith,  Arkansas, 
to  Josephine  Crow.  She  was  born  in  Iowa,  January  4,  1864,  and  she  is  a 
daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Helen  (Dooley)  Crow,  both  parents  natives  of 
Cork,  Ireland,  from  which  country  they  emigrated  to  America  when  young 
and  here  established  their  home,  spending  the  rest  of  their  lives  in  the  New 
World.  They  have  been  deceased  for  some  time,  the  father  having  died  in 
Iowa  and  the  mother  in  Arkansas.  They  gave  their  daughter,  Josephine, 
good  educational  advantages. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barrett  one  child  has  been  born,  Irene  J.,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  December  10,  1899,  and  who  is  now  attending  school. 

Politically,  Mr.  Barrett  is  a Democrat  and  has  been  active  in  the  af- 
fairs of  this  party  for  many  years.  He  was  elected  city  marshal  of  Spring- 
field  in  1886,  serving  one  term  in  a manner  that  was  highly  pleasing  to  his 


1254 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


constituents  and  with  credit  to  himself.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Ma- 
sonic Order,  having  attained  the  thirty-second  degree  in  the  same,  is  a Knight 
I emplar  and  a Scottish  Rite,  in  fact  has  taken  everything  in  this  time-hon- 
ored order  but  the  thirty-third  degree,  the  highest  in  the  order.  Fie  has  long 
been  prominent  in  Masonry  in  the  Southwest. 


. FRANK  GRUBEL. 

There  was  a time  when  a large  per  cent  of  the  cigars  consumed  in  the 
United  States  were  imported,  but  of  recent  years  this  is  not  true  to  such  a 
great  extent,  partly  because  American  growers  have  improved  in  the  stock 
of  tobacco  produced  until  some  grades  equal  any  in  the  world  and  partly 
because  our  manufacturers  have  learned  more  about  turning  out  high-grade 
products.  One  of  the  best  known  and  most  successful  cigar  manufacturers 
in  this  part  of  the  country  is  Frank  Grubel,  of  Springfield,  who,  as  his  name 
indicates,  is  of  German  descent,  but  he  has  resided  under  the  stars  and 
stripes  many  years. 

Mr.  Grubel  was  born  on  December  12,  1853,  M Grafenhaynchen,  Ger- 
many. Fie  is  a son  of  Edward  and  Christina  (Muadrick)  Grubel;  both  na- 
tives of  the  above  named  place  also,  where  they  grew  up  and  were  educated. 
The  father  was  a woodturner  by  trade.  lie  and  his  wife  spent  their  lives  in 
their  native  community  and  died  there.  Their  family  consisted  of  twelve 
children,  eight  of  whom  are  living,  namely:  Edward,  Frank,  Ernst,  Minnie, 
Emma,  Paul,  Carl  and  Flerman. 

Frank  Grubel  lived  in  his  native  land  until  fourteen  years  of  age  and 
there  received  his  education.  Fie  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1868, 
locating  in  St.  Louis,  where  he  learned  the  cigar  manufacturing  business,  at 
which  he  seemed  to  have  a natural  aptitude  and  became  quite  proficient,  and 
he  has  continued  the  same  to  the  present  time  with  ever-increasing  success. 
He  came  to  Springfield,  March  7,  1873,  remaining  a short  time,  then  moved 
away,  but  ten  years  later,  June  27,  1883,  returned  and  has  been  in  business 
here  continuously  ever  since,  in  the  cigar  manufacturing  business  alone  since 
1897.  that  year  he  formed  a partnership  with  August  Engelking,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Engelking  & Grubel,  which  partnership  continues.  They 
manufacture  a fine  grade  of  five  and  ten  cent  cigars,  a few  of  their  leading 
and  well-known  brands  being  “Frank’s  Club  House,”  “Sticker,”  “Little 
Puritan,”  “Frank’s  Financere,  Hand  Made,”  and  “Promoter.”  They  carry 
•on  both  a retail  and  wholesale  business,  and  employ  six  cigar  makers  and 
two  stemmers.  Only  the  best  material  is  used  and  most  modern  methods 
employed,  all  cigars  being  hand-made.  The  tobacco,  which  enters  the  fac- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I255 


tory  in  a raw  state,  is  purchased  of  the  most  scientific  growers  of  the  South, 
and  it  leaves  the  factory  in  the  form  of  a fine  grade  of  cigars,  boxed,  sealed, 
ready  for  market  which  is  found  very  readily  and  over  a vast  territory.  The 
factory  is  located  at  1 6 1 1 Boonville  street. 

Mr.  Grubel  was  married  on  October  15,  1879,  in  East  St.  Louis,  to 
Elizabeth  Goetz,  who  was  born  in  Louisville,  Kentucky,  August  27,  1859. 
She  received  a common  school  education. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  two  daughters  have  been  born,  namely:  Ida 

B.,  born  on  March  6,  1881,  is  teaching  in  a local  school;  Clara,  born  on 
August  10,  1882,  married  William  Ipson,  a local  contractor. 

Politically,  Mr.  Grubel  is  a Democrat,  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
Woodmen,  Eagles  and  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  also 
the  German  Brotherhood. 


TOM  W.  ARMSTRONG. 

The  methods  used  now  by  modern  plumbers  are  in  many  respects  vastly 
different  from  those  in  general  use  when  Tom  W.  Armstrong  began  this 
vocation  over  thirty-five  years  ago.  During  that  period  he  has  followed  the 
calling  continuously  and  has  kept  well  abreast  of  the  times  in  the  same  and 
today  is  one  of  the  most  efficient  as  well  as  one  of  the  best  known  plumbers 
in  Springfield,  where  he  has  spent  a quarter  of  a century. 

Mr.  Armstrong  was  born  in  Hillsboro,  Illinois,  February  11,  1863. 
He  is  a son  of  William  F.  and  Minerva  P.  (Simmons)  Armstrong,  the  fa- 
ther born  in  Ireland,  April  11,  1830,  where  he  spent  his  boyhood  and  from 
which  country  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  when  a young  man.  He 
located  in  Hillsboro,  Illinois  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  and  died  on 
April  18,  1867.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  war, 
serving  in  Company  E,  Ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  enlisting  in  the 
spring  of  1861  at  Lincoln’s  first  call  for  volunteers.  He  proved  to  be  a gal- 
lant and  efficient  soldier  and  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  major.  He  served 
four  years  and  nine  months.  He  was  severely  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Shiloh.  Remaining  in  the  army  some  time  after  the  close  of  the  war  he 
had  occasion  to  take  part  in  some  of  the  Indian  wars  of  the  West.  He 
was  in  many  engagements  and  important  campaigns  and  the  fact  that  he 
went  to  the  grave  carrying  five  bullets  in  his  body  indicates  that  he  was  not 
afraid  to  mix  in  the  fiercest  of  the  fighting.  He  was  a carpenter  and  con- 
tractor by  trade,  which  he  followed  until  his  death.  lie  was  a strong  Re- 
publican, and  fraternally  belonged  to  the  Masonic  order  and  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  His  wife  was  born  in  1835,  in  Iiillsboro,  Illinois, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1256 

and  they  were  married  in  Hillsboro,  Illinois.  Her  death  occurred  in  De- 
cember, 1900.  Four  children  were  born  to  these  parents,  namely:  Samuel 

lives  in  Hillsboro,  Illinois;  Tom  W.  of  this  sketch;  Elizabeth  is  deceased, 
and  Frederick  W.,  who  lives  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  is  at  this  writing 
plumbing  inspector  of  the  city. 

Tom  W.  Armstrong  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  city  and  he  received 
a common  school  education  there.  On  September  6,  1913,  he  married  Met- 
tie  E.  Bowers,  who  was  born  in  Chicago.  When  fifteen  years  old  Mr.  Arm- 
strong began  learning  the  plumber’s  trade  in  his  native  city  and  served  as  an 
apprentice  two  years,  then  in  1881  went  to  Abilene,  Kansas,  where  he 
worked  at  his  trade  nine  years,  moving  from  there  to  Springfield,  Missouri, 
March  31,  1890.  He  went  in  partnership  with  a Mr.  Shearer  on  North 
Boonville  street,  which  partnership  continued  for  ten  years.  Since  that  time 
he  has  been  engaged  in  business  for  himself,  his  present  shop  and  office  be- 
ing located  at  206  East  Olive  street  where  he  has  a well  equipped  shop  and 
display  rooms,  carrying  a large  stock  of  modern  fixtures  and  a general 
plumbing  outfit.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  his  line  and  has  built  up 
a large  business  throughout  the  city.  He  handles  some  large  contracts  and 
is  always  busy,  keeping  a number  of  skilled  assistants. 

Politically,  Mr.  Armstrong  is  a Republican.  He  has  been  a member 
of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  since  the  day  he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  He 
also  belongs  to  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  the  Woodmen  and  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 


C.  L.  RHODES. 

Life  is  pleasant  to  live  when  we  know  how  to  make  the  most  of  it. 
Some  people  start  on  their  careers  as  if  they  had  weights  on  their  souls,  or 
were  afraid  to  make  the  necessary  effort  to  live  up  to  a high  standard. 
Others,  by  not  making  a proper  study  of  the  conditions  of  existence,  or  by 
not  having  the  best  of  trainers — good  parents — are  side-tracked  at  the  out- 
set and  never  seem  thereafter  to  be  able  to  get  back  again  on  the  main  track. 
C.  L.  Rhodes,  well-known  produce  man  of  Springfield,  seems  to  have  been 
fortunate  in  being  reared  under  the  superb  influences  of  a good  old  South- 
ern home  and,  having  gotten  a proper  start  on  the  highway  of  life,  has 
succeeded  admirably. 

Mr.  Rhodes  was  born  in  the  northern  part  of  Georgia,  April  19,  1853. 
He  is  a son  of  Wesley  and  Nancy  (Stewart)  Rhodes,  both  natives  of  North 
Carolina,  in  which  state  they  grew  to  maturity,  received  limited  educations 
and  were  married,  removing  in  an  early  day  across  South  Carolina  into- 


GREENE  COUNTY,,  MISSOURI. 


1257 


northern  Georgia  where  they  established  the  future  home  of  the  family  on  a 
farm  which  they  purchased,  and  there  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  the 
mother  dying  in  1881  and  the  father  in  1891.  During  the  war  between  the 
states  Wesley  Rhodes  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  army  under  Captain  Stew- 
art, in  Tennessee,  but  served  only  six  months.  His  family  consisted  of  seven 
children,  namely:  C.  L.  of  this  sketch  is  the  eldest;  John  is  engaged  in 
farming  in  Georgia;  Mrs.  Sarah  Freeman  and  husband  live  on  a farm  in 
Lawrence  county,  Missouri;  Nancy  has  remained  single  and  lives  in  Ala- 
bama; William  N.  lives  in  Billings,  Christian  county,  Missouri;  James  and 
Emanuel  are  both  deceased. 

C.  L.  Rhodes  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Georgia  and  he 
received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  home  district.  He 
spent  his  early  life  in  general  farming  and  also  operated  a country  store  for 
awhile  or  until  he  removed  to  Christian  county,  Missouri,  in  1886.  There 
he  engaged  in  farming  four  years,  then  moved  to  the  town  of  Billings  where 
he  engaged  in  the  produce  and  mercantile  business,  general  trading,  etc. 
Continuing  there  two  years  he  returned  to  the  farm  for  awhile,  and  in  1891 
moved  to  Springfield  and  at  once  opened  up  a produce  business  which  he 
has  conducted  with  every  growing  success  to  the  present  time,  or  for  a 
period  of  twenty-three  years,  during  which  he  has  become  one  of  the  most 
widely  known  dealers  in  produce  in  southwestern  Missouri.  However,  he 
has  had  other  business  interests  the  meantime.  His  place  of  business  has 
remained  in  the  same  block  on  South  Campbell  street  ever  since  coming  to 
this  city  and  he  is  widely  known  to  the  rural  visitors  from  Christian,  Taney 
and  other  counties  who  come  to  Springfield  to  trade.  He  buys  and  ships  all 
kinds  of  produce  in  carload  lots,  doing  mostly  a jobbing  business,  handling 
chickens,  turkeys,  ducks,  geese,  eggs,  furs,  hides,  roots,  etc. 

Mr.  Rhodes  was  married  in  August,  1874,  at  Blairsville,  Georgia,  to 
Sarah  Bishop,  who  was  born  in  Georgia  in  1858,  and  there  she  grew  to 
womanhood  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  She  was  a daugh- 
ter of  Alfred  and  Mary  (England)  Bishop  an  old  Georgian  family,  Mr. 
Bishop  having  been  a successful  planter  in  that  state  many  years.  Mr. 
Rhodes’  first  wife  died  on  August  2,  1911.  To  this  first  union  twelve  chil- 
dren were  born,  namely : Mary  is  deceased ; Bettie  is  deceased ; William  S. 

lives  in  Springfield,  and  is  engaged  in  business  with  his  father ; Mrs.  Ida 
Bowman  lives  in  this  city;  Tames  and  John,  twins,  both  live  in  Springfield; 
Lou  and  Gertrude,  twins,  are  both  deceased;  Hershel  and  Ernest,  twins,  the 
former  deceased,  the  latter  living  in  this  city;  Minnie  died  in  early  life; 
Jessie  also  died  when  young. 

On  September  12,  1912,  C.  L.  Rhodes  married  Frances  Little,  in  Au- 
rora, Missouri ; she  was  born  in  the  same  vicinity  in  northern  Georgia  of 
which  our  subject  was  a native,  but  was  brought  to  Christian  county,  Mis- 


1258 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


souri,  when  young  by  her  parents  and  there  grew  to  womanhood  and  at- 
tended school.  She  is  a daughter  of  William  and  Louise  Jane  (Cobb)  Little. 
Her  mother  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  February  14,  1837,  and  her  death 
occurred  in  Billings,  Missouri,  in  1908.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Rhodes  was 
born  December  31,  1836,  in  North  Carolina  and  his  death  occurred  at  Bill- 
ings, Missouri,  June  26,  1892. 

Mr.  Rhodes  has  been  very  successful  in  a business  way  and  owns  con- 
siderable valuable  property  in  Springfield,  including  a substantial  modern 
residence  on  Phillips  street.  Politically,  he  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he 
belongs  to  the  Woodmen  of  the  World  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  South,  in  which  he  is  a trustee  and  a liberal  supporter. 


CHARLES  F.  KANNING. 

When  we  learn  that  a man  has  engaged  in  one  line  of  business  for 
over  a quarter  of  a century  at  the  same  location,  as  has  Charles  F.  Ivanning, 
well-known  business  man  of  Springfield,  we  know  that  he  is  the  possessor 
of  a rare  combination  of  personal  qualities  which  never  fail  to  make  for 
success  wherever  they  are  found.  It  indicates  that  he  is  a man  of  keen 
discernment,  sound  judgment,  conservative  and  persevering  as  well  as  honest 
and  honorable  in  all  the  relations  of  life. 

Mr.  Kanning,  the  well-known  meat  market  man  of  Boonville  street, 
was  born  March  19,  1863,  in  Kentucky.  He  is  of  German  descent  and  is  a 
son  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Ivimmell)  Kanning,  both  natives  of  Germany, 
from  which  country  they  emigrated  to  the  United  States  when  young,  and 
were  married  in  New  York  City,  where  they  lived  for  awhile,  then  came 
West,  finally  establishing  their  home  in  Kansas.  The  father  of  our  subject 
was  well  educated  and  was  a merchant  tailor  by  trade.  The  last  fifteen 
years  of  his  life  was  spent  in  St.  Louis,  where  he  followed  his  trade.  During 
the  Civil  war  he  served  in  the  Union  army. 

Politically  he  was  a Democrat,  His  death  occurred  in  St.  Louis  in 
January,  1909.  His  widow  died  on  November  27,  1914,  at  her  home  in 
Pittsburg,  Kansas.  To  these  parents  twelve  children  were  born,  namely: 
Agnes  is  deceased;  Alexander;  Fisco  is  deceased;  Henry;  Charles  F.,  of 
this  sketch;  Mary;  William;  Clara;  Tilly;  Otto;  Emma,  and  Bertha. 

Charles  F.  Kanning  received  a common  school  education  in  Kansas. 
When  he  reached  his  majority  he  came  to  Springfield  and  went  into  the 
butcher  business,  starting  with  practically  nothing,  but  by  wise  economy  and 
good  management  he  forged  ahead  and  for  many  years  has  enjoyed  a grow- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1259 


mg  and  lucrative  trade.  He  has  been  in  his  present  location,  527  Boonville 
street,  for  a period  of  twenty-seven  years  under  the  firm  name  of  Kanning’s 
Meat  Market,  which  is  one  of  the  best  known  in  the  city.  He  carries  a large 
line  of  everything  commonly  found  in  the  best  meat  markets  anywhere,  and 
his  place  is  neat  and  attractive.  Promptness  and  honesty  have  been  his 
watchwords.  He  is  still  active.  He  has  a fine  home  on  Poplar  street. 

Mr.  Kanning  was  married  in  St.  Louis  on  December  20,  1887,  to  Nannie 
B.  Dunbar,  who  was  horn  in  Port  Gibson,  Mississippi,  April  5,  1864.  She 
is  a daughter  of  Robert  G.  and  Mary  Iv.  (Sevier)  Dunbar,  both  natives  of 
Louisiana,  where  they  grew  up,  were  educated  and  married.  They  each  rep- 
resented excellent  old  Southern  families.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Kanning 
died  at  Pointe  Coupee  Parish,  Louisiana,  in  1866.  His  wife  was  born  on 
June  5,  1844,  and  her  death  occurred  on  July  17,  1887,  in  Nashville,  Ten- 
nessee. She  received  a good  education  and  was  talented  in  music  and  was  a 
cultured,  refined  lady  in  every  respect.  Her  father,  George  W.  Sevier,  was 
born  near  the  city  of  Nashville,  and  he  died  at  Port  Gibson,  Mississippi, 
about  thirty-five  years  ago.  He  was  a grandson  of  Governor  Sevier  of 
Tennessee.  His  wife,  Sarah  Knox,  was  a first  cousin  of  James  K.  Polk, 
President  of  the  United  States,  also  a niece  of  Mrs.  Andrew  Jackson  and 
she  was  reared  by  President  Andrew  Jackson  and  went  with  him  to  New 
Orleans  on  his  first  trip  down  the  Mississippi  river.  John  Sevier,  great- 
grandfather of  Mrs.  Kanning,  was  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war, 
participating  in  thirty-seven  battles  of  that  conflict.  By  reason  of  his  service 
in  our  War  of  Independence,  Mrs.  Kanning  is  a member  of  the  Daughters 
of  the  American  Revolution.  Her  paternal  grandfather,  Robert  Dunbar, 
spent  his  life  in  the  South  and  died  in  Louisiana.  Her  father,  Robert  G. 
Dunbar,  was  an  extensive  Southern  planter,  owning  a large  plantation.  He 
was  an  Episcopalian.  His  family  consisted  of  three  children,  namely:  Nannie 
B.,  wife  of  our  subject:  Isaac,  now  deceased,  was  the  eldest  of  the  children; 
and  Robert,  who  lives  in  St.  Louis,  is  the  youngest. 

Mrs.  Kanning  grew  to  womanhood  in  the  South,  and  the  careful  train- 
ing and  wholesome  home  influences  of  her  girlhood  are  still  manifest  in  her 
general  address,  for  she  is  a woman  of  culture,  social  inclinations  and  affa- 
bility, and  enjoys  the  friendship  of  all  who  know  her.  She  had  the  ad- 
vantages of  a good  education.  When  she  was  a child  the  family  left  the 
South,  locating  in  Mexico,  Missouri,  but  lived  there  only  about  two  years. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kanning  one  child  has  been  born,  Margaret  Norvell 
Kanning,  whose  birth  occurred  on  June  25,  1893;  s^e  was  given  excellent 
educational  advantages,  attending  the  Springfield  high  school  and  Drury 
College;  she  is  now.  a successful  teacher  in  the  public  schools,  and  is  a young 
lady  of  much  promise. 


1260 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Politically  Mr.  Kanning  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America ; also  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men.  His 
wife  belongs  to  the  Women’s  Christian  Temperance  Union,  the  Maccabees 
and  the  Presbyterian  church. 


CLYDE  B.  MACK. 

A representative  of  an  excellent  old  Greene  county  family  and  a suc- 
cessful young  merchant  of  Springfield  is  Clyde  B.  Mack.  He  is  a man  who 
would  win  his  way  in  any  locality  in  which  fate  might  place  him,  for  he  has 
sound  judgment,  coupled  with  great  energy  and  business  tact,  together  with 
upright  principles,  all  of  which  make  for  success  wherever  and  whenever 
they  are  rightly  and  persistently  applied.  He  possesses  many  of  the  sturdy 
traits  of  his  father  who  was  long  a prominent  and  highly  esteemed  citizen 
here. 

Mr.  Mack  was  born  on  December  27,  1872,  in  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri. He  is  a son  of  Marshall  H.  and  Lucy  (Herndon)  Mack.  The  father 
was  born  in  Maury  county,  Tennessee,  May  4,  1831,  and  the  mother  was 
born  in  Virginia,  April  18,  1837.  They  were  brought  by  their  parents  from 
their  respective  localities  in  the  South  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  pio- 
neer days  and  here  they  grew  to  maturity,  were  educated  and  married.  John 
A.  Mack,  the  paternal  grandfather,  was  born  in  Maury  county,  Tennessee, 
and  there  grew  up  and  married  a native  of  that  locality.  It  was  in  1853  that 
they  removed  with  their  family  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  here  he  be- 
came a prominent  man,  was  influential  in  public  affairs  and  at  one  time  was 
elected  probate  judge.  He  was  a great  student  of  law.  Here  he  and  his 
wife  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  Their  son,  Marshall  H.  Mack,  father  of 
our  subject,  was  twenty-two  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  this  county.  He 
had  grown  to  manhood  in  his  native  state  and  there  attended  the  common 
schools.  He  studied  medicine  and  became  a successful  general  practitioner 
after  the  Civil  war.  During  that  conflict  he  served  as  a member  of  the 
Home  Guards.  Politically,  he  was  a Republican.  At  one  time  he  was  road 
commissioner  in  this  county.  He  was  a member  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows.  After  a successful  career  as  physician  his  death  occurred 
in  Springfield,  March  17,  1888.  His  widow  survived  many  years,  dying 
here  on  June  10,  1911,  at  an  advanced  age.  Her  father,  William  Herndon, 
was  a native  of  Virginia,  where  he  grew  up,  was  educated  and  married.  He 
removed  to  Kentucky  when  the  mother  of  our  subject  was  fourteen  years 
old,  and  after  remaining  there  a short  time  came  on  to  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri in  1853  and  established  the  future  home  of  the  family. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I26l 


Eleven  children  were  born  to  Dr.  Marshall  H.  Mack  and  wife,  namely : 
Lina  L.  is  deceased;  Ali  O.  is  living;  Harriett  and  Z.  I.  are  deceased;  the 
next  child  died  in  infancy  unnamed;  Ausman  is  deceased;  Louella  and  Min- 
nie are  living;  Clyde  B.  of  this  sketch;  Claude-  E.  is  living,  and  Clinton  A. 
is  the  youngest. 

Clyde  B.  Mack  grew  to  manhood  in  Springfield  and  here  he  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools.  He  first  went  into  the  grocery  business 
as  a clerk,  later  worked  for  the  Wells-Fargo  Express  Company  in  Spring- 
field  for  a period  of  eleven  years,  giving  a high  degree  of  satisfaction.  In 
December,  1908,  he  went  into  business  for  himself  at  1223  Boonville  street, 
his  place  being  known  as  the  “Cash  Grocery,''  and  he  was  successful  from 
the  first.  His  present  location  is  1150  Boonville  street,  where  he  has  a large 
and  attractive  store  and  carries  at  all  seasons  an  extensive  stock  of  fancy 
and  staple  groceries,  and,  having  always  dealt  courteously  and  honestly  with 
his  many  customers  has  enjoyed  all  the  while  a constantly  growing  trade. 

Mr.  Mack  was  married  in  Springfield  on  July  25,  1892,  to  Flora  Port- 
ser,  a daughter  of  L.  F.  and  Jennie  (Guthrie)  Portser,  both  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania, from  which  state  they  finally  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and 
established  their  future  home.  The  father  is  now  deceased,  but  the  mother 
is  still  living  here. 

One  son  has  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  Clyde  Ivan  Mack,  whose 
birth  occurred  July  8,  1893;  he  is  attending  school. 

Politically,  Mr.  Mack  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America  and  is  a member  of  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church. 


WILLIAM  W.  WHALEY. 

Upon  the  role  of  representative  citizens  of  Springfield  of  a past  gen- 
eration and  prominent  and  highly  esteemed  men  of  affairs  of  Greene  county 
for  over  a quarter  of  a century  consistently  appears  the  name  of  the  late 
William  W.  Whaley,  merchant,  banker,  insurance  and  general  man  of  affairs, 
and  prior  to  his  coming  here  a prominent  citizen  of  Mt.  Vernon,  this  state, 
to  which  locality  the  Whaley  family  moved  from  the  South  when  the  Ozark 
countrv  was  little  developed  and  here  the  subject  of  this  memoir  and  his 
worthy  father  did  much  toward  the  general  development  of  the  country  in 
a material,  civic  and  moral  way,  and  gradually  won  their  way  into  the  affec- 
tions of  the  people  through  their  genial,  obliging  and  helpful  natures,  as 
well  as  their  unswerving  honesty,  in  short,  they  both  possessed  those  sterling 
qualities  of  character  which  command  themselves  to  persons  of  intelligence 
and  the  highest  morality.  Such  a familv  as  this  is  deserving  of  conspicuous 


1262 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


mention  in  any  history  purporting  to  set  forth  the  record  of  the  lives  of  the- 
most  enterprising  and  public-spirited  citizens  of  the  locality  under  con- 
sideration. 

William  W.  Whaley  was  born  in  Dekalb  county,  Tennessee,  not  far 
■from  the  city  of  Nashville,  October  31,  1837,  and  was  a son  of  Seth  and 
Elizabeth  (Bowen)  Whaley,  the  father  a native  of  Tennessee  and  the 
mother  of  Maryland,  each  scions  of  splendid  old  Southern  families,  long 
noted  for  their  culture  and  enterprise.  The  parents  of  our  subject  received 
such  educational  advantages  as  the  early  days  in  the  South  afforded  and 
there  they  were  married  on  November  3,  1825,  and  this  union  was  blessed 
by  the  birth  of  eight  children,  all  now  deceased,  namely:  Mary,  Nancy, 
Thomas,  Robert,  Margaret,  Elijah,  William  W.  (our  subject),  and  Henry. 
Seth  Whaley,  father  of  the  above  named  children  was  twice  married,  and' 
to  his  second  marriage  three  children  were  born.  Seth  Whaley  devoted  his 
earlier  years  to  teaching  school,  later  learned  the  trade  of  harness-maker, 
which  he  followed  some  time,  and  later  engaged  in  farming.  His  death 
occurred  in  Lawrence  county,  Missouri,  in  the  late  seventies. 

William  W.  Whaley  received  a good  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Mt.  Vernon,  this  state,  where  his  parents  located  when  he  was  about  eight 
vears  of  age.  He  remained  on  the  farm  until  1851,  when  he  entered  a 
general  store  in  Mt.  Vernon  as  a clerk,  and,  having  keen  perceptive  fac- 
ulties, he  soon  mastered  the  ins  and  outs  of  merchandising.  About  this 
time  he  studied  at  the  college  at  Fayetteville,  Arkansas.  In  1858  Mr.  Whaley 
began  working  for  his  wife's  father,  Benjamin  Stone,  and  after  the  death 
of  the  latter  he  continued  to  operate  the  store  with  the  assistance  of  Mrs. 
Stone,  and  kept  the  trade  up  to  its  former  high  standard.  Later  Mr.  Whaley 
engaged  extensively  in  the  banking  business  in  Alt.  Vernon,  and  was  for 
years  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  enterprising  and  substantial  citizens  of 
that  city.  Seeking  a larger  field  for  the  exercise  of  his  business  talents,  he 
removed  to  Springfield  in  1883  and  became  president  of  the  Commercial 
Bank,  which  he  made  most  successful  by  his  able  and  conservative  manage- 
ment. Subsequently  he  became  a general  business  man,  finally  devoting 
much  attention  to  the  insurance  business,  and  toward  the  latter  part  of  his. 
life  Whaley  & Company  became  one  of  the  most  important  insurance  com- 
panies in  Southwest  Missouri  and  did  a very  large  business. 

Mr.  Whaley  was  married  on  October  3,  1867,  to  Alary  L.  Stone,  a lady 
of  many  commendable  characteristics,  who  proved  to  be  a most  faithful 
helpmeet  in  every  respect.  She  was  born  near  Sedalia,  Missouri,  on  June  3, 
1850,  and  she  is  a daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Nancy  (Owsley)  Stone,  both 
these  parents  being  natives  of  Tennessee,  the  birth  of  Mr.  Stone  having 
occurred  in  1818,  and  he  died  on  April  3,  1863,  in  the  prime  of  life.  The 
mother  of  Airs.  Whaley  was  born  on  August  20,  1829,  and  her  death  occur- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1263' 

red  in  1898,  having  outlived  her  husband  thirty-six  years.  Mr.  Stone  was  a 
successful  merchant.  His  family  consisted  of  six  children. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whaley ‘two  children  were  born,  namely:  Estella, 
who  became  the  wife  of  Dr.  J.  E.  Dewey,  of  Springfield,  is  deceased;  and 
Lena  Stone  Whaley,  who  has  remained  single,  lives  with  her  mother  in  the 
commodious  family  home  on  North  Jefferson  street. 

Politically,  Mr.  Whaley  was  a Democrat,  and,  while  he  took  much, 
interest  in  public  affairs,  was  never  an  aspirant  for  political  honors.  Fra- 
ternally he  was  a member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  attaining  the  thirty-second 
degree,  was  a Knight  Templar  and  a member  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  was  a member  of  the  Baptist  church, 
and  was  known  to  all  as  a splendid  Christian  gentleman. 


EUGENE  J.  RHODES,  JR. 

For  most  of  us  life  has  the  elements  of  abundant  cheeriness  in  it.  It 
represents  more  of  encouragement  than  discouragement,  more  of  satisfac- 
tion than  disappointment,  more  of  joy  than  sorrow,  more  of  comfort  than, 
pain.  Souls  that  are  depressed  and  downcast  are  quite  likely  to  be  weighted 
down  by  borrowed  trouble.  A successful  business  man  must  be  of  the  former 
type.  Understanding  this,  Eugene  J.  Rhodes,  Jr.,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
motorcycle  business  in  Springfield,  never  permits  the  little  things  of  daily 
life  that  “wear  and  fret  the  soul''  manifest  themselves  in  his  countenance  or 
disposition,  and  his  agreeable  manner  is  a good  asset  in  his  business. 

Mr.  Rhodes  was  born  in  Arkansas  on  March  26,  1883.  He  is  a son  of 
Eugene  J.  Rhodes,  Sr.,  a prominent  business  man  and  citizen,  formerly  of 
northern  Arkansas,  now  living  in  Springfield,  a complete  sketch  of  whom 
is  to  be  found  on  another,  page  of  this  volume,  hence  will  not  be  reproduced 
here. 

Our  subject  moved  with  his  parents  from  Arkansas  when  young  to- 
Springfield  and  here  he  received  his  education  in  the  high  school  and  the 
State  Normal.  For  three  years  he  worked  as  deputy  under  his  father,  when 
the  latter  was  surveyor,  after  which  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in 
Arkansas,  also  engaged  in  this  business  in  Springfield  with  his  father  for 
some  time,  then  for  a year  or  more  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in 
this  city,  and  in  1911,  with  his  brother,  Clyde  A.  Rhodes,  he  began  in  the 
motorcycle  business,  under  the  name  of  Rhodes  Brothers,  at  319  South  Jef- 
ferson street,  where  they  have  remained  to  the  present  time,  and  have  enjoyed 
a large  and  growing  business  all  the  while.  They  handle  all  kinds  of  motor- 
cycle supplies  and  auto  accessories,  maintaining  a well-equipped  garage  and 


1264 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


repair  shop,  doing  all  kinds  of  auto  and  motorcycle  repairing  promptly  and 
of  the  highest  grade  of  workmanship.  They  are  also  agents  for  several 
standard  grades  of  motorcycles,  including  the  Indian,  Flying  Merkel  and 
Thor,  and  have  built  up  a large  trade  in  these.  Our  subject  has  made  this 
line  of  business  his  special  study  for  a number  of  years  and  has  kept  well 
up-to-date  on  the  same. 

Eugene  J.  Rhodes,  Jr.,  was  married  on  July  14,  1901,  to  Murel  Hart,  a 
native  of  Iowa  and  a daughter  of  W.  H.  and  Dora  Hart.  Mrs.  Rhodes  came 
with  her  parents  to  Springfield  when  young  and  she  received  a good  edu- 
cation. To  our  subject  and  wife  five  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Boyd, 
born  on  February  15,  1903;  Vivian,  born  on  September  22,  1906;  Hugh, 
born  on  February  14,  1909;  Maxine,  born  on  April  7,  1912;  and  Mildred  M., 
born  on  January  21,  1915. 

Politically  Mr.  Rhodes  is  a Republican,  and  Mrs.  Rhodes  is  a member 
of  the  Christian  church. 


HIRAM  H.  WESTMORELAND. 

The  lamented  subject  of  this  sketch,  now  sleeping  the  sleep  of  the  just 
in  God’s  quiet  acre,  as  the  old  Saxons  referred  to  their  burying-grounds, 
was  in  life  one  of  the  best  known  agriculturists  in  North  Campbell  town- 
ship, Greene  county,  he  having  been  one  of  that  worthy  class  of  men  who 
have  fought  their  way  to  success  through  unfavorable  environment;  and  a 
study  of  Mr.  Westmoreland’s  life  record  reveals  the  intrinsic  worth  of  a 
character  which  not  only  can  bravely  endure  so  rough  a test,  but  gain  new 
strength  through  the  discipline.  He  was  not  favored  by  inherited  wealth 
or  the  assistance  of  influential  friends,  but  in  spite  of  this,  by  perseverance, 
industry  and  wise  economy,  he  attained  a comfortable  position  in  life  and 
left  behind  him  what  should  be  and  is  prized  by  his  descendants' — a good 
name. 

Hiram  H.  Westmoreland  was  born  on  July  16,  1848,  in  Tennessee.  He 
was  a son  of  Henry  Westmoreland  and  wife,  who  were  born,  reared  and 
educated  in  the  South  and  there  resided  until  they  removed  with  their  two 
children  from  Tennessee  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  when  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  seven  years  of  age.  The  father  devoted  his  life  to  general 
farming  and  buying  and  handling  live  stock.  He  lived  in  Oklahoma  for 
twenty  years.  His  death  occurred  in  1909. 

Hiram  H.  Westmoreland  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  where 
he  assisted  with  the  general  work  when  a boy  and  he  received  his  education 
in  the  common  schools  and  in  Boonville  College ; however,  his  higher  edu- 
cation was  interrupted  by  illness  which  compelled  him  to  return  home. 


MRS.  HIRAM  H.  WESTMORELAND. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1265 


After  his  recovery  he  resumed  work  on  the  homestead  and  for  some  time 
engaged  in  buying  and  selling  cattle.  He  was  still  a young  man  when  he 
took  rank  among  the  well-known  stockmen  of  his  community,  and  prior  to 
the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war  he  frequently  drove  mules  overland  to 
Illinois  and  sold  them.  Finally  he  purchased  a farm  of  his  own  in  Campbell 
township,  Greene  county,  on  which  he  raised  much  stock,  including  blooded 
horses.  About  thirty  years  ago,  Hiram  Id.  Westmoreland,  with  several 
other  Springfield  men,  went  to  Kentucky  and  purchased  a thoroughbred 
horse  known  as  General  Duke.  This  horse  proved  a wonderful  sire  and 
from  him  sprang  some  of  the  best  horse  stock  known  in  this  part  of  the 
state.  While  there  he  also  purchased  Denmark  King.  This  horse  was  a 
grand  breeder  and  noted  show  horse.  Most  of  our  readers  residing  here 
remember  a coal  black  saddle  stallion,  greatly  admired  by  every  one.  He 
also  purchased  on  the  same  trip  a highly  bred  trotting  stallion  (Star 
Wilkes).  That  was  the  sire  of  some  of  the  best  road  horses  ever  raised  in 
Greene  county,  Missouri.  Another  stallion  brought  to  this  county  by  the 
subject  was  Diamond  Denmark,  who  was  high  bred  and  had  many  admirers 
among  our  stockmen.  These  are  names  of  but  a few  of  noted  horses  Mr. 
Westmoreland  owned  and  at  that  time  his  reputation  as  a breeder  of  line 
horses  was  well  established  over  all  this  part  of  the  state.  In  later  life  he 
removed  to  Mountain  Home,  Arkansas,  where  he  operated  a stage  line 
between  that  town  and  West  Plains,  Missouri,  maintaining  a station  at 
Bakersfield  where  his  drivers  met  and  teams  were  changed.  The  stage  line 
covered  a little  over  fifty  miles.  Our  subject  also  owned  and  operated  a two 
hundred  acre  farm  in  Arkansas.  Mrs.  W estmoreland  owns  a fine  farm, 
which  now  comprises  three  hundred  and  eighteen  acres  of  productive  and 
well  improved  land,  the  place  being  known  as  the  “Model  Dairy  Farm,”  an 
extensive  dairy  business  being  carried  on,  for  which  the  place  is  well 
equipped  and  adapted.  This  department  is  kept  very  sanitary  and  a high 
grade  of  cows  are  kept.  A very  ready  market  is  found  for  the  products  in 
Springfield.  A general  farming  business  is  carried  on  bv  our  subject's 
widow,  who  is  a woman  of  rare  business  ability.  The  old  residence  here 
was  burned  in  September,  1896,  but  was  immediately  rebuilt,  and  a fine, 
modernly  appointed  and  attractive  home  is  now  to  be  seen  on  the  old  site, 
about  four  miles  northeast  of  Springfield.  The  dwelling  is  surrounded  by 
a spacious  and  well  shaded  lawn  and  a generally  attractive  environment. 

Mr.  Westmoreland  was  married  on  November  13,  1873,  to  Susie  E. 
Morton.  She  was  born  in  Greene  county,  August  8,  1851,  and  is  a daugh- 
ter of  the  late  Hon.  John  and  Margaret  (Logan)  Morton,  a well  known  and 
highly  respected  old  family  of  this  locality,  Mr.  Morton  being  now  deceased, 
but  his  widow  resides  at  the  home  of  PI.  B.  McDaniel  in  Springfield. 

(80) 


1266 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Five  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Westmoreland,  named  as  fol- 
lows: Joseph  H.,  born  November  i,  1876,  resides  on  a part  of  the  old  home 
place  in  Campbell  township,  engaged  in  general  farming,  raising  and  feeding 
live  stock ; he  married  Eva  Litton  and  they  have  four  children,  Austin,  Belle, 
Pauline  and  Robert:  Lucinda  W.,  born  February  21,  1879,  married  Lee 
Flopper,  a farmer  in  Campbell  township,  and  they  have  five  children,  Fay, 
Donnie,  Rolland,  Louise  and  Ralph;  Susie,  born  November  14,  1884,  mar- 
ried Edward  Baker,  deceased,  formerly  of  Mountain  Home,  Arkansas,  and 
she  makes  her  home  with  her  mother;  Ida,  born  November  24,  1889,  mar- 
ried Blond  Gurley,  a well  known  dairyman  of  Campbell  township;  Hiram 
H.,  born  September  19,  1894,  is  single  and  is  living  at  home,  assisting  his 
mother  operate  the  farm. 

Mrs.  Westmoreland  is  a woman  of  hospitality,  kind  and  neighborly, 
well  read  and  she  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
South,  of  which  her  late  husband  was  also  a member,  in  fact,  the  entire 
family  are  loyal  in  their  support  of  this  church.  Fraternally,  our  subject 
was  a member  of  the  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  also  the  Knights 
Templar.  Politically,  he  was  a Democrat  and  active  in  public  affairs.  He 
was  a school  director  for  some  time,  both  in  Arkansas  and  Greene  county.  He 
was  a man  of  fine  character  and  was  honored  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  was 
called  to  his  eternal  rest  on  March  1,  1903,  his  loss  being  deeply  deplored  by 
the  entire  community  in  which  he  was  so  well  and  favorably  known. 


GODFREY  C.  STANCILL. 

It  matters  little  what  vocation  a man  may  select  as  his  life  occupation 
as  long  as  it  is  an  honorable  one.  If  he  is  an  honest,  upright  man,  courteous 
in  his  intercourse  with  his  fellow-men,  and  possessed  of  the  average  amount 
of  energy  and  business  sagacity,  he  is  bound  to  make  his  business  a financial 
success.  The  late  Godfrey  C.  Stancill  possessed  all  the  above  mentioned 
requirements,  and  was  for  many  years  a prosperous  merchant  of  Spring- 
field.  In  his  earlier  career  he  operated  a plantation  in  the  South  with  equal 
success.  He  was  one  of  the  gallant  veterans  of  the  Confederacy,  and  was 
always  loyal  to  his  native  Dixie  land. 

Mr.  Stancill  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  one  of  the  strongest  of  the 
Confederate  states,  having  first  opened  his  eyes  on  the  light  of  day  on  April 
27,  1837.  He  was  a son  of  Caswell  and  Rebecca  A.  (Anderson)  Stancill, 
both  parents  also  natives  of  North  Carolina,  the  mother  having  been  a 
daughter  of  Col.  Rule  Anderson  of  that  state,  and  there  these  parents  grew 
to  maturity  and  married  and  established  their  home,  but  in  1839,  when  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1267 


subject  of  this  memoir  was  two  years  old,  they  removed  from  the  old  Tar 
state  to  Mississippi,  locating  on  a plantation  where  the  parents  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  their  lives.  Caswell  Stancill  entered  land  from  the  government 
there,  and  developed  it,  finally  owning  a valuable  plantation  of  several  thou- 
sand acres,  and  was  a prominent  citizen  in  his  community.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  five  children,  three  of  whom  survive  at  this  writing. 

Godfrey  C.  Stancill  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father’s  plantation  and  he 
assisted  with  the  general  work  on  the  same  when  a boy.  He  was  given  ex- 
cellent educational  advantages  for  that  time  and  Avas  a well  informed  man, 
naturally  keen  intellectually  and  of  sound  judgment.  He  was  still  in  school 
when  the  Avar  between  the  states  began  and  he  unhesitatingly  enlisted  in 
1861  in  Company  I,  Mississippi  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Captain  Hum- 
phries, and  this  regiment  was  finally  a part  of  General  Longstreet’s  division, 
Confederate  army  and  sarv  much  hard  service,  participating  in  many  im- 
portant engagements.  Mr.  Stancill  Avas  seriously  wounded  in  the  great  bat- 
tle of  the  Wilderness,  and  Avas  not  in  the  service  after  that.  He  returned 
to  the  home  plantation  after  the  close  of  the  war  and  carried  on  general 
farming,  which  he  enjoyed,  for  a number  of  years,  or  until  he  removed  to 
Springfield,  Missouri.  Here  he  went  into  the  grocery  business  on  B0011- 
ville  street,  later  on  Cherry  street,  and  enjoyed  a good  business,  always 
carrying  a well  selected  stock  of  staple  and  fancy  groceries  and  dealing 
honestly  and  courteously  Avith  his  many  customers.  He  spent  the  latter 
part  of  his  life  in  retirement,  having  given  up  the  store  about  nine  years 
before  his  death. 

Mr.  Stancill  Avas  married  twice,  first,  to  Mrs.  Amanda  Cox,  Avho  died 
Avithout  issue.  On  September  26,  1899,  he  married,  in  Springfield,  Ellen  V. 
Potterfield,  Avho  Avas  born  in  St.  Louis  county,  Missouri,  December  13,  1839. 
She  greAv  to  Avomanhood  in  her  nati\re  community  and  received  a good  edu- 
cation in  the  city  schools  of  St.  Louis,  and  she  folloAA^ed  teaching  in  that 
city  for  a period  of  fifteen  years.  She  is  a daughter  of  Daniel  and  Eliza 
(Garrett)  Potterfield,  both  natives  of  Virginia  in  Avhich  state  they  spent 
their  earlier  years,  finally  removing  to  St.  Louis  county,  Missouri,  Avhere 
they  spent  their  last  years,  Mr.  Potterfield  engaging  in  mercantile  pursuits 
during  his  active  life. 

Politically,  Mr.  Stancill  Avas  a Democrat,  but  Avas  neA-er  a public  man, 
giving  his  time  exclusively  to  his  business  and  to  his  home.  He  Avas  a 
worthy  member  of  the  Christian  church.  He  always  took  a great  deal  of 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  United  Confederate  Veterans. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Stancill  occurred  at  the  family  home  on  Cherry  street, 
Springfield,  Avhere  his  Avidow  still  resides,  January  6,  1912,  when  past  sev- 
enty-five years  of  age.  He  Avas  a man  of  polished  Southern  manners, 
neighborly,  kind-hearted — in  every  Avay  a true  gentleman. 


1268 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


SIDNEY  EDWIN  WILHOIT. 

None  of  the  one  hundred  and  fourteen  counties  that  are  embraced  by 
the  boundary  lines  of  the  state  of  Missouri  can  boast  of  a more  heroic  band 
of  pioneers  than  Greene  county.  In  their  intelligence,  capacity  for  civiliza- 
tion and  loyalty  to  the  right  they  have  no  superiors.  In  their  daring  and 
courageous  enterprise  they  have  been  equal  to  the  California  argonauts,  a 
vast  number  of  whom  were  Missouri  pioneers,  not  a few  from  Greene 
county.  Their  privations,  hardships  and  earnest  labors  have  resulted  in 
establishing  one  of  the  foremost  counties  in  this  or  any  other  state,  and  one 
which  still  has  a great  possibility  before  it.  The  Wilhoits  and  Rountrees 
were  members  of  this  worthy  class  of  our  earliest  settlers.  They  have  been 
among  our  thriftiest  agriculturists  and  worthiest  citizens.  A well-known 
member  of  the  present  generation  of  one  of  these  old  families  is  Sidney 
Edwin  Wilhoit,  manager  of  the  Jefferson  Theater  of  Springfield. 

Mr.  Wilhoit  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  March  3,  1869.  Iffe 
is  a son  of  James  M.  and  Nancy  (Rountree)  Wilhoit.  The  father  was 
born  in  Clay  county,  Missouri,  in  1833,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Greene 
county,  this  state,  in  1848.  The  father  of  our  subject  grew  to  manhood  in 
his  native  county  on  the  farm  and  he  received  exceptionally  good  educa- 
tional advantages  for  those  early  times,  having  graduated  from  William 
Jewell  College  at  Liberty,  Missouri.  He  was  a school  teacher  by  profession 
and  was  prominent  in  educational  work  in  Clay  and  Greene  counties  for 
some  time,  however,  his  later  life  was  devoted  to  farming  for  the  most 
part.  He  was  also  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Springfield  Wagon  Works. 
He  was  a leader  in  public  affairs  here,  and  was  at  one  time  city  marshal  of 
Springfield,  and  was  for  two  years  superintendent  of  the  county  farm.  He 
was  widely  known  and  highly  respected  by  all  classes.  He  was  a man  of 
ability,  industry  and  public  spirit,  as  well  as  known  for  his  integrity  and 
hospitality.  He  was  active  in  Masonic  affairs,  having  been  a member  of  that 
order  for  many  years.  The  mother  of  our  subject  grew  to  womanhood  in 
this  county  and  was  educated  in  the  local  schools.  Her  death  occurred  in 
1906,  while  the  father  of  our  subject  reached  an  advanced  age,  passing  his 
four-score  years  and  more,  dying  in  October,  1914.  To  these  parents  seven 
children  were  born,  all  still  living,  namely:  Sidney  E.,  of  this  sketch;  Guy, 
Andrew,  Ralph  R.,  Ray,  Bessie,  and  Roy. 

The  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native 
county  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools.  When  young  in 
years  he  began  his  career  as  machinist  in  the  Frisco  shops  in  Springfield,  the 
South  Side  plant,  known  as  the  old  Gulf  shops.  Here  he  remained  two 
years,  when  he  gave  up  this  line  of  work,  which  was  not  congenial  to  his 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1269 


tastes,  and  went  to  Memphis,  Tennessee,  where  he  engaged  in  contracting. 
Later  returning  to  Springfield,  he  bought  the  old  Hargrove  Bottling  Works. 
Subsequently  he  returned  to  Memphis  and  worked  in  the  Frisco  shops,  where 
he  became  general  foreman,  in  which  responsible  position  he  gave  eminent 
satisfaction.  Finally  he  began  dealing  in  apples,  and  was  very  successful  as 
a horticulturist.  In  1905  he  went  into  the  theater  business  in  Memphis  and 
has  been  very  successful  in  this  field  of  endeavor  ever  since.  Since  then  he 
has  owned  and  operated  thirteen  shows.  In  September,  1913,  he  opened 
the  Springfield  Hippodrome,  in  which  he  owned  a half  interest,  and  on 
January  25,  1914,  he  took  full  charge  of  the  Jefferson  Theater  at  216  South 
Jefferson  street,  an  up-to-date  and  popular  vaudeville  house,  with  two  changes 
per  week.  In  connection  with  a bill  of  several  good  acts  of  vaudeville  he 
features  at  each  performance  a pleasing  moving  picture.  He  has  been  very 
successful  with  both  the  Jefferson  and  the  Hippodrome. 

Our  subject  was  married  on  Ma)r  1,  1908,  in  Pine  Bluff.  Arkansas,  to 
Priscilla  (Cagle),  of  Pine  Bluff.  They  have  one  child,  Thelma  Vermel, 
who  is  five  years  old. 

Politically,  Mr.  Wilhoit  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Springfield 
Club,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Improved  Order  of 
Red  Men. 


MIKE  SHEEDY. 

No  people  that  go  to  make  up  our  cosmopolitan  civilization  have  better 
habits  of  life  than  those  who  have  come  from  “Erin's  green  isle."  These 
people,  as  well  as  their  descendants,  are  distinguished  for  their  thrift  and 
honesty,  and  these  two  qualities  in  the  inhabitants  of  any  country  will  in  the 
end  alone  make  that  country  great.  When  with  these  two  qualities  is  cou- 
pled the  other  quality  of  sound  sense,  which  all  the  Celtic  race  possesses, 
there  are  afforded  such  qualities  as  will  enrich  any  land  and  place  it  at  the 
top  of  the  countries  of  the  world  in  the  scale  of  elevated  humanity.  One 
of  this  number  is  Mike  Sheedy,  of  Campbell  township,  Greene  county. 

Mr.  Sheedy  was  born  in  Ireland,  in  August.  1885.  He  is  a son  of 
Matt  and  Ivaty  (Sexton)  Sheedy,  both  natives  of  Ireland  also,  where  they 
grew  up,  were  educated  and  married  and  there  they  spent  their  lives  on  a 
farm.  They  were  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  They  were  the  parents 
of  three  children,  namely:  Mike,  of  this  sketch;  Katie,  who  lives  in  Ohio; 

and  Mrs.  Mary  Lathem  who  makes  her  home  in  Ireland. 

Mike  Sheedy  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  his  native  land 
where  he  was  taught  to  work  diligently  and  intelligently.  What  education 
he  has  received  has  been  through  his  own  efforts.  When  he  was  fifteen 


1270 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


years  of  age  he  emigrated  to  America  with  his  sister  Katie  and  settled  in 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  later  went  to  New  Orleans,  thence  to  St.  Louis  in  1868, 
and  has  lived  in  Missouri  ever  since.  For  some  time  he  was  in  the  service 
of  the  St.  Louis  & San  Francisco  Railroad  Company.  In  1873  he  purchased 
the  farm  of  eighty  acres  where  he  now  lives  in  North  Campbell  township, 
Greene  county.  Fie  has  prospered  through  close  application,  good  judgment 
and  honest  dealings  and  he  is  now  owner  of  nearly  eight  hundred  acres  in 
Greene  county,  comprising  one  of  the  most  valuable  and  desirable  farms  of 
the  county,  and  he  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  on  an  ex- 
tensive scale.  He  raises  blooded  short-horn  cattle,  keeping  about  one  hun- 
dred head  the  year  round,  and  feeds  some  two  to  three  car-loads  of  hogs 
yearly — also  is  an  extensive  wheat  grower.  In  1914  he  had  two  hundred 
acres  in  wheat  and  raised  five  thousand  bushels — an  average  of  twenty-five 
bushels  per  acre.  He  has  a substantial  home  and  large  outbuildings  and  is  re- 
garded as  one  of  the  successful  self-made  men  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Sheedy  was  married  on  July  5,  1873,  to  Mary  Gorman,  a native  of 
Iowa,  but  she  was  reared  in  Missouri.  She  is  a daughter  of  Simon  and 
Mary  (Russell)  Gorman,  both  her  parents  being  now  deceased.  She  is  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  church. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sheedy  nine  children  have  been  born,  namely:  John 
lives  in  Kansas  City,  where  he  is  state  grain  inspector;  Simon,  Mike,  James, 
Emmett,  Mrs.  Katie  Gorman  lives  in  this  county  and  has  five  children  as 
follows:  Kate,  Allen,  Hal,  Agnes  and  Margarite;  Agnes,  Maggie  and  Nel- 

lie. All  these  children  but  the  one  married  daughter  live  at  home. 

Mr.  Sheedy  was  on  the  school  board  for  twenty  years  and  was  road 
commissioner  for  some  twenty  years.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat,  and  he 
and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church. 


GEORGE  F.  OLENDORF. 

The  theater  has  long  been  recognized  as  one  of  the  world’s  indispensable 
institutions,  and  the  management  of  theaters,  if  done  judiciously,  is  a re- 
munerative and  pleasant  one.  Humanity  needs  amusement  amid  its  exacting 
and  trying  daily  occupations,  truly  “the  show’s  the  thing,”  as  one  of  the 
wisest  of  men  remarked.  The  human  mind  must  relax,  must  find  relief  at 
times,  “must  lose  itself  in  other  men's  minds,”  as  the  great  essayist,  Lamb, 
wrote.  This  can  be  done  in  no  better  way  than  in  spending  an  hour  or  so  at 
a good  play-house.  The  theater  has  been  popular  with  the  masses — men 
and  women  of  all  creeds  and  convictions,  of  all  parties  and  denominations 
from  remote  ancient  history  to  the  present  time,  from  the  days  of  Grecian 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1271 


one-act,  outdoor  tragedies  to  the  latest  twentieth  century  complex  grand 
opera,  and  it  will  ever  be  so.  George  F.  Olendorf,  of  Springfield,  has  long 
given  his  attention  to  the  theater  business,  and  is  widely  known  throughout 
southwestern  Missouri  in  this  particular  field.  He  has  met  with  gratifying 
success  because  he  has  been  industrious,  has  had  the  tact  of  knowing  what 
the  people  want  and  because  he  has  always  been  desirous  of  giving  his 
thousands  of  patrons  adequate  returns  for  their  money  and  time.  He  has 
made  it  a study  and  has  therefore  kept  well  abreast  of  the  times  in  this  line 
of  endeavor. 

Mr.  Olendorf  was  born  in  Middleport,  New  York,  July  20,  1875.  He 
is  a son  of  George  H.  and  Caroline  (Forrest)  Olendorf,  both  parents  also 
natives  of  the  state  of  New  York,  where  they  grew  to  maturity,  attended 
school  and  were  married.  George  H.  Olendorf  devoted  his  earlier  life  to 
the  drug  business  in  his  native  locality  in  central  New  York.  Back  in  the 
seventies  he  removed  with  his  family  to  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  furniture  business  fifteen  or  twenty  years  and  where  he 
resided  until  twelve  years  ago,  when  he  moved  to  Springfield,  in  which  city 
he  and  his  wife  still  reside,  living  in  retirement.  The  father  has  been  a 
successful  business  man  and  laid  by  a competency  for  his  old  age. 

George  F.  Olendorf,  the  only  child  of  his  parents,  was  a small  child 
when  the  family  moved  from  the  state  of  New  York  to  St.  Joseph,  Missouri, 
and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  received  a common  school  education.  In 
September,  1893,  he  began  his  career  in  the  theater  business,  which  he  has 
continued  to  the  present  time  with  ever-increasing  success.  He  began  in  St. 
Joseph,  and  was  also  cashier  of  the  large  Tootle  estate  and  had  charge  of 
the  Tootle  Theater,  the  leading  playhouse  there,  remaining  with  this  estate 
for  about  eight  years,  giving  eminent  satisfaction  in  every  respect.  Then 
he  and  three  other  men  leased  a circuit  of  thirty-two  theaters  in  the  state 
of  Missouri,  which  proved  to  be  a paying  venture.  Mr.  Olendorf  came  to 
Springfield  in  1903  and  leased  the  old  Baldwin  Theater  on  St.  Louis  street, 
one  of  the  finest  theaters  south  of  the  Missouri  river  in  this  state,  with  the 
exception  of  St.  Louis,  for  many  years,  if  not  the  finest.  He  managed  this 
with  his  usual  success  until  it  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1909.  Afterward 
he  was  instrumental  in  promoting  the  new  Landers  Theater  on  Walnut  street, 
which  he  leased  and  managed  until  1912,  when  he  re-leased  it  and  promoted 
the  Bell-Olendorf-Ballard  Amusement  Company,  of  which  he  is  president 
and  which  operates  sixteen  summer  theaters,  including  the  Skydome  in 
Springfield.  He  is  also  manager  of  the  Springfield  Poster  Advertising  Com- 
pany, and  maintains  offices  in  the  Landers  Theater  building.  Each  of  these 
new  ventures  has  proven  successful  and  he  is  kept  busy  in  their  management. 

Mr.  Olendorf  was  married  on  November  17,  1902,  in  Kansas  City, 
Missouri,  to  Matilda  Meyer,  who  was  born  in  St.  Joseph,  this  state.  She  is 


1272 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


a daughter  of  J.  B.  and  Marie  Meyer,  both  natives  of  Germany,  from  which 
country  they  came  to  the  United  States  when  young. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  three  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Marie 
Caroline,  born  on  May  3,  1905:  George  Meyer,  born  on  November  17,  1910, 
died  August  3,  1911  ; and  Forrest  George,  born  on  October  7,  1912. 

Mr.  Olendorf  is  a member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks  and  the  Springfield  Club;  also  is  a thirty-second  degree  Mason,  belong- 
ing to  the  Knights  Templars.  He  is  active  in  Masonic  affairs,  and  his  daily 
life  is  led  along  the  lines  laid  down  by  this  time-honored  order. 


FRANK  P.  STUTZMAN. 

“The  Song  of  the  Forge”  has  ever  been  pleasant  to  the  ears  of  Frank 
P.  Stutzman,  one  of  the  most  skilful  and  popular  blacksmiths  of  Greene 
county,  whose  well-equipped  shop  in  the  city  of  Springfield  draws  patrons 
from  remote  parts  of  this  locality,  for  here  they  know  that  they  will  receive 
prompt  and  careful  attention.  A criterion  of  his  high-grade  work  is  shown 
from  the  fact  that  many  of  his  customers  have  patronized  him  for  a score 
of  years,  refusing  to  have  any  other  do  their  blacksmithing.  It  is  as  much 
an  art  to  shoe  a horse  properly  as  it  is  to  do  anything  else  in  a mechanical 
way,  and  our  subject  has  become  quite  proficient  in  this  art,  being  excelled, 
in  fact,  by  none  of  his  contemporaries.  He  has  lived  in  Springfield  nearly 
a half  century. 

Mr.  Stutzman  was  born  in  Goshen,  Elkhart  county,  Indiana,  April  25, 
1856.  He  is  a son  of  John  M.  and  Catherine  (Baughman)  Stutzman,  both 
natives  of  Ohio,  where  they  grew  up,  received  such  educational  advantages 
as  the  early-day  schools  afforded  and  there  were  married  and  established 
their  home.  In  his  earlier  years  John  M.  Stutzman  wras  a carpenter,'  con- 
tractor and  builder  and  in  later  life  a farmer.  He  is  living  in  Springfield, 
Missouri,  at  this  writing.  He  has  been  twice  married,  first  to  Catherine 
Baughman,  by  which  union  eight  children  were  born,  six  of  whom  are  still 
living,  namely:  Elizabeth,  Frank  P.,  Mahalia,  Emma,  Adeline  is  deceased; 

Mary,  Jerome;  the  youngest  child  died  in  infancy,  unnamed.  The  father's 
second  marriage  was  to  Mrs.  Shaw. 

Frank  P.  Stutzman  spent  his  boyhood  in  northern  Indiana.  He  had 
little  opportunity  to  attend  school,  and  most  of  his  education  has  been  ob- 
tained by  studying  at  home  of  evenings  after  the  day’s  work.  When  eleven 
years  of  age,  in  1867,  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  Springfield,  Missouri, 
where  the  family  established  their  permanent  home,  on  a farm,  just  south 
of  the  city,  and  there  they  resided  about  five  years,  then  our  subject  went  to 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I273 


Illinois  where  he  remained  two  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Spring- 
held  and  took  up  blacksmithing,  first  working  with  Sam  Begle,  and  when 
only  nineteen  years  of  age  Mr.  Stutzman  went  into  the  business  for  him- 
self, having  learned  rapidly  and  shown  much  natural  ability  in  this  direction. 
He  started  up  in  the  alley  in  the  rear  of  the  Metropolitan  Hotel,  on  a small 
scale,  and  since  then  he  has  carried  on  general  blacksmithing  and  horse- 
shoeing, his  business  increasing  constantly  with  advancing  years  until  he 
soon  found  it  necessary  to  secure  larger  quarters  and  employ  assistance.  He 
has  built  up  a large  and  lucrative  business,  and  is  now  located  in  a modern 
and  commodious  shop  on  Convention  avenue.  He  has  an  excellent  location, 
and  while  he  is  specializing  in  high-grade  horseshoeing,  he  is  doing  a great 
deal  of  general  blacksmithing.  Prompt  and  honest  work  has  ever  been  his 
motto. 

Mr.  Stutzman  was  married  on  May  5,  1878,  in  Springfield,  to  Louise 
Crostwait,  who  was  born  in  Canada  in  1859,  and  she  removed  from  her 
native  land  to  Missouri  with  her  parents  when  she  was  a child,  and  here 
grew  to  womanhood  and  received  a common  school  education,  and  here 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crostwait  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  both  having  been  de- 
ceased a number  of  years. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stutzman,  namely: 
Alta,  born  in  1881,  was  reared  and  educated  in  Springfield,  and  she  is  liv- 
ing at  home;  Virginia,  born  in  1883,  was  also  reared  and  educated  in  Spring- 
field,  and  is  still  with  her  parents. 

Politically,  Mr.  Stutzman  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Modern  Woodmen,  and  the  Royal  Arcanum. 
He  is  a member  of  the  Christian  chnrch. 


ALFRED  S.  ABBOTT. 

The  eminent  position  attained  by  Alfred  S.  Abbott,  master  mechanic 
at  the  Springfield  Frisco  shops,  has  been  the  result  of  long  years  of  patient, 
painstaking,  honest  and  conscientious  effort,  and  he  is  therefore  deserving 
of  his  success.  His  record  might  well  be  studied  with  profit  by  the  young 
men  who  are  striving  for  recognition  in  the  mechanical  world,  for  it  indi- 
cates, among  other  things,  how  merit  wins,  despite  obstacles,  and  that  suc- 
cess is  dependent  on  ability  and  integrity  more  than  anything  else.  But 
Mr.  Abbott  had  good  parents  who  taught  him  from  the  start  the  duties 
of  life — not  ordinary  instructions,  but  the  higher  duties  which  all  owe  to- 
each  other  and  to  society.  The  result  has  been  to  give  broad  ideas  of  life 
and  its  responsibilities  and  to  fit  him  for  honorable  citizenship. 


1274 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mr.  Abbott  was  born,  May  23,  1868,  in  Pentwater,  Michigan.  He  is 
a son  of  Jacob  B.  and  Elizabeth  E.  (Snowden)  Abbott.  The  father  was 
born  in  Hamburg,  New  York,  in  1842,  and  his  death  occurred  in  Joplin,  Mis- 
souri, in  1886.  The  mother  was  born  in  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  in  1844, 
and  she  died  in  Joplin,  Missouri,  in  1901.  These  parents  grew  to  maturity  in 
the  East  and  were  given  the  advantage  of  a public  school  education.  Jacob 
B.  Abbott  studied  medicine  when  a boy  and  became  a successful  physician 
and  surgeon,  which  profession  he  followed  the  remainder  of  his  active 
life.  In  1873  he  removed  with  his  family  from  Pentwater,  Michigan,  to 
Kansas.  In  1875  he  located  in  Joplin,  this  state,  but  the  rest  of  the  family 
did  not  locate  in  that  city  until  1877.  Doctor  Abbott  was  enjoying  an  ex- 
cellent practice  in  the  mining  town  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Politically,  he 
was  a Republican.  During  the  Civil  war  he  served  in  the  Union  army,  having 
enlisted  in  Company  I,  Forty-sixth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  1861,  at 
Oregon,  Illinois,  and  he  saw  considerable  hard  service  in  the  South  and 
took  part  in  many  of  the  great  battles  of  the  war,  Wilson’s  Creek,  Missouri, 
being  among  them.  He  was  honorably  discharged  in  1865.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  Alfred  S., 

of  this  review;  Fred  J.,  deceased;  and  Harry  C,  who  lives  in  Birmingham, 
Alabama. 

Alfred  S.  Abbott  was  nine  years  old  when  he  came  to  Joplin,  this  state 
and  there  he  attended  the  common  schools.  In  February,  1888  he  began 
his  railroad  career  by  going  to  work  in  the  round-house  of  the  Frisco 
railroad  at  Joplin,  and  there  and  in  Springfield  he  served  his  apprentice- 
ship of  four  years.  In  1898  he  was  made  division  foreman  at  Sapulpa, 
Oklahoma,  where  he  remained  until  1902,  in  September  of  which  year  he 
came  to  Springfield  as  machinist  in  the  North  Side  shops,  and  worked  as 
such  until  in  December,  1902,  then  was  made  division  foreman  at  Newburg, 
Missouri,  which  position  he  held  from  December  13th,  of  that  year  until 
March  1,  1907,  when  he  was  sent  to  Birmingham,  Alabama,  as  general 
foreman,  where  he  remained  until  July  1,  1909,  when  he  was  appointed 
master  of  mechanics  at  Ft.  Smith,  Arkansas,  which  position  he  held  until 
March  1,  1911,  when  he  was  transferred  to  Sapulpa,  Oklahoma,  with  the 
same  duties,  which  he  discharged  until  August  15,  1911,  when  he  was  made 
mechanical  superintendent  at  Springfield,  remaining  in  that  position  until 
September  1,  1913,  since  which  time  he  has  been  master  mechanic  for  the 
Eastern  division  of  the  Frisco,  and  is  at  this  writing  discharging  the  duties  of 
this  responsible  and  important  post  in'  a manner  that  reflects  great  credit 
upon  his  ability,  fidelity  and  integrity  and  to  the  eminent  satisfaction  of 
the  company,  which  has  ever  reposed  in  him  the  utmost  confidence  and  has 
regarded  him  as  one  of  its  most  efficient,  trustworthy  and  reliable  em- 
ployees. He  is  not  only  a close  observer  but  is  a diligent  student  of  all 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1275 


that  pertains  to  his  lines  of  work  and  has  kept  well  abreast  of  the  times 
in  the  same. 

Mr.  Abbott  was  married,  June  26,  1894,  in  Joplin,  Missouri,  to  Kate 
Seanor,  who  was  born  in  Iowa,  January  1,  1871.  She  is  a daughter  of  John 
and  Clara  B.  (Wilder)  Seanor,  the  father  a native  of  England  and  the 
mother  of  Sandy  Creek,  New  York.  Mrs.  Abbott  received  a good  education, 
including  a college  course  at  Boulder,  Colorado. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Abbott,  three  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Katie 
P.,  born  July  17,  1895;  John  Seanor,  born  January  31,  1899;  and  Alfred  S. 
Jr.,  born  February  1,  1907. 

Mr.  Abbott  is  a Republican.  He  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal  church, 
and  fraternally  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order,  including  the  Knights  Templars 
and  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  also 
belong'S  to  the  Modern  Woodmen. 


CLARENCE  J.  RHODES. 

The  life  of  the  average  man  of  affairs  today  is  spent  amidst  so  much 
bustle  and  hurry  and  worry  that  he  often  imagines  he  can  find  but  little 
time  to  devote  to  books,  recreation,  retrospection ; and  there  are  many  who 
hardly  ever  open  a book,  seldom  spend  a day  in  the  woods  communing  with 
nature,  who  content  themselves  with  the  dull  routine  of  the  daily  drudge, 
and  who  never  lose  themselves  in  prose  or  poetry  or  fiction,  in  science,  art  or 
history.  Perhaps  one  of  the  most  busy  men  who  lived  in  the  past  century 
was  William  E.  Gladstone yet  he  was  one  of  the  best  informed  and  most 
deeply  read  men  in  Europe.  The  same  may  be  said  in  America  of  Theodore 
Roosevelt.  Such  men  do  their  work  better  because  they  come  to  it  with 
minds  refreshed  and  strengthened,  and  the}’  move  under  the  heavy  load  of 
the  world’s  affairs  with  ease  and  grace  and  dignity  because  they  hear  things 
that  other  ears  are  deaf  to  and  see  upon  all  things  a light  to  which  un- 
taught eyes  are  blind.  Clarence  J.  Rhodes,  of  Springfield,  is  one  of  our 
citizens  who  takes  a delight  in  keeping  up  with  current  events  and  investi- 
gating the  various  realms  of  learning,  having  never  permitted  himself  to 
become  wholly  absorbed  with  his  daily  tasks,  therefore  he  is  not  only  hap- 
pier but  does  his  work  better  than  if  he  ignored  his  tastes  for  culture. 

Mr.  Rhodes  was  born  at  Zinc,  Arkansas,  February  1,  1887.  He  is  a 
son  of  Eugene  J.  Rhodes,  Sr.,  a well-known  man  of  affairs,  formerly  of 
northern  Arkansas,  now  of  Springfield,  a complete  sketch  of  whom  will 
be  found  on  other  pages  of  this  work. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a practical  education  in  the  high 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1276 

school  and  Springfield  Normal,  having  come  to  this  city  with  his  parents 
when  he  was  a child.  After  leaving  school  he  went  to  St.  Louis  with  a 
bonding  company,  where  he  remained  until  in  February,  1907,  when  he 
returned  to  Springfield  and  went  to  work  for  the  Kansas  City,  Clinton  & 
Springfield  Railroad  Company  as  assistant  ticket  accountant  or  statistician, 
then  became  revising  clerk,  joint  freight  accountant  and  voucher  clerk,  and 
at  present  he  is  bookkeeper,  with  offices  in  the  Woodruff  building.  He  has 
given  eminent  satisfaction  in  all  the  above  named  positions,  being  alert,  pains- 
taking, energetic  and  trustworthy. 

Mr.  Rhodes  was  married  on  July  30,  1908,  in  Springfield,  to  Stella  I. 
Sanders,  who  was  born  in  Billings,  Missouri.  She  is  a daughter  of  J.  W. 
and  Elizabeth  T.  (Tipper)  Sanders,  both  natives  of  England,  from  which 
country  they  came  to  the  United  States  in  early  life.  The  father  is  now 
deceased,  hut  the  mother  is  making  her  home  in  Springfield.  Mrs.  Rhodes 
was  given  good  educational  advantages. 

To1  our  subject  and  wife  two  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Warrena 
L.,  born  July  14,  1909;  and  Richard  J.,  born  November  20,  1911. 

Politically,  Mr.  Rhodes  is  a Republican,  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to 
the  Knights  of  Pythias. 


JOHN  KELLY. 

The  vast  majority  of  men  are  not  their  own  employers.  They  are 
working  for  some  one  else  and  must  continue  to  do  so.  The  tendency  of 
modern  business  is  toward  more  economical  production  and  this  means 
larger  establishments  and  fewer  employers.  Out  of  the  ranks  will  come 
some  captains  of  industry  who  will  have  large  business  enterprises  of  their 
own ; but  their  number  will  be  insignificant  compared  with  the  army  of  toil- 
ers who  work  for  some  one  else.  There  are  few  men  who  are  not  compelled 
to  sell  their  services  in  their  youth  in  order  to  get  a start  in  life,  but  lucky 
is  he  who  does  not  remain  a hired  man  too  long,  thereby  losing  confidence  in 
himself  and  incapacitating  himself  in  a way  to  be  able  to  go  it  alone.  One 
of  the  business  men  of  Springfield  who  had  the  tact  to  quit  hiring  out  and 
start  in  business  for  himself  when  the  proper  time  came  is  John  Kelly,  who 
first  came  to  Springfield  forty-four  years  ago,  and  for  nearly  four  decades 
has  been  identified  with  the  business  of  the  city,  thus  literally  growing  up 
with  the  town. 

Mr.  Kelly  was  born  in  Ireland,  June  13,  1849.  He  is  a son  of  Patrick 
and  Mary  (Heckey)  Kelly  , both  natives  of  Ireland,  where  they  grew  up, 
were  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  there  were  married  and  devoted 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


>-77 


their  lives  to  general  farming.  The  mother  was  a daughter  of  a physician. 

John  Kelly  spent  his  early  boyhood  in  the  Emerald  Isle,  and  there  re- 
ceived a limited  education  by  attending  night  school.  He  was  sixteen  years 
of  age  when  he  emigrated  to  America.  He  penetrated  to  the  interior,  first 
locating  at  Fulton  City,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  about  a year,  then  went 
to  Montana,  Utah  and  Colorado,  remaining  some  time  in  the  West,  then  came 
to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  1870,  arriving  here  in  February,  but  soon  there- 
after he  went  to  Neosho  and  started  in  the  liquor  business  for  E.  F.  Kinney. 
After  remaining  there  a year  he  came  back  to  Springfield  where  he  remained 
until  1876,  when  he  went  to  Fort  Worth,  Texas,  and  spent  two  years  there, 
then  lived  at  Parlor  Point,  Texas,  two  years.  From  there  he  went  to  Colo- 
rado, where  he  remained  six  months,  then  returned  to  Springfield  in  the  fall 
of  1880  and  continued  working  at  his  profession  until  1883,  when  he  started 
in  business  for  himself  in  partnership  with  E.  F.  Kinney,  in  the  liquor  busi- 
ness, on  Commercial  street,  but  two  years  later  the  partnership  was  dis- 
solved and  he  struck  out  for  himself  near  the  corner  of  Boonville  and  Com- 
mercial streets,  where  he  conducted  his  business  for  fifteen  years,  then  moved 
to  Mill  street  where  he  has  remained  to  the  present  time.  He  has  prospered 
in  a financial  way,  and  has  always  been  regarded  as  a law-abiding  citizen. 

Mr.  Kelly  has  remained  unmarried.  He  has  been  a Democrat  ever 
since  he  was  old  enough  to  vote,  but  has  never  aspired  to  office.  He  was 
confirmed  in  the  Catholic  church  in  infancy,  and  has  always  adhered  to  the 
same. 


JOHN  W.  ROSE. 

Among  the  enterprising,  progressive  and  widely  known  merchants  of 
Springfield  is  John  W.  Rose,  one  of  Greene  county’s  worthy  native  sons, 
and  a worthy  scion  of  an  old  and  honored  family  of  this  locality,  a man  who 
is  deserving  of  a great  deal  of  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished,  which 
has  been  in  the  face  of  obstacles  that  would  have  crushed  men  of  less  grit 
and  ambition,  for  his  early  environment  was  decidedly  unpromising,  but,  the 
modern  Don  Quixot  that  he  was,  he  did  not  sit  by  idly  pining  for  something 
to  turn  up,  but  went  forth  to  conquer,  and,  by  persevering,  succeeded.  His 
life,  though  comparatively  uneventful,  has  not  been  unfruitful  of  good  results 
and  kind  deeds  in  behalf  of  his  fellow-men.  He  thoroughly  understands 
the  business  to  which  so  many  years  have  been  devoted,  and  the  confidence 
and  respect  of  the  hundreds  of  customers  who  pass  in  and  out  of  his  doors 
continuously  are  his  in  a satisfactory  degree. 

Mr.  Rose  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  on  November  6,  1862. 
He  is  a son  of  John  W.  and  Elizabeth  (Laney)  Rose,  both  natives  of  this 


1278 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


state.  I he  father  was  a soldier  in  the  Confederate  army  and  was  killed  in 
a skirmish  with  Union  troops  in  1864.  The  death  of  the  mother  occurred 
in  1906.  The  paternal  grandfather,  W.  R.  Rose,  was  a native  of  Ten- 
nessee, and  from  that  state  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  early 
pioneer  times,  locating  on  a farm  here  in  1834.  The  maternal  grandfather, 
j.  H.  Laney,  was  also  a native  of  Tennessee,  from  which  state  he  emigrated 
to  Lawrence  county,  Missouri,  in  1835,  and  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers 
of  that  county.  Both  the  Rose  and  Laney  families  were  represented  in  the 
Revolutionary  war.  The  Laneys  are  of  French  and  English  ancestry. 
Grandfather  Laney  and  wife  are  buried  in  Garroutte  cemetery,  and  Grand- 
father Rose  and  wife  are  buried  in  Prospect  cemetery. 

John  VV.  Rose  was  left  fatherless  when  two  years  of  age,  and  he  has 
always  depended  upon  himself,  which  fact  has  doubtless  been  largely  respon- 
sible for  his  success  in  life.  When  thirteen  years  of  age  he  hired  out  as  a 
farm  hand  at  ten  dollars  a month,  and  continued  farming  until  he  was 
eighteen  years  of  age.  Meanwhile  he  had  little  chance  to  obtain  an  educa- 
tion, but  this  lack  has  later  been  made  up  by  wide  home  reading  and  study 
and  by  contact  with  the  world  until  today  he  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  best 
informed  men  on  general  topics  in  Springfield.  When  a boy  he  learned 
telegraphy,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Frisco  rail- 
road and  in  charge  of  a station.  Fie  continued  in  that  capacity  for  a period 
of  six  years,  giving  the  company  excellent  service  and  was  commended  for 
his  accuracy  and  fidelity.  Not  seeing  much  future  to  such  employment  and 
believing  he  had  qualifications  for  the  mercantile  world,  he  left  the  road’s 
employ  and  entered  the  mercantile  business,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in 
the  same  in  Springfield,  with  the  exception  of  fifteen  years  spent  as  a traveling 
salesman,  during  which  he  gave  excellent  satisfaction  to  the  firms  employing 
him,  and  became  widely  known  to  the  trade  over  a vast  territory.  Fie  has 
operated  a general  book  store  on  East  Commercial  street  since  1906  and  has 
enjoyed  a large  and  ever-growing  trade,  and  he  carries  at  all  seasons  an 
extensive  and  up-to-date  stock  of  everything  found  in  a modern  book  store, 
and  his  obliging  and  courteous  nature  has  won  and  retained  a host  of  friends 
among  his  patrons. 

Mr.  Rose  was  married  in  1883  to  Mattie  Wade,  a native  of  Greene 
county,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  She  is  a daughter 
of  T.  W.  and  Ellen  (Skelton)  Wade.  Mr.  Wade  has  devoted  his  active 
life  to  farming,  and  he  is  a resident  of  Springfield. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rose,  namely:  Ethel, 
married  R.  R.  Matthews,  a mechanic,  and  they  reside  in  Dallas,  Texas;  Leon 
M.,  died  on  July  4,  1912;  Jerry  FI.  is  associated  with  his  father  in  business; 
Ina  D.  is  at  home.  Ethel  and  Jerry  H.  are  both  graduates  of  the  Springfield 
high  school. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I279 


Politically  Mr.  Rose  is  a Democrat.  Religiously  he  belongs  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  fraternally  is  a member  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  deeply  interested  in  the  general  welfare  of 
his  city  and  county  in  every  way. 


ALVIN  B.  TRENARY. 

Although  Springfield  is  a noted  railroad  town,  thousands  of  trainmen 
and  shopmen  making  their  home  here,  it  is  impossible  for  each  to  know  the 
other,  but  in  some  instances,  like  that  of  Alvin  B.  Trenary,  an  individual 
becomes  well  known  in  his  own  circle.  This  is  partly  because  our  subject 
has  been  a resident  of  this  city  for  a period  of  thirty  years,  during  which 
he  has  followed  railroading,  and  partly  because  he  is  a good  mixer,  a jovial, 
companionable  gentleman  and  is  therefore  popular  among  his  fellow  workers, 
and  is  a widely  known  passenger  engineer. 

Mr.  Trenary  was  born  in  Franklin,  Indiana,  February  20,  1862.  He  is 
a son  of  Thomas  L.  and  Mary  A.  (Stairs)  Trenary,  the  father  a native  of 
Indiana  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Ohio.  They  grew  to  maturity  in  their 
respective  localities  and  received  good  educations  for  that  period,  the  father 
becoming  a successful  teacher,  which  he  followed  for  some  time.  He  was 
also  a carpenter  by  trade.  During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  from  Johnson 
county,  Indiana,  in  1862,  and  met  death  in  the  service  of  his  country,  being 
wounded  in  battle,  and  died  from  the  effects  of  the  same  in  a St.  Louis 
hospital.  His  widow  survived  to  old  age,  and  died  in  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri. Our  subject’s  paternal  grandfather  and  mother  had  the  distinction 
of  being  the  first  couple  to  be  married  in  Tippecanoe  county,  Indiana.  To 
Thomas  L.  Trenary  four  children  were  born. 

Alvin  B.  Trenary  was  a small  child  when  he  lost  his  father  and  he  was 
thrown  upon  his  own  resources  early  in  life,  consequently  his  education  was 
limited,  but  he  has  made  up  for  this  lack  in  later  life  by  general  reading 
and  contact  with  the  world.  What  schooling  he  obtained  was  in  Urbana, 
Illinois,  and  when  but  a boy  he  began  working  in  a grocery  store  in  that  town, 
and  when  eighteen  or  twenty  years  of  age  he  went  to  Indianapolis,  Indiana, 
and  began  his  railroad  career  by  firing  extra  on  the  Big  Four  road,  and 
there  he  remained  until  in  the  autumn  of  1884,  when  he  came  to  Springfield, 
Missouri,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  went  to  work  here  for  the  old 
Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  Railroad  as  fireman  of  a freight  train  on 
the  Ozark  division,  and  eighteen  months  later  as  fireman  on  a passenger  train 
and  about  the  same  run.  Later  he  ran  a switch  engine  about  three  . years, 
then  was  promoted  to  a regular  freight  engineer,  and  ran  in  this  capacity  on 


i -?8o 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


the  Ozark  division  about  six  years,  then  was  promoted  to  passenger  engineer 
on  this  division,  and  at  this  writing  still  has  the  same  run.  This  road  has 
been  a part  of  the  Frisco  System  since  1900.  Our  subject  is  regarded  as  one 
of  the  safest  and  most  efficient  engineers  out  of  Springfield,  always  sober, 
cool,  alert  and  careful. 

Mr.  Trenary  was  married  in  Springfield  on  November  14,  1889,  to 
Lutie  Seaman,  a native  of  Iowa,  who  was  a small  child  when  her  parents 
brought  her  to  Springfield,  and  here  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  edu- 
cated. She  is  a daughter  of  Levi  and  Mary  (Fisher)  Seaman.  Mr.  Seaman 
is  a carpenter  by  trade. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  two  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Helen 
V.,  born  on  August  13,  1890,  received  her  education  in  the  local  high  school 
and  normal,  and  is  living  at  home;  Elsie  Louise,  born  on  April  12,  1896,  is 
a junior  in  the  Springfield  high  school  at  this  writing. 

Mr.  Trenary  has  a splendid  and  well  furnished  home  on  West  Walnut 
street.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  No.  378,  Brotherhood 
of  Locomotive  Engineers.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Order,  in 
which  he  has  attained  the  master’s  degree.  He  and  his  family  are  all  mem- 
bers of  St.  Paul’s  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South. 


JOHN  RANDOLPH  SMITH,  M.  D. 

That  life  is  the  most  useful  and  desirable  that  results  in  the  greatest 
good  to  the  greatest  number  and,  though  all  do  not  reach  the  heights  to  which 
they  aspire,  yet  in  some  measure  each  can  win  success  and  make  life  a bless- 
ing to  his  fellowmen ; and  it  is  not  necessary  for  one  to  occupy  eminent 
public  positions  to  do  so,  for  in  the  humbler  walks  of  life  there  remains 
much  good  to  be  accomplished  and  many  opportunities  for  one  to  exercise 
one’s  talents  and  influence  which  in  some  way  will  touch  the  lives  of  those 
with  whom  we  come  in  contact,  making  them  better  and  brighter.  In  the 
list  of  Greene  county’s  honored  citizens  is  Dr.  John  Randolph  Smith,  now 
living  in  honorable  retirement  after  a long,  useful  and  eminently  successful 
career  as  a physician,  having  for  many  years  ranked  among  the  leading 
professional  men  of  southwestern  Missouri.  In  his  career  there  is  much 
that  is  commendable  and  his  life  forcibly  illustrates  what  one  can  accomplish 
even  in  the  face  of  obstacles,  if  one’s  plans  are  wisely  laid  and  his  actions 
governed  by  right  principles,  noble  aims  and  high  ideals. 

Doctor  Smith  was  born  on  January  27,  1836,  at  Monticello,  Kentucky, 
a scion  of  an  excellent  old  southern  family.  He  is  a son  of  David  and 
Charlotte  (Havens)  Smith,  born  in  1777  and  1800  respectively,  who  re- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I28l 


moved  to  Newton  county,  Missouri,  in  1836,  and  were  thus  pioneer  settlers 
in  this  state.  David  Smith  died  January  24,  1845,  when  Doctor  Smith  was 
nine  years  of  age,  and  his  wife  died  in  May,  1884.  Our  subject  was  an 
infant  in  arms  at  that  time  and  he  grew  to  manhood  in  Newton  county, 
received  a limited  education  in  the  old-time  subscription  schools  and  worked 
on  a farm  during  his  boyhood.  But  he  was  an  ambitious  youth  and  studied 
hard  at  home,  taking  an  interest  in  medicine  when  only  sixteen  years  of  age, 
and  about  that  time  began  studying  medicine  under  Dr.  J.  W.  Walker  in 
Jasper  county,  Missouri.  He  made  rapid  progress  and  was  equipped  for 
his  chosen  career  at  an  early  age,  being  a fine  example  of  a self-made  man. 
He  first  began  practice  at  Diamond  Grove,  this  state.  Seeing  the  need  of 
a college  training  he  went  to  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  and  took  the  course  in  the 
medical  college  there.  He  owes  much  of  his  success  in  life  to  his  mother 
who  was  a well  educated  woman  and  taught  him  much  at  home.  In  his 
youth  he  taught  school  for  a time  in  Newton  county,  Missouri.  Finally 
turning  his  attention  to  the  newspaper  field  he  started,  owned  and  operated 
the  Weekly  Record  at  Stella.  Missouri,  which  he  retained  until  in  February, 
1914,  when  he  retired  from  active  life.  From  1871  to  1873,  inclusive,  he 
owned  and  operated  a wholesale  and  retail  drug  store  in  Springfield,  under 
the  firm  name  of  W.  G.  Porter  & Company,  at  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
public  square.  Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Porter,  Doctor  Smith  continued  the 
drug  business  at  223  South  street,  under  the  firm  name  of  J.  R.  Smith  & 
Company.  He  enjoyed  a large  trade,  maintained  one  of  the  leading  drug- 
stores of  Springfield  and  was  very  successful  as  a business  man.  In  con- 
nection with  his  business  interests  he  followed  his  profession  and  had  an 
extensive  practice.  Being  of  a literary  turn  of  mind  he  has  written  and 
published  a number  of  books  on  varied  themes,  principally  of  a religious 
tone.  His  writings  show  a depth  of  thought,  broad  culture,  a splendid 
general  knowledge  and  a fine  literary  finish. 

Doctor  Smith  was  never  named  by  his  parents,  being  known  only  by  a 
“nickname”  until  he  was  eight  years  of  age  when  he  selected  his  own  name. 
He  comes  from  an  excellent  old  American  family.  Robert  Smith,  his  grand- 
father, was  born  in  England,  and  he  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  be- 
coming captain  of  a company  in  the  Fourth  North  Carolina  regiment.  He 
was  a gallant  officer  and  took  part  in  many  engagements,  including  the  battle 
of  King's  Mountain.  After  the  war  he  was  a merchant  and  ship  builder 
of  note,  owning  several  vessels  which  operated  between  North  Carolina  ports 
and  the  West  Indies.  Nathaniel  Geist,  the  doctor’s  great-grandfather,  first 
married  Mary  Howard,  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  later  Dinah  Volkeer, 
of  Holland.  His  daughter,  Mary  Geist,  by  his  first  wife,  married  Robert 
Smith,  our  subject’s  grandfather.  Nathaniel  Geist  served  with  George 
(Si) 


1282 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Washington  in  the  war  with  England  against  France,  and  he  was  captured  in 
1773  at  Braddock’s  famous  defeat  by  the  Cherokee  Indians,  who  held  him 
four  years.  During  his  captivity  he  married  an  Indian  maiden  and  they 
reared  a family.  One  of  their  sons,  George  Geist,  was  a man  of  exceptional 
prowess  and  ability  and  the  Indians  called  him  Chief  Sequoyah,  and  he  was 
for  some  time  chief  of  the  Cherokee  tribe.  He  has  been  held  in  great  rever- 
ence by  the  succeeding  generation  of  Cherokees  in  view  of  the  fact  that  he 
originated  the  Cherokee  alphabet. 

David  Smith,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  North  Carolina.  He 
lived  in  Tennessee,  Alabama  and  Kentucky  before  coming  to  Missouri  in 
1836.  He  was  a great  cattleman,  raising  large  numbers  in  the  above  men- 
tioned states,  and  in  the  early  days  before  there  were  any  railroads  in  the 
South,  he  practiced  driving  immense  herds  of  cattle  to  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
where  he  marketed  them.  Many  claim  that  he  originated  the  familiar  term 
“cowboy.”  He  was  left  an  orphan  in  infancy,  his  father  and  mother  both 
dying  at  that  period  of  his  life.  All  his  life  he  was  a dealer  in  live  stock  and 
was  one  of  the  most  widely  known  cattle  and  horse  dealers  in  his  day  and 
generation  in  the  localities  where  he  resided.  He  was  one  of  the  first  to 
import  blooded  horses,  and  he  raised  thoroughbreds  for  a number  of  years. 
He  lived  to  a ripe  old  age,  spending  his  last  years  on  his  large  stock  farm 
in  Newton  county,  this  state.  His  family  consisted  of  the  following  chil- 
dren: Benjamin  F.  died  in  infancy;  Sarah  A.  married  Thomas  Walker; 
Mary  J.,  who  is  now  eighty-two  years  of  age  and  has  never  married,  is  living 
at  the  old  homestead,  “Kent  Park,”  Newton  county,  Missouri;  Dr.  John  R., 
of  this  sketch;  Charlotte  E.  married  James  W.  Roseberrv,  now  deceased; 
their  son  Chahner  H.  Roseberrv,  owns  and  conducts  a large  deer  farm  at 
“Kent  Park,”  Newton  county,  and  is  a member  of  the  Society  for  the 
Preservation  of  Wild  Animals  of  the  United  States  Government.  Thomas 
H.  Benton  Smith  died  in  1863  while  in  the  service  of  the  Confederacy,  hav- 
ing been  with  General  Rains’  brigade  at  Ft.  Smith,  Arkansas,  at  the  time 
of  his  death. 

Dr.  John  R.  Smith  owns  a gun  which  was  made  to  order  for  his  father 
in  1829,  by  John  Bull,  a gunsmith  of  Warrior  Mountain,  Alabama.  It  is  a 
fine  specimen  of  guncraft  of  those  days,  is  mounted  with  silver  and  has  a 
gold  powder-pan  and  bushings.  The  stock  is  of  curly  maple  and  the  barrel 
of  a very  soft  iron.  It  is  a remarkably  accurate  shooting  piece  and  it  was 
designed  as  a “target”  gun  for  the  pioneers.  The  mounting  has  several  in- 
scriptions on  the  silver  plating.  The  doctor  values  this  heirloom  very  highly. 

Doctor  Smith  was  married  October  3,  1861,  to  Frances  Ruth  Iveet,  a 
daughter  of  Josiah  T.  and  Elizabeth  Proctor  (West)  Keet. 

To  Doctor  Smith  and  wife  the  following  children  were  born  : Kenvon 
Ida  died  in  infancy;  Ernest  V.  is  a lieutenant-colonel  in  the  regular  army  of 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1283 


the  United  States,  now  stationed  at  Honolulu,  Sandwich  Islands ; he  is  a 
graduate  of  West  Point  Military  Academy,  which  he  entered  when  seventeen 
years  old;  he  married  Cora  Young,  of  Troy,  New  York.  Grace  K.  Smith 
became  the  wife  of  the  late  George  Cooper,  a sketch  of  whom  will  be  found 
in  another  part  of  this  work ; Charlotte  married  Willard  P.  Paddock,  who 
was  for  many  years  a professor  in  the  Pratt  Institute,  Brooklyn,  New  York; 
he  is  now  a well  known  artist,  and  has  made  a fine  bronze  statue  of  Noah 
Webster,  that  was  unveiled  in  September,  1914,  in  Massachusetts.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Paddock  reside  in  New  York  City.  Clara,  youngest  of  the  doctor’s 
children,  married  Edward  Steichen,  a wrell  known  artist  of  New  York  City, 
where  they  reside.  The  mother  of  these  children,  to  whom  the}'  owe  so 
much  for  their  general  culture  and  success  in  life,  is  now  seventy-one  years 
of  age. 

Doctor  Smith  has  been  living  retired  for  some  time,  making  his  home 
with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Grace  Cooper,  at  her  beautiful  home  on  Cherry  street, 
Springfield.  He  is  now  in  his  seventy-ninth  year,  but  is  still  comparatively 
hale  and  hearty  and  possesses  all  his  faculties  and  has  a fine  memory.  For 
a number  of  years  he  was  medical  examiner  of  the  pension  bureau  of  the 
United  States  government.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution  and  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  and  belongs  to  the  Christian  church.  He  and  his  good  wife  are 
indeed  a grand  old  couple,  greatly  beloved  by  a very  wide  circle  of  close 
friends.  They  have  led  useful  and  helpful  lives,  being  hospitable  and  chari- 
table by  nature,  but  never  from  a desire  for  display — rather  from  an  innate 
love  for  suffering  humanity  and  to  meekly  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  the 
lowly  Nazarene. 


CHARLES  E.  DANDO. 

History  is  made  rapidly  in  these  latter  days,  representing  ceaseless 
toil  and  endeavor,  the  proudest  achievements  and  the  most  potent  progress 
in  all  lines,  and  thus  it  is  gratifying  to  mark  the  records  of  those  whose 
influence  has  impressed  itself  along  the  various  channels  through  which  the 
swelling  tide  of  accomplishment  makes  its  way.  If  the  present  volumes  are 
to  contain  the  names  of  the  men  who  have  “done  things”  in  Springfield 
and  Greene  county,  the  name  of  Charles  E.  Dando  will  necessarily  have  to 
be  included  within  their  pages.  For  many  years  he  was  a widely  known 
railroad  man,  an  engineer  and  passenger  conductor,  after  the  usual  pre- 
liminary positions,  and  was  also  a skilled  machinist  and  worked  in  many 
different  railroad  shops.  Later  we  find  him  owner  and  manager  of  a number 
of  noted  horses,  then  he  was  in  the  moving  picture  business,  and  now  is 


1284 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


living  in  retirement.  He  enjoys  the  distinction  of  having  driven  the  engine 
that  pulled  the  first  passenger  train  from  Kansas  City  to  Springfield,  which 
was  over  the  old  “Gulf  road.” 

Mr.  Dando  was  born  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  on  September  8,  1850.  He  is 
a son  of  Joseph  M.  and  Mary  (Ball)  Dando,  both  long'  since  deceased;  and 
he  is  the  youngest  of  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  deceased;  Mrs.  Harriet 
Prichard,  the  eldest,  and  Joseph  and  William  were  the  brothers. 

Charles  E.  Dando  received  a limited  education,  but  in  later  life  became 
a well  informed  man  by  contact  with  the  world  and  wide  reading.  When 
only  fourteen  years  of  age  he  began  his  railroad  career,  securing  employ- 
ment with  the  old  Atlantic  & Great  Western  railroad,  now  owned  by  the 
Erie  railroad.  He  started  in  the  shops  at  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  remained  two  years,  and  from  there  went  to  Gabon,  Ohio,  where  he  began 
firing  a switch  engine  in  the  yards ; six  months  later  he  entered  the  railroad 
shops  of  the  Atlantic  & Great  Western,  learning  the  machinist’s  trade,  which 
he  worked  at  for  three  and  one-half  years,  then  left  Gabon  and  went  to  New 
Orleans,  Louisiana,  where  he  went  to  work  in  the  Shakespeare  & Gettys 
foundry,  remaining  there  about  a year,  then  went  to  Litchfield,  Illinois,  and 
worked  for  the  Illinois  & St.  Louis  Railroad  Company  as  a machinist  in 
their  shops  there,  remaining  a year  and  a half.  He  then  went  to  Kansas 
City,  in  the  spring  of  1872,  and  worked  in  the  machine  shops  of  the  Missouri 
River,  Ft.  Scott  & Gulf  railroad  for  about  four  months,  when  he  began 
firing,  which  he  continued  about  a year  when  he  was  promoted  to  engineer 
and  assigned  to  a locomotive  which  ran  as  both  freight  and  passenger.  When 
the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  road  was  built  between  Kansas  City 
and  Springfield,  Mr.  Dando  ran  the  engine  that  pulled  the  first  passenger 
train  from  Kansas  City  to  Springfield.  Judge  John  G.  Newbill  rode  in  the 
cab  with  him  from  Ft.  Scott  to  Springfield.  Mr.  Dando  was  later  made  a 
conductor  and  worked  in  this  capacity  a few  years,  then  went  back  to  run- 
ning a locomotive.  He  finally  retired  from  railroading  and  purchased  some 
fine  race  horses,  including  the  famous  “Black  Dick.”  He  took  his  horses  all 
over  the  Eastern  states,  engaging  in  a large  number  of  races,  and  was  very 
successful.  Of  late  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  moving  picture  business 
in  Springfield,  but  has  lived  in  retirement  during  the  past  four  years,  owning 
a good  home  on  South  Main  street. 

Mr.  Dando  was  married,  March  23,  1884,  to  Lizzell  Davis,  of  Fort 
Scott.  Kansas,  a daughter  of  Dr.  and  Sarah  F.  (Hulse)  Davis,  whose  family 
consisted  of  four  children,  namely:  James,  Faustien,  Lizzell,  and  Josephine; 
the  last  named  is  deceased.  Doctor  Davis  was  born  in  France.  Mrs.  Dando 
grew  to  womanhood  in  Ft.  Scott  and  received  her  education  there,  making 
excellent  grades  in  all  branches.  Our  subject  and  wife  had  two  children, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1285 


one  living:  James  Edward  was  born  April  19,  1886,  and  died  October  24, 

1904;  Charles  Joseph  was  born  February  19,  1896,  and  is  in  a military 
school  at  Ashville,  North  Carolina. 

Politically,  Mr.  Dando  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Eastern 
Division  of  the  Order  of  Railway  Conductors,  No.  321,  and  the  Brother- 
hood of  Locomotive  Engineers.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  and  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  was  also 
made  an  honorary  member  of  the  Grand  International  Division  of  the 
Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers,  No.  378. 


MICHAEL  J.  MURPHY. 

It  is  indeed  hard  to  find  among  our  cosmopolitan  civilization,  people  of 
better  habits  of  life,  taking  it  all  in  all,  than  those  who  originally  came  from 
the  fair  Emerald  Isle  or  their  immediate  descendants.  They  are  distin- 
guished for  their  thrift,  wit,  consecutive  industry,  patriotism  and  loyalty, 
and  these  qualities  in  the  inhabitants  of  any  country  will  in  the  end  alone 
make  that  country  great.  One  of  the  well-known  engineers  of  the  Frisco  is 
Michael  J.  Murphy,  who  has  long  resided  in  Springfield,  a man  of  Celtic 
blood  and  of  the  second  generation  of  Irish  in  America.  He  hails  originally 
from  the  Crescent  City  of  the  far  South. 

Mr.  Murphy  was  born  on  January  1,  1861,  in  New  Orleans,  Louisiana. 
He  is  a son  of  Michael  D.  and  Dorothy  Ann  (O’Dwyre)  Murphy,  both 
born,  reared  and  married  in  Ireland  and  there  resided  until  1854,  when  they 
emigrated  to  the  United  States,  first  locating  in  New  York  state,  then,  in 
1859,  went  to  New  Orleans,  and  in  1861,  when  the  Civil  war  began,  they 
came  north  to  Rolla,  Missouri,  when  our  subject  was  an  infant.  In  1847 
Michael  D.  Murphy  took  part  in  the  Smith-O’Brien  rebellion.  He  escaped 
and  went  to  Australia,  and  after  a separation  of  seven  years  rejoined  his 
wife,  and  they  came  to  America.  He  was  a railroad  levee  contractor.  His 
death  occurred  in  September,  1872,  at  Rolla,  this  state.  His  widow  subse- 
quently removed  to  Springfield,  where  her  death  occurred  in  1892.  To  these 
parents  four  children  were  born,  namely : Jeremiah,  Charles  E.,  Mary,  are 
all  deceased,  and  Michael  J.,  of  this  sketch. 

Mr.  Murphy,  our  subject,  had  little  chance  to  receive  an  extensive  edu- 
cation. However,  he  is  a self-made  man.  On  April  1,  1879,  he  went  to 
work  for  the  St.  Louis  & San  Francisco  Railroad  Company  in  a stone  quarrv 
at  Rolla,  later  coming  with  an  extra  gang  to  Springfield  and  helped  put  in 
the  foundation  for  a turntable  and  roundhouse  at  the  North  Side  shops.  In 
1880  he  was  given  a position  as  fireman  out  of  Springfield  and  was  promoted 


1286 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


to  freight  engineer  in  1889,  and  to  regular  passenger  engineer  in  1901,  and 
has  retained  this  responsible  position  ever  since,  being  regarded  by  the  com- 
pany as  one  of  its  most  efficient  and  trustworthy  engineers.  His  present  run 
is  between  Springfield  and  Newburg. 

For  three  years  he  traveled  as  special  representative  of  the  Frisco  in 
fourteen  different  states,  and  did  his  work  most  acceptably.  Since  August 
15,  1914,  Mr.  Murphy  has  been  devoting  his  time  on  the  “Safety  First” 
movement  in  accident  prevention  for  the  conservation  of  human  life  and  limb 
of  the  employees  and  patrons  of  the  Frisco  system,  and  because  of  the 
increased  cost  of  materials  used  and  consumed  by  the  railroads  and  the 
increased  cost  in  taxes,  interest  and  wages  and  the  decrease  of  33  1-3  per 
cent,  in  passenger  revenue  and  decrease  of  21  per  cent,  in  freight  revenue, 
due  to  the  two-cent  passenger  fare  and  the  maximum  freight  rate  in  Missouri, 
resulting  in  placing  the  Frisco  and  other  Missouri  railroads  in  a position 
where  their  earnings  are  not  sufficient  to  meet  cost  of  operation  and  main- 
tenance, interest  and  taxes,  the  roads  are  forced  to  retrench  and  cut  down 
expenses.  This  could  only  be  done  by  the  laying  off  of  men  in  shops,  in  the 
office  and  in  the  bridge  and  building  departments  and  the  purchase  of  less 
material,  such  as  ties,  ballast,  steel  rails,  bridges,  and  building  materials. 
This  retrenchment  on  the  part  of  the  railroads  placed  over  forty  thousand 
wage-earners,  skilled  and  unskilled,  idle,  leaving  them  unable  to  purchase 
the  necessaries  of  life,  which  in  turn  affected  the  retail  and  wholesale  mer- 
chants and  producing  classes  of  the  state.  To  overcome  those  conditions 
and  to  start  the  wheels  of  progress  moving,  to  find  employment  for  the  idle 
men,  Mr.  Murphy  on  February  3,  1915,  organized  the  Railway  Employees’ 
Protective  Association,  and  by  and  through  this  organization  in  the  state 
of  Missouri  secured  the  signatures  of  bankers,  farmers,  merchants,  manu- 
facturers, and  members  of  organized  labor  to  petitions  aggregating  in  the 
whole  the  signatures  of  over  750,000  of  the  above  citizens  of  Missouri  and 
mailed  those  petitions  and  signatures  to  the  members  of  the  Forty-eighth 
General  Assembly  of  Missouri  asking  for  a repeal  of  the  maximum  2-cent 
passenger  fare,  restoration  of  the  3-cent  passenger  rate,  and  that  the  public 
service  commission  of  Missouri  to  adjust  and  grant  a fair  equitable  equali- 
zation of  rates  in  Missouri,  and  for  the  future  Mr.  Murphy  will  be  engaged 
making  this  movement  nation-wide  in  its  scope,  so  that  capital  will  be  en- 
courage to  invest  in  railroad  securities,  so  that  the  credit  of  the  railroads 
will  be  restored,  so  that  capital  and  labor  will  be  in  a position  under  wise 
and  just  laws,  state  and  national,  to  furnish  the  transportation  facilities  so 
essential  to  the  future  development  of  the  internal  resources  of  Missouri 
and  of  the  nation  as  a whole. 

Mr.  Murphy  was  married  on  September  27,  1887,  in  Rolla,  Missouri, 
to  Mary  A.  Powers,  a native  of  that  city.  She  is  a daughter  of  James  and 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1287 


Winifred  C.  (Condron)  Powers,  both  natives  of  Ireland.  They  spent  their 
early  days  in  their  native  land  and  finally  emigrated  to  the  United  States. 
Mr.  Powers  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Frisco  Railroad  for  a number  of  years. 
His  death  occurred  on  July  10,  1878,  in  Rolla.  Mrs.  Murphy’s  mother  died 
in  Springfield  on  May  19,  1900.  The  wife  of  our  subject  was  reared  and 
educated  in  Rolla,  attending  the  public  and  Catholic  schools. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Murphy  two  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Charles 
Edward,  born  on  August  20,  1888,  in  Springfield,  was  educated  in  the  public 
and  high  schools  here ; he  is  a machinist  by  trade  and  is  living  at  home. 
Blanche  May,  born  on  January  11,  1890,  in  Springfield,  attended  the  local 
public  and  high  schools  and  later  business  college;  she  married  C.  N.  King, 
who  is  with  the  International  Harvester  Company,  and  lives  in  Little  Rock, 
Arkansas.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  King  were  married  on  May  10,  1910,  and  one 
child  has  been  born  to  them,  Jack  Weldon,  whose  birth  occurred  on  January 
19,  1911. 

Politically  Mr.  Murphy  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  Ozark 
Division,  No.  83,  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers.  The  Murphy 
family  are  members  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church.  They  own  a fine  and 
neatly  furnished  home  on  North  Main  street,  Springfield. 


ANDREW  DURYEA  MILLS. 

Andrew  Duryea  Mills,  chief  clerk  to  J.  R.  Dritt,  freight  agent  of  the 
Frisco  System  at  Springfield,  was  born  in  Brooklyn  Borough,  New  York 
City,  March  7,  1881.  He  is  a son  of  Simeon  Drake  Mills,  who  was  for 
many  years  engaged  in  business  for  himself  in  Brooklyn  as  a manufacturer 
of  jewelry.  In  1883  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Kansas  City,  Missouri, 
soon  thereafter  opening  the  S.  D.  Mills  Jewelry  Company’s  place  of  busi- 
ness, which  he  conducted  until  his  death  in  1890  at  the  age  of  thirty-two 
years.  Politically,  he  was  a Republican.  He  belonged  to  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  and  was  a member  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  was  twice  married, 
first,  to  Ella  B.  Duryea,  a daughter  of  Andrew  Duryea,  who  was  a mer- 
chant in  Brooklyn,  New  York.  Her  death  occurred  in  1883,  leaving  two 
children,  namely : Ralph,  who  is  agent  for  the  Union  Pacific  railroad  at 
Tonganoxie,  Kansas,  and  Andrew  D.,  of  this  sketch.  His  second  marriage 
was  with  Alice  Dewey,  a daughter  of  Dr.  John  Dewey,  of  Kansas  City, 
Missouri.  This  union  was  without  issue. 

Andrew  D.  Mills  was  a small  child  when  his  parents  brought  him  to 
Kansas  City,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  education,  in- 
cluding the  public  schools  and  a business  college.  He  began  his  railroad 


1288 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


career  when  nineteen  years  of  age,  and  has  worked  for  the  following  roads:: 
Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis,  now  operated  by  the  Frisco;  the  Mis- 
souri, Kansas  & Texas;  Kansas  City  Southern;  Missouri  Pacific  & Iron 
Mountain;  the  Kansas  City,  Clinton  & Springfield;  the  Texas  & Pacific;, 
Union  Pacific;  Denver  & Rio  Grande;  Missouri  Pacific;  Chicago,  Burling- 
ton & Quincy;  later  to  the  Missouri  Pacific,  then  the  Atchison,  Topeka  & 
Santa  Fe,  after  which  he  went  with  the  St.  Louis  & San  Francisco  road, 
with  which  he  has  since  been  connected.  He  was  telegraph  operator  and 
station  agent  for  the  above  named  roads.  In  January,  1913,  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  position  of  chief  clerk  to  the  Frisco’s  freight  agent  at  Spring- 
field,  which  position  he  still  holds. 

Mr.  Mills  was  married  in  1902  to  Nellie  Wilson,  a daughter  of  Joel 
Y.  and  Josephine  (George)  Wilson,  of  Osceola,  Missouri.  Mr.  Wilson  has 
for  many  years  been  a druggist  at  that  point.  There  Mrs.  Mills  grew  to 
womanhood  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mills,  namely:  Wilson, 

Charles,  Alice  M.  and  Josephine  G. 

Politically,  Mr.  Mills  is  a Republican  in  principle,  but  votes  independ- 
ently, more  for  the  man  than  for  the  party,  as  many  other  sensible  people 
are  doing  today.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Masons,  the  Royal  Ar- 
canum, Royal  Neighbors  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


J.  W-  GANN. 

From  an  excellent  old  Kentucky  family  comes  J.  W.  Gann,  the  oblig- 
ing and  popular  city  passenger  and  ticket  agent  for  the  Frisco  Lines  at 
Springfield,  and  he  seems  to  have  inherited  many  of  the  commendable  traits- 
of  his  worthy  progenitors.  He  has  devoted  the  major  portion  of  his  ac- 
tive career  to  railroad  service  and  has  given  eminent  satisfaction  in  every 
position  he  has  held  in  this  field  of  endeavor. 

Mr.  Gann  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Kentucky,  December  11,  1871. 
He  is  a son  of  William  K.  and  Mary  (Daugherty)  Gann.  The  father  was 
born  in  Kentucky  in  1838,  and  there  the  birth  of  the  mother  occurred  in 
1848,  each  scions  of  old  Southern  families.  They  grew  to  maturity  in  the 
Blue  Grass  state  and  were  educated  there,  the  father  receiving  an  excep- 
tionally good  education  for  that  period.  After  passing  through  the  com- 
mon schools  he  attended  the  Louisville  Medical  College,  where  he  made  a 
fine  record  and  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree 
of  doctor  of  medicine,  also  completing  a course  in  pharmacy.  He  engaged 
successfully  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  until  his  death  in  1885.  His- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1289 


wife  preceded  him  to  the  grave  in  1883.  They  were  the  parents  of  five 
children,  four  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  Charles  M.  is  deceased; 

J.  W.  of  this  sketch;  Hattie,  Mattie  and  Edward  Everett. 

J.  W.  Gann  was  reared  at  the  parental  homestead  in  Wayne  county, 
Kentucky,  and  there  he  received  a practical  common  school  education,  but 
he  started  out  in  life  when  young,  being  but  seventeen  years  of  age  when 
he  began  his  career  as  railroader,  in  which  he  has  been  engaged  ever  since. 
He  began  as  telegraph  operator  for  the  Queen  & Crescent  railroad  in  Tate- 
ville,  Kentucky.  He  was  sent  to  various  places  to  work  by  this  road,  with 
which  he  remained  until  1900,  then  went  to  work  for  the  Frisco  Lines  as 
ticket  seller  in  the  office  at  Birmingham,  Alabama.  In  1905  he  was  made 
city  passenger  agent  in  that  city.  Remaining  there  until  in  March,  1907,  he 
was  transferred  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  as  chief  ticket  clerk,  and  in  De- 
cember, 1910,  he  was  promoted  to  city  passenger  and  ticket  agent,  which 
position  he  still  holds. 

Mr.  Gann  was  married  on  November  7,  1906,  in  Birmingham,  Ala- 
bama, to  Mrs.  Sarah  Elizabeth  Prewitt.  She  was  born  near  Springville, 
Alabama,  February  5,  1874,  and  there  grew  to  womanhood  and  received 
her  education. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gann  has  been  without  issue. 

Politically,  our  subject  is  a Democrat.  He  is  prominent  in  Masonic 
circles,  having  attained  the  thirty-second  degree.  Religiously,  he  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church. 


E.  B.  McNEILL. 

Like  many  another  boy  reared  on  the  farm,  E.  B.  McNeill,  agent  of 
the  Missouri  Pacific  railroad  at  Springfield,  turned  his  attention  to  railroad- 
ing and  has  continued  to  the  present  time,  showing  a peculiar  adaptability 
for  the  same,  so  that  he  has  won  and  retained  the  confidence  of  his  employ- 
ers, for  he  is  not  only  capable  of  quickly  grasping  the  various  details  of  his 
work,  but  is  faithful  and  energetic  in  the  performance  of  the  same. 

Mr.  McNeill  was  born  in  White  county,  Arkansas,  May  16,  1881.  He 
is  a son  of  John  T.  and  Amanda  ( Lessenbury)  McNeill.  The  father  was 
born  in  Tennessee,  from  which  state  he  came  to  Arkansas  in  an  early  day, 
where  he  established  the  family  home  on  the  farm  where  he  still  lives  in 
White  county.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  also  born  in  Tennessee.  Her 
death,  occurred  in  White  county,  Arkansas,  July  10,  1914.  These  .parents 
were  young  when  they  left  their  native  state  and  they  were  married  in 
Arkansas.  John  T.  McNeill  served  as  a Confederate  soldier  during  the 


i 290 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


last  two  years  of  the  Civil  war,  was  under  Gen.  Sterling  Price  and  was  in 
the  famous  raid  of  that  great  leader  into  Missouri. 

John  T.  McNeill  has  been  a successful  farmer  and  stock  raiser.  His 
family  consisted  of  eleven  children,  six  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely: 
Florence  married  C.  M.  Welbon,  and  they  live  in  Colorado;  E.  B.  of  this 
-sketch;  William  E.  lives  in  Kensett,  Arkansas;  Elmer  is  engaged  in  rail- 
road service  in  Arkansas;  Mrs.  Anna  Davidson  lives  in  Kensett,  Arkansas; 
Mrs.  Grace  Taylor  lives  in  White  county,  Arkansas. 

E.  B.  McNeill  grew  up  on  his  father's  farm  in  his  native  county  and 
there  assisted  with  the  general  work  when  a boy,  and  in  the  winter  months 
he  attended  the  common  and  high  schools  in  Arkansas.  He  left  the  farm 
when  nineteen  years  of  age  and  began  his  career  as  railroader  for  the  Iron 
Mountain  as  clerk  and  later  as  telegraph  operator  in  his  native  state,  work- 
ing at  many  points  on  the  system.  He  came  to  Springfield  in  June,  1912, 
since  which  time  he  has  been  filling  his  present  position,  most  of  his  work 
being  on  the  White  river  division. 

Mr.  McNeill  was  married  on  June  12,  1907,  at  Calico  Rock,  Arkansas, 
to  Allie  M.  Crews,  who  was  born  at  Walker,  Missouri.  She  is  a daughter 
of  Cassie  Crews  and  wife.  She  received  a good  common  school  education. 
One  child  has  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  Dorothy  May  McNeill, 
whose  birth  occurred  May  12,  1911. 

Politically,  Mr.  McNeill  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias,  is  associate  member  of  the  Springfield  Club,  and  his  wife  be- 
longs to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Our  subject  has  never  affiliated 
himself  with  any  religious  body. 


R.  L.  ARNETT. 

R.  L.  Arnett  was  born  in  Fredericktown,  in  southeastern  Missouri,  on 
February  2,  1881.  He  is  a son  of  R.  C.  and  Fanny  (Layman)  Arnett.  The 
father  was  also  born  at  Fredericktown,  February  5,  1849,  his  parents  hav- 
ing been  pioneer  settlers  there.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in 
Pi  qua,  Ohio,  December  21,  1853.  She  came  to  Fredericktown,  Missouri, 
when  young  and  there  met  and  married  the  elder  Arnett,  who  devoted  his 
life  to  general  farming,  although  he  never  lived  on  a farm.  Politically, 
R.  C.  Arnett  was  a Democrat  and  was  an  influential  man  in  public  affairs 
in  his  native  locality,  having  represented  his  county  several  times  in  the 
state  legislature.  His  family  consisted  of  five  children,  all  sons,  ajid  all 
still  living,  namely:  Smith  D.  lives  in  Pine  Bluff,  Arkansas;  Sam  R.  lives 

in  Minneapolis,  Minnesota;  R.  L.  of  this  sketch;  Eugene  F.  is  in  the  train 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I29I 


service  and  is  located  at  Pine  Bluff,  Arkansas;  Alexander  W.  is  attending 
Columbia  University  at  this  writing. 

R.  L.  Arnett  grew  up  at  Fredericktown,  where  he  obtained  a good 
common  and  high  school  education.  When  only  thirteen  years  of  age  he 
was  enabled  to  begin  the  career  he  had  long  aspired  to,  that  of  railroading, 
and  he  has  kept  it  up  to  the  present  time,  his  rise  being  gradual,  and  he 
evidently  has  greater  things  to  vet  accomplish  in  this  field  of  endeavor.  He 
began  work  for  the  Missouri  Pacific  before  leaving  school  and  continued 
at  intervals  with  this  road  until  he  finished  school,  then  went  in  the  office 
as  clerk  in  his  native  town.  With  the  exception  of  a few  months  spent  in 
the  employ  of  other  lines,  he  has  remained  continuously  with  the  Missouri 
Pacific,  having  in  the  meanwhile  been  nearly  all  over  the  system,  in  various 
departments  of  this  road.  In  September,  1908,  he  was  promoted  to  com- 
mercial freight  agent,  in  Ft.  Scott,  Kansas,  and  in  November.  1909,  he  was 
sent  to  Springfield,  where  he  is  now  occupying  the  same  position.  He  is  a 
young  man  of  energy,  tact,  versatility  and  honesty  of  purpose  and  his  su- 
periors place  great  confidence  in  his  ability  and  integrity. 

Mr.  Arnett  was  married,  April  23,  1903,  in  Pine  Bluff,  Arkansas,  to 
Anna  Lee  Green,  a native  of  that  city,  where  she  was  reared  and  educated, 
later  attending  Ouachita  College  at  Arkadelphia,  Arkansas.  She  is  a daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  and  Disda  Green. 

To  Air.  and  Mrs.  Arnett  one  child  has  been  born,  Roeanna,  whose 
birth  occurred  July  11,  1905. 

Politically,  Air.  Arnett  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  also  the  Hoo  Hoo  or  Black  Cat  frater- 
nity. He  is  a member  of  the  Springfield  Club  and  the  Country  Club. 


NEWTON  V.  ALLEBACH. 

The  beginning  of  the  career  of  Newton  V.  Allebach  was  characterized 
by  hard  work  and  conscientious  endeavor,  and  he  owes  his  rise  to  no  train  of 
fortunate  incidents  or  fortuitous  circumstances.  His  rise  has  not  been  of  the 
meteoric  type,  but  has  been  steady  and  slow.  The  major  portion  of  his 
life  has  been  devoted  to  railroad  service,  having  been  on  the  Frisco  system 
for  a number  of  years,  and  he  is  the  present  popular  general  chairman  of  the 
Order  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers,  in  which  he  has  long 
been  active  and  influential. 

Air.  Allebach  was  born  in  Clarion  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  6, 
i860.  He  is  a son  of  Abraham  H.  and  Catherine  (Kramer)  Allebach.  The 
father  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  27,  1810, 


I2Q2 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


and  the  mother  was  also  born  in  the  old  Keystone  state  in  the  year  1833. 
There  they  grew  to  maturity,  received  limited  educations  in  the  early-day 
schools  and  they  were  married  in  Clarion  county  and  established  the  family 
home  there,  Mr.  Allebach  engaging  in  the  mercantile  business.  He  was  twice 
married,  our  subject  being  a child  by  his  second  wife,  and  is  one  of  six  sons, 
four  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  Ansen  M.  lives  in  New  Bethlehem, 
Pennsylvania;  Rufus  D.  is  deceased;  Newton  V.,  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Arlington  IT.  is  deceased;  Melvin  C.  lives  in  New  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania, 
and  Victor  L.  lives  in  East  Brady.  The  death  of  Abraham  H.  Allebach 
occurred  June  14,  1881,  his  wife,  mother  of  our  subject,  surviving  until  in 
January,  1912,  both  dying  in  Pennsylvania,  where  they  spent  their  lives. 
Politically  he  was  a Lincoln  Republican,  and  fraternally  was  a member  of 
the  Masonic  Order,  while  his  wife  belonged  to  the  Eastern  Star. 

Newton  V.  Allebach  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  community  in 
Clarion  county  and  he  received  a common  school  education.  When  he  was 
seventeen  years  of  age  he  went  to  Minnesota  and  worked  in  various  parts 
of  that  state.  For  some  time,  he  engaged  in  lumbering  at  the  head  of  Lake 
Superior.  In  1881  he  went  to  North  Dakota,  and  in  1884  he  began  his 
career  as  railroader  at  Fargo,  that  state,  on  the  Northern  Pacific  as  fireman, 
and  was  later  promoted  to  engineer  on  switch  engines  and  freight  trains. 
Pie  remained  in  the  North  until  1889,  when  he  had  a run  into  Montana  and 
Wyoming,  then  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Southern  Pacific  until  in  Sep- 
tember, 1895,  when  he  came  to  Monett,  Missouri,  and  went  to  work  for  the 
Frisco  system  as  freight  engineer,  his  run  being  from  that  city  to  Ft.  Smith, 
Arkansas,  and  in  1906  he  was  given  a passenger  train  and  was  in  that 
service  about  seven  years.  His  career  in  the  train  service  on  all  the  above 
named  roads  has  been  eminently  commendable  and  satisfactory,  and  is  a 
record  of  duty  ably  and  faithfully  performed. 

Mr.  Allebach  has  been  actively  engaged  in  the  work  of  the  Brotherhood 
of  Locomotive  Engineers  since  1895.  He  moved  to  Springfield  in  1910, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  Since  his  election  to  general  chairman  in  above 
order  he  has  devoted  his  time  exclusively  to  the  interests  of  the  order.  His 
position  is  one  of  importance  and  considerable  rsponsibility,  and  he  is  kept 
very  busy  looking  after  adjustments  and  the  many  things  constantly  coming 
up  to  be  attended  to,  which  requires  a man  of  tact,  diplomacy  and  forceful 
personality,  as  well  as  energy  and  fidelity.  The  splendid  record  Mr.  Allebach 
has  made  in  this  important  office  with  which  he  has  been  honored  would  in- 
dicate the  wisdom  of  his  selection  and  his  services  are  entirely  satisfactory  to 
all  concerned.  He  is  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  universally  liked  rail- 
road men  in  the  Southwest,  being  a good  mixer,  friendly,  genial,  honest  and 
conscientious. 

Mr.  Allebach  was  married  in  Monett,  Missouri,  December  25,  1897,  to 


GREENE  COUNTY^  MISSOURI. 


1293 


Nora  Blakeslee,  who  was  born  in  northern  Pennsylvania  in  1870.  where  she 
spent  her  early  girlhood,  being  eight  years  old  when  her  parents,  Lafayette 
and  Delia  (Cook)  Blakeslee  removed  with  her  to  Barry  county,  Missouri. 
These  parents  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  where  they  grew  to  maturity- 
received  limited  educations  in  the  common  schools  and  were  married.  Tire 
death  of  the  father  occurred  in  Barry  county,  Missouri,  where  Mrs.  iVllebach 
was  reared  to  womanhood  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  The 
mother  is  still  living.  Mr.  Blakeslee  devoted  his  active  life  to  farming  and 
contracting.  His  family  consisted  of  eight  children. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allebach  four  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Franz, 
born  October  3,  1898:  Vernon  V.,  born  September  13,  1901:  Karl  A.,  born 
November  3,  1904;  Catherine,  born  May  22,  1907,  died  December  4,  1908. 

Politically  Mr.  Allebach  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally  he  is  a member  of 
the  Masonic  Order,  is  a Knights  Templar,  and  a member  of  the  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  Religiously  the  family  belongs 
to  the  Presbyterian  church. 


GEORGE  GREEN. 

Americans  have  always  had  great  admiration  for  Englishmen,  not- 
withstanding that  these  nations  have  twice  been  at  war.  Each  has  enjoyed 
a century  of  peace  and  good  feeling  toward  the  other,  and  we  have  ever 
welcomed  the  British  to  our  newer  land  of  opportunity.  Greene  county  has 
not  been  fortunate  enough  to  secure  many  of  her  immigrants,  but  what  few 
we  have  we  are  glad  to  note  are  good  citizens  in  every  respect.  One  of 
these  is  George  Green,  blacksmith  foreman  in  the  shops  of  the  Frisco  sys- 
tem at  Springfield. 

Mr.  Green  was  born  in  Kent  Waldwick,  England,  September  15,  1863. 
He  is  a son  of  Robert  and  Susanna  Green,  both  born  in  England,  where 
they  grew  up  and  received  fairly  good  educations  and  spent  the  earlier  years 
of  their  lives,  eventually  emigrating  to  the  United  States,  where  they  both 
died,  the  father  in  South  Dakota  and  the  mother  in  Kansas.  Robert  Green 
was  a carpenter  by  trade,  which  he  followed  for  a livelihood  most  of  his 
life.  In  his  earlier  life  he  was  in  the  British  army  as  a wheelwright  and 
was  in  the  memorable  East  India  mutiny.  After  coming  to  America  he 
followed  railroading  for  a while  and  later  was  a ranchman  in  Texas  for 
about  four  years.  His  family  consisted  of  four  children,  namely:  Robert 

is  a locomotive  engineer  on  the  Frisco,  running  out  of  Kansas  City,  where 
he  lives;  George  of  this  sketch:  Mrs.  Clara  Bowen  lives  in  Kansas  City, 
Missouri,  and  Mrs.  George  Wallace,  also  of  Kansas  City. 

George  Green  was  young  when  his  parents  brought  him  to  /\merica, 


1294 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


and  here  he  received  his  education.  He  attended  school  in  different  places, 
including  a year  in  Dallas,  Texas,  and  some  time  in  Rochester,  New  York. 
In  1880  he  drove  overland  from  Texas  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  began 
work  for  the  Frisco  System  in  the  North  Side  roundhouse.  After  remain- 
ing there  about  three  years  he  went  to  Kansas  City  and  went  to  work  for 
the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  Railroad  Company,  which  was  leased 
by  the  Frisco  System  in  1900,  and  when  the  shops  of  the  former  road  were 
opened  in  Springfield,  now  known  as  the  South  Side  Frisco  shops,  Mr. 
Green  was  sent  here  as  blacksmith  helper.  He  continued  at  his  trade  until 
in  1896,  when  he  was  elected  constable  of  Campbell  township,  in  which  of- 
fice he  served  two  years  with  satisfaction  to  all  concerned  and  credit  to 
himself.  In  1901  he  was  appointed  foreman  of  the  blacksmith  shop  and  is 
still  one  of  the  foremen  in  this  shop.  He  is  quite  expert  in  his  line  and 
handles  men  well. 

Mr.  Green  was  married  in  1882,  to  Sarah  E.  Twigger,  who  was  born 
in  Connecticut,  in  December,  1862.  She  is  a daughter  of  George  and  Ann 
Twigger.  She  was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  She  came  west  when 
young  in  years,  with  her  parents,  locating  in  North  Springfield,  Missouri, 
and  here  grew  to  womanhood,  receiving  her  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Springfield.  She  was  one  of  eleven  children,  ten  still  living. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Green  seven  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Frank, 
born  December  25,  1883;  Maude,  born  in  1885,  married  George  Brougher; 
Ruby,  born  in  1887;  Mrs.  Georgia  Woodfill,  born  in  1899;  William  J.,  born 
in  1897;  Charles,  born  in  1900,  and  Clara,  born  in  1902. 

Politically,  Mr.  Green  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of 
the  Masonic  bine  lodge,  the  Modern  Woodmen  and  the  Loyal  Order  of 
Moose.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Episcopal  church. 


MATTHIAS  CHRISTMAN. 

It  is  not  the  kind  of  work,  but  the  kind  of  spirit  with  which  it  is  done 
that  dignifies  and  exalts  human  service.  This  is  a thought  that  should  put 
heart  into  every  worker,  put  glow  and  cheer  into  his  service  and  fill  him 
with  a large  degree  of  satisfaction  in  doing  the  work  that  nature  seems  to 
have,  in  a way,  appointed  for  him.  Matthias  Christman,  general  machine 
foreman  in  the  North  Side  Frisco  shops,  Springfield,  is  a man  who  gets 
satisfaction  out  of  his  daily  tasks  and  therefore  his  work  is  not  only  well 
done,  but  life  is  worth  living  to  him. 

Mr.  Christman  was  born  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  January  29,  1863.  He 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1295 


is  a son  of  Michael  and  Caroline  (Duffner)  Christman,  both  natives  of  Ger- 
many, in  which  country  they  spent  their  childhood  years,  and  from  there 
immigrated  to  America  when  young,  both  locating  in  Springfield,  Illinois, 
where  they  were  married,  and  there  established  their  permanent  home,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  who  is  now  eighty-four  years  old,  and  who  has  de- 
voted his  active  life  to  the  machinist  trade,  is  still  a resident  of  that  city,, 
but  the  mother  passed  away  on  May  17,  1914,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years. 
To  them  seven  children  were  born,  three  of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing, 
namely:  X.  B.  is  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  in  Springfield,  Illinois; 
Matthias,  of  this  sketch ; John  D.,  who  was  a machinist  by  trade,  is  de: 
ceased;  Mary  is  the  wife  of  Joseph  Phillipp,  who  is  engaged  in  the  furniture 
and  dry  goods  business  in  Springfield,  Illinois.  The  other  children  died  in 
early  life. 

Matthias  Christman  spent  his  boyhood  days  in  his  native  city  and  there 
he  went  to  school  until  he  was  fourteen  years  old,  when  he  left  his  text- 
books and  went  to  work  as  an  apprentice  in  the  Wabash  railroad  shops  in 
that  town,  remaining  there  from  August,  1877,  until  1882,  completing  his 
trade  as  machinist,  then  went  as  journeyman  to  the  Atchison,  Topeka  & 
Santa  Fe  shops  at  Raton,  New  Mexico,  working  there  from  September,  1882, 
until  April,  1883,  in  April  of  which  year  he  went  to  Decatur,  Illinois  and 
worked  at  his  trade  in  the  shops  of  the  Wabash  Railroad.  From  April,  1883, 
until  July,  1883,  he  worked  for  the  Wabash  & Decatur  Railroad,  and  in 
August  he  worked  as  machinist  in  Kansas  City  for  the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott 
& Memphis  Railroad  Company,  which  transferred  him  in  1890  to  its  shops  in 
Springfield,  Missouri,  as  erecting  foreman,  which  position  he  held  there  until 
August,  1 9 1 t , having  continued  in  the  employ  of  the  Frisco  System,  which 
leased  the  former  road  in  1900.  In  August,  1911,  he  was  transferred  to  the 
North  Side  shops  as  assistant  general  machine  shop  foreman,  and  in  1912 
was  promoted  to  general  machine  shop  foreman,  which  position  he  now  holds, 
there  being  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  under  his  direction.  He  is 
giving  his  usual  general  satisfactory  service,  being  a man  highly  skilled  in  lus 
trade  and  possessing  marked  executive  ability.  He  has  an  interest  in  the 
Christman  Adjustable  Hub  Plate  Company,  being  a director  and  stockholder 
in  the  same.  He  has  been  the  dominating  factor  in  the  success  of  this 
concern,  indicating  that  lie  is  a man  of  fine  business  acumen.  He  is  also  of 
an  inventive  turn  of  mind,  and  has  invented  piston  valves  and  bushing  for 
air  pumps  and  holds  patents  on  each.  These  devices  have  been  highly  praised 
by  manufacturers. 

Mr.  Christman  was  married  in  1884  to  Elizabeth  Hurley,  of  Mt. 
Pleasant,  Iowa,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been  born,  namely : 
John  M.,  who  was  educated  in  the  ward  and  high  schools  of  Springfield, 


1296 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


is  now  a machinist  in  the  North  Side  Frisco  shops;  Carrie,  who  was  also 
well  educated  in  the  Springfield  schools,  lives  at  home  with  her  parents. 

Politically  Mr.  Christman  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  American,  and  to  the  Catholic  church. 


WILLIAM  TAYLOR  HANKINS. 

Great  changes  “have  come  over  the  face  of  the  land”  since  William 
Taylor  Hankins  first  saw  the  light  of  day  nearly  sixty-seven  years  ago,  and, 
having  spent  these  long  years  in  the  same  locality,  he  has  been  a most  inter- 
ested and  by  no  means  a passive  spectator  to  the  transformations  of  the 
eastern  part  of  Greene  county,  having  sought  to  do  his  full  share  in  the  work 
of  progress  here.  For  many  years  he  was  postmaster  at  Strafford,  but  is 
now  living  quietly  on  his  farm.  No  one  is  better  or  more  favorably  known 
in  this  community,  for  his  life  has  been  an  exemplary  and  inoffensive  one. 

Mr.  Hankins  was  born  on  a farm  near  Strafford,  Missouri,  on  April  2, 
1848.  Fie  is  a son  of  Abraham  and  Sarah  R.  (Miller)  Hankins.  The 
father  was  born  in  Tennessee  on  March  23,  1808,  and  was  reared  there  on 
a farm  and  attended  the  common  schools.  In  youth  he  learned  the  tanner’s 
trade.  Remaining  in  his  native  state  until  1835,  he  then  emigrated  to  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  making  the  trip  by  wagon,  drawn  by  an  ox  and  a horse. 
He  farmed  and  followed  his  trade  here,  and  he  owned  many  slaves  and  was 
a successful  farmer.  His  death  occurred  in  November,  1861.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  was  a prominent  man  in 
his  community.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  near  Winchester,  Ken- 
tucky, on  June  3,  1809,  was  reared  on  a farm  there  and  attended  the  public 
schools.  She  came  to  Greene  countv,  Missouri  with  her  parents  about  the 
year  1835,  and  here  met  and  married  Mr.  Hankins.  She  was  a member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Her  death  occurred  on  Tune  30,  1878, 
on  the  home  farm.  To  these  parents  five  children  were  born,  namely  : Andrew 
Jackson,  deceased;  Benton  T.,  deceased;  William  T.,  of  this  sketch;  Letitia, 
deceased,  and  Mrs.  Susan  Potter,  of  Strafford,  who  is  the  youngest. 

William  T.  Hankins  grew  to  manhood  on  the  old  homestead  near 
Strafford  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  He  worked 
on  the  home  farm  until  after  his  father’s  death,  and  his  principal  life  work 
has  been  general  farming.  In  1896  he  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Strafford, 
the  duties  of  which  office  he  continued  to  discharge  acceptably  and  satisfac- 
torily for  a period  of  seventeen  years,  resigning  in  1913.  He  moved  to  his 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  which  joined  Strafford,  where  he 
has  a cozy  home  and  is  now  living  practically  retired. 


HANKINS.  MRS.  W.  T.  HANKINS. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I297 


Mr.  Hankins  was  married  on  March  7,  1871,  to  Mary  Jane  Comstock, 
uvho  was  born  on  November  4,  1852,  while  her  parents  were  emigrating  from 
Tennessee  to  Greene  county,  Missouri.  She  is  a daughter  of  L.  B.  and 
Nancy  Comstock.  She  grew  up  on  a farm  in  this  state  and  attended  the 
common  schools,  removing  with  her  parents  to  Greene  county  during  the 
Civil  war.  She  was  a member  of  the  Baptist  church.  Her  death  occurred 
on  April  5,  1889. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  three  children  were  born,  namely:  Nathaniel 
Brown  lives  in  Greene  county  ; he  married  Sarah  McCabe  Fitch  and  they 
have  two  children,  Hershel  and  Zenobia ; Mrs.  Florence  Foster  lives  in 
Strafford  and  has  two  children,  Joe  and  Helen,  and  Mrs.  Manta  Delzell,  who 
married  George  G.  Delzell.  They  have  two  children,  Gregory  and  Sarah 
Marie.  She  makes  her  home  with  her  father. 

Politically  Mr.  Hankins  is  a Republican,  and  fraternally  he  is  a member 
-of  the  Masonic  Order. 


JESSE  D.  JAQUITH. 

The  respect  which  should  always  be  accorded  the  brave  sons  of  the 
North  who  left  their  homes  and  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  civil  life  to  give  their 
services,  and  their  lives  if  need  be,  to  preserve  the  integrity  of  the  American 
Union  is  due  Jesse  D.  Jaquith.  He  proved  his  love  and  loyalty  to  the  govern- 
ment on  the  long  and  tiresome  marches  in  all  kinds  of  situations,  exposed 
to  summer's  withering  heat  and  winter’s  freezing  cold,  on  the  lonely  picket 
line  a target  for  the  unseen  foe,  on  the  tented  field  and  amid  the  flame  and 
smoke  of  battle,  where  the  rattle  of  the  musketry  mingled  with  the  terrible 
concussion  of  bursting  shells  and  the  diapason  of  the  cannons'  roar  made  up 
the  sublime  but  awful  chorus  of  death. 

Mr.  Jaquith  was  born  January  8,  1845,  near  Paris,  Edgar  county, 
Illinois.  He  is  a son  of  Jesse  W.  Jaquith.  a native  of  New  Hampshire,  where 
he  spent  his  earlier  years.  He  studied  pharmacy,  and,  having  cast  his  lot 
with  the  people  of  the  Middle  West,  became  owner  and  operator  of  a drug 
store  at  Urbana,  Illinois,  and  he  was  the  first  postmaster  of  that  town. 
Active  and  influential  in  public  affairs,  he  was  elected  a judge  of  the  county 
court  of  Champaign  county,  Illinois.  He  received  a good  education  in  his 
native  state,  there  learned  the  shoemaker’s  trade,  which  he  followed  for  a 
number  of  years,  also  engaged  in  farming  in  New  Hampshire.  It  was  in 
1839  that  he  removed  to  Edgar  county,  Illinois,  among  the  early  pioneers, 
-and  there  he  continued  his  trade  for  some  time  before  locating  in  Champaign 
county  and  turning  his  attention  to  the  drug  business.  Finallv  leaving 
(82) 


iagS 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Urbana  he  came  to  Holden,  Missouri,  where  he  engaged  in  the  shoe  business. 
There  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  1881  at  the  age  of  seventy 
years,  and  was  buried  at  Holden.  Politically  he  was  a Democrat.  He  be- 
longed to  the  Masonic  Order  and  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His 
wife,  Catherine  A.  Wilson,  was  a native  of  Kentucky  and  a daughter  of 
John  and  Maggie  (Buckner)  Wilson.  To  this  union  the  following  children 
were  born:  Lottie,  now  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  John  Allen,  a farmer; 
Jesse  D.,  of  this  sketch;  John  located  in  San  Francisco  and  engaged  in  the 
machine  business ; Richard,  now  deceased,  was  a shoemaker  by  trade ; Mate 
(Matilda)  married  John  Cass,  a commercial  traveler,  and  they  live  at  Holden, 
Missouri.  Willard  Jaquith,  grandfather  of  these  children,  was  born  in  New 
Hampshire,  from  which  state  he  emigrated  to  Detroit,  Michigan,  in  an  early 
day.  He  was  a farmer  in  his  earlier  life. 

Jesse  D.  Jaquith  grew  to  manhood  in  Illinois  and  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Urbana,  leaving  his  text-books  at  the  age  of  seventeen 
to  enlist  in  the  Federal  army,  in  1862,  in  Company  G,  Seventy-sixth  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  at  Kankakee.  He  saw  much  hard  service  and  took  part  in 
numerous  battles  and  skirmishes,  including  the  great  siege  of  Vicksburg  and 
the  many  engagements  incident  thereto,  also  the  battles  of  Jackson  and  Mobile, 
and  although  he  was  in  many  close  places  he  was  never  wounded,  neither  had 
he  occasion  to  answer  to  sick  call.  For  meritorious  conduct  he  was  pro- 
moted from  time  to  time  until  he  became  quartermaster  sergeant,  and  was 
mustered  out  as  such  in  July,  1865,  at  Chicago.  He  was  in  the  armies  of 
Grant  and  Sherman.  After  the  war  he  returned  to  Urbana,  Illinois,  and 
learned  the  trade  of  tinsmith,  first  working  for  J.  M.  Davies.  Later  he  came 
to  Warrensburg,  Missouri,  and  worked  with  J.  L.  Bettis,  finishing  his  ap- 
prenticeship there,  then  he  worked  as  journeyman  tinsmith  at  Warrensburg 
until  1870,  in  which  year  he  returned  to  Urbana  and  continued  at  his  trade 
until  1877,  then  went  to  Kansas  City  and  secured  employment  with  the  Union 
Pacific  Railroad,  working  in  the  company’s  shops  at  Armstrong,  Kansas,  just 
across  the  river  from  Kansas  City,  Missouri.  He  was  a journeyman  tinsmith. 
He  resided  at  Wyandotte,  Kansas,  and  remained  with  that  road  three  years. 
When  the  towns  of  Kansas  City,  Kansas,  Wyandotte  and  Armourdale  were 
consolidated  into  Kansas  City,  Kansas,  he  was  the  first  clerk  of  the  board 
of  education. 

Mr.  Jaquith  came  to  Springfield  on  February  18,  1887,  and  took  a 
position  with  the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  railroad  as  tinsmith 
foreman  in  their  local  shops,  which  are  now  known  as  the  South  Side  Frisco 
shops,  having  come  under  the  control  of  the  Frisco  System  in  1900,  and 
this  position  our  subject  held  till  1915,  his  long  retention  in  the  same  being 
evidence  of  his  faithfulness  and  skill  and  his  ability  to  handle  men  so  as 
to  obtain  the  best  results.  However,  he  was  foreman  tinsmith  at  the  new 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I299 


shops  on  the  North  Side  for  three  years.  He  has  been  with  these  roads  con- 
tinuously for  a period  of  twenty-eight  years. 

Mr.  Jaquith  was  a member  of  the  city  council  of  Springfield  for  four 
years.  Before  leaving  Urbana,  Illinois,  he  was  a member  of  the  board  of 
education  for  two  years  and  was  also  city  clerk  there  for  two  years.  As  a 
public  servant  his  record  has  been  a most  satisfactory  and  commendable  one. 
Politically  he  has  always  been  a stanch  Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Baptist  church.  Back  in  the  seventies  he  was  a member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias. 

Mr.  Jaquith  was  married  in  1865,  at  Warrensburg,  Missouri,  to  Rilla  E. 
Dulin,  who  was  born,  reared  and  educated  in  Illinois.  To  this  union  two 
children  have  been  born,  namely:  Ira,  who  is  a machinist  by  trade  and 
employed  at  the  new  shops  in  Springfield,  married  Carrie  Burton,  and  they 
have  two  sons  and  two  daughters ; Charles  was  for  some  time  a soldier  in 
the  Seventeenth  United  States  Infantry,  regular  army,  saw  service  in  the 
Philippines,  where  he  was  mustered  out. 


FRANK  P.  CARROLL. 

If  there  is  one  thing  which  distinguishes  the  American  tradesman  or 
business  man  from  those  of  any  other  country  it  is  the  faculty  with  which  any 
and  all  occupations  are  readily  taken  up  by  him  and  made  successful.  In 
the  older  countries  it  was  customary  for  the  son  to  follow  the  father’s 
pursuit.  “Follow  your  father,  my  son,  and  do  as  your  father  has  done,” 
was  a maxim  which  most  of  sons  were  expected  to  adopt.  In  this  country 
we  find  few  men  of  the  present  generation  engaged  in  the  same  pursuits  as 
were  their  fathers,  except  among  the  farming  element.  Frank  P.  Carroll, 
chief  engineer  in  the  Frisco’s  North  Side  shops,  Springfield,  has  turned  his 
hands  to  various  things  and  proved  that  farming  was  not  the  only  occupation 
which  he  could  make  successful. 

Mr.  Carroll  was  born  May  2,  1863,  near  Frankfort,  Clinton  county,  In- 
diana. He  is  a son  of  Moses  Carroll,  who  was  born  at  Troy,  New  York.  He 
grew  up  in  his  native  state,  attended  school  and  learned  the  carpenter’s  trade 
there,  later  removing  to  Clinton  county,  Indiana,  where  he  established  his 
home.  He  is  now  deceased.  He  married  Hannah  Clark,  a daughter  of  A.  B. 
Clark,  of  Clinton  county,  Indiana,  and  a native  of  Kentucky,  from  which 
state  the  family  removed  to  Indiana  in  1840.  Ten  children  were  born  to 
Moses  Carroll  and  wife,  four  of.  whom  died  in  infancy;  the  others  were 
named  as  follows : Louisa  J.  is  a widow  and  resides  at  Zion  City,  Illinois ; 
Wilson  B.,  who  was  a carpenter  and  engineer,  is  deceased;  Mattie,  also  a 


I3°° 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


widow,  is  engaged  in  dressmaking  at  Phillipsburg,  Montana;  Relda  is  the 
wife  of  Ellis  Kiser,  a draftsman  by  trade,  and  they  reside  in  Springfield,  Mis- 
souri; Mary,  commonly  known  as  Mollie,  is  the  wife  of  Gus  YVidmeyer,  a 
farmer  of  Greene  county,  this  state,  and  Frank  P.  of  this  sketch. 

The  subject  of  this  review  spent  his  boyhood  in  Clinton  county,  Indiana, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  When  seventeen  years 
of  age  he  went  to  work  as  a farm  hand,  later  worked  as  fireman  in  a flouring 
mill  in  Boone  county,  Indiana,  for  two  years,  then  came  to  Springfield,  Mis- 
souri, in  1884,  and  went  into  the  dairy  business  with  his  brother-in-law,  J.  N. 
Kern,  remaining  in  this  line  of  endeavor  two  years.  The  next  two  years 
we  find  him  employed  at  an  electric  light  plant  and  in  various  other  posi- 
tions. Pie  also  worked  at  the  old  Coon  Tobacco  Works,  under  George  PL 
McCann,  who  was  president  of  the  concern.  Our  subject  worked  here  as 
engineer  from  1888  to  1900,  in  which  year  he  was  made  chief  engineer,  and 
continued  in  this  capacity  with  the  plant  until  it  was  absorbed  by  the  Amer- 
ican Tobacco  Company,  whereupon  he  went  to  the  South  Side  or  old  Gulf 
shops,  and  was  assistant  engineer  here  for  two  years.  Pie  then  went  to  Cali- 
fornia, where  he  remained  a year  as  chief  engineer  for  the  Italian-Swiss 
Wine  Company  at  Kingsburg,  that  state.  Returning  to  Springfield,  Missouri, 
he  took  a position  as  gas  and  steam  fitter  with  the  Springfield  Gas  Company 
and  worked  at  this  two  years,  then  farmed  a year,  having  previously  pur- 
chased a farm  near  the  Valley  Water  Mill.  He  then  came  back  to  Spring- 
field  and  worked  as  chief  engineer  at  the  Frisco  Hospital  for  two  months, 
then  was  chief  engineer  at  the  Metropolitan  Hotel  for  some  time,  after  which 
he  worked  as  night  engineer  in  the  North  Side  Frisco  shops,  remaining  there 
from  September,  1905,  to  May  12,  1910,  when  he  was  promoted  to  chief 
engineer  there,  which  position  he  still  holds.  He  has  thirty  hands  under  his 
direction  and  as  in  all  his  former  positions  is  giving  entire  satisfaction. 

Mr.  Carroll  was  married  in  1890  to  Dora  Gardner,  who  was  born 
on  the  old  Phelps  farm  in  Greene  county,  Missouri.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Allen  A.  Gardner,  of  Springfield.  She  grew  up  in  this  county  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  four  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Mvrtle 
is  single  and  lives  at  home ; Leonard  married  Mattie  Leamon,  and  he  is  em- 
ployed as  typewriter  repairer  at  the  Gardner  Office  Supply  Company  in 
Springfield;  Frank  is  employed  as  typewriter  repairman  at  the  office  of  the 
Underwood  Typewriter  Company  in  Springfield ; Paul  is  attending  school. 

Our  subject  and  wife  celebrated  their  twenty-fifth  wedding  anniversary 
on  November  5,  1914.  They  reside  on  Clay  street. 

Politically  Mr.  Carroll  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Christian 
church.  He  is  a member  of  the  National  Order  of  Stationary  Engineers 
No.  9,  the  Springfield  division. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I301 


JOHN  P.  MALLEY. 

The  general  foreman  of  the  Frisco  System  boiler  shops,  John  P.  Malley, 
is  evidently  as  well  qualified  for  his  position  as  anyone  whom  the  company 
could  have  selected,  for  his  record  shows  that  he  has  been  constantly  employed 
about  boiler  shops  for  a period  of  nearly  thirty-five  years,  or  ever  since  he 
was  a boy,  and  during-  this  time  he  has  had  vast  experience  in  many  different 
places.  He  has  been  a close  observer  and  has  learned  many  new  things  about 
his  chosen  calling  in  each  shop  he  has  been  employed,  in  fact,  has  left  no  stone 
unturned  whereby  he  might  improve  himself. 

Mr.  Malley  is  of  Irish  parentage  and  has  inherited  many  of  the  praise- 
worthy traits  of  that  industrious  people.  He  was  born  in  Laporte,  Indiana, 
September  25,  1862.  He  is  a son  of  John  and  Mary  (Consendine)  Malley, 
both  born  in  Ireland,  where  they  grew  to  maturity,  received  good  educations 
in  the  common  schools,  but  were  married  in  Indiana.  They  were  yet  young 
when  the  immigrated  to  the  United  States.  They  established  the  family  home 
in  Laporte,  Indiana,  where  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  both  dying 
there,  our  subject  being  a small  boy  when  his  father  died.  The  father  fol- 
lowed railroading  and  for  years  was  roadmaster  for  the  Lake  Shore  rail- 
road, also  the  Michigan  Southern  railroad,  being  employed  in  that  capacity 
by  the  latter  road  at  the  time  of  his  death.  To  John  and  Mary  Malley  three 
children  were  born,  all  living  at  this  writing,  namely:  John  P.  of  this  sketch; 
William  is  a tinner  by  trade  and  lives  in  Chicago ; Charles  is  an  engineer  and 
also  lives  in  Chicago. 

John  P.  Malley  had  little  opportunity  to  receive  an  education,  however, 
he  attended  the  common  schools  in  Indiana,  but  he  is  for  the  most  part'  self- 
taught.  He  was  married  May  24,  1900,  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  to  Mary 
Glennon,  a native  of  Independence,  this  state,  and  a daughter  of  Patrick 
Glennon  and  wife,  both  natives  of  Ireland,  from  which  country  they  immi- 
grated to  America  when  young.  Mr.  Glennon  was  a stone  mason  by  trade. 
His  death  occurred  in  Kansas  City,  as  did  also  that  of  his  wife.  Mrs.  Malley 
grew  to  womanhood  in  Jackson  county  and  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  one  child  has  been  born,  Glennon  Malley,  whose 
birth  occurred  May  24,  1904. 

In  1870  John  P.  Malley  left  Laporte,  Indiana,,  and  worked  as  check 
clerk  in  the  mammoth  mercantile  establishment  of  Marshall  Field’s,  but  not 
desiring  to  continue  this  line  of  endeavor,  he  began  his  apprenticeship  to  the 
boiler  maker’s  trade  about  a year  later,  when  seventeen  years  of  age,  in  the 
plant  of  McFarland  & Company,  of  Chicago.  He  remained  in  the  employ 
of  that  company  for  about  eight  years,  during  which  time  he  thoroughly 


r3°2 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


mastered  his  trade,  then  went  to  Dubuque,  Iowa,  and  worked  about  a year, 
then  went  to  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  where  he  worked  for  the  Great  Northern 
Railroad  in  their  shops  there  about  two  years,  then  returned  to  Iowa,  and 
worked  in  Dubuque  for  the  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  Railroad  Company,  then 
went  to  firing  on  a locomotive  and  continued  in  this  work  a year  and  a half, 
after  which  he  went  to  Texas,  and  was  foreman  at  Galveston  in  the  boiler 
shops  of  the  Gulf,  Colorado  & Santa  Fe  Railroad  from  1891  until  1900,  in 
which  year  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  as  general  foreman  of  the  boiler 
shops  of  the  St.  Louis  & San  Francisco  Railroad  Company,  and  has  since 
been  connected  with  this  shop,  having  been  general  foreman  of  the  same  since 
1910,  and  is  still  incumbent  of  that  position,  in  which  he  is  giving  eminent 
satisfaction  in  every  respect. 

Politically,  Mr.  Malley  is  a Republican,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Catholic 
church. 


JOHN  R.  DRITT. 

The  responsible  position  which  John  R.  Dritt,  freight  agent  of  the  Frisco 
Lines  at  Springfield,  fills  while  yet  a young  man,  would  indicate  that  places 
of  merit  and  responsibility  are  open  to  those  who  are  capable  of  filling  them 
no  matter  what  their  age  or  early  environment  may  be.  However,  our 
subject  had  careful  preparation,  taking  sure  but  definite  steps  in  his  chosen 
field  of  endeavor  from  the  time  he  was  a boy,  having  all  the  while  been 
honest  both  with  himself  and  his  employers.  This  is,  no  doubt,  the  secret 
of  his  success. 

Mr.  Dritt  was  born  in  Pierce  City,  Missouri,  November  13,  1880.  He 
is  a son  of  A.  M.  and  Nancy  Jane  (Roark)  Dritt.  The  father  was  born 
at  Tipton,  Missouri.  He  was  engaged  in  the  harness  and  saddlery  business 
at  Pierce  City,  where  his  death  occurred  in  1892,  at  the  early  age  of  thirty- 
four  years.  Politically  he  was  a Republican,  and  religiously  he  belonged  to 
the  Baptist  church.  The  mother  of  our  subject  is  a daughter  of  W.  B.  Roark 
and  wife.  The  father  is  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Aurora,  Mis- 
souri, and  in  that  city  Mrs.  Dritt  is  making  her  home.  Three  children  were 
born  to  the  parents  of  our  subject,  namely:  John  R.,  of  this  sketch;  Russie, 
who  married  E.  W.  Cave  lives  in  Chicago,  where  Mr.  Cave  is  engaged 
in  the  automobile  business.  Wiley  M.,  the  third  child,  who  was  engaged 
in  mercantile  pursuits  at  Aurora,  this  state,  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-six 
years.  Joseph  Dritt,  paternal  grandfather  of  these  children,  was  a prominent 
citizen  of  Tipton,  Missouri,  and  was  mayor  of  that  town  for  a number  of 
years. 

John  R.  Dritt  spent  most  of  his  early  years  at  Aurora,  where  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1303 


family  located  when  he  was  young,  and  there  he  attended  the  common  and 
high  schools.  When  sixteen  years  of  age  he  went  to  work  in  that  town 
for  the  Frisco  System.  He  was  messenger  boy  and  did  station  work.  Later 
he  came  to  Springfield  and  engaged  in  the  hotel  business,  clerking  for  some 
time  in  the  Central  hotel,  then  went  back  to  Aurora  and  continued  station 
work  for  the  Frisco,  remaining  there  until  1904,  at  which  time  he  went 
to  Monroe,  Louisiana,  and  worked  for  the  National  Packing  Company,  re- 
maining there  until  in  December,  1905,  as  cashier  and  auditor.  He  then 
came  to  Springfield  as  cashier  for  the  Frisco  in  its  freight  department.  In 
May,  1907,  he  was  promoted  to  assistant  general  agent  of  the  general  freight 
department,  and  in  December,  1911,  he  was  appointed  agent  of  the  freight 
department,  which  position  he  now  holds,  and  the  duties  of  which  he  is  dis- 
charging with  his  usual  fidelity  and  general  satisfaction,  and  with  much  credit 
to  himself.  He  has  under  his  direction  seventy-five  clerks. 

Mr.  Dritt  was  married  on  December  15,  1912,  to  Edith  Smith,  a daugh- 
ter of  Earl  N.  and  Lola  (Doss)  Smith,  a well  known  family  of  Ash  Grove, 
this  county,  where  Mrs.  Dritt  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  To 
our  subject  and  wife  one  child  has  been  born,  Nancy  Jane  Dritt,  who  was 
born  April  27,  1914. 

Politically  Mr.  Dritt  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  religiously  he  attends  the  Baptist  church. 


STEPHEN  E.  BUTLER. 

It  is  no  reflection  when  we  say  a man  is  a Hoosier ; on  the  contrary  it  is 
a compliment,  if  the  word  is  properly  understood.  All  natives  of  the  great 
state  of  Indiana  are  known  as  Hoosiers,  and  everyone  knows  that  some  of 
the  greatest  men  of  the  nation  have  been  born  and  reared  on  her  soil,  in- 
cluding presidents,  vice-presidents,  great  statesmen,  renowned  army  and  navy 
officers  and  famous  literary  men  and  women.  Stephen  E.  Butler,  foreman  of 
the  tin  shop  of  the  reclamation  plant  in  the  South  Side  Frisco  shops,  Spring- 
field,  is  a Hoosier,  although  not  yet  belonging  in  the  class  of  the  mighty 
just  enumerated,  however,  being  yet  a young  man  and  possessing  those 
traits  that  win  success,  one  must  necessarily  predict  for  him  a future  of  use- 
fulness and  more  than  average  success. 

Mr.  Butler  was  born  April  23.  1882,  in  Stark  county,  Indiana.  He  is  a 
son  of  Austin  D.  Butler,  a native  of  Ohio,  and  a carpenter  by  trade.  He 
left  his  native  state  when  a young  man  and  located  in  Stark  county,  Indiana, 
where  he  remained  until  1888,  when  he  went  to  Helena,  Montana,  whither 
he  removed  his  family  the  following  year,  and  there  his  death  occurred  in 


1304 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1897  at  the  early  age  of  forty-six  years.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  Spanish- 
American  war;  however,  contracting  malaria  typhoid  in  the  Philippines  not 
long  after  his  enlistment,  he  was  sent  back  home,  having  spent  about  a 
year  in  service.  He  was  a member  of  Company  L,  First  Montana  Volunteer 
Infantry.  Upon  his  recovery  from  the  malaria  typhoid  he  resumed  his  trade 
of  journeyman  carpenter,  in  which  he  was  exceptionally  skilled.  As  a 
soldier  his  comrades  say  he  was  brave,  faithful  and  intelligent.  His  untimely 
death  was  by  accident,  having  been  drowned  in  the  Missouri  river  near  Stubbs 
Ferry,  where  he  was  working  on  a dredge.  Politically  he  was  a Democrat 
He  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  belonged  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  PI  is  widow,  who  was  known  in  her  maidenhood 
as  Alice  Miller,  is  now  the  wife  of  A.  J.  Lemkie,  and  they  reside  in  Helena, 
Montana.  Three  children  were  born  to  her  union  with  Mr.  Butler,  namely : 
Stephen  E.  of  this  sketch;  Ethel  married  Earl  B.  Richardson,  who  is  engaged 
in  the  retail  drug  business  at  Helena;  Hazel  married  Charles  H.  Coar,  super- 
intendent of  the  telephone  company  at  Minot,  North  Dakota. 

Stephen  E.  Butler  was  seven  years  of  age  when  his  parents  removed 
to  Helena,  Montana,  and  there  he  grew  to  early  manhood  and  received  a 
common  school  education;  however,  he  left  school  when  only  fourteen  years 
of  age  and  began  learning  the  trade  of  sheet  metal  worker  there,  serving 
a four  years’  apprenticeship.  He  worked  with  Jacob  Rummell  about  six. 
years  in  that  city,  then  went  to  the  Pacific  coast  and  the  Northwest,  where 
he  spent  a year  working  as  a tinsmith,  after  which  he  came  to  Kansas  City, 
Missouri,  and  worked  six  months,  then  returned  West  and  worked  in  Helena 
and  Virginia  City  three  and  one-half  years,  one  year  of  which  time  he  was  in 
business  for  himself  as  tinsmith.  In  March,  1910,  he  came  to  Springfield, 
Missouri,  and  worked  a year  for  the  Anslinger  Sheet  Metal  Works,  then 
took  a position  in  the  North  Side  Frisco  shops  in  March,  1911,  as  journey- 
man tinsmith.  On  November  1,  1913,  he  was  promoted  to  foreman  tinsmith 
of  the  reclamation  plant  at  the  South  Side  shops,  which  position  he  still 
holds,  and  in  this,  as  in  all  previous  positions  he  is  giving  entire  satisfaction, 
for  he  is  not  only  an  exceptionally  highly  skilled  man  in  his  line,  but  is 
energetic  and  understands  handling  those  under  him  to  good  advantage. 

Mr.  Butler  was  married  in  July,  1907,  to  Dora  Etta  Burrell,  a daughter 
of  Charles  and  Mary  (Codrey)  Burrell,  who  reside  on  a farm  near  Conway, 
Missouri ; Mrs.  Butler  grew  to  womanhood  in  Lane,  Kansas,  and  received 
a common  school  education  there  and  in  California,  where  the  family  moved 
after  leaving  Kansas. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  one  child  has  been  born,  Austin  Elmer  Butler, 
born  July  18,  1911. 

Politically  Mr.  Butler  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  South. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I3°5 


PERCY  J.  BATES. 

Ruskin  says  that  we  are  always  given  strength  enough  and  sense 
enough  for  what  nature  intended  us  to  do,  and  that,  whatever  we  are  doing, 
we  cannot  be  properly  fulfilling  our  earthy  mission  if  we  are  not  happy 
ourselves.  A part  of  our  service  to  the  world  is  unquestionably  cheerfulness, 
and  unless  we  are  happy  in  our  work  and  in  the  life  we  lead  among  men  we 
are  withholding  something'  that  is  essential  to  true  serviceableness.  Percy 
J.  Bates,  rip  track  foreman  at  the  North  Side  Frisco  shops,  Springfield,  is  a 
young  man  who  is  cheerful  in  his  daily  tasks,  thus  making  them  much  lighter 
to  perform. 

Mr.  Bates  was  born  September  28,  1886,  at  Essex  Junction,  Chittenden 
county,  Vermont.  He  is  a son  of  Job  Bates,  who  was  born  in  Westford, 
Vermont.  He  grew  up  in  his  native  state  and  attended  school  there  and  in 
his  younger  days  followed  farming,  later  owned  and  operated  a general  store 
at  Essex  Junction.  He  was  very  successful  as  a business  man  and  became 
owner  of  three  or  four  fine  farms,  which  he  kept  well  stocked  and  highly 
improved,  but  keeping  them  rented,  merely  looking  after  them  in  a general 
way.  He  owned  a large  town  house  in  Essex  Junction,  where  he  spent  about 
twenty- five  years  of  his  life.  He  was  very  fond  of  good  horses  and  made 
a specialty  of  raising  them,  always  owning  some  fine  ones.  Politically  he  was 
a Republican,  and  was  a road  master  and  selectman,  influential  and  prominent, 
in  his  town  and  county.  He  was  a member  of  the  Congregational  church. 
His  death  occurred  on  May  12,  1904,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years.  His 
widow,  who  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Mary  Ella  Brackett,  a daughter 
of  Hiram  Brackett,  of  Amboy,  Illinois,  is  living  at  Burlington,  Vermont; 
she  was  born  in  1851. 

Eleven  children  were  born  to  Job  Bates  and  wife,  named  as  follows: 
Kizzie  married  Allen  Martin,  an  attorney  of  Essex  Junction,  Vermont  ; Julia 
I.  has  remained  single  and  lives  at  home:  Charles  M.  is  manager  of  a hotel 
at  Cambridge  Springs,  Pennsylvania;  Marion  E..  single,  is  teaching  school 
in  Los  Angeles,  California;  Willis  S.  is  physical  director  at  Southwestern 
College,  Winfield,  Kansas;  James  S.  lives  at  Amarillo,  Texas;  Jessie  E.,  sin- 
gle, is  teaching  in  Burlington,  Vermont;  Percy  J.,  of  this  sketch;  Mary  E. 
is  the  wife  of  Dr.  John  Hunter,  of  the  University  of  Vermont;  Alice  B.  is  a 
missionary  in  Labrador,  teaching  in  the  Dr.  Grenville  Mission  there; 
Dorothy  S.  is  single  and  lives  at  home. 

Percy  J.  Bates  grew  to  manhood  in  Vermont  and  there  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools,  two  years  in  high  school,  then  studied  at 
Kimball  LTnion  Academy  at  Meriden,  New  Hampshire,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1904,  then  in  1905  he  came  West  and  entered  Fairmount  College- 


1306 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


at  Wichita,  Kansas,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  1909.  Tak- 
ing an  interest  in  athletics  he  played  professional  base  ball  in  1909  and  1910 
for  the  Wichita  Western  League,  being  right  fielder  for  that  team,  then 
played  center  field  for  the  Arkansas  City  (Kansas)  State  League.  He  en- 
tered railroad  service  at  Arkansas  City  with  the  Atchison,  Topeka  & Santa 
Fe  Road,  in  the  transportation  department,  and  later  worked  in  the  mechan- 
ical department  until  May  5,  1912,  when  he  went  to  Amarillo,  Texas,  where 
he  worked  as  time  keeper  and  in  the  car  department  of  the  same  road.  On 
January  26,  1914,  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Frisco  System  at  Chaffee  as 
piece  work  checker.  On  June  1,  1914,  he  was  transferred  to  Springfield, 
Missouri,  as  rip  track  foreman  in  the  North  Side  shops,  which  position  he 
is  holding  at  this  writing.  He  has  thirty  hands  under  his  direction  and 
is  giving  his  usual  satisfaction. 

Mr.  Bates  has  remained  unmarried.  Politically  he  is  a Republican,  and 
he  belongs  to  the  Congregational  church.  He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic 
Order. 


WILLIAM  F.  SMITH. 

A native  of  Missouri,  but  with  the  blue  blood  of  Kentuckians  in  his 
veins,  William  F.  Smith,  chief  engineer  of  the  Springfield  Gas  & Power  Com- 
pany, is  a young  man  who  has  attained  a very  creditable  standing  in  life  as 
a result  of  his  straightforward  and  conscientious  course. 

Mr.  Smith  was  born  in  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  November  8,  1882.  He 
is  a son  of  Frank  and  Bernedina  (Vanclerstay)  Smith.  The  father  was  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  where  he  spent  his  earlier  years,  and  from  there  emi- 
grated to  Missouri.  He  devoted  his  active  life  to  the  plasterer’s  trade,  and 
died  in  1892,  when  only  about  thirty-six  years  of  age.  His  wife  was  a 
daughter  of  Frank  Vanderstay,  a western  Missouri  citizen.  Mrs.  Smith  is 
now  making  her  home  in  Springfield,  living  with  her  son,  our  subject. 

To  Frank  Smith  and  wife  five  children  were  born,  namely:  William  F. 
of  this  sketch;  Walter  is  deceased;  Benjamin  is  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business  in  Kansas  City;  Joseph  is  attending  school  in  Pennsylvania;  Vincent 
is  an  electrical  operator  in  the  employ  of  the  Springfield  Gas  & Electiic 
Company. 

Levi  Smith,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
a bricklayer  by  trade.  He  spent  his  life  in  Kentucky  and  western  Missouri, 
having  married  in  the  former  state.  In  later  life  he  removed  to  Kansas, 
where  he  continued  to  follow  his  trade. 

William  F.  Smith  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  St.  Joseph, 
Missouri,  and  Atchison,  Kansas.  When  sixteen  years  of  age  he  went  to 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1307 


work  for  a grocery  store,  delivering  goods  and  clerking,  then  worked  in 
the  power  house  at  Leavenworth  as  fireman  helper,  was  also  oiler  in  the  en- 
gine room,  then  became  night  engineer  in  the  Leavenworth  Light,  Heat  & 
Power  Company,  remaining  in  the  employ  of  the  traction  company  there  for 
eight  years.  He  then  worked  a few  months  for  the  St.  Joseph  Light,  Heat 
& Power  plant  at  repair  work,  then  went  back  to  Leavenworth  and  worked  in 
the  machine  shops,  later  becoming  day  chief  engineer  for  the  traction  com- 
pany of  that  city.  In  September,  1908,  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and 
took  a position  with  the  Springfield  Gas  & Electric  Company,  working  as 
night  engineer  from  1908  to  1912,  when  he  was  transferred  to  day  engineer, 
and  on  August  12th  of  that  year,  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  company’s 
power  house,  located  at  Main  street  and  Phelps  avenue,  and  has  since  been 
chief  engineer  of  the  power  house,  and  is  discharging  his  duties  with  his  usual 
success  and  satisfaction.  He  has  had  as  many  as  twenty-five  men  under  his 
direction  since  taking  this  important  position,  and  at  present  he  is  assisted 
by  ten  men.  He  is  an  expert  in  his  line  and  is  well  read  on  every  detail. 

Mr.  Smith  was  married  in  November,  1913,  to  Florence  Pile,  a daugh- 
ter of  Jonah  Pile  and  wife,  of  Springfield.  The  untimely  death  of  Mrs. 
Smith  occurred  on  December  23,  1914,  leaving  one  child,  Arthur  Smith,  who 
was  born  on  November  9,  1914. 

Politically  Mr.  Smith  is  a Republican.  He  is  a member  of  the  Catholic 
church,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men  and  the  National 
Association  of  Steam  Engineers. 


GEORGE  COOPER. 

Memoirs  dealing  with  enterprising  men,  especially  good  men,  are  very 
often  of  inestimable  benefit  to  others,  having  a tendency  to  point  the  way  to 
the  goal  of  worthy  things.  The  examples  they  furnish  of  steadfast  endeavor 
and  patient  integrity  forcibly  illustrate  what  is  in  the  power  of  each  individual 
to  accomplish  when  they  have  courage  and  right  principles  to  control  their 
course  of  action.  Some  men  belong  to  no  exclusive  class  in  life;  apparently 
Insurmountable  obstacles  have  in  many  instances  awakened  their  dormant 
faculties  and  served  as  a stimulus  to  carry  them  to  ultimate  renown.  The 
instances  in  the  face  of  adverse  fate  would  seem  almost  to  justify  the  con- 
clusion that  self-reliance,  with  a half  chance,  can  accomplish  any  reasonable 
object.  The  late  George  Cooper,  a well-known  business  man  and  enterprising 
citizen  of  Springfield  during  the  past  generation,  was  a man  who  lived  to 
good  purpose  and  achieved  greater  success  than  that  which  falls  to  the  lot 
of  the  average  individual.  By  a straightforward  and  commendable  course, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I3°8 

he  made  his  way  from  a none  too  favorable  early  environment  to  a respect- 
able position  in  the  industrial  world,  winning  the  hearty  admiration  of  the 
people  of  his  adopted  city  and  earning  a reputation  as  an  enterprising,  pro- 
gressive man  of  affairs  and  a broad-minded,  upright  citizen  which  the  public 
was  not  slow  to  recognize  and  appreciate,  and  there  is  much  in  his  life 
record  which  could  be  studied  with  profit  by  the  young  man  starting  out  into 
what  we  are  prone  to  allude  to  as  the  battle  of  life. 

Mr.  Cooper  was  a representative  of  a sterling  old  English  family,  whose 
genealogy  traced  back  to  ancient  days;  he  first  saw  the  light  of  day  under 
England's  skies  on  December  5,  1863,  at  Leicester.  Ele  was  a son  of  Henry 
and  Mary  (Richardson)  Cooper,  both  natives  of  England  also,  where  they 
grew  to  maturity,  were  educated,  married  and  established  their  home,  resid- 
ing there  until  in  1872,  when  they  immigrated  with  their  children  to  the  United 
States,  landing  in  New  York  City.  From  there  they  came  direct  to  Missouri 
and  established  the  future  home  of  the  family  in  Wilson  township,  Greene 
county,  where  the  father  secured  a farm  and  became  one  of  the  enterprising 
general  agriculturists  of  his  locality,  and  is  now  living  in  retirement  on  a 
small  farm  in  that  township,  where  he  bears  an  excellent  reputation.  Upon 
taking  up  his  residence  in  the  Republic  of  the  West  he  made  a careful  study 
of  the  political  situation  in  this  country,  and  cast  his  lot  with  the  Democrats, 
He  has  served  as  a member  of  the  school  board  in  his  district.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Episcopal  church.  His  father,  William  Cooper,  was  born  and 
reared  in  England,  and  there  spent  his  life.  He  was  a man  of  rare  business 
ability  and  was  for  many  years  regarded  as  one  of  the  foremost  and 
wealthiest  citizens  of  the  city  of  Leicester,  in  the  upbuilding  of  which  he 
cook  much  interest ; one  of  his  principal  benefactions  was  the  building  of  a 
handsome  Episcopal  church  there,  he  being  the  principal  contributor,  and  he 
was  long  an  active  member  of  that  denomination.  He  retained  the  coat-of- 
arms  of  his  ancestors,  the  older  Coopers  having  been  a prominent  family  in 
that  part  of  England. 

Henry  Cooper  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife,  mother  of  the  sub- 
ject of  this  biographical  memoir,  passing  away  in  1874,  leaving  two  sons, 
namely : Harry,  a well-known  business  man  of  Springfield,  a complete  sketch 
of  whom  will  be  found  on  another  page  of  this  work,  and  George  of  this 
review.  Elizabeth  Jackson  became  Henry  Cooper’s  second  wife,  and  to  this 
last  union  one  son  was  born,  Frederick  Cooper,  who  is  now  engaged  in  the 
plumbing  business  in  Springfield. 

George  Cooper  spent  his  early  boyhood  in  England,  being  nine  years  of 
age  when  his  parents  sailed  with  him  to  America  in  1872.  He  grew  to  man- 
hood on  his  father’s  farm  in  this  county  and  assisted  with  the  general  work 
during  the  crop  seasons,  attending  the  public  schools  during  the  winter, 
continuing  to  farm  on  the  homestead  until  he  was  about  twenty  years  of  age. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1309 


•then  decided  on  a business  career  and  went  to  Springfield,  where  he  was 
employed  as  clerk  in  Sutter  & Bryan’s  grocery  store  for  a short  time,  then 
began  learning  the  plumber’s  trade,  in  which  he  became  an  expert,  and  fol- 
lowed this  until  1887,  when  he  formed  a partnership  with  his  brother,  Harry 
Cooper,  establishing'  a plumbing  business  of  their  own  at  412  South  street, 
later  moved  to  414  that  street,  then  to  402  the  same  street,  the  last  location 
being  now  the  site  of  the  Bank  of  Commerce.  They  were  successful  from 
the  start  and  their  gradually  increasing  business  compelled  them  to  seek  larger 
quarters  from  time  to  time.  They  did  not  only  have  an  excellent  practical 
knowledge  of  the  plumbing  business,  but  they  each  proved  to  be  men  of 
exceptional  executive  ability.  They  continued  in  this  line  of  endeavor  with 
ever-increasing  success  until  1908.  During  that  period  of  twenty-one  years 
the  Coopers  became  widely  known  throughout  the  Southwest  in  their  line  of 
endeavor,  and  turned  out  some  of  the  finest  work  and  some  of  the  largest 
contracts  in  the  state  of  Missouri,  including  the  plumbing  for  the  Missouri 
state  building  at  the  Louisiana  Purchase  Exposition  in  1903,  at  St.  Louis. 
They  maintained  a large,  up-to-date  and  well  equipped  establishment  and 
kept  a large  number  of  skilled  artisans  constantly  employed. 

Having  accumulated  a comfortable  competency,  George  Cooper  lived  a 
retired  life  from  1908  until  his  death.  He  had  long  desired  to  visit  his 
native  land,  particularly  his  boyhood  home  at  Leicester,  so  he  and  his  brother 
Harry  sailed  for  England,  February  9,  1910.  After  spending  some  time 
at  the  old  home  they  made  extensive  tours  about  the  British  Isles  and  were 
preparing  for  their  return  trip  to  America  when  our  subject  was  suddenly 
stricken  with  illness  and  a few  days  later  was  summoned  to  his  eternal  rest, 
on  April  9,  1910.  His  body  was  brought  back  to  Springfield  for  burial. 

Mr.  Cooper  was  married  in  1891  to  Grace  Iveet  Smith,  who  was  born 
in  Keetsville,  Barry  county,  Missouri,  November  3,  1866.  and  she  received 
a.  good  education  in  the  high  schools  of  Springfield.  She  is  a daughter  of  Dr. 
John  R.  and  Frances  R.  (Keet)  Smith,  a prominent  family  of  Springfield, 
a complete  sketch  of  whom  will  be  found  on  another  page  of  this  volume. 
Mrs.  Cooper  has  long  been  a favorite  with  a wide  circle  of  friends,  and  she 
and  her  children  belong  to  the  Episcopal  church. 

Mrs.  Cooper  is  living  quietly  in  her  beautiful  home  on  Cherrv  street, 
with  her  two  winsome  daughters,  Mary  Ruth,  born  October  30,  1892,  and 
Elizabeth  Fearn,  born  May  31,  1894,  who  are  receiving  excellent  educational 
advantages. 

Politically  Mr.  Cooper  was  a Democrat,  but  being  a quiet,  unassuming 
business  and  home  man,  he  never  sought  public  office.  Fraternallv  he  be- 
longed to  the  Royal  Arcanum  lodge,  and  was  an  active  member  of  the 
Episcopal  church,  in  which  he  was  a vestn  man  for  twenty-six  years.  He 
was  held  in  the  hig'hest  esteem  by  all  who  knew  him. 


I3I° 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


IRA  CARL  BON. 

It  has  been  by  close  application  and  persistent,  honest  work  that  Ira 
Carl  Bon,  general  foreman  of  the  reclamation  department  of  the  South  Side 
Frisco  shops,  has  risen  from  a machinist’s  apprentice  to  his  present  responsi- 
ble position,  and  not  by  the  influence  of  friends  or  the  inscrutable  working 
of  fate.  He  is  a man  of  personal  worth  and  popularity  and  enjoys  the  con- 
fidence of  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact.  He  is  enterprising  and  pro- 
gressive by  both  word  and  example  and  seeks  to  infuse  that  spirit  into  those 
with  whom  he  is  associated. 

Mr.  Bon  was  born  May  3,  1876,  at  Centerville,  Iowa.  He  is  a son  of 
George  Bon,  who  was  a native  of  New  York,  from  which  state  he  came 
to  the  Middle  West  when  a young  man  and  entered  railroad  service,  and  is 
at  this  writing  coach  inspector  at  Centerville,  Iowa,  for  the  Chicago,  Bur- 
lington & Quincy  Railroad  Company,  having  been  employed  by  this  road 
for  a period  of  thirty-three  years.  He  helped  build  the  shops  of  this  com- 
pany at  Centerville  and  has  remained  there  ever  since.  He  is  sixty-seven 
years  old.  He  has  charge  of  the  superintendent’s  office  and  the  depot.  He 
is  a member  of  the  Christian  church  and  is  a thirty-second  degree  Mason, 
and  belongs  to  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine; 
also  belongs  to  the  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen.  His  wife  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Eva  Swearengin; 
she  is  fifty-five  years  old.  Their  only  child  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

I.  Carl  Bon’s  grandfather  was  Henry  Bon,  a native  of  Germany,  from 
which  country  he  immigrated  to  America  when  a young  man.  He  was  a 
cigarmaker  by  trade,  and  later  in  life  became  a railroad  contractor,  and  was 
for  years  a builder  and  contractor  in  the  state  of  New  York  and  in  Iowa, 
maintaining  his  home  for  some  time  at  Centerville. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  grew  to  manhood  at  Centerville,  Iowa,  and 
there  attended  the  common  schools  until  he  was  sixteen  years  old,  when  he 
began  serving  his  apprenticeship  as  machinist  in  the  shops  of  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  & Quincy  railroad  at  that  place,  remaining  there  from  1898  to 
1905,  then  worked  for  the  Wheeling  & Lake  Erie  railroad  at  Canton,  Ohio, 
as  storekeeper  in  the  supply  department,  from  1906  to  1910.  In  1910  he 
went  in  business  for  himself,  as  agent  for  several  standard  makes  of  au- 
tomobiles. He  continued  in  this  field  with  success  until  1914,  in  March  of 
which  year  he  secured  employment  with  the  Frisco  Lines  at  Springfield  as 
general  foreman  in  the  reclamation  department,  and  he  is  discharging  the 
duties  of  this  responsible  position  in  a manner  that  reflects  much  credit  upon 
himself  and  to  the  eminent  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  He  has  under  his 
direction  three  hundred  and  fifty  men. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I31 1 


Politically,  Mr.  Bon  is  an  independent  voter.  Fraternally,  he  belongs 
to  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Ancient  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  and  is  a member  of  the  Christian  church. 

He  was  married  in  1908  to  Alice  Harvey,  a daughter  of  William  E. 
and  Mary  M.  (Streepy)  Harvey,  of  Centerville,  Iowa,  in  which  city  she 
grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  She  is  a member  of  the  Daughters 
of  the  American  Revolution,  her  grandfather  having  been  a soldier  in  that 
war. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  one  child,  Maxine  Bon,  has  been  born,  whose 
birth  occurred  June  20,  1910. 


WILLIAM  P.  POWELL. 

A gentleman  of  warm,  sympathetic  impulses,  liberal  and  generous,  Will- 
iam P.  Powell,  assistant  foreman  of  the  reclamation  department  of  the  South 
Side  Frisco  shops,  Springfield,  is  a young  man' whom  everyone,  who  has  ever 
known  him  personally,  likes  and  speaks  well  of.  His  manners  are  easy  in 
social  intercourse,  with  high  conceptions  of  morality  and  honest,  fraternal 
living.  All  these  commendable  traits,  together  with  the  fact  that  he  has 
achieved  such  notable  success  in  his  field  of  endeavor  at  such  an  early  age 
would  augur  for  him  a bright  future  in  railroad  service. 

Mr.  Powell  was  born  at  Saint  Mary’s,  Sainte  Genevieve  county,  Missouri, 
October  10,  1884.  He  is  a son  of  Elisha  T.  Powell  and  a grandson  of  Will- 
iam Powell,  a large  tobacco  grower  of  Kentucky  in  the  early  days.  The 
father  of  our  subject  was  born  at  Henderson,  Kentucky,  where  he  grew  up, 
attended  school  and  spent  his  life,  engaged  in  raising  tobacco  of  a high  grade 
and  on  an  extensive  scale.  Later  in  life  he  removed  to  Sainte  Genevieve 
county,  Missouri,  and  established  the  family  home.  For  some  time  he  op- 
erated a cooperage  business  at  Jackson,  this  state.  The  latter  years  of  his 
life  were  spent  in  retirement  at  De  Soto,  this  state,  where  he  died  at  the  age 
of  fifty-seven  years,  and  was  buried  there.  Politically,  he  was  a Democrat 
and  he  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  The  mother  of  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Della  Van  Winkle,  and 
she  was  born  at  Jefferson  City,  Missouri,  where  she  grew  up  and  was  edu- 
cated, and  she  is  now  making  her  home  in  Springfield  and  is  fifty  years  old. 
To  these  parents  only  two  children  were  born,  a daughter  dying  in  infancy, 
and  William  P.,  of  this  sketch. 

Our  subject  received  his  education  in  the  common  and  high  schools  at 
De  Soto,  Missouri.  After  leaving  school  he  went  to  Texas  and  became  a 
clerk  in  the  postoffice  at  the  town  of  Brownwood,  having  taken  the  civil 


l312 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


service  examination  for  the  same.  Later  he  was  for  one  year  in  the  United 
States  mail  service  in  that  state.  He  then  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in 
1902,  and  took  a position  as  helper  in  the  blacksmith  shops  of  the  Frisco 
railroad,  in  the  North  Side  shops,  under  John  French,  who  was  foreman  there 
for  eighteen  months.  Our  subject  then  went  with  the  United  Iron  Works  in 
this  city  as  blacksmith  helper,  where  he  remained  nine  months,  then  took 
a position  in  the  Schmook  Machine  Foundry  Company  here  as  blacksmith, 
later  taking  a position  in  the  South  Side  Frisco  shops  as  blacksmith  helper, 
but  returned  to  the  Schmook  foundry  as  blacksmith,  then  came  to  the  South 
Side  Frisco  shops  as  blacksmith,  in  1913,  and  for  some  time  he  has  been 
assistant  foreman  of  the  blacksmith  shop  in  the  reclamation  department  of 
these  shops,  and  has  given  his  usual  high-grade  service  and  satisfaction. 

Mr.  Powell  has  remained  single.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat.  He 
belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and 
the  International  Brotherhood  of  Blacksmith  Helpers.  Religiously,  he  is 
a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


WILLIAM  WESLEY  SKELLEY. 

The  time  has  arrived  when  intensive  and  diversified  farming  is  neces- 
sary tor  conditions  have  changed  since  the  former  generation.  We  must 
now  look  more  to  soil  fertility,  grow  better  and  more  livestock,  each  farmer 
must  do  more  work  himself  and  hire  less.  The  farmers  and  editors  and 
statesmen  who  at  one  time  insisted  that  American  intelligence,  Yankee  thrift 
and  ingenuitv  needed  no  protection  have  come  to  discover  something  differ- 
ent. In  the  language  of  the  late  Grover  Cleveland,  “It  is  a condition  which 
confronts  us — not  a theory."  One  of  the  intelligent  young  farmers  of 
Franklin  township,  Greene  county,  who  realizes  that  he  must  employ  differ- 
ent methods  in  his  vocation  to  those  employed  a quarter  or  a half  century  ago 
is  William  Wesley  Skelley,  and  he  is  therefore  making  a success  in  his 
chosen  work. 

Mr.  Skelley  was  horn  September  17,  1876,  in  Cumberland  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  is  a son  of  Theodore  A.  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Smith)  Skelley. 
The  father  was  born  in  the  same  county  and  state  as  our  subject,  April  30, 
1840,  and  there  also  occurred  the  birth  of  the  mother  of  our  subject.  They 
grew  to  maturity  in  their  native  locality,  were  educated  in  the  schools  of 
the  earlv  days  and  married  there  and  established  the  family  home.  Theo- 
dore A.  Skelley  devoted  his  active  life  to  farming  and  was  also  a wagon 
maker  by  trade  which  he  followed  in  his  native  state,  working  for  some  time 
in  the  railroad  shops  at  Altoona,  Pennsylvania,  in  fact,  followed  his  trade  for 


SCENES  ON  THE  FARM  OF  WILLIAM  W.  SIvELLEY. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I3I3 


.a  period  of  eighteen  years.  He  was  highly  skilled  and  always  found  ready 
employment.  He  removed  with  his  family  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in 
1884,  when  our  subject  was  eight  years  old,  and  here  he  purchased  a farm  of 
•one  hundred  and  seventy  acres  in  Franklin  township,  known  as  the  “Cedar 
Bluff  Farm."  It  was  weil  improved  and  had  a good  group  of  buildings  on 
it.  Here  he  carried  on  general  farming  successfully,  being  a hard  worker 
and  a good  manager,  and  was  highly  respected  by  his  neighbors,  being  a good 
man  in  every  sense  of  the  word.  He  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  church 
at  New  Salem  in  which  he  was  steward  for  several  years.  During  the  Civil 
war  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Two  Hundred  and  Second  Pennsylvania 
Volunteer  Infantry,  at  Harrisburg,  that  state,  August  20,  1864,  and  served  in 
.a  faithful  manner  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  mustered  out  as  corporal, 
August  3,  1865,  at  Harrisburg,  and  was  honorably  discharged.  He  was  in 
the  army  of  the  Potomac,  but  did  mostly  guard  duty  and  was  not  in  any  of 
the  great  battles,  but  was  in  several  skirmishes,  his  principal  work  was  in 
guarding  railroads  in  Virginia.  Previous  to  his  enlistment  he  had  been  in 
the  employ  of  the  government  as  mechanic,  teamster,  etc. 

The  death  of  Theodore  A.  Skelley  occurred  on  his  farm  in  Greene 
county,  October  3,  1912,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  His  widow  survives 
and  remains  on  the  homestead.  To  these  parents  five  children  were  born, 
named  as  follows : Edward  lives  in  Atchison,  Kansas;  Etta  is  deceased; 
Mrs.  Ada  Stokes,  wife  of  George  J.  Stokes,  lives  at  Ebenezer,  Greene  county  ; 
William  W.  of  this  review;  Mrs.  Mollie  Hall,  wife  of  Jesse  R.  Hall,  lives 
near  Gladville,  Greene  county. 

The  early  boyhood  of  William  W.  Skelley  was  spent  in  Pennsylvania, 
but  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Greene  county  where  he  worked 
during  the  summer  months  and  in  the  winter  time  attended  the  common 
schools.  He  has  remained  on  the  home  farm,  which  he  is  still  operating  in 
a highly  successful  manner,  raising  much  grain  and  large  numbers  of  live- 
stock annually. 

Mr.  Skelley  was  married  December  24,  1902,  to  Lenora  Stokes,  who 
was  born  December  27,  1882,  a daughter  of  Thomas  Layson  Stokes  and 
Martha  Ann  (Vaughn)  Stokes,  the  former  a native  of  Greene  county  and 
the  latter  of  Tennessee.  He  was  born  February  2,  1836,  and  died  in  1898, 
.and  she  was  born  March  22,  1838,  and  died  March  1,  1889.  Mrs.  Stokes 
came  to  Greene  county  when  a child  with  her  parents  and  here  she  spent  the 
rest  of  her  life.  Mr.  Stokes  spent  his  life  engaged  in  blacksmithing  and 
general  farming  on  the  homestead  in  Franklin  township,  just  west  of  the 
Skelley  farm;  however,  .he  removed  to  Willard  ten  years  prior  to  his  death, 
where  he  maintained  a blacksmith  shop,  having  learned  the  trade  when 
young.  He  also  followed  his  trade  in  connection  with  farming  in  Franklin 
township.  He  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  blacksmiths  in  the  countv 

(83) 


1 3H 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


and  many  of  his  customers  came  from  long:  distances.  Fraternally,  he  be- 
longed to  the  Masonic  order  at  Ebenezer.  Politically,  he  was  a Republican. 

To  Thomas  Stokes  and  wife  thirteen  children  were  born,  namely:  Mary 
is  deceased;  Mrs.  Sarah  Frances  Roan;  Gatley  is  deceased;  Cordelia  is  de- 
ceased; Jasen  H.  is  deceased;  John  R.  lives  at  Pearl,  Greene  county;  George 
lives  at  Ebenezer;  Mrs.  Dona  Dysert  lives  at  Hickory  Barrens,  this  county;: 
Charles  lives  in  California;  Mrs.  Lotty  Skelley  lives  in  Atchison,  Kansas; 
Lucy  is  deceased ; Mrs.  Lorettie  Chisler  is  deceased ; Otter  son  is  deceased, 
and  Lenora,  wife  of  our  subject,  who  was  six  years  old  when  her  mother 
died. 

Mrs.  Skelley  grew  to  womanhood  in  Greene  county  and  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools.  She  has  borne  her  husband  four  children,  Lee,  born 
November  I,  1903;  Helen,  born  May  24,  1905;  Loyd,  born  November  20, 
1909,  and  Anna,  born  April  11,  1908,  died  August  6,  1909. 

Politically,  Mr.  Skelley  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  church  at  New  Salem,  and  they  are  both  well  liked  through- 
out the  community. 


CHARLES  R.  BUSCH. 

From  the  life  record  of  Charles  R.  Busch  many  useful  lessons  may  be 
gleaned  by  the  youth  starting  out  on  the  road  to  success  in  railroad  service, 
for  he  has  been  a man  who  believed  in  the  wise  saying  of  an  old  philosopher, 
“Lose  no  time  in  getting  off  the  wrong  road  as  soon  as  you  discover  that 
you  are  traveling  it.”  Fie  has  been  an  advocate  of  progress  in  all  phases  of 
life,  progress  at  any  sacrifice,  and,  this  being  a fact,  he  has  achieved  a some- 
what unusual  degree  of  success  for  so  young  a man,  but  he  began  early  to 
advance  himself  in  his  chosen  arena  of  endeavor  and  has  left  no  stone  un- 
turned whereby  he  might  do  so,  and  the  future  for  him  is  redolent  with 
promise. 

Mr.  Busch,  who  is  chief  clerk  of  the  reclamation  plant  of  the  South 
Side  Frisco  shops,  Springfield,  was  born  in  this  city  January  29,  1892.  He 
is  a son  of  Charles  J.  Busch,  who  was  born  near  the  River  Rhine,  in  Ger- 
many, and  who  was  brought  to  America  by  his  parents  when  he  was  four 
years  of  age,  and  was  educated  at  Litchfield,  Illinois,  in  both  German  and 
English,  receiving  a fine  education,  although  he  left  school  when  seventeen 
years  of  age.  He  soon  became  foreman  for  his  father  in  the  Litchfield  Car 
and  Foundry  Company,  holding  this  position  for  four  years,  when  he  went 
to  Quincy,  Illinois,  as  machinist  for  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & Quincy 
railroad  and  worked  there  a year.  He  located  in  Springfield  in  1877  and 
began  working  as  machinist  in  the  Frisco  North  Side  shops,  being  pro- 
moted to  machinist  foreman  there  in  1889,  which  position  he  filled  until 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


13 1 5 


1899,  and  in  that  year  was  promoted  to  general  foreman,  which  position  he 
held  until  his  death,  on  February  7,  1913,  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years. 
Politically,  he  was  a Democrat  and  was  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  his 
party.  He  was  county  committeeman  of  Greene  county  for  a period  of 
twenty  years  and  was  a member  of  the  city  council.  He  did  much  for  the 
general  welfare  of  Springfield  and  was  one  of  the  city’s  most  valuable  and 
influential  citizens  for  some  two  decades.  Fraternally,  he  was  a member 
of  the  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Security,  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America, 
a charter  member  of  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  and  also  belonged 
to  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  Fie  was  a member  of  the  Catholic  church. 
He  belonged  to  the  Germania  Hall  German  Society,  and  was  one  of  the  most 
influential  Teutons  of  Springfield.  I11  1876  Charles  j.  Busch  married  Cath- 
erine Holland,  a daughter  of  Charles  M.  and  Annie  M.  Holland.  She  was 
reared  and  educated  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  Her  father  was  at  one  time  a to- 
bacco planter  and  lived  at  Cincinnati  many  years.  She  was  educated  in  a 
convent.  She  is  now  living  with  her  son,  our  subject,  and  is  now  fifty-one 
years  of  age. 

Five  children  were  born  to  Charles  J.  Busch  and  wife,  namely:  Lena 

died  in  infancy;  Edna  married  J.  J.  O'Dowd,  chief  clerk  to  the  president 
of  the  Southern  Pacific  railroad,  and  he  lives  at  Tucson,  Arizona;  Charles 
R.  of  this  review;  Julions  is  deceased;  and  Leo,  who  is  attending  school  at 
this  writing. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  also  named  Charles  J. 
Busch,  and  he  was  a native  of  Germany,  and  a coffin  maker  by  trade.  He 
grew  up  in  the  Fatherland  and  there  received  his  education  and  learned  his 
trade,  remaining  there  until  he  was  about  twenty-three  years  of  age  when 
he  immigrated  to  America  and  located  in  Buffalo,  New  York,  where  he  re- 
mained two  years  working  as  a cabinet  maker,  then  went  to  Litchfield,  Illi- 
nois, where  he  opened  up  the  Litchfield  Car  and  Foundry  Company,  which 
concern  made  all  the  equipment  for  all  railroads  west  of  Chicago  for  some 
time.  Fie  remained  thus  successfully  engaged  until  1895,  at  which  time  the 
foundry  was  sold  to  the  American  Car  and  Foundry  Company,  when  he  re- 
signed and  retired  from  active  life.  He  was  general  manager  of  the  con- 
cern which  he  founded,  and  through  his  exceptional  business  acumen  and 
industry  it  grew  to  very  large  proportions  and  made  him  wealthy.  He  was 
the  largest  stockholder  in  the  company.  He  is  still  living,  being  eighty-five 
years  of  age,  and  makes  his  home  in  Litchfield,  Illinois.  He  started  in  busi- 
ness in  this  country  on  a small  scale,  manufacturing  wheelbarrows  and  other 
small  conveyances,  and  gradually,  but  surely,  he  became  one  of  the  leading 
and  well  known  manufacturers  of  the  Middle  West,  and  solely  by  his  own 
efforts  forged  ahead  from  an  humble  beginning  to  a man  of  wealth  and  in- 
fluence in  the  manufacturing  world.  He  is  a Scottish  Rite  Mason. 


i3l6 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Charles  R.  Busch  was  educated  in  the  public  and  high  schools  and  St. 
Joseph’s  Catholic  school.  Thus  well  equipped  for  his  life  work,  he  began 
his  railroad  career  in  1909  as  stock  clerk  in  the  stock  room  of  the  Frisco’s 
North  Side  shops,  Springfield,  where  he  remained  until  October  13,  1910, 
when  he  took  a trip  to  Tucson,  Arizona,  with  his  brother-in-law,  J.  J. 
O'Dowd,  the  latter  having  lost  his  health  and  believing  that  the  climate  of 
the  Southwest  would  benefit  him.  Our  subject  accepted  a position  with  the 
general  manager  of  the  Mountain  States  Telegraph  Company  as  private 
secretary,  but  three  months  later  the  company  sold  out  to  the  Bell  Tele- 
phone Company.  He  then  entered  the  service  of  the  Arizona  & Eastern 
railroad  and  the  Southern  Pacific  Railroad  of  Mexico  as  accountant,  with 
offices  at  Tucson.  He  remained  there  until  January,  1912,  when  he  was 
promoted  to  the  position  of  traveling  accountant,  covering  all  the  western 
lines  of  these  companies.  While  at  Tucson  he  studied  at  the  University  of 
Arizona,  taking  up  law  and  economics,  studying  at  night.  On  September 
1,  1913,  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  on  account  of  the  illness  of  his 
father,  and  here  secured  a position  as  foreman  at  the  North  Side  Frisco 
shops  in  the  general  store  department ; then  was  promoted  to  accountant  at 
the  general  stores;  then  became  assistant  chief  clerk  to  A.  H.  Young,  Sep- 
tember 24,  1913  resigning  and  accepting  a position  as  foreman  of  the 
reclamation  plant,  and  on  October  24,  1913,  was  promoted  to  chief  clerk 
of  this  department  in  the  South  Side  shops,  under  R.  F.  Whalen,  which  po- 
sition he  is  holding  at  this  writing,  the  duties  of  which  he  is  discharging  in 
his  usual  high  grade  and  faithful  manner. 

In  1912  Mr.  Busch  was  detailed  by  certain  American  interests  to  col- 
lect various  data  and  information  concerning  varied  enterprises  in  the  states 
of  Sonora,  Cinaloa  and  the  territory  of  Tepic,  Mexico,  he  made  a trip  in 
a motor  car  over  a vast  part  of  the  southern  republic,  and,  being  a man  of 
keen  observation  and  quick  perceptive  faculties,  secured  the  information  de- 
sired in  a short  time,  and  while  there  saw  something  of  the  great  revolu- 
tion, and  upon  his  return  to  Arizona  wrote  a graphic,  interesting  and  val- 
uable article  on  his  trip,  telling  of  his  varied  experiences,  the  manners  and 
customs  of  the  natives,  the  resources  of  the  countries  he  visited,  and  touched 
upon  such  other  points  in  a manner  that  would  have  been  a credit  to  a 
trained  and  experienced  man  of  letters. 

Mr.  Busch  has  remained  unmarried.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat.  He 
is  a member  of  the  Delta  Omikron  Omikron.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Knights  and  Ladies  of  Security  and  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  church.  Personally,  he  is  popular  rvith  all  who 
know  him  owing  to  his  genial  and  obliging  manners  and  genuine  worth 
which  the  stranger  at  once  perceives  upon  meeting  him. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I3I7 


JAMES  M.  BROWN. 

The  name  James  M.  Brown  does  not  sound  very  Irish-like,  neither 
does  the  bearer  of  this  plain  old  cognomen  possess  many  of  the  outward 
characteristics  of  the  Celtic  people,  but  it  is  evident  that  he  has  inherited 
many  of  the  praiseworthy  traits  of  his  ancestors,  which  have  resulted  in 
his  success  in  his  chosen  field  of  endeavor  and  in  his  popularity  among  his 
associates.  For  we  all  know  that  there  is  no  better  blood  in  this  country 
than  Irish  blood.  Our  subject  is  filling  the  responsible  position  of  master 
mechanic  at  the  Springfield  Gas  and  Power  Company.  Such  positions  are 
not  attained  without  careful  preparation. 

Mr.  Brown  was  born  in  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  May  28,  1864.  He  is 
a son  of  John  and  Mary  (Perry)  Brown,  the  latter  dying  in  1910  at  the 
age  of  seventy  years.  The  father  was  born  in  County  Cork,  Ireland,  where 
he  spent  his  boyhood,  immigrating  to  the  United  States  when  he  was  about 
nineteen  years  of  age,  and  located  in  Tennessee,  where  he  became  a railroad 
contractor,  making  his  home  at  Greenville,  Greene  county,  that  state,  where 
his  death  occurred  at  the  early  age  of  forty-eight  years,  in  1894,  and  he 
was  buried  at  Quaker  Knob,  Greene  county.  As  a contractor  he  built  rail- 
roads in  eastern  Tennessee,  Virginia  and  Georgia.  His  family  consisted  of 
six  children,  namely : William  M.  is  an  engineer  for  a railroad  company, 

operating  coal  mines  in  North  Carolina;  Thomas,  formerly  a stationary  en- 
gineer, lives  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas ; Daniel  is  engaged  in  farming  in 
Texas;  James  M.,  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mary,  a trained  nurse,  resides  at 
Morristown,  Tennessee;  Sallie  is  married  and  also  resides  at  Morristown, 
Tennessee. 

James  M.  Brown  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  but  left 
his  text-books  when  only  twelve  years  of  age  to  go  to  work  in  a saw  mill 
at  Bull’s  Gap,  Tennessee,  where  his  duties  were  to  keep  the  sawdust  thrown 
back  out  of  the  way  and  to  pull  the  whistle  three  times  a day,  considering 
the  latter  privilege  an  honor.  He  was  later  fireman  at  the  mill,  receiving  a 
dollar  and  fifty  cents  per  day,  after  he  had  been  working  only  six  months 
at  the  plant.  He  held  this  position  for  two  years,  and,  being  a close  ob- 
server and  a willing  worker,  became  a full-fledged  engineer  before  he  was 
he  worked  on  a farm  two  years ; then  worked  in  a water  mill  on  Clear 
fifteen  years  of  age.  He  then  went  to  McDonald  county,  Missouri,  where 
creek,  hauling  flour  from  the  mill  for  one  year;  then  came  to  Ash  Grove, 
Greene  county,  about  1880,  securing  a position  with  the  Likins  Milling 
Company,  and  helped  erect  a plant  there,  of  which,  when  it  was  finished,  he 
was  engaged  as  engineer,  which  position  he  filled  until  1895,  then  came  to 
Springfield  and  was  employed  by  the  Springfield  Electric  Light  Company, 
later  the  Springfield  Traction  Company,  as  engineer,  and  three  months  later 


1318 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


was  appointed  chief  engineer,  continuing  in  this  position  until  1913.  The 
work  became  too  heavy  and  he  then  took  a position  as  repair  man,  and  is 
now  master  mechanic  at  the  Springfield  Gas  and  Power  Company,  in  whose 
service  he  has  been  employed  for  a period  of  twenty  years.  He  has  given 
■eminent  satisfaction  in  every  respect,  being  not  only  an  expert  engineer  and 
mechanic,  but  is  faithful,  reliable  and  trustworthy. 

Mr.  Brown  was  married  on  October  28,  1890,  to  Annie  E.  Sanford, 
of  Walnut  Grove,  Missouri.  She  is  a daughter  of  Robert  C.  and  Mary 
(Holder)  Sanford,  do  this  union  two  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Millard  F.,  who  was  educated  in  the  Springfield  ward  and  high  schools,  is 
single,  and  he  has  been  employed  in  the  main  office  of  the  Frisco  railroad 
for  five  years;  Sanford,  who  was  educated  in  the  high  school,  Drury  Col- 
lege and  a local  business  college,  is  connected  with  the  Heer  Dry  Goods 
Company,  of  Springfield. 

Mr.  Brown  owns  a pleasant  home  on  North  Main  street.  Politically, 
he  is  a Republican,  and,  religiously,  a Presbyterian.  He  is  a member  of 
the  National  Association  of  Steam  Engineers,  of  which  he  was  formerly 
secretary.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America 
.and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 


EDWARD  FARMER. 

To  the  person  who  closely  applies  himself  to  any  occupation  which  he 
has  chosen  as  his  calling  in  life,  there  can  only  come  one  result,  that  of  suc- 
cess and  a high  place  in  the  esteem  of  those  among  whom  his  lot  has  been 
cast.  Edward  Farmer,  chief  engineer  of  the  state  Pythian  home  at  Spring- 
field,  is  no  exception  to  this  rule,  and  he  has  also  during  his  residence  here 
of  nearly  forty  years  manifested  much  interest  in  the  city  and  county  where 
he  located  his  permanent  home,  taking  a just  pride  in  their  general  devel- 
opment. 

Mr.  Farmer  was  born  at  Belsfield,  Prince  Georges  county,  Maryland, 
January  26,  1861.  He  is  a son  of  Alfred  and  Susanna  (Dugan)  Farmer, 
the  mother  a native  of  the  same  county  and  state  as  our  subject,  where  she 
grew  to  womanhood,  attended  school  and  was  married.  She  lived  in  a 
number  of  states  until  she  removed  with  her  family  to  Springfield,  Missouri, 
where  she  spent  the  rest  of  her  life,  dying  here  in  1898,  at  the  age  of  sev- 
enty-two years,  and  was  buried  in  Maple  Park  cemetery.  The  father  of 
our  subject  was  born  in  England,  where  he  spent  his  earlier  years  and  at- 
tended school,  immigrating  to  the  United  States  in  1840,  landing  in  New 
York  City.  He  had  learned  the  bricklayer’s  trade  in  the  old  country,  which 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1319 


Jie  followed  as  his  chief  life  work.  However,  he  was  a deep  sea  sailor  for 
ten  years.  After  leaving  the  seafaring  life  he  located  in  Maryland,  where 
he  married,  after  which  he  resumed  his  trade  of  bricklayer,  which  he  con- 
tinued to  follow  the  rest  of  his  life,  eventually  developing  into  a contractor 
and  builder,  his  work  taking  him  practically  all  over  the  state  of  Maryland, 
and  he  became  well  known  and  successful  in  his  vocation.  Upon  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  Civil  war  he  went  to  the  state  of  New  York,  locating  in 
Onondaga  county,  continuing  his  occupation  until  he  joined  a large  colony 
-of  New  Yorkers  in  1871  and  went  to  the  state  of  Kansas,  where  he  re- 
mained three  years.  They  were  on  their  way  to  Florida  when  his  death 
•occurred  in  Carrollton,  Arkansas,  in  1875,  at  the  age  of  forty-six  years. 
He  was  a member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  before  the 
Civil  war,  and  he  belonged  to  the  Methodist  church. 

To  Alfred  Farmer  and  wife  six  children  were  born,  namely:  Albert 
met  an  accidental  death  in  Oklahoma  a number  of  years  ago;  Edward  of 
this  sketch ; George,  who  was  engaged  in  business  in  Kansas  City,  is  de- 
ceased; Frank  is  a landscape  gardener  and  lives  in  California;  Ellen,  who 
lives  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  is  the  wife  of  Frank  Chappell,  a railroad 
man;  John  died  in  infancy. 

Edward  Farmer  received  a limited  education  in  the  common  schools, 
and  when  only  twelve  years  of  age  he  went  to  work  helping  his  father  as 
mortar  mixer,  which  he  continued  two  years.  In  1876  he  removed  with 
his  mother  and  the  rest  of  the  family  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  went  to 
work  running  a picking  machine  in  a cotton  mill,  in  which  he  remained  three 
years,  where  he  was  also  employed  as  fireman  and  engineer.  Then  he  went 
to  the  Queen  City  mills  as  engineer  in  1882,  and  later  became  chief  en- 
gineer of  the  Meyer  Milling  Company,  with  which  he  remained  over  thirty- 
two  years,  having  charge  of  both  Model  and  Queen  City  flouring  mills. 
He  became  an  expert  in  his  line  and  was  a very  faithful  and  trustworthy 
-engineer,  as  may  be  surmised  from  his  long  employment  here.  He  had 
four  men  under  his  direction  most  of  the  time,  and  during  his  long  service 
there  he  saw  many  changes  made  in  employees  and  also  in  the  methods  of 
operating  the  mills,  many  of  these  changes  having  been  made  at  his  sug- 
gestion. He  left  this  concern  in  September,  1914,  the  work  having  become 
too  heavy  for  his  advanced  years,  and  accepted  the  position  he  now  holds, 
that  of  chief  engineer  at  the  Pythian  Home,  where  he  is  residing,  although 
■owning  two  good  residences  in  Springfield. 

Mr.  Farmer  was  married  in  1887  to  Pauline  Dyer,  a member  of  an 
■old  Springfield  family  and  a sister  of  Fillman  Dyer,  a retired  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war.  Here  Mrs.  Farmer  grew  to  womanhood  and  spent  her  life, 
•dying  in  October,  1907,  and  is  buried  in  Maple  Park  cemetery.  To  our 
subject  and  wife  two  children  were  born,  namely:  Eva  has  remained  sin- 


I32° 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


gle  and  is  keeping  house  for  her  father;  Nicholas  is  a Frisco  clerk  in  the 
general  offices  at  St.  Louis. 

Mr.  Farmer  is  an  independent  voter.  He  belonged  to  the  National  As- 
sociation of  Stationary  Engineers,  and  for  seventeen  years  he  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 


ALBERT  L.  SCHOEIELD. 

The  Hoosier  state  has  produced  a very  large  percentage  of  the  nation’s, 
capable  men.  many  of  whom  have  distinguished  themselves  as  statesmen, 
generals,  authors  and  scientists.  This  state  has  furnished  to  the  West  and 
Middle  West  a myriad  horde  of  capable  men  who  have  been  of  material 
assistance  in  furthering  our  civilization.  They  have  established  schools, 
churches  and  various  kinds  of  industries  and  have  proven  to  be  valuable 
citizens  wherever  they  have  dispersed.  Albert  L.  Schofield,  foreman  of 
the  coach  department  in  the  South  Side  Frisco  shops,  Springfield,  is  one  of 
this  number,  and  he  seems  to  have  many  of  the  commendable  characteristics 
of  the  native  Hoosier. 

Mr.  Schofield  was  born  at  Cochran,  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  May 
22,  1 8 72.  He  is  a son  of  Thomas  Schofield,  who  was  born  in  England,  in 
which  country  he  grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  education.  When 
twenty-one  years  of  age  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States,  where  he  has 
since  made  his  home,  settling  in  Cochran,  Indiana,  where  he  began  work- 
ing for  the  Ohio  & Mississippi  Railroad  Company,  in  1863.  He  came  to 
Springfield,  Missouri,  in  1889,  and  secured  employment  with  the  St.  Louis 
& San  Francisco  Railroad  Company,  remaining  in  the  coach  department  as 
carpenter  from  that  time  until  in  1912,  when  he  was  retired  on  a pension 
by  the  company.  He  was  a skilled  mechanic  and  one  of  the  most  faithful 
employees  of  the  local  shops.  He  is  living  at  1065  Commercial  street,  being 
now  in  his  seventy-second  year.  He  is  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias, . 
and  belongs  to  the  Second  Presbyterian  church.  He  was  the  father  of  three- 
daughters  and  two  sons,  namely : Lillie  married  Harry  Fenton,  a cabinet 

maker  in  the  new  Frisco  shops,  Springfield;  Emma  married  Clarence  War- 
ner, a fireman  on  the  “high  line”  division  of  the  Frisco,  between  Spring- 
field  and  Kansas  City;  Albert  L.,  of  this  sketch;  Agnes  is  deceased;  Earl 
is  a clerk  in  the  Frisco  offices,  Springfield,  in  the  master  car  builder’s  de- 
partment. 

Albert  L.  Schofield  attended  the  common  schools  in  his  native  town: 
until  he  was  fifteen  years  old,  when  he  gave  up  educational  pursuits  to  be- 
gin his  career  as  railroader,  for  which  he  had  a natural  bent.  He  began 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1321 


working  in  the  coach  department  of  the  Ohio  & Mississippi  railroad,  where- 
he  remained  a year,  then  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  continued  his 
apprenticeship  in  the  coach  department  of  the  Frisco  shops,  also  learned 
body  work,  beginning  his  apprenticeship  in  1889,  remaining  in  the  North 
Side  shops  until  1909,  a period  of  twenty  years,  then  was  sent  to  the  new 
shops  here,  where  he  worked  as  journeyman  until  1912,  being  -appointed 
foreman  in  November  of  that  year.  He  remained  there  until  July  10,  1914, 
when  he  went  on  the  road  as  traveling  passenger  car  inspector.  On  October 
1,  1914,  he  was  placed  in  the  South  Side  shops  as  foreman  of  the  coach 
department,  which  position  he  now  holds,  having  charge  of  about  sixty 
men  on  an  average.  In  all  the  various  positions  he  has  been  placed  he  has 
never  been  found  wanting,  always  capable  and  trustworthy,  he  has  given 
entire  satisfaction. 

Mr.  Schofield  was  married  June  26,  1895,  in  Springfield,  to  Emma  R. 
Rathbone,  a daughter  of  Barney  and  Rush  (Woods)  Rathbone,  an  old 
Springfield  family,  where  Mrs.  Schofield  grew  to  womanhood  and  received 
her  education.  The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  been  without  issue. 

Politically,  Mr.  Schofield  is  an  independent  voter.  Fraternally,  he  be- 
longs to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 
Mrs.  Schofield  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


ISAAC  PRICE. 

One  of  the  oldest  employees  of  the  St.  Louis  & San  Francisco  Railroad 
Company  is  Isaac  Price,  foreman  of  the  paint  department  in  the  South  Side 
shops,  Springfield.  It  is  a significant  fact  that  he  has  been  continuously  on 
the  payroll  of  this  company  for  a period  of  forty-five  years.  That  would 
indicate  that  he  is  a man  of  unusual  skill,  industry  and  faithfulness.  Al- 
though but  a small  boy  during  the  great  war  between  the  states,  he  desired 
to  do  what  he  could  for  his  country,  and,  not  hardy  enough  to  carry  a 
heavy  musket  and  other  accoutrements  of  a regular  field  soldier,  he  served 
as  bugler  for  the  artillery. 

Mr.  Price  was  born  at  Pelham,  Grundy  county,  Tennessee,  September 
17,  1846.  He  is  a son  of  William  and  Matilda  (Meeks)  Price,  both  na- 
tives of  Tennessee,  where  they  grew  to  maturity,  attended  the  old-time 
schools  and  were  married,  establishing  their  home  at  Pelham.  The  father 
was  a blacksmith  by  trade.  Taking  a part  in  public  affairs,  he  was  elected 
sheriff  of  Grundy  county,  his  native  state,  and  served  in  that  office  for 
many'  years.  Later  he  removed  to  Rockport,  Arkansas,  where  he  followed 
blacksmithing  for  a short  time,  and  there  his  death  occurred  in  1861,  when 


I 3-2 


G KEENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


•only  thirty  years  of  age.  and  he  was  buried  at  that  place.  His  widow  sub- 
sequently came  to  Missouri,  and  died  at  Pacific  in  July,  1914,  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty-seven  years,  having  survived  her  husband  over  a half 
century.  To  William  Price  and  wife  six  children  were  born,  three  sons 
and  three  daughters,  namely : George,  now  deceased,  was  a locomotive 

engineer  on  the  Frisco;  William,  who  resides  in  Springfield,  is  a Frisco  en- 
gineer; Mary  married  Charles  Hacker,  deceased,  who  was  a car  repairer 
in  St.  Louis;  Bettie,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  John  McGoan,  also  deceased; 
Isaac  of  this  sketch,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  John  Price,  paternal 
grandfather  of  these  children,  was  a millwright  by  trade  and  lived  at  Pel- 
ham, Tennessee. 

Isaac  Price  spent  his  boyhood  in  his  native  community  and  there  re- 
ceived a limited  education  in  the  common  schools,  also  attended  school  at 
Rockport,  Arkansas,  for  a while,  but  left  school  at  a tender  age,  went  to 
St.  Louis  and  enlisted  in  the  Federal  service,  in  1863,  as  bugler,  in  Com- 
pany M,  Second  Missouri  Light  Artillery,  with  which  he  remained  until 
the  close  of  the  war  in  1865,  seeing  considerable  active  service,  and  after 
the  war  he  also  served  in  the  army  of  the  West  against  the  hostile  Indians. 
He  was  honorably  discharged  and  mustered  out  in  St.  Louis,  December 
29,  1865.  After  his  career  in  the  army  he  followed  the  carpenter’s  trade 
about  a year,  then,  in  1867,  began  learning  the  painter’s  trade  in  the  Mis- 
souri Pacific  railroad  shops  at  St.  Louis,  under  a Mr.  Langley.  Remaining 
with  that  road  until  1870  he  began  work  at  Pacific,  Missouri,  for  the  Frisco 
road,  as  car  painter.  Remaining  there  until  this  road  opened  shops  in 
Springfield,  now  known  as  the  North  Side  shops,  he  was  sent  here  and 
worked  as  a painter  foreman  until  July,  1909,  in  which  year  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  new  shops  as  foreman  painter.  He  worked  there  until  April 
15,  1914,  when  he  was  sent  to  the  South  Side  shops  as  painter  foreman, 
which  position  he  occupies  at  this  writing. 

Mr.  Price  owns  a small  farm  of  thirty-five  acres  in  Greene  county  and 
a good  residence  on  the  National  Boulevard,  Springfield.  He  was  married 
in  1872  to  Margaret  Maugan,  a daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Maugan, 
and  to  their  union  the  following  children  were  born,  namely : Thomas,  a 

sign  painter  in  Springfield,  is  in  business  for  himself ; William  is  chief  of 
the  Springfield  fire  department;  Annie  married  Connie  Jones,  who  has  long 
been  in  the  employ  of  the  Springfield  Traction  Company;  Laura  is  single 
and  lives  at  home;  Nellie  married  William  Burks,  a conductor  on  the  New 
Orleans,  Texas  & Mexico  railroad,  and  they  live  in  Kingsville,  Texas.  John 
died  in  infancy. 

Politically,  Mr.  Price  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  North  Side 
post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Im- 
proved Order  of  Red  Men,  and  his  family  belongs  to  the  Catholic  church. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I323 


WALTER  CONSTANCE. 

Railroad  service  in  some  form  has^a  fascination  for  a very  large  num- 
ber of  men,  and  when  they  once  enter  it,  whether  it  be  on  the  road  or  in 
the  shops,  they  seldom  give  it  up  unless  compelled  by  various  circumstances 
to  do  so.  It  is  well  that  this  is  so,  for  when  we  come  to  think  of  it  a vast 
..army  is  needed  to  keep  necessary  transportation  lines  of  the  world  in  suc- 
cessful operation,  and  it  has  been  said  that  one  of  the  chief  differences  be- 
tween civilization  and  barbarism  is  in  modes  of  transportation.  To  the  con- 
templative mind  this  statement  is  not  so  far  fetched  as  it  might  at  first  ap- 
pear. Walter  Constance,  foreman  of  the  blacksmith  department  of  the 
reclamation  plant  in  the  South  Side  Frisco  shops,  is  one  who,  although  well 
qualified  by  both  nature  and  education  to  follow  other  lines  of  human  en- 
deavor, selected  railroad  service. 

Mr.  Constance  was  born  on  December  7,  1877,  at  High  Hill,  Mont- 
gomery county,  Missouri.  He  is  a son  of  William  and  Josephine  (Flor- 
ence) Constance,  the  father  a native  of  England  and  the  mother  of  High- 
land county,  Ohio.  William  Constance  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  land 
and  there  received  his  education,  immigrating  to  the  United  States  when 
twenty-two  years  of  age,  finally  located  his  permanent  home  on  a farm  in 
Montgomery  county,  Missouri,  where  he  is  still  living  and  is  actively  en- 
gaged in  his  vocation,  although  sixty-seven  years  old.  He  served  his  county 
four  years  as  county  assessor.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics.  His  wife 
grew  up  in  Ohio  and  received  a common  school  education,  and  she  came 
West  when  young.  She  is  now  seventy-seven  years  of  age.  To  these  par- 
ents five  children  have  been  born,  namely : Edward,  who  is  a civil  engineer, 

now  in  the  employ  of  the  United  States  government,  lives  in  St.  Louis; 
Walter,  subject  of  this  sketch;  the  next  two  children  died  in  infancy  un- 
named; Florence  married  Owen  Palmer,  a farmer  at  High  Hill,  Missouri. 

Walter  Constance  grew  up  in  his  native  county  on  the  home  farm, 
where  he  assisted  with  the  general  work  during  crop  seasons,  and  during 
the  winter  he  attended  the  local  schools  there.  First  deciding  to  enter  the  educa- 
tional arena  as  teacher,  he  entered  the  state  normal  school  at  Kirksville.  Upon 
leaving  that  institution,  he  taught  two  years  in  AYarren  county  and  one  year 
in  Montgomery  county,  this  state,  with  success,  but,  not  liking  the  work  as 
he  had  anticipated,  he  went  to  Topeka,  Kansas  in  1898,  and  entered  upon 
his  railroad  career,  securing  employment  with  the  Atchison,  Topeka  & Santa 
Fe  railroad.  He  worked  there  three  years  as  helper  and  blacksmith,  then 
came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  continued  his  trade  in  the  North  Side 
Frisco  shops  for  a period  of  eight  years,  then  was  transferred  to  the  same 
department  in  the  new  shops  when  they  were  opened  in  1909,  remaining  in 


1324 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


the  blacksmith  department  at  his  old  trade  until  1913.  when  he  was  changed 
to  the  reclamation  department  of  the  South  Side  shops,  October  20,  1913, 
as  foreman  of  the  blacksmith  department,  which  responsible  position  he  still 
holds,  having  a number  of  men  under  his  direction.  He  has  long  been  re- 
garded as  an  expert  in  his  line  and  has  been  in  the  service  of  the  Frisco 
for  fourteen  years. 

Mr.  Constance  was  married  in  1897  1°  Viola  McClure,  a daughter  of 
John  and  Sarah  (Gosney)  McClure,  of  Clark  county,  Missouri;  to  this  union 
four  children  were  born,  namely : Grace,  a junior,  and  Rae,  a freshman,  in  the 
Springfield  high  school  at  this  writing;  Mary  is  deceased,  and  Margaret  is 
attending  ward  school. 

Politically,  Mr.  Constance  votes  independently.  The  family  attends 
the  Congregational  church.  He  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  Amer- 
ica, and  for  a period  of  eleven  years  was  a member  of  the  Blacksmiths' 
Union. 


JEROME  A.  HOUSTON. 

It  was  fifty  years  ago  that  Jerome  A.  Houston,  foreman  of  the  air 
department  at  the  reclamation  plant  of  the  Frisco’s  South  Side  shops,  in 
Springfield,  began  his  career  as  machinist,  and  he  has  been  active  in  rail- 
road service  ever  since,  having  held  many  positions  of  responsibility  with  a 
number  of  different  companies.  His  long  and  close  devotion  to  one  line  of 
endeavor  has  made  him  an  expert  to  be  envied  by  the  young  machinist  ap- 
prentice, but  his  advice  to  all  such  would  doubtless  be  that  there  is  no  royal 
road  to  the  goal  of  those  with  ambitions  to  become  an  expert  in  his  line. 
It  can  only  be  won  by  earnest,  hard,  conscientious  and  long  continued  work. 

Mr.  Houston  was  born  in  Loudonville,  Ashland  county,  Ohio,  January 
20,  1845.  He  is  a son  of  James  E.  and  Ann  (Prutzman)  Houston,  the  lat- 
ter having  died  in  1865  at  the  age  of  forty-eight  years.  The  father  was 
horn  near  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  grew'  to  manhood  and  at- 
tended school.  When  a young  man  he  started  out  as  a cabinet  maker  in 
Lancaster,  later  took  up  the  railroad  business  at  Lancaster,  Ohio,  with  the 
Cincinnati,  Wellington  &■  Zanesville  railroad  as  foreman  of  the  paint  shop, 
which  position  he  held  ten  or  twelve  years,  then  went  to  Logan,  Ohio,  and 
formed  a stock  company  known  as  the  Logan  Cabinet  Manufacturing  Com- 
panv,  for  the  manufacture  of  cabinets,  and  his  death  occurred  in  that  city 
at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years.  As  a Republican,  he  took  a lively  interest  in 
political  affairs  and  vcas  elected  mayor  of  Lancaster,  Ohio,  two  terms.  He 
belonged  to  the  Masonic  order,  including  the  Royal  Arch  and  all  chapters. 
He  was  a member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  His  family  consisted  of  the  fol- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1325 


lowing  named  children:  Jerome  A.,  of  this  sketch,  is  the  eldest;  Sarah  is 

deceased;  Margaret,  widow  of  Alonzo  Belt,  deceased,  now  lives  at  Winni- 
peg, Canada;  George,  deceased,  was  a locomotive  engineer  on  the  Frisco 
Lines,  and  met  an  accidental  death;  Ellen,  who  is  married  and  lives  at 
Galesburg,  Illinois;  Lelia  married  Homer  Wright,  who  is  an  ex-judge  and 
is  now  representative  from  Logan  county  in  the  Ohio  legislature ; Mrs.  Mary 
Johnson  lives  in  Danville,  Illinois,  where  her  husband  is  engaged  in  the 
coal  business;  Hattie,  who  has  remained  unmarried,  lives  at  Columbus, 
Ohio;  Ida  and  Frank  are  both  deceased. 

Jerome  A.  Houston  attended  the  public  schools  in  his  native  state  until 
he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  when  he  left  school  and  began  learning  the  ma- 
chinist’s trade  in  the  shops  of  the  Cincinnati,  Wilmington  & Zanesville  rail- 
road at  Lancaster,  Ohio,  and  there  completed  his  apprenticeship.  From 
there  he  went  to  Vincennes,  Indiana,  as  machinist  for  the  old  Ohio  & Mis- 
sissippi railroad  (now  the  Baltimore  & Ohio).  Remaining  there  eighteen 
months,  he  went  to  Lancaster,  Ohio,  and  worked  six  months  for  his  former 
employers  at  his  trade,  then  went  to  Columbus,  Ohio,  with  the  Piqua  rail- 
road, known  as  the  Columbus,  Cleveland  & Indiana  Central  railroad,  and 
worked  there  as  machinist  for  three  years;  then  came  to  St.  Charles,  Mis- 
souri, as  machinist  for  the  North  Missouri  railroad,  with  which  he  remained 
for  eighteen  months ; then  returned  to  Columbus  and  continued  his  trade 
with  his  former  employers  there,  but  in  time  returned  to  Missouri  and 
worked  at  the  town  of  Pacific  for  the  South  Pacific  Railroad  Company  from 
1869  until  1871,  in  which  year  he  came  to  Springfield  as  machinist  for  the 
old  Atlantic-Pacific  railroad,  now  the  Frisco,  and  after  working  at  his  usual 
trade  for  six  months,  he  was  transferred  to  St.  James,  Missouri,  as  round- 
house foreman,  which  position  he  held  two  years;  then  worked  at  Dixon, 
this  state,  as  roundhouse  foreman;  then  held  the  same  position  at  Newburg 
two  years,  after  which  he  came  back  to  Springfield  and  began  working  as 
machinist  in  the  North  Side  shops.  A few  months  later  he  was  promoted  to 
erecting  foreman  in  this  department,  which  position  he  held  twelve  or  fifteen 
years,  then  was  transferred  to  Sapulpa,  Indian  Territory,  as  master  mechanic 
on  the  Frisco’s  Red  River  & Western  division,  and  wras  there  four  or  five 
years,  when  he  was  sent  to  Hugo,  Oklahoma,  as  general  foreman,  then  was 
ordered  back  to  Springfield  as  foreman  of  the  air  department  of  the  reclama- 
tion plant,  South  Side  shops,  which  position  he  has  held  since  1912.  He  has 
twenty-two  men  under  his  direction.  He  has  given  honest  and  high  grade 
service  in  all  the  above  named  positions  and  has  been  regarded  very  highly 
by  all  the  roads  for  which  he  has  worked,  both  as  to  his  skill  as  a machinist 
and  a man  of  executive  ability  and  as  a trustworthy  gentleman. 

Mr.  Houston  was  married  in  1872  to  Julia  Hufschmidt,  a native  of 
Pacific,  Missouri,  and  a daughter  of  Frederick  and  Julia  Hufschmidt,  of 


1 3“6 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Pacific,  Missouri,  and  to  this  union  one  child  was  born,  Archie.  Mrs.  Pious- 
ton  died  in  1876,  and  our  subject  later  married  Martha  Harris,  a native  of 
Dixon,  Missouri,  and  a daughter  of  William  Harris  and  wife.  To  this 
union  six  children  were  born,  named  as  following:  Mary  married  George 

Bailey,  superintendent  of  the  Western  division  of  the  Frisco;  George  is 
with  the  Long  Belt  Lumber  Company  at  Cleveland,  Ohio;  Frank  died  when 
twenty  years  of  age;  Earl  is  with  the  Long  Belt  Lumber  Company  in  Louis- 
iana; Homer  lives  in  St.  Louis;  Helen  also  lives  in  that  city;  the  last  two- 
children  are  twins. 

Mr.  Houston  resides  on  Washington  avenue,  Springfield,  but  his  fam- 
ily is  making  their  home  at  Newburg,  Missouri.  Politically,  he  is  a Re- 
publican. He  is  a member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Fraternally,  he  be- 
longs to  the  Masonic  Order,  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Woodmen  of  the  World,  and  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen. 


RICHARD  F.  WHALEN,  JR. 

An  undeceiving,  earnest  man,  self-assertive  and  self-controlling,  is 
Richard  F.  Whalen,  Jr.,  superintendent  of  the  reclamation  department  of 
the  South  Side  Frisco  shops,  Springfield.  He  has,  owing  to  his  Celtic 
blood,  a number  of  the  characteristics  of  his  people,  and  thus  he  has  “cer- 
tain things  to  say"  when  occasion  demands,  which  is  no  fault.  Good  nature 
beams  through  his  features;  a kind  heart  sits  at  the  windows  of  his  imag- 
ination, and  his  soul  is  pervaded  with  sympathy  and  good  will.  He  is  ap- 
preciative and  sensitive  to  the  opinions  of  others,  though  strong  to  himself 
in  the  trial  hour. 

Mr.  Whalen  was  born  March  21,  1875,  at  Hannibal,  Marion  county, 
Missouri.  Pie  is  a son  of  Richard  E.  and  Johanna  (Cronican)  Whalen,  and 
a grandson  of  John  Whalen,  the  latter  born  in  Ireland,  where  he  spent  the 
first  half  of  his  life,  finally  immigrating  to  America,  and  spent  the  rest  of  his 
days  on  a farm  near  Quincy,  Illinois.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  also 
born  in  Ireland,  in  County  Waterford,  and  he  was  brought  to  America  by 
his  parents  when  six  years  of  age.  He  grew  to  manhood  at  Quincy,  Illi- 
nois, and  was  educated  there,  and  in  that  city  he  served  his  apprenticeship 
as  machinist  in  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & Quincy  railroad  shops,  then 
worked  there  as  a journeyman  for  many  years.  He  later  removed  to  Han- 
nibal, Missouri,  where  he  worked  as  machinist  and  later  as  gang  foreman 
for  the  Hannibal  & St.  Joseph  Railroad  Company  for  many  years.  For 
some  time  he  held  the  position  of  master  mechanic.  He  was  subsequently 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


T327 


employed  by  the  St.  Louis  & Hannibal  Railroad  Company,  and  then  the 
Texas  Railroad  Company.  At  this  writing  he  is  gang  foreman  at  Hannibal 
for  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & Quincy  road,  although  he  is  in  his  seventy- 
third  year.  He  has  been  very  faithful  in  each  of  the  positions  with  the  sev-- 
eral  roads  for  which  he  has  worked  and  is  a highly  skilled  machinist.  He 
is  a Democrat  and  is  a member  of  the  Catholic  church.  His  wife  is  now 
seventy  years  of  age.  To  them  nine  children  have  been  born,  five  of  whom 
are  deceased ; those  living  are : Mary,  who  has  remained  single  and  lives 
with  her  parents;  John  is  traveling  out  of  St.  Louis  for  the  fuel  depart- 
ment of  the  Frisco  railroad;  Richard  F.  of  this  sketch;  Michael,  of  St.  Louis, 
is  manager  of  the  Payton  Lumber  Company. 

Richard  F.  Whalen,  Jr.,  attended  the  common  schools  until  he  was 
sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  began  learning  the  machinist's  trade  with  the 
St.  Louis  & Hannibal  Railroad  Company  in  their  shops  at  Hannibal,  Mis- 
souri. Later  he  went  to  the  shops  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & Quincy 
railroad  as  journeyman  machinist,  then  became  gang  foreman  and  finally 
general  foreman  of  the  machine  shop  of  this  road  at  Hannibal,  remaining 
there  until  1905,  when  he  became  general  foreman  for  the  Lehigh  Valley 
Railroad  Company  at  the  locomotive  shops  at  Sayre,  Pennsylvania.  Re- 
maining there  until  1907,  he  went  to  Topeka,  Kansas,  for  the  Atchison,  To- 
•peka  & Santa  Fe  Railroad  Company,  as  assistant  superintendent  of  the  road’s 
shops  there.  He  then  took  a position  with  the  Frisco  system  at  Springfield 
as  superintendent  of  the  reclamation  department  in  the  South  Side  shops, 
which  position  he  still  fills,  having  two  hundred  men  under  his  direction, 
whom  he  handles  in  such  a tactful  and  diplomatic  manner  as  to  get  the 
best  results  possible  and  at  the  same  time  retain  their  friendship  and  good 
will.  During  his  career  of  twenty-four  years  in  railroad  service  he  has 
filled  his  many  positions  with  the  several  roads  mentioned  above  in  a man- 
ner that  has  reflected  much  credit  upon  himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of 
his  employers. 

Politically,  our  subject  is  a Democrat,  and,  fraternally,  he  belongs  to 
the  Knights  of  Columbus. 

Mr.  Whalen  was  married  in  September,  1897,  to  Margaret  Burke,  who 
was  born  in  Schomokin,  Pennsylvania,  December  23,  1874,  and  was  a 

daughter  cf  John  and  Ellen  (Whalen)  Burke,  of  Hannibal,  Missouri,  in 
which  city  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  Airs.  Whalen  died 
at  her  residence  in  Springfield  December  23,  1914. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  eight  children  were  born,  namely:  Anna  and 

Francis  are  both  attending  the  Springfield  high  school;  Mary,  Richard, 
Monica  and  Regina  are  all  attending  the  ward  schools;  Ellen  and  Mar- 
garet died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Whalen  and  family  are  members  of  the  St.  Agnes  Catholic  church. 


1328 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


SAMUEL  S.  GRIER. 

in  farming  communities  it  is  the  rule  and  not  the  exception  to  find  ordi- 
nary educations,  but  occasionally  you  meet  a family  who  takes  more  interest 
in  the  development  of  the  mind,  not  necessarily  attending  school  longer  or 
going  away  to  college,  but  who  lose  no  opportunity  to  keep  up  with  advancing 
civilization,  who  remain  home  students  and  close  observers,  and  as  a result 
they  in  time  rise  above  some  of  their  countrymen  in  the  scale  of  mentality 
and  the  capacity  to  grasp  the  larger  questions  of  mental  improvement.  Such 
families  are  numerous  in  Greene  county,  and  it  is  a sign  that  this  locality  is 
equal  to  any  in  the  state  in  point  of  citizenship.  One  of  these  is  the  Grier 
family,  of  which  Samuel  S.  Grier,  a well-known  business  man  of  Strafford 
is  a creditable  representative. 

Mr.  Grier  was  born  just  across  the  line  in  Webster  county,  Missouri,  on 
December  16,  1870.  He  is  a son  of  N.  F.  and  Sarah  (Smith)  Grier.  The 
father  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1845,  an(l  lle  was  brought  to  Missouri 
by  his  parents  when  a small  boy,  and  was  reared  on  a farm.  He  received  a 
limited  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  when  eighteen  years  old  he 
joined  the  Union  army,  in  1861,  and  fought  in  one  of  the  Greene  county 
volunteer  regiments  at  Wilson’s  Creek  on  August  10th  of  that  year,  and  was 
wounded  in  that  sanguinary  engagement,  which  wound  disabled  him  to  such 
an  extent  that  he  was  later  discharged  from  the  service.  Returning  home, 
he  followed  farming  for  some  time.  Prospering,  he  became  owner  of  a 
two  hundred  and  four-acre  farm.  He  is  now  making  his  home  in  Spring- 
field.  He  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  church.  His  wife  was  born  in  Ten- 
nessee, and  when  a young  girl  she  was  brought  to  Greene  county,  this  state, 
by  her  parents  and  here  grew  up  on  a farm  and  attended  school.  Her  death 
occurred  in  Webster  county  on  the  old  Grier  homestead.  She  was  a member 
of  the  Baptist  church. 

Four  children  were  born  to  N.  F.  Grier  and  wife,  namely:  Tasso  L., 
Samuel  S.,  of  this  sketch:  Dorsie  and  Mrs.  Ollie  Wammack. 

Samuel  S.  Grier  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  worked  when 
a boy  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  local  schools.  He  remained  on 
the  farm  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  then  carried  the  mail  for  three 
years,  after  which  he  went  to  work  as  clerk  in  Strafford  in  the  store  of 
Hanson  & Thorson.  Later  he  began  in  the  livery  business,  and  built  the 
first  liverv  barn  in  Strafford,  remaining  in  the  business  for  five  years,  then 
engaged  in  the  milling  business,  and  was  president  and  secretary  of  the  local 
mill  for  two  years,  after  which  he  launched  out  in  the  real  estate  business, 
in  which  he  has  since  been  engaged  and  in  which  he  has  built  up  a large  and 
satisfactory  business.  He  is  one  of  the  best  informed  men  on  the  values  of 


MR.  AND  MRS.  S.  S.  GRIER. 


i 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I329 


real  estate  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county,  and  he  has  the  confidence  of 
those  with  whom  he  has  had  dealings.  In  1912  his  total  business  amounted 
to  a profit  of  nearly  two  thousand  dollars. 

Mr.  Grier  was  married  on  October  n,  1897,  to  Louie  Jane  Bryant, 
who  was  born  in  Kansas  on  August  26,  1881,  but  she  was  an  infant  when 
her  parents  brought  her  to  Greene  county,  where  she  was  reared  on  a farm 
and  was  educated.  She  is  a daughter  of  J.  C.  and  Sarah  (Urby)  Bryant; 
the  former  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  Strafford,  but  the  mother 
is  deceased.  Mrs.  Grier  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  church. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Harry 
U.,  born  on  August  30,  1897;  Hazel  W.,  born  on  July  26,  1899,  and  Arnold 
S.,  horn  on  March  30,  1904. 

Politically,  Mr.  Grier  is  a Democrat.  He  is  now  justice  of  the  peace 
at  Strafford,  being  elected  in  November,  1914.  He  is  a member  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Baptist  church. 


JOHN  A.  MOSER. 

The  Swiss  have  ever  been  known  as  a liberty-loving  and  independent 
people.  x\s  a rule  the  peoples  of  the  world  in  mountainous  countries  are. 
This  little  republic  has  furnished  an  admirable  example  to  manv  of  the  larger 
nations  of  the  earth  and  her  government  and  institutions  might  he  emulated 
with  profit  by  the  kingdoms  and  monarchies  whose  subjects  do  not  seem  to  be 
as  fortunate  as  the  Swiss.  A large  number  of  them  have  immigrated  to  Amer- 
ica, where  they  have  broader  opportunities,  and  they  have  been  welcomed 
everywhere  for  reasons  too  obvious  to  detail  here.  Greene  countv,  Missouri, 
has  not  been  so  fortunate  as  some  localities  in  securing  these  aliens,  for  not 
a large  number  have  cast  their  lots  with  us : but  among  those  who  have  is 
John  A.  Moser,  foreman  of  the  frog  department  of  the  reclamation  plant  of 
the  South  Side  Frisco  shops,  Springfield. 

Mr.  Moser  was  born  in  Canton  Bern,  Switzerland,  May  5,  1875.  He  is 
a son  of  August  and  Lizette  (Lowrie)  Moser,  both  natives  of  Switzerland, 
also,  where  they  grew  to  maturity,  attended  school  and  were  married.  They 
remained  in  their  native  land  uuntil  1880,  when  they  immigrated  to  the  United 
States,  landing  in  New  York  City.  From  there  they  came  direct  to  Spring- 
field,  Ohio.  In  Switzerland.  August  Moser  learned  the  miller's  trade,  which 
he  followed  until  he  left  there.  Upon  locating  in  Springfield,  Ohio,  he  se- 
cured a position  as  grinder  for  the  Ohio  Knife  and  Bar  Works,  and  remained 
there  six  or  seven  years,  then  moved  to  Arkansas,  and,  six  months  later,  came 

(84) 


I33° 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


to  Springfield,  Missouri.  He  located  on  a farm  three  miles  from  here  and 
carried  on  farming,  gardening  and  trucking  until  his  death,  in  November, 
1900,  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years.  His  widow  survives,  is  now  sixty-five 
years  of  age  and  makes  her  home  in  Springfield.  He  was  a Democrat,  and 
belonged  to  St.  John’s  Lutheran  church.  His  family  consisted  of  nine  chil- 
dren, named  as  follows:  John  A.,  of  this  sketch,  is  the  eldest;  Minnie  mar- 
ried a Mr.  Whittaker,  who  conducts  a restaurant  at  the  new  Frisco  shops, 
Springfield;  Rosa  is  the  wife  of  John  Fridley,  a farmer  at  Symerton,  Illinois; 
Ada  married  Rudolph  Messerli,  who  is  employed  in  the  coach  department  at 
the  new  Frisco  shops  here,  and  with  this  daughter  the  mother 
makes  her  home;  Mrs.  Lucy  Knowles  is  the  wife  of  the  master 
mechanic  of  the  American  Creosoting  Company;  Charles  is  a machinist  in  the 
new,  Frisco  shops;  Fred  is  farming  near  Symerton,  Illinois;  Ernest  is  a clerk 
in  the  bridge  and  building  department  of  the  North  Side  Frisco  shops;  Lillian 
is  deceased. 

John  A.  Moser  was  five  years  of  age  when  his  parents  brought  him  to 
America,  and  he  grew  to  manhood  in  Ohio  and  Missouri  and  received  a com- 
mon school  education,  but  his  schooling  was  limited,  for  when  only  eleven 
years  of  age  he  began  working  in  the  knife  and  bar  shops  at  Springfield, 
Ohio,  as  a rivet  hand.  He  remained  there  until  1890,  when  he  came  to  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  and  here  worked  in  a cooper  shop  for  a short  time,  then 
learned  the  trade  of  stonemason,  and  worked  here  as  a journeyman  stone- 
mason until  April,  1896.  He  worked  in  Chicago  for  some  time,  where  he 
was  fire  inspector  for  Marshall  Field  & Company,  and  had  charge  of  the  fire 
apparatus  there  a little  over  a year.  In  1900  he  went  to  work  for  the  Frisco 
Lines  in  Springfield,  in  the  car  repairing  department  in  the  old  North  Side 
shops,  later  worked  in  the  coach  department  in  the  South  Side  shops.  Later 
he  was  sent  out  on  the  road  as  frog  and  switch  repairer  as  foreman  on  all 
the  lines  of  the  Frisco  system.  This  position  he  held  until  November  15, 
1913,  when  he  began  work  in  the  reclamation  department  of  the  South  Side 
shops,  as  foreman  of  the  frog  department,  and  this  position  he  still  holds. 
He  has  shown  himself  to  be  capable  and  trustworthy  in  all  positions  which 
have  been  assigned  to  him.  He  also  owns  and  looks  after  a grocery  store 
at  Park  and  Atlantic  streets,  Springfield,  and  has  built  up  a good  trade  here. 
He  owns  five  houses  and  lots  in  this  city  and  owns  considerable  lands,  and  is 
a speculator  of  ability.  He  has  been  successful  above  the  average  in  a busi- 
ness way. 

Mr.  Moser  was  married,  in  1909,  to  Katherine  Rees,  of  McAlester,  Okla- 
homa. This  union  has  been  without  issue. 

Politically,  Mr.  Moser  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Lutheran 
church,  and  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  was  formerly  a member 
of  the  Eagles. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1331 


JOHN  FRENCH. 

Among  the  comparatively  small  element  of  foreign-born  citizens  who 
have  cast  their  lot  with  the  people  of  Greene  county  and  have  won  success 
through  their  industry  and  close  application  is  John  French,  blacksmith  fore- 
man in  the  Frisco  shops.  He  comes  of  a sturdy  family,  one  that  has  always 
been  strong  for  right  living  and  industrious  habits,  for  education  and  morality, 
and  for  all  that  which  contributes  to  the  betterment  of  the  communities  in 
which  they  have  resided.  Many  years  ago,  in  fact,  nearly  a half  century  ago, 
our  subject,  unaccompanied,  although  scarcely  more  than  a boy,  crossed  the 
great  Atlantic,  having  bid  a permanent  farewell  to  his  native  isle,  and  cast 
his  lot  among  the  Americans  who  have  treated  him  so  kindly  and  well  that 
he  has  been  pleased  to  remain  with  us. 

Mr.  French  was  born  in  Durham  county,  England,  April  16,  1846.  He 
is  a son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Robertson)  French,  both  natives  of  England, 
also,  where  they  grew  up,  were  educated  and  married  and  spent  their  lives. 
The  father  learned  the  blacksmith’s  trade  when  young,  in  which  he  became 
very  skillful  and  at  which  he  spent  his  life.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject 
was  also  a blacksmith  by  trade.  The  parents  of  our  subject  have  both  been 
dead  many  years,  the  mother  dying  in  1888.  To  them  ten  children  were  born, 
namely:  Allen:  Elizabeth  is  deceased;  Annie  is  deceased;  Polly;  James  is 

deceased;  John,  of  this  sketch;  William  is  deceased;  Robert;  and  the  two 
youngest  died  in  infancy. 

John  French  spent  his  boyhood  in  England,  and  there  received  a com- 
mon school  education,  and  when  a boy  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  under 
his  father,  who  owned  his  own  shop.  Our  subject  worked  in  different  parts 
of  England  at  his  trade,  and  in  a few  years  became  an  expert  in  his  line.  He 
immigrated  to  America  in  the  spring  of  1865,  reaching  our  shores  about  the 
unsettled  time  that  marked  the  closing  of  our  momentous  conflict,  he  being  at 
that  time  nineteen  years  of  age.  The  great  armies  of  citizen  soldiery  had  not 
had  time  to  return  to  the  pursuits  of  peace  and  he  found  it  hard  to  get  a 
start,  and  for  a time  worked  as  a laborer  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  later  worked 
at  his  trade  there.  He  came  to  Greene  countv,  Missouri,  in  1900,  having 
previously  worked  at  his  trade  for  different  railroads,  and  since  coming  here 
he  has  been  employed  by  the  Frisco,  and  has  been  promoted  for  his  skill  and 
faithfulness  to  the  position  of  foreman  of  the  blacksmith  shop,  the  duties  of 
which  responsible  place  he  is  worthily  discharging,  having  a large  force  of 
men  under  his  direction. 

Mr.  French  was  married,  in  November,  1868,  to  Mrs.  Jane  Wright,  who 
was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York,  June  18,  1840,  and  there  she  grew  to 
womanhood  and  was  educated.  To  our  subject  and  wife  five  children  have 


J332 


GRF.ENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


been  born,  namely:  Alice  is  deceased;  Mrs.  Susan  Tingell,  Mrs.  Martha 

Player,  Mrs.  Jessie  Weaver,  John  C.  is  a soldier  in  the  United  States  army, 
being  with  the  troops  in  Vera  Cruz,  Mexico  in  1914. 

Politically,  Mr.  French  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Knights  of  Pythias. 


WILLIAM  L.  KIR  KEY. 

It  is  not  a very  frequent  occurrence  that  in  a historical  work  of  this 
kind  the  biographer  finds  a man  who  was  born  in  the  fair  Sunflower  state 
living  east  of  that  state;  they  either  prefer  to  remain  within  the  limits  of 
their  own  boundary  or  go  farther  west,  but  in  the  person  of  William  L. 
Kirkey,  foreman  of  the  mechanical  department  of  the  reclamation  plant  of  the 
Frisco’s  South  Side  shops,  Springfield,  we  have  an  exception,  and,  if  all  na- 
tives of  Kansas  are  as  capable  in  their  vocations  and  as  good  citizens  in  gen- 
eral as  he,  we  would  welcome  many  more  to  Greene  county 

Mr.  Kirkey  was  born,  August  24,  1872,  in  Highland  Station,  Doniphan 
county,  Kansas.  He  is  a son  of  Louis  and  Nana  (Jones)  Kirkey.  The 
father  was  born  in  America  of  French  parents,  and  the  mother  was  a native 
of  Nevada,  Missouri.  His  death  occurred  in  1874  and  he  was  buried  in  Kan- 
sas. Her  death  occurred  in  1886  at  the  age  of  forty-eight  years.  To  the 
union  of  these  parents  only  one  child,  William  L.,  of  this  review,  was  born. 
After  the  death  of  her  first  husband  the  mother  remarried,  N.  N.  Fields 
being  her  last  husband.  To  them  three  children  were  born,  namely:  Nathan 

was  a carpenter  in  Springfield,  Missouri ; Charles  is  deceased,  and  Burton  E. 
is  the  youngest. 

William  L.  Kirkey  worked  some  on  a farm  when  a boy  and  he  received 
a limited  education  in  the  public  schools.  He  hired  out  at  farm  work  when 
only  thirteen  years  of  age,  later  learned  the  marble-cutter’s  trade,  having  had 
natural  ability  as  a sculptor.  He  served  his  apprenticeship  at  Rich  Hill,  Mis- 
souri, for  P.  Id.  Scott,  and  continued  in  this  work  for  twelve  or  fourteen 
years,  then  turned  his  attention  to  machinery  and  learned  the  machinist’s 
trade  at  St.  Louis,  meanwhile  studying  at  home  all  books  available  pertain- 
ing to  his  trade,  and  in  due  course  of  time  he  became  an  expert,  working  for 
the  Parker-Russell  Mining  and  Manufacturing  Company  as  a full-fledged 
machinist,  at  their  St.  Louis  plant  for  six  or  eight  years,  the  last  four  or 
five  years  of  that  period  as  foreman.  He  then  secured  employment  with 
the  Imisco  Railroad  Company  at  Springfield  in  the  North  Side  shops  as 
carpenter  in  the  coach  department,  in  1907.  then  was  inspector  until  in  No- 
vember, 1913,  when  he  was  transferred  to  the  reclamation  plant  of  the  com- 
pany in  the  South  Side  shops  as  foreman  of  the  mechanical  department,  which 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


K333 


position  he  still  holds  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  employers.  Here  repairing 
of  all  descriptions  is  done,  as  well  as  new  work  turned  out.  He  has  a large 
number  of  men  under  his  direction,  about  forty  on  an  average.  He  still 
devotes  some  time  to  sculpture,  maintaining  a shop  at  home,  this  being  his 
hobby,  and  he  has  achieved  quite  a reputation  as  a sculptor,  turning  out  some 
beautiful  work  from  time  to  time.  He  owns  a pleasant  home  on  Vernon 
avenue. 

Mr.  Ivirkey  was  married,  in  October,  1892,  to  Clara  F.  Phillips.  She 
is  a daughter  of  George  and  Mary  Phillips,  of  Springfield,  where  she  grew 
up  and  was  educated.  To  our  subject  and  wife  two  children  were  born, 
namely:  Mabel,  who  married  Frank  Thomas,  a farmer  at  Cabool,  Missouri; 
and  Clarence,  a carpenter  in  the  South  Side  Frisco  shops. 

Politically,  Mr.  Kirkey.  is  an  independent  voter.  Fraternally,  he  belongs 
to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  Amer- 
ica and  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  He  is  a member  of  the  Christian 
church. 


JAMES  BLAINE  BERRY. 

Of  the  younger  business  men  of  Springfield,  few  seem  to  have  better 
prospects  of  large  success  in  future  years  than  James  Blaine  Berry,  who  has 
a diversity  of  natural  gifts,  and,  although  it  is  a far  cry  from  an  iron  moulder 
to  the  music  business,  he  did  both  with  gratifying  results,  and  was  for  many 
years  a well  known  traveling  man  over  the  Southwest,  and  now  we  find  him  a 
member  of  the  Ozark  Land  Company,  which  his  enterprise  and  keen  discrimi- 
nation is  making  one  of  the  most  successful  and  important  real  estate  firms 
in  southern  Missouri. 

Air.  Berry  was  born  on  a farm  in  Franklin  township,  Greene  county, 
Missouri,  April  30,  1882.  He  is  a son  of  James  A.  and  Elizabeth  ( McCurdy) 
Berry,  a highly  esteemed  old  family  of  this  county,  and  as  the  reader  will 
find  a complete  sketch  of  these  parents  on  another  page  of  this  colume,  the 
record  of  their  lives  will  not  be  repeated  here. 

James  B.  Berry  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  and  there  assisted 
with  the  genera!  work  during  the  summer  months  when  he  became  of  proper 
age,  and  during  the  winter  attended  the  district  schools ; also  took  an  academic 
course  in  the  State  Normal  School  at  Warrensburg,  Missouri,  after  which  he 
came  to  Springfield  and  learned  the  iron-moulder's  trade.  Although  he  be- 
came a good  moulder,  he  did  not  altogether  fancy  the  work,  and  abandoned 
the  same,  and  in  1903  went  on  the  road  as  a salesman  for  the  A.  Beste  Music 
Company,  of  Pittsburg,  Kansas,  and  was  assigned  to  southwestern  Missouri 
and  eastern  Kansas,  in  which  territory  he  did  much,  during  his  two  years  of 


1334 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


service  with  this  company,  to  increase  the  prestige  of  the  same.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Springfield  and  took  a position  as  city  salesman  for  the  Martin 
Music  Company,  which  position  he  held  for  a year,  then  went  on  the  road 
as  advertising  and  demonstrating  representative  for  the  Baldwin  Piano  Com- 
pany, of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  covering  Missouri,  Kansas,  Oklahoma,  a part  of 
Arkansas  and  Illinois,  with  headquarters  at  St.  Louis.  In  all  these  responsi- 
ble positions  he  gave  his  employers  eminent  satisfaction  in  every  respect  and 
was  regarded  as  one  of  their  most  faithful,  efficient  and  trustworthy  em- 
ployees. In  1909  he  resigned  his  position  with  the  Baldwin  people  and  re- 
turned to  Springfield,  Missouri,  purchasing  an  interest  in  the  Ozark  Land 
Company  here,  and  has  since  been  connected  with  the  same  and  has  been  a 
potent  factor  in  making  it  a large  and  successful  business. 

Mr.  Berry  was  married,  March  10,  1904,  to  Marry  B.  Tedrick,  who  was 
born  February  25,  1884,  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  she  grew  to  wom- 
anhood and  received  an  excellent  education.  She  is  a daughter  of  George 
and  Emma  Tedrick,  a highly  esteemed  family  here. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berry  one  child  has  been  born,  Doris  Dolores  Berry, 
whose  birth  occurred  February  3,  1905.  She  is  attending  school  and  is  now 
in  the  fifth  grade. 

Mr.  Berry  is  a Republican  in  his  political  affiliation.  Religiously,  he 
is  a Presbyterian.  He  is  a member  of  tbe  Illinois  Men’s  Commercial  Asso- 
ciation. 


HARRY  F.  BROWN. 

We  are  so  accustomed  to  think  of  man  as  a material  composition  com- 
plete in  the  food  that  matches  his  hunger,  in  the  water  that  slakes  his  thirst, 
in  the  air  that  trades  with  his  lungs,  in  the  raiment  and  roof  that  protects  him 
from  the  cold,  in  the  money  that  relates  him  to  the  world’s  commerce,  that 
we  fail  to  recognize  that  the  person  who  has  no  mental  abode  in  which  to 
shelter  his  higher  self,  and  the  moral,  spiritual  and  intellectual  furnishments 
necessary  for  its  equipment,  health  and  inspiration,  lives  on  a level  not  much 
above  that  of  the  animal.  Harry  F.  Brown,  who  has  charge  of 
the  store-room  of  the  reclamation  department  in  the  South  Side  Frisco 
shops,  Springfield,  is  not  of  the  class  referred  to,  but  while  laboring  for  the 
material  comforts  of  life,  as  if  natural  and  right,  he  has  not  neglected  to  pro- 
vide what  might  be  called  an  intellectual  abode,  being  a thinking  man  of  good 
ideals  and  practices. 

Mr.  Brown  was  born  in  that  great  country  which  all  Americans  admire — 
England,  he  having  first  seen  the  light  of  day  at  Earlingdean  on  July  24, 
1876.  He  is  a son  of  Walter  E.  Brown,  also  a native  of  England,  in  which 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 33  5 


country  he  grew  up,  attended  school  and  was  married,  residing  there  until 
the  year  1881,  when  he  immigrated  with  his  family  to  the  United  States,  land- 
ing in  New  York.  Coming  on  west  he  selected  Springfield,  Missouri,  as  the 
best  place  in  which  to  locate,  and  although  he  had  followed  gardening  in  his 
home  country,  he  here  sought  and  found  employment  with  the  Frisco  rail- 
road, in  the  North  Side  shops,  where  he  became  foreman  of  a labor  gang. 
He  is  now  employed  in  the  Florence  Bottling  W orks  in  this  city,  being  owner 
of  same.  He  remained  with  the  Frisco  ten  years,  from  1882  to  1892,  then 
spent  ten  years  in  the  grocery  business,  in  which  he  was  very  successful,  giv- 
ing that  line  of  endeavor  up  in  1902  to  engage  in  the  bottling  business  at  the 
corner  of  Lyon  and  Division  streets,  where  he  has  a modernly  equipped  and 
excellent  plant,  employing  a number  of  hands  and  from  which  he  sends  out 
large  consignments  of  his  products  all  over  this  section  of  the  state.  He  has 
been  very  successful  as  a business  man,  being  now  a man  of  considerable 
means,  although  he  landed  in  this  city  with  very  little  capital.  Politically,  he 
is  a Republican.  He  was  a member  of  the  city  council  for  eighteen  months. 
Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Knights 
of  Pythias,  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Masonic  lodge. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Fannie 
Madden,  who  was  born  in  England,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  at- 
tended school.  She  became  the  mother  of  five  children,  namely : William, 

who  lives  at  Lebanon,  Missouri,  is  a machinist  and  electrician,  and  has  charge 
of  the  city's  lighting  plant  there;  Harry  F.,  of  this  sketch;  Bert  is  engaged  in 
the  bottling  business  with  his  father;  Florence  marred  Thomas  Hixon,  who 
was  formerly  engaged  in  the  meat  business  in  Springfield ; Fannie  married 
John  W.  Crow,  who  lives  at  Strafford,  this  county,  and  is  in  the  employ  of 
the  Frisco. 

Harry  F.  Brown  was  five  years  old  when  his  parents  brought  him  from 
England  to  America,  and  he  grew  to  manhood  in  Springfield,  and  here  at- 
tended the  public  schools  and  a business  college.  When  twenty  years  of  age 
he  went  to  work,  in  1896,  for  the  Frisco  system  as  baggage-man  at  the  Spring- 
field  station,  working  there  three  years,  then,  in  1899,  was  transferred  to  the 
store  department  at  the  North  Side  shops.  In  1902  he  went  to  work  for  the 
Kansas  City  Southern  railroad,  with  which  he  remained  six  months,  then 
worked  six  months  with  the  New  Phoenix  Foundry  and  Machinery  Com- 
pany, after  which  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  for  himself  until  1906, 
then  went  to  work  again  for  the  Frisco  in  the  store  department  at  the  North 
Side  shops,  and  was  assistant  there  until  1909,  in  which  year  he  was  sent  to 
the  new  shops  as  foreman  of  the  store  department,  which  position  he  held 
a year,  then  was  sent  back  to  the  old  North  Side  shops  as  general  stock  clerk, 
remaining  there  a year,  then  was  shipping  and  receiving  foreman  in  the  store- 
room there  for  a year,  after  which  he  was  transferred  to  the  reclamation 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


U36 

plant  in  the  South  Side  shops,  November  i,  1914,  and  is  now  foreman  of  the 
store-room,  and  is  giving  his  usual  high-grade  service. 

Mr.  Brown  was  married,  in  1898,  to  Ollie  Oliver,  a daughter  of  Benton 
Oliver,  of  Springfield,  a well-known  dry  goods  merchant  here,  on  Commercial 
street.  Mrs.  Brown  was  reared  and  educated  in  this  city.  The  union  of  our 
subject  and  wife  has  been  without  issue. 

Politically,  Mr.  Brown  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 
He  is  a member  of  the' Methodist  Episcopal  church.  South. 


JAMES  FI.  GRAY. 

Since  this  is  the  “electric  age,"  at  least  no  other  term  seems  more  ap- 
propriate, and  the  period  in  which  we  are  now  living  is  universally  referred 
to  m this  phrase,  it  would  be  a good  thing  if  more  young  men  would  turn 
their  attention  to  some  form  of  this  work,  learn  some  line  in  which  elec- 
tricity can  be  applied  to  the  world’s  industries,  rather  than  taking  up  many 
of  the  older  vocations  of  men,  such  as  the  law,  ministry,  medicine,  etc.  Of 
course  the  world  needs  good  men  in  all  these  lines  as  much,  if  not  more  than 
ever  before,  but  if  a boy  has  any  natural  bent  whatever  along  mechanical 
lines,  he  doubtless  will  develop  into  a better  earning  capacity  by  studying 
electricity  than  if  he  entered  any  of  the  old-line  professions  or  trades,  and, 
all  in  all,  he  will  accomplish  just  as  much  for  the  general  welfare  of  the 
human  race.  James  H.  Gray,  foreman  of  electricians  of  the  Frisco  System, 
headquarters  at  Springfield,  was  wise  in  choosing  his  life  work  and  he  has 
met  with  gratifying  success  while  yet  a young  man. 

Mr.  Gray  was  born  February  12,  1881,  at  Carthage,  Missouri.  He  is 
a son  of  Theodore  F.  Gray,  a native  of  western  Ohio.  He  grew  up  in  the 
East  and  attended  school  there.  In  his  earlier  years  he  was  a traveling 
salesman  and  in  later  life  engaged  in  the  brokerage  business,  being  success- 
ful in  both.  Having  accumulated  a competency,  he  retired  from  active  life 
ten  vears  ago,  after  engaging  in  the  brokerage  and  commission  business  in 
Springfield  for  many  years  and  he  is  now  living  quietly  in  his  pleasant  home 
on  East  Elm  street,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  During  the  Civil  war  he 
served  with  credit  as  a soldier  in  the  Union  army.  Politically,  he  is  a Re- 
publican, and  he  was  formerly  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  His 
wife,  who  was  Mary  E.  Grissom  before  her  marriage,  is  still  living.  To 
these  parents  five  children  were  born. 

James  H.  Gray  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Carthage,  Ne- 
vada, and  Springfield,  having  removed  to  the  latter  city  when  young  with 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1337 


his  parents,  and  here  he  began  life  for  himself  as  clerk  in  a grocery  store, 
later  worked  for  his  father  in  the  commission  business,  later  taking  a po- 
sition with  the  Springfield  Traction  and  Lighting  Company  as  general  elec- 
trician, most  of  his  work  being  on  motors.  He  began  studying  to  be  an 
electrical  worker.  Leaving  this  company,  he  worked  for  some  time  as  elec- 
trician at  the  old  Baldwin  theater,  having  charge  of  the  switchboard  on  the 
stage.  All  the  while  he  studied  electricity  by  night  and  soon  had  a good 
working  knowledge  of  the  science.  In  1901  he  was  employed  by  the  Frisco, 
working  with  its  electrical  equipment  on  cars,  etc.  AVhen  the  road's  electric 
department  was  created  in  1904  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  same  as  fore- 
man, having  proven  that  he  was  well  qualified  for  this  responsible  position, 
and  from  that  time  to  the  present,  a period  of  over  ten  years,  he  has  been 
foreman  of  this  department,  his  long  retention  indicating  that  his  work 
has  not  only  been  high  class,  but  that  he  is  reliable  and  trustworthy.  He 
has  continued  a deep  student  of  all  that  pertains  to  his  line  of  work  and  has 
kept  well  abreast  of  the  times.  He  has  had  from  seven  to  nine  men  work- 
ing under  his  direction  in  this  department  all  the  while  in  the  shop,  and  also 
several  men  working  on  the  outside.  He  had  charge  of  the  electric  depart- 
ment in  the  new  shops  for  some  time.  He  has  served  under  the  four  chiefs 
in  this  department,  named  as  follows:  P.  M.  Pierce,  W.  C.  Coover,  Rober 

E.  Massey  and  L.  C.  Hensel. 

Mr.  Gray  has  remained  unmarried.  Politically,  he  is  a Republican. 
He  belongs  to  the  International  Brotherhood  of  Electrical  Workers,  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Woodmen  of  the  World  and  the  Christian  church. 


JOHN  COWELL. 

The  name  of  John  Cowell  is  well  known  to  the  people  of  Springfield, 
whither  he  came  forty-five  years  ago,  during  which  period  he  has  been  an 
interested  and  most  active  spectator  to  the  city's  development  along  general 
lines,  always  having  the  interests  of  the  Queen  City  at  heart  and  abiding 
faith  in  her  future.  Through  close  attention  to  business  and  unswerving- 
industry,  he  has  met  with  a larger  degree  of  material  success  than  falls  to 
the  lot  of  some  of  our  foreign-born  citizens.  He  comes  of  a sturdy  English 
ancestry,  his  family  on  both  sides  going  far  back  into  the;  annals  of  that 
“merrie  isle."  So  he  has  in  him  many  of  the  elements  that  always  win  in 
the  battle  of  life,  no  matter  where  fought  out,  and  while  Air.  Cowell  was 
fortunate  in  coming  to  a country  of  unlimited  opportunities,  where  the  soil 
is  new  and  competition  not  so  fierce,  and  where,  as  the  poet  Mackay,  his 
noted  countryman,  wrote  nearly  a century  ago.  “The  humblest  may  gather 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1338 

the  fruits  of  the  soil,  and  a man  is  a man  if  lie  is  willing  to  toil.”  Yet  Mr. 
Cowell,  no  doubt,  would  have  succeeded  in  establishing  a good  home  in  any 
country  where  he  might  have  settled. 

John  Cowell,  who  is  at  this  writing,  one  of  the  three  judges  of  the 
Greene  county  court,  was  born  in  Peel,  England,  June  23,  1844.  He  is  a son 
of  John  and  Isabelle  (Skinner)  Cowell,  natives  of  that  locality,  where  they 
spent  their  lives  engaged  in  farming,  being  honest,  hard-working  gentle- 
folk, highly  respected  by  their  neighbors.  Their  family  consisted  of  six 
children,  of  whom  John  of  this  review  was  second  in  order  of  birth;  one 
child  is  deceased ; two  sons  and  one  daughter  reside  in  England,  and  two 
of  the  sons  make  their  home  in  America. 

John  Cowell  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  his  native  land  and  there 
he  assisted  with  the  general  work  and  received  his  education  in  the  home 
schools.  He  immigrated  to  the  United  States  shortly  after  the  close  of  the 
Civil  war,  and  came  on  west  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  located  his 
permanent  home  in  1869.  Here  he  followed  the  business  of  stone  contractor 
for  more  than  forty  years,  and  was  eminently  successful  in  this  line,  being 
known  as  a man  who  did  his  work  thoroughly,  promptly  and  in  an  up-to- 
date  manner.  He  has  handled  many  big  jobs  in  this  city  and  vicinity.  Hav- 
ing accumulated  a competency  sufficient  for  his  old  age,  he  abandoned  ac- 
tive work  a few  years  ago. 

Mr.  Cowell  was  married  in  1872  to  Sarah  Daniels,  a native  of  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  She  was 
a representative  of  an  old  family  here.  Her  death  occurred  in  1898  at  the 
age  of  fifty-one  years.  She  was  known  to  her  friends  as  a woman  of  many 
fine  personal  characteristics. 

Six  children,  five  sons  and  one  daughter,  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cowell,  named  as  follows : Edwin,  a graduate  of  the  local  high  school,  is 
a bookkeeper  by  profession,  is  married  and  has  two  children;  Minnie  mar- 
ried H.  W.  Thompson,  and  they  are  living  in  Detroit,  Michigan,  and  have 
one  son,  eight  years  old;  John  W.,  who  is  in  the  tailoring  and  notion  goods 
business  in  Joplin,  Missouri,  is  married;  Harry  B.  is  a traveling  salesman, 
lives  in  Springfield  and  is  married;  Frank,  who  is  clerking  in  a clothing 
store  in  Oklahoma,  is  married  and  has  one  child;  Charles  L.,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  the  tailoring  and  clothes  pressing  business  in  Springfield,  is  mar- 
ried and  has  one  child. 

Politically,  Mr.  Cowell  has  always  been  a stanch  Democrat  and  active 
in  local  political  affairs.  He  has  long  been  a member  of  the  city  council 
from  the  Sixth  ward  and  has  made  his  influence  felt  not  only  for  the  good 
of  that  section  of  the  city  but  for  the  general  community,  and  his  work  as 
a public-spirited  citizen  has  been  greatly  appreciated  by  all  classes.  In  the 
fall  of  1912  he  was  elected  judge  of  the  Greene  county  court,  and  is  now 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1339 


incumbent  of  that  office,  the  duties  of  which  he  is  discharging  in  a manner 
that  reflects  much  credit  upon  his  ability  and  integrity,  and  to  the  satisfac- 
tion of  his  constituents.  He,  at  the  present  time,  is  serving  his  second  term. 
Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  is  a member  of  the  Christian  church.  He 
has  always  enjoyed  the  utmost  confidence  of  his  fellow  men  owing  to  his 
straightforward  and  honorable  course. 


JUDGE  WILLIAM  H.  PERKINS. 

Examples  that  impress  force  of  character  on  all  who  study  them  are 
worthy  of  record  in  the  annals  of  history  wherever  they  are  found.  By  a 
few  general  observations  the  biographer  hopes  to  convey  in  the  following 
paragraphs,  succinctly  and  yet  without  fulsome  encomium,  some  idea  of 
the  high  standing  of  William  H.  Perkins,  ex-judge  of  the  Greene  county 
court,  as  a leading  agriculturist  and  stockman,  one  of  the  representative 
citizens  of  the  county  and  a public  benefactor.  Those  who  know  him  best 
will  readily  acquiesce  in  the  statement  that  many  elements  of  a solid  and 
practical  nature  are  united  in  his  composition  and  which,  during  a series  of 
years,  have  brought  him  into  prominent  notice  at  least  throughout  the  west- 
ern portion  of  the  county,  his  life  and  achievements  earning  for  him  a con- 
spicuous place  among  his  compeers. 

Judge  Perkins  was  born  on  a farm  in  Brookline  township,  Greene  county, 
Missouri,  February  18,  1850,  and  is  a scion  of  one  of  our  pioneer  families, 
being  a son  of  William  G.  and  Martha  A.  (Beal)  Perkins.  The  father  was 
a native  of  Logan  county,  Kentucky,  where  he  was  reared.  When  a young- 
man  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  entered  two  tracts  of  land  from 
the  government,  the  first  in  1848  and  the  last  in  1851.  These  he  developed 
by  hard  work  and  became  a successful  farmer  and  business  man.  Both  these 
tracts  of  land,  now  very  valuable  and  comprising  as  fine  farming  land  as  the 
vicinity  affords,  have  remained  in  the  family,  being  now  owned  by  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch.  The  father  was  known  as  “Grief”  Perkins,  his  middle 
name  being  used  instead  of  his  first  name.  He  was  an  influential  man  in  his 
community,  especially  in  the  affairs  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  he 
was  an  elder  for  many  years,  being  the  founder  of  the  church  of  this  de- 
nomination in  this  community.  He  had  two  brothers  and  two  sisters,  all 
now  deceased  but  Mrs.  Hayden,  who  lives  in  Texas.  The  death  of  William 
G.  Perkins  occurred  in  1908  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  He 
was  known  to  all  as  a man  of  fine  personal  character,  a “gentleman  of  the  old 
school”  who  never  was  known  to  neglect  his  duties  as  a neighbor  or  citi- 


1340 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


zen.  His  faithful  life  companion,  a woman  of  beautiful  old-time  Christian 
faith,  survived  him  only  six  weeks,  passing  away  at  the  age  of  eighty-one 
years.  She  was  a native  of  Tennessee,  and  when  young  in  years  accom- 
panied a party  of  emigrants  from  that  state  to  the  Ozark  mountain  country. 
They  reached  a certain  stream,  since  known  as  “Turnback”  creek,  from  the 
fact  that  here  this  party  of  homeseekers  turned  back  on  their  route.  They 
finally  located  on  Wilson’s  creek,  which  stream  was  destined  to  become 
famous  in  history.  Here  Mrs.  Perkins’s  father,  Daniel  Beal,  entered  land 
from  the  government,  which  he  developed  into  a good  farm,  which  remained 
in  possession  of  the  family  until  recently,  when  our  subject  turned  the  patents 
over  to  purchasers.  This  place  lies  some  four  miles  west  of  Springfield. 
There  Mr.  Beal  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  was  an  energetic  man,  and 
was  active  as  a member  of  the  Baptist  church. 

Judge  Perkins  is  the  second  of  nine  children,  all  born  in  Greene  county, 
where  the  parents  were  married ; they  were  named  as  follows : Mrs.  Mary 

O.  Norman,  a widow,  is  living  eight  miles  southwest  of  Springfield;  William 
H.,  of  this  review;  Mrs.  Nannie  Crenshaw,  a widow,  lives  nine  miles  south 
of  Springfield;  John  T.  is  farming  in  Oklahoma;  Laura  is  the  wife  of  Rev. 
\V.  H.  Wilson,  now  residing  in  Oklahoma;  Mrs.  Minerva  Dillard  lives  nine 
miles  east  of  Springfield;  Mrs.  Lucy  Hutchinson,  Mrs.  Jennie  Stephens  and 
Daniel  are  all  three  deceased. 

Judge  Perkins  was  reared  on  the  old  homestead,  where  he  did  his  full 
share  of  the  work  when  growing  to  manhood,  and  in  that  neighborhood  he 
received  a common  school  education,  which  has  been  greatly  supplemented 
in  after  years  by  contact  with  the  world  and  wide  home  reading.  Early  in 
life  he  turned  his  attention  to  general  agricultural  pursuits  which  he  followed 
successfully  and  continuously  up  to  a few  years  ago.  He  paid  especial  at- 
tention to  the  live  stock  business,  and  no  small  portion  of  his  comfortable 
competency  was  derived  from  this  source.  Growing  up  among  stock  and 
having  a liking  for  them  he  became  an  exceptionally  good  judge  of  all 
kinds.  Lie  still  owns  a part  of  the  old  home  place,  but  now  lives  in  Spring- 
field,  where  he  removed  in  1909. 

A stanch  Democrat,  Judge  Perkins  always  took  an  abiding  interest  in 
political  affairs,  and  in  the  fall  of  1910  he  was  elected  county  judge  and 
presided  at  the  sessions  of  the  Greene  county  court  in  a manner  that  stamped 
him  as  a man  of  ability,  far-seeing,  impartial  and  having  the  best  interests 
of  the  county  at  heart,  unbiased  in  his  efforts  to  benefit  the  general  public, 
and  his  course  has  been  entirely  satisfactory  to  his  constituents.  Religiously, 
he  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Judge  Perkins  was  married  in  Greene  county,  in  the  year  1873,  to 
Martha  J.  Ellison,  a daughter  of  John  Ellison,  an  early  settler  in  this  county, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I34I 

and  here  he  became  a successful  farmer.  Mrs.  Perkins  was  horn  here  in 
1853  and  reared  and  educated  in  her  native  community.  She  proved  to  be 
an  excellent  helpmate,  sympathetic,  kind  and  industrious.  Her  death  oc- 
curred in  February,  1909  at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years.  Her  only  brother 
also  died  a few  years  ago. 

Three  children  were  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  named  as  follows: 
Clarence,  now  forty  years  old,  is  farming  in  the  state  of  Louisiana : Bessie 
is  the  wife  of  George  Langston,  at  present  postmaster  at  Texhoma,  in 
western  Oklahoma,  where  he  has  a ranch,  and  they  have  one  son,  Maurice, 
now  six  years  old;  Eunice,  youngest  of  the  trio,  is  living  with  her  father 
in  Springfield. 

The  Judge  was  always  a man  who  made  friends  easily,  and  after  his 
career  on  the  bench  beg'an  they  rapidly  multiplied,  and  all  who  know  him 
will  agree  that  he  is  deserving  of  the  respect  in  which  he  is  so  widely  held. 


WILLIAM  R.  GORSUCH. 

Those  who  know  William  R.  Gorsuch,  who  at  this  writing  is  one  of 
the  three  judges  of  the  Greene  County  Court,  are  not  surprised  that  he  has 
won  success  at  his  chosen  vocation,  that  of  tilling*  the  soil,  for  he  is  a man 
who  has  been  a close  student  of  all  that  pertains  to  his  chosen  life  work, 
believing  that  even  the  best  methods  can  often  be  improved  upon.  He  has 
kept  the  old  home  place  in  Cass  township  in  fine  condition,  so  that  it  has 
retained  its  old-time  richness  of  soil  and  the  same  abundant  crops  are  an- 
nually gathered  from  its  fields.  He  has  considered  himself  fortunate,  and 
indeed  he  might  well  do  so,  that  he  has  been  permitted  to  spend  his  life  on 
the  homestead,  for,  in  the  first  place,  as  a talented  writer  said  long  ago. 
"There  is  no  place  like  home,”  and  also  because  his  home  happened  to  be 
in  a community  greatly  favored  by  nature.  It  is  true  that  it  took  a great 
deal  of  hard  work  to  get  Greene  county  in  proper  shape  for  successful  agri- 
cultural purposes,  but  once  in  condition,  there  is  no  better. 

Mr.  Gorsuch  was  horn  in  the  above  named  township  and  county,  on  the 
farm  where  he  still  resides,  November  3,  1871.  He  is  a son  of  Reece  and 
Eliza  Jane  (Brower)  Gorsuch.  The  father  was  born  in  middle  Tennessee, 
June  29,  1829,  and  when  a small  boy  he  and  his  father  made  the  long  jour- 
ney in  a wagon  from  that  state  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  his  father  having 
previously  died  in  Tennessee.  When  a young  man  Reece  Gorsuch  worked 
out  for  twenty-five  cents  per  day  to  help  support  the  family,  he  being  the 
eldest  son.  During  the  gold  fever  days  he  made  the  hazardous  overland 
journey  across  the  western  plains  to  California,  accompanied  by  a brother, 


1342 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


the  trip  requiring  six  months.  He  remained  on  the  Pacific  coast  some  six 
years,  then  returned  to  this  county  and  bought  the  farm  where  our  subject 
now  lives  and  here  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  as  a successful  farmer,  and 
died  in  1906  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  He  was  a man  of  invincible 
courage  and  persistency  and  was  well  thought  of  by  his  neighbors.  He  was 
a member  of  the  state  militia  in  his  earlier  life.  The  mother  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  born  in  North  Carolina  about  1839,  and  when  a child 
she  immigrated  with  her  parents  to  Greene  county,  locating  east  of  Bois 
D'Arc.  where  her  father  developed  a farm,  and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood. 
Several  of  her  brothers  were  in  the  Confederate  army  during  the  Civil  war. 
Her  death  occurred  about  1903.  Five  children  were  born  to  Reece  Gorsuch 
and  wife,  named  as  follows:  The  eldest  died  in  infancy,  unnamed;  George 

W.  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-two1  years;  Jeanette  died  in  1871  when  about 
five  years  old;  William  R.,  of  this  review;  John  H.  lives  in  California. 

William  R.  Gorsuch  was  reared  in  his  native  township  and  there  he 
received  a good  practical  education  in  the  public  schools.  He  began  working 
on  the  home  farm  as  soon  as  he  was  old  enough  and  he  has  followed  general 
farming  and  stock  raising  here  ever  since  with  pronounced  success  all  along 
the  line,  and  he  now  owns  the  homestead,  which  he  has  kept  well  tilled  and 
well  improved  and  the  buildings  in  good  repair. 

Mr.  Gorsuch  was  married  to  Margaret  N.  Smith,  October  2,  1890. 
She  was  born,  reared  and  educated  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  this  county, 
and  is  a daughter  of  Joseph  W.  Smith,  a well-known  minister  in  the  Chris- 
tian church,  who  preached  in  Springfield  about  two  years,  and  at  various  other 
places  in  Missouri,  Oklahoma  and  Kansas,  and  was  regarded  as  a prominent 
minister  in  that  denomination.  His  death  occurred  about  1909. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gorsuch.  namely : Clar- 

ence C.,  a harness  maker  of  Lamar,  Missouri,  recently  married  a Miss  Mc- 
Linn,  daughter  of  A.  S.  McLinn,  of  Greene  county;  Joseph  R.,  Nettie  G.,  and 
Maud  L.  are  all  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Gorsuch  is  a Republican  and  has  long  been  more  or 
less  active  in  the  political  affairs  of  his  township,  and  has  served  in  various 
local  offices,  school  and  township.  He  has  been  township  committeeman 
since  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  was  also  deputy  assessor  several  times, 
and  in  the  fall  of  1912  was  elected  county  judge,  which  office  he  is  now 
filling.  In  1914  he  was  re-elected  to  the  office  of  county  judge.  As  a public 
servant  he  has  ever  given  the  utmost  satisfaction  to  all  concerned,  being 
faithful  in  the  discharge  of  his  every  duty,  obliging  and  prompt  and  proving 
himself  to  be  a man  of  progressive  ideas  and  well  informed.  Fraternally, 
he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Order  and  the  Improved  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 
at  Willard,  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  at  Cave  Spring,  while 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1343 


his  wife  holds  membership  with  the  Royal  Neighbors.  They  are  both  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  church  at  Cave  Spring,  in  which  the  judge  is  an  elder 
and  active  worker.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  men  of  Cass  township  in  every 
respect  and  is  highly  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 


HENRY  D.  ROBINSON. 

In  working  for  others  it  has  always  been  the  aim  of  Henry  D.  Robinson 
to  do  his  full  duty,  and  do  well  and  honestly  the  tasks  assigned  him,  and  this 
conscientiousness  and  fidelity  have  resulted  in  success  and  a good  conscience. 
If  it  had  not  been  for  these  equalities  he  would  not  today  be  holdng  the  re- 
sponsible position  of  engineer  of  the  crane  and  magnet  reclamation  depart- 
ment of  the  Frisco’s  South  Side  shops  in  Springfield. 

Mr.  Robinson  was  born  in  Waynesville,  Pulaski  county,  Missouri,  on 
December  9,  1875.  His  father,  John  Robinson,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  where 
he  grew  up,  attended  school,  married  and  engaged  in  farming,  and  from  that 
state  removed  to  Pulaski  county,  Missouri,  prior  to  1875,  where  he  owned  and 
conducted  a farm  for  a number  of  years,  finally  removing  to  Springfield, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  livery  business  under  his  own  name  for  five  years, 
then  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  in  retirement,  dying  in  November,  1913,  at  the 
age  of  seventy -five  years.  He  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  He  married  Sarah  McMillan,  also  a native  of  Tennessee,  where  she 
grew  to  womanhood  and  attended  school.  Pier  death  occurred  in  1897,  in 
Pulaski  county,  Missouri,  and  she  was  buried  at  Waynesville.  Nine  children 
were  born  to  these  parents,  namely:  Mrs.  Mollie  Trower  lives  at  Crocker, 

Missouri;  William  is  engaged  in  farming  near  Waynesville;  Mrs.  Alice  Gil- 
liat  was  next  in  order;  Mrs.  Cora  Walker  lives  in  St.  Louis;  Henry  D.,  of  this 
review;  Mrs.  Nira  Wryrick  is  deceased;  Edward  lives  in  Springfield  and  is 
a brakeman  on  the  Frisco  Lines;  Lilburn  is  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
stoves  in  St.  Louis ; Charles  lives  in  Springfield. 

Henry  D.  Robinson  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Pulaski 
county,  where  he  worked  when  a boy,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  that  vicinity.  He  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  came 
to  Springfield,  in  1900.  In  February,  1901,  he  began  working  here  for  the 
Frisco,  in  the  old  North  Side  shops,  a hostler,  continuing  at  this  for  four 
years,  then  was  fireman  for  a short  time,  after  which  he  was  appointed  en- 
gineer of  the  traveling  steam  crane  in  the  construction  department,  making 
trips  all  over  the  various  divisions  of  this  road.  In  September,  1913,  he  was 
transferred  to  the  reclamation  department  as  engineer  of  the  yard  crane  and 
magnet,  which  position  he  holds  at  this  writing  in  a manner  that  reflects 


1344 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


credit  upon  himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  company.  His  duties  are 
manifold,  including  the  overseeing  of  the  shipment  of  a certain  amount  of 
junk  from  the  yards,  etc. 

Mr.  Robinson  was  married  on  June  4,  1897,  to  Augusta  King,  a daugh- 
ter of  Martin  King  and  wife,  of  Bellefonte,  Pulaski  county,  where  she  was 
reared  and  educated.  To  this  union  four  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Ray,  John,  Estelle  and  Mabel. 

Politically,  Mr.  Robinson  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Knights  and  Ladies  of  Security,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellow's  and 
the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose. 


JAMES  M.  BUTTS. 

Among  the  self-made  men  of  Greene  county  who  deserve  their  present 
comfortable  situation  in  life  is  James  M.  Butts,  who  hails  from  the  renowmed 
Blue  Grass  state.  This  latter  fact  may  not  have  much  significance  to  some 
who  peruse  this  biography,  hut  maybe  if  he  had  not  been  fortunate  enough 
to  have  had  in  his  veins  the  blood  of  the  sterling  people  who  lived  in  that 
state  in  its  early  history  and  had  not  been  reared  in  that  splendid  environ- 
ment he  would  not  have  succeeded  in  overcoming  the  obstacles  that  have 
beset  his  pathway.  True  it  is  that  the  Kentuckians  who  have  located  in 
Greene  county  have  all  been  courageous,  energetic  and  in  every  way  good 
citizens,  so  there  must  be  something  after  all  in  the  place  wdiere  we  happen 
to  be  born,  as  the  humorist  Bill  Nye  maintained  long  ago. 

Mr.  Butts  was  born  in  Simpson  county,  Kentucky,  on  December  28, 
1842.  He  is  a son  of  H.  G.  and  Mary  (Barker)  Butts.  The  father  was 
born  in  Rockingham  county,  North  Carolina,  in  1815,  and  was  reared  in 
Kentucky,  to  which  state  he  went  when  a small  boy.  Lie  had  no  chance  to 
obtain  an  education.  He  made  a trip  to  Texas,  but  returned  to  Kentucky  in 
1850,  and  in  1856  moved  to  Missouri,  locating  in  Dallas  county,  wdiere  he 
spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  on  March  6,  1897.  The  mother  of  our 
subject  was  born  in  Simpson  county,  Kentucky,  in  1813,  and  was  reared  on 
the  home  farm  near  the  city  of  Franklin.  Pier  death  occurred  on  the  Butts 
farm  in  Dallas  county  in  1891.  She  wras  a member  of  the  Christian  church. 
To  these  parents  six  children  wrere  born,  namely:  Reuben,  deceased;  John, 
deceased;  James  M.,  of  this  sketch;  Richard,  deceased;  Nancy,  deceased;  the 
voungest  died  in  infancy,  unnamed.  So  our  subject  is  the  sole  survivor  of 
his  family. 

James  M.  Butts  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Kentucky,  w'here  he  worked 
hard  when  a boy.  His  education  vras  neglected  for  lack  of  time  and  oppor- 


MR.  AND  MRS.  JAMES  M.  BUTTS. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1345 


tunity.  He  came  with  the  family  to  Missouri  in  1856,  and  located  in  Greene 
county  in  1885.  Here  he  went  to  work  in  a mercantile  establishment,  later 
worked  in  a mill,  then  secured  employment  in  a drug  store.  He  became  owner 
■of  a farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-four  acres  in  Dallas  county.  His 
present  neat  little  farm  of  fifty-eight  acres  in  Jackson  township,  Greene 
county,  is  well  kept. 

Mr.  Butts  was  married  in  1861  to  Mary  F.  McGlothlin,  who  was  born 
in  Barrv  county,  Missouri,  on  August  26,  1846.  She  is  a daughter  of  Alex- 
ander and  Mary  (Durham)  McGlothlin,  both  natives  of  Tennessee,  the 
father  born  on  October  15,  1808,  and  the  mother  born  on  February  2,  1809. 
They  were  married  on  February  22,  1831.  They  came  to  Missouri  in  1833 
and  located  in  Barry  county,  making  the  trip  over  the  rough  intervening 
mountainous  country  in  wagons.  Their  farm  in  Barry  county  consisted  of 
three  hundred  acres.  They  were  among  the  early  settlers  in  that  county. 
Mr.  McGlothlin  was  influential  in  public  affairs  there  and  at  one  time  repre- 
sented the  county  in  the  state  legislature.  His  death  occurred  in  that  county 
in  1857,  in  which  year  also  occurred  the  death  of  his  wife.  Mrs.  Butts  was 
reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Barry  county  and  received  her  education  in  the 
public  schools  there.  She  was  ten  years  old  when  her  parents  died,  but  she 
continued  to  reside  in  her  native  county  until  her  marriage.  She  is  one  of 
ten  children,  eight  of  whom  are  deceased. 

Six  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Butts,  namely : Columbia, 
born  on  July  14,  1864;  Mrs.  Lula  Bryan,  born  on  December  6,  1867;  Mrs. 
Mcie  Cowden,  born  on  March  6,  1870;  Mrs.  Sipie  Burford,  born  on  October 
126,  1872,  is  deceased;  Mrs.  Florence  Leslie,  born  on  April  24,  1875;  the 
youngest  child,  James  H.,  died  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years. 

Mr.  Butts  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  and  he  belongs  to  the 
•Christian  church. 


ELMER  E.  E.  McJIMSEY. 

Elmer  E.  E.  Mcjimsey  is  the  editor  and  owner  of  The  Springfield  (Mis- 
souri) Republican.  His  brother  editors  declare  that  to  think  of  the  city  of 
Springfield  or  of  the  beautiful  Ozark  country  is  to  think  in  the  same  moment 
of  Editor  Mcjimsey,  so  closely  has  the  fame  of  the  region  and  of  the  Mis- 
souri journalist,  politician  and  orator  become  interwoven. 

Mr.  Mcjimsey  is  not  a native  of  the  Ozark  country,  nor  even  of  Mis- 
•souri.  This  information  frequently  surprises  his  most  intimate  friends.  He 
was  born  in  the  little  Indiana  town  once  known  as  Pleasant  Hill,  but  now 
called  Wingate,  in  Montgomery  county,  February  23,  1862.  His  father, 
(85) 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1346 


Joseph  Mcjimsey,  a native  of  Wheeling,  West  Virginia,  was  a merchant  of 
Pleasant  Hill  before  and  during  the  Civil  war  and  for  some  years  afterward. 
In  1875,  however,  the  family  came  to  Missouri,  locating  at  Maryville,  Noda- 
way county,  where  Joseph  Mcjimsey  engaged  in  the  livery  business,  conduct- 
ing this  establishment  for  years.  Joseph  Mcjimsey  died  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
two  years  in  Chillicothe,  Missouri,  March  9,  1906.  His  wife,  nee  Isabel 
Bales,  was  born  in  Xenia,  Ohio,  in  1837,  and  is  now  a resident  of  Long 
Beach,  California. 

Elmer  E.  E.  Mcjimsey  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
town  in  Indiana  and  those  of  Maryville.  He  was  from  his  earliest  boyhood 
a lover  of  horses,  and  at  fourteen  years  of  age  rode  as  a jockey  with  such 
success  that  he  continued  in  this  calling  for  two  years.  At  the  age  of  sixteen 
he  was  made  a full  partner  with  his  father  in  the  Maryville  livery  business,, 
the  first  name  becoming  Mcjimsey  & Son. 

It  was  while  pushing  the  interests  of  this  business  that  the  young  man, 
always  a lover  of  books,  began  to  show  a fondness  for  writing  and  later 
for  public  speaking. 

Mr.  Mcjimsey  purchased  in  1895  a half  interest  in  the  Maryville  Tribune 
and  became  at  once  its  editor.  Almost  as  soon  as  he  had  fully  entered  upon 
his  new  duties  he  realized  that  he  had  found  his  life  work,  and  during 
the  succeeding  eight  years  the  vigor  of  his  writings — making  possible  in  a 
short  time  the  issuance  of  The  Tribune  as  a daily  instead  of  a weekly  news- 
paper— attracted  wide  attention. 

Mr.  Mcjimsey  was  deeply  interested  in  politics  and  scarcely  did  his  suc- 
cess as  a journalist  become  assured  when  he  also  began  to  win  fame  on  the 
public  platform.  An  enthusiastic  believer  in  and  supporter  of  the  princi- 
ples of  the  Republican  party,  he  defended  that  faith  in  state  campaigns  and 
became  one  of  a company  of  earnest  young  men  who  took  for  their  slogan, 
“Win  Missouri  for  Republicanism.”  But  he  was  not  permitted  to  confine 
his  campign  efforts  to  his  own  state.  Mr.  Mcjimsey’s  fame  as  speaker 
reached  the  national  Republican  headquarters  in  Washington  and  he  was 
called  upon  to  visit  the  East  and  participate  in  the  great  battles  being  waged 
there  for  the  predominance  of  Republican  principles.  One  of  his  memorable 
oratorical  efforts  was  when,  the  day  of  the  death  of  President  McKinley, 
he  spoke  in  a pouring  rain  to  a great  concourse  of  people  on  the  public  square 
of  his  home  town,  Maryville,  the  address  being  such  a tribute  to  the  martyred 
executive  as  stirred  his  hearers  profoundly. 

Calls  to  more  extensive  fields  came  constantly  to  the  Maryville  editor 
as  his  reputation  grew,  and  in  1903  he  disposed  of  his  holdings  in  the  Mary- 
ville Tribune  to  his  business  associate,  Curtis  Wray,  and  associated  him- 
self with  Charles  D.  Morris  in  the  purchase  of  the  St.  Joseph  (Missouri) 
Gazette.  Mr.  Mcjimsey  became  at  once  editor-in-chief  of  this  paper  and  soon 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1347 


the  journal  took  front  rank  with  the  best  daily  papers  of  the  country.  In  1906 
Mr.  Mcjimsey  severed  his  connection  with  the  Gazette  in  order  to  enter  a 
yet  more  promising-  field.  With  John  E.  Swanger  he  bought  The  Springfield 
Missouri  Republican  on  March  1st  of  that  year,  and  at  once  Mr.  Mcjimsey 
assumed  editorial  and  managerial  control.  He  has  seen  this  paper  grow  to 
one  of  the  influential  and  valuable  properties  in  the  Middle  West,  and  is 
not  only  its  editor  now,  but  also  principal  owner  and  president  of  The  Re- 
publican Company,  as  well  as  a stockholder  in  the  St.  Joseph  Gazette  Com- 
pany. 

The  Republican  has  wielded,  from  the  moment  Mr.  Mcjimsey  took  up 
the  direction  of  its  policies,  a potent  influence  in  the  development  of  Spring- 
field  and  southwestern  Missouri.  The  Republican  has  stood  firmly  for  public 
improvement  in  city  and  country.  The  paper  originated  the  good  roads 
movement  in  southern  Missouri,  and  by  persistent  and  wise  effort  built  up 
an  enthusiasm  for  highway  improvement  which  has  resulted  in  that  section 
equalling  other  portions  of  the  state  in  the  extent  and  permanency,  of  its  road 
building.  The  Republican  set  about  making  known  to  the  world  the  richness 
of  the  natural  resources  of  the  Ozarks,  the  salubrity  of  the  climate  of  that 
region,  the  beauty  of  the  scenery  and  the  charm  of  year-around  life  there. 
More  than  to  any  other  factor,  it  is  admitted  far  and  wide,  the  ensuing  won- 
derful growth  and  development  of  this  section  of  country  is  due  partly  to 
The  Republican’ s work  of  loyalty  and  love  toward  this  end. 

Among  the  recognitions  of  his  sendee  which  have  come  to  Editor  Mc- 
jimsey have  been  offers  of  posts  of  honor  and  of  opportunity  for  yet  addi- 
tional achievements  for  the  public  weal.  Owing  to  the  extent  of  his  own 
business  affairs,  not  all  of  these  responsibilities  could  be  undertaken  by  Mr. 
Mcjimsey.  He  accepted  the  supervisorship  of  the  census  in  the  fourth  Mis- 
souri district  under  President  McKinley.  He  declined  the  appointment  to 
the  consul-generalship  of  Peru,  South  America,  offered  him  by  President 
Roosevelt.  Mr.  Mcjimsey  was  named  by  Governor  Folk  as  a member  of  the 
Missouri  commission  to  the  Portland  Fair  in  1905,  and  by  Governor  Hadley 
as  a member  of  the  board  of  regents  of  the  Springfield  State  Normal  for  six 
years,  beginning  with  1909.  After  serving  as  president  of  the  board  from 
1911  to  1913,  Mr.  Mcjimsey  was  compelled  to  resign  because  of  other  grow- 
ing duties.  He  was  appointed  by  President  Taft  as  postmaster  of  Spring- 
field,  April  11,  1910.  and  also  as  custodian  of  the  Federal  building  of  that 
city,  resigning  both  positions  in  January,  1914.  He  was  named  to  the  Spring- 
field  library  board  by  Mayor  Ernst  in  1910,  resigning  in  1913,  in  which  year 
he  was  appointed  by  Mayor  Culler  as  a member  of  the  Springfield  public 
park  board  and  was  made  the  first  president  of  that  board,  which  was 
created  by  vote  of  the  people  largely  as  the  result  of  the  tireless  work  of 
The  Republican  to  inaugurate  a park  and  boulevard  system  in  Springfield. 


1348 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mr.  Mcjimsey  was  a member  of  the  Republican  state  committee  of  Mis- 
souri for  two  terms,  beginning  with  1898,  was  chosen  as  both  temporary 
and  permanent  chairman  of  the  Republican  state  convention  held  at  Jefferson 
City  in  1902  and  was  president  of  the  Young  Men’s  Republican  Associa- 
tion of  Missouri,  1911-12.  He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic,  Knights  of 
Pythias,  Modern  Woodmen  and  Elks  fraternal  orders.  He  is  a member  of 
the  Springfield  Club  and  served  as  its  president  from  1909  to  1910,  and 
belongs  to  the  Country  Club  and  the  Springfield  Club.  His  family  is  Metho- 
dist in  religious  affiliations. 

Mr.  Mcjimsey  was  married  at  Maryville,  August  24,  1901,  to  Caroline 
M.  Webb,  daughter  of  H.  N.  Webb,  at  the  time  of  his  death  editor  of  the 
Unionville  (Missouri)  Republican,  and  at  one  time  secretary  of  the  Re- 
publican state  committee. 


PROF.  JOHN  R.  ROBERTS. 

Of  high  professional  and  academic  attainments  and  ranking  among  the 
foremost  educators  of  southern  Missouri,  Prof.  John  R.  Roberts,  the  efficient 
and  popular  superintendent  of  the  Greene  county  public  schools  has  achieved 
marked  distinction  in  the  noble  work  to  which  his  talents  and  energies  have 
so  long  been  devoted,  and  judging  by  the  past  it  is  safe  to  predict  for  him  a 
future  of  still  greater  usefulness  and  honor.  Not  only  as  a teacher  and  man- 
ager of  schools  has  he  made  his  presence  felt,  but  as  a citizen  in  the  daily 
walks  of  life,  his  influence  has  tended  to  the  advancement  of  the  community 
and  the  welfare  of  his  fellow  men,  while  the  responsible  public  positions 
to  which  he  has  been  called  from  time  to  time  bear  testimony  to  his  ability 
to  fill  worthily  high  and  important  trusts.  His  name  with  eminent  fitness  oc- 
cupies a conspicuous  place  in  the  profession  which  he  adorns  and  his  career, 
presenting  a series  of  successes  such  as  few  attain,  has  gained  for  him  much 
more  than  a local  reputation  as  a successful  organizer  and  manager  of  edu- 
cational interests.  The  major  portion  of  his  life  has  been  spent  in  this,  his 
native  state,  and  at  the  proper  age  he  entered  the  school  room,  where  he 
early  displayed  the  powers  of  mind  and  desire  for  study  which  subsequently 
won  for  him  honorable  distinction  as  a scholar  and  success  as  a teacher. 
Ten  years  ago  he  accepted  the  superintenclency  of  the  Greene  county  public 
schools,  and  in  this  perhaps  the  greatest  of  his  labors  as  an  educator  and 
manager  have  been  thus  far  accomplished.  His  great  force  of  character  and 
ripe  scholarship,  together  with  his  ability  as  an  organizer  enabled  him  to 
bring  to  his  work  in  this  county  the  results  of  his  professional  experience 
with  marked  effect,  and  it  was  not  long  until  the  schools  under  his  super- 


•T.  R.  ROBERTS. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1349 


vision  advanced  to  the  high  standing  of  efficiency  for  which  they  are  now 
noted.  The  teaching-  force  during  his  incumbency  has  been  increased  and  the 
enrollment  of  pupils  is  vastly  greater  than  a decade  ago,  while  many  things 
tending  to  lesson  the  teachers’  labors  and  at  the  same  time  make  them 
more  effective  have  been  introduced ; the  course  of  study  throughout  has  been 
modified  and  improved,  the  latest  and  most  approved  appliances  purchased 
and  everything  in  keeping  with  modern  educational  progress,  tested  and  where 
practical  retained. 

Prof.  Roberts  was  born  in  Macon  county,  Missouri,  January  8,  1849. 
He  is  a son  of  Joseph  P.  and  Celia  (Rippetoe)  Roberts,  natives  of  Jackson 
county,  Tennessee.  They  were  married  in  Tennessee,  from  which  state  they 
emigrated  to  Missouri  in  1844  and  located  in  Macon  county,  where  they  made 
their  home  until  1856,  when  they  removed  to  Greene  county.  Joseph  P. 
Roberts  was  a pioneer  minister  in  the  Christian  church  and  he  did  an  incal- 
culable amount  of  g'ood  among  the  early  settlers  in  this  state.  Upon  coming 
to  this  county  he  located  on  the  James  river.  Our  subject  was  then  about 
seven  years  of  age.  They  lived  in  what  is  now  a part  of  Christian  county, 
which  was  formed  from  Greene  county  in  1858.  The  father  died  in  1888, 
and  the  death  of  the  mother  occurred  in  1898.  Their  family  consisted  of  six 
children,  two  sons  and  four  daughters,  five  of  whom  survive  at  this  writing, 
namely:  Prof.  John  R.,  of  this  sketch;  P.  W.,  a farmer  and  minister  of 

the  gospel,  a veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  and  ex-judge  of  the  county  court 
of  Christian  county,  is  still  living  there;  Mary  A.,  married  N.  A.  Inman,  a 
farmer  of  Christian  county,  bore  him  eight  children  and  is  now  deceased; 
Wealthy  is  the  wife  of  H.  C.  Collins,  a stock  dealer  of  Christian  county,  and 
they  have  six  children ; Nannie  has  been  a teacher  for  forty  years  at  Pea 
Ridge,  Arkansas,  where  she  is  still  employed ; Martha,  who  married  N.  J. 
Robbins,  a fanner  and  fruit  grower  of  Bentonville.  Arkansas,  has  eight 
children. 

Prof.  John  R.  Roberts  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Ozark,  this  state,  then  entered  Abington  College,  Knox  county,  Illinois, 
from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts 
in  1873,  and  later  that  college  conferred  on  him  the  degree  of  Master  of 
Arts.  After  leaving  school  he  went  to  Arkansas  and  established  a college  at 
Pea  Ridge,  of  which  he  was  president  for  a period  of  twenty  years  and  which 
grew  to  be  an  institution  of  great  importance  to  that  country  under 
his  able  management,  and  it  has  sent  thousands  of  useful  young  men  and 
women  from  its  halls  to  benefit  northwestern  Arkansas  especially,  and  this 
school  will  ever  be  a monument  to  our  subject  of  which  his  descendants  may 
well  be  proud.  Coming  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  1896,  Prof.  Roberts  con- 
tinued his  profession  here,  teaching  most  acceptably  in  both  the  Normal  and 
high  schools  until  1905,  when  he  was  elected  county  superintendent  of  public 


I35° 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


schools  and  has  discharged  the  duties  of  this  important  trust  for  a period  of 
ten  years  in  a manner  that  has  reflected  much  credit  upon  himself  and  to 
the  eminent  satisfaction  of  all  concerned. 

Prof.  Roberts  was  married  in  1876,  in  Arkansas,  to  Alice  Dean,  of 
Benton  county,  that  state,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated. 
She  is  a daughter  of  W.  B.  and  Laura  Dean.  Mr.  Dean  was  a merchant 
during  his  active  life,  and  his  death  occurred  in  1910.  His  widow  is  now  liv- 
ing in  Dallas,  Texas.  Their  family  consisted  of  seven  children,  namely : 
A.  J.,  Alice,  John  L.,  William  A.,  Henning  A.,  Marguerite  and  Nannie. 

To  Professor  Roberts  and  wife  one  child  was  born,  Josephine,  who  was 
given  excellent  educational  advantages,  and  she  is  the  wife  of  H.  P.  Mot- 
herly, a well  known  civil  engineer,  who  has  been  employed  in  the  engineering 
department  of  the  Texas  Pacific  railroad  for  a period  of  twenty  years.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Motherly  reside  in  Springfield  and  have  one  child,  Alice  Dean  Mot- 
herly, born  in  1906,  and  is  now  a student  in  a local  grade  school. 

Politically.  Professor  Roberts  is  a Republican,  but  has  never  cared  for 
political  preferment.  Religiously,  he  belongs  to  the  Christian  church.  A 
gentleman  without  pretense,  broad-minded,  of  pleasing  personality,  he  is 
honored  by  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact. 


JUDGE  ALFRED  PAGE. 

One  of  the  prominent  lawyers  of  Greene  county  is  Judge  Alfred  Page, 
whose  career  at  the  local  bar,  comparatively  brief,  has  been  most  commend- 
able. As  judge  of  the  Circuit  Court  for  a period  of  four  years,  he  proved 
himself  to  be  worthy  of  the  people’s  trust  in  high  positions.  Coming  up  from 
the  soil,  battling  his  way  alone  and  unaided  up  the  ladder  of  professional 
success,  he  is  entitled  to  the  respect  and  admiration  that  all  should  accord 
the  successful  self-made  man. 

Judge  Page  was  born  near  Covington,  Tipton  county,  Tennessee.  He 
is  a son  of  L.  and  Artemissa  ( Montgomery)  Page,  early  settlers  in  western 
Tennessee  and  there  the  father  engaged  in  farming,  being  now  eighty-three 
years  of  age.  The  death  of  the  mother  occurred  in  1904,  when  about  seventy- 
five  years  of  age.  The  father  removed  to  Missouri  many  years  ago,  lo- 
cating in  Webster  county  and  came  on  to  Greene  county  in  1907.  Judge 
Pag-e  has  a brother  in  California  and  one  in  Missouri,  who  are  engaged  in 
teaching;  four  of  his  brothers  are  deceased;  two  sisters  are  living,  one  in 
Joplin,  this  state,  and  the  other  is  keeping  house  for  her  father  in  Greene 
county,  Missouri. 

Alfred  Page  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  and  assisted  with  the  gen- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1351 


eral  work  about  the  place  when  he  became  of  proper  age.  He  was  sixteen 
years  old  when  he  came  to  Missouri  in  1885,  and  located  in  Greene  county 
in  1891,  where  he  has  since  maintained  his  home.  He  received  a common 
school  education,  and  later  studied  at  Drury  College,  Springfield,  from 
which  institution  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1897.  He  began  his 
career  by  teaching  which  he  followed  five  years,  four  of  which  were  spent 
as  principal  of  the  high  school  at  Ash  Grove  and  one  as  principal  of  the 
high  school  at  Aurora.  Not  finding  this  field  of  endeavor  entirely  to  his 
liking  he  began  the  study  of  law  while  still  teaching  and  in  1901  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar,  and  at  once  began  practice  in  Springfield.  Taking  an 
interest  in  public  affairs  from  the  first  he  was  assistant  prosecuting  attorney 
of  Greene  county  from  1903  to  1906,  inclusive.  He  was  elected  judge  of 
the  Criminal  Court  in  1908,  the  duties  of  which  office  he  assumed  January  1, 
1909.  In  April  of  that  year  the  criminal  court  was  merged  with  division 
No.  2 of  the  Circuit  Court,  and  Mr.  Page  was  appointed  by  Governor  Herbert 
Hadley  the  first  judge  of  the  new  division.  After  his  term  of  office  ex- 
pired, January  1,  1913.  he  formed  a partnership  with  Col.  G.  A.  Watson, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Watson  & Page,  with  offices  in  the  Baker  block  on  the 
public  square,  Springfield,  and  he  has  since  been  a member  of  this  firm. 
Politically,  he  is  a Republican. 

Judge  Page  was  married  in  1900  to  Ada  Trevitt,  of  Ash  Grove,  a lady 
of  many  commendable  attributes  of  head  and  heart,  and  she  was  summoned 
to  an  untimely  grave  in  1903,  leaving  a daughter.  Lenora  Artemissa  Page. 

Personally  the  Judge  is  a gentleman  of  exemplary  character,  a good 
mixer  and  a pleasant  man  to  meet. 


JOHN  P.  McCAMMON. 

John  P.  McCammon  was  born  in  Henry  county,  Iowa,  May  25,  1853, 
and  is  a son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  E.  (Brown)  McCammon.  He  is  of  Scotch- 
Irish  ancestry  on  the  paternal  side.  His  father  was  born  in  Pennsylvania 
where  he  grew  to  manhood,  received  such  educational  advantages  as  the 
old-time  schools  afforded,  and  he  devoted  his  active  life  to  general  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  remaining  in  his  native  state  until  1852  when  he  removed  to 
the  state  of  Iowa,  and  in  Henry  county,  but  subsequently  removed  to  Davis 
county,  that  state,  where  his  death  occurred  in  1864.  He  was  a man  of 
courage  and  possessed  the  typical  pioneer  industry  that  resulted  in  success, 
and  he  stood  high  in  the  estimation  of  his  neighbors,  was  a loyal  Republican 
and  did  what  he  could  toward  the  general  advancement  of  the  communities 
in  which  he  lived,  and  held  a number  of  minor  political  offices,  the  duties 


J352 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


of  which  he  always  discharged  with  fidelity  and  credit,  and  at  all  times- 
proved  his  worth  as  a citizen.  His  wife,  Mary  E.  Brown,  was  born  in 
Washington  county,  Indiana,  near  the  town  of  Salem,  and  was  the  daughter 
of  a pioneer  family  of  that  state.  After  the  death  of  her  husband  she  came 
to  Missouri  and  made  her  home  in  Ash  Grove,  Greene  county,  subsequently 
going  to  Perry,  Iowa,  where  she  lived  until  her  death  at  an  advanced  age. 
To  Samuel  McCammon  and  wife  five  children  were  born,  named  in  order 
of  birth  as  follows:  John  P.,  of  this  review;  William  H.,  who  established 

himself  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Perry,  Iowa;  Jessie  married  John  Ir- 
win, and  they  located  in  Belvidere,  Nebraska;  Augusta  became  the  wife  of 
I.  Woodridge,  of  Stockton,  Cedar  county,  Missouri;  Samuel  A.  established 
his  home  in  Perry,  Iowa. 

John  P.  McCammon  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Iowa  and 
worked  hard  when  a boy,  assisting  his  father  develop  a farm  in  the  new 
country.  He  attended  the  district  schools  in  his  community  until  he  was 
about  fifteen  years  of  age,  then  entered  the  Iowa  Wesleyan  University  at 
Mount  Pleasant,  Iowa,  made  a good  record  and  was  graduated  from  that 
institution  with  the  class  of  1877.  That  his  scholarship  was  profound  and 
he  had  won  the  highest  estimation  of  his  teachers  is  indicated  by  the  fact 
that  he  began  teaching  in  that  university  the  following  fall  after  his  gradua- 
tion, and  he  followed  teaching  with  much  success  until  1879,  becoming  one 
of  the  leading  educators  of  that  section  of  the  state.  In  that  year  he  came 
to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  continued  his  profession,  but  he  had  been 
studying  law  for  some  time  before  leaving  his  native  state  and  he  continued 
the  study  of  this  profession  after  coming  to  the  Ozarks  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  1881.  Pie  practiced  alone  from  1881  to  1887  and  was  forging 
constantly  to  the  front  ranks.  He  then  formed  a partnership  with  Col.  C. 
W.  Thrasher  and  J.  T.  White,  the  same  continuing  until  1890,  when  Mr. 
Thrasher  retired,  and  our  subject  and  Mr.  White  continued  in  partnership 
until  1903  and  the  firm  became  one  of  the  best-known  in  Springfield.  Dur- 
ing the  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  he  has  shown  a 
superior  ability  all  along  the  line,  has  kept  well  abreast  of  the  times,  being 
ever  a close  student,  not  only  of  the  statutes  but  of  current  events  of  im- 
portance. He  was  one  of  the  original  incorporators  of  the  Missouri  Fidel-’ 
ity  & Casualty  Company,  in  1909,  and  was  president  of  the  same  for  the 
first  six  months,  and  got  it  well  established  and  it  grew  rapidly  into  a large 
and  important  concern.  He  was  then  vice-president  and  general  counsel  for 
the  same  until  1914,  when  it  was  merged  with  the  Southern  Surety  Com- 
pany of  St.  Louis,  and  the  offices  moved  from  Springfield  to  the  Mound 
City,  but  Mr.  McCammon  became  vice-president  and  attorney  for  the  new 
concern,  and  is  doing  much  to  make  it  a great  success  as  he  did  the  for- 


mer concern. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1353 


Mr.  McCammon  was  married  in  1859  to  Lucy  Owen,  who  was  born  in, 
Springfield,  Missouri,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  a good 
education.  She  is  a daughter  of  Jabez  Owen  and  wife,  an  old  and  influ- 
ential family  of  Greene  county.  Five  children  have  blessed  the  union  of  our 
subject  and  wife,  named  as  follows:  Elizabeth  Rush,  born  in  September, 

1890,  is  taking  domestic  science  and  physical  training  at  the  University  of 
Missouri,  Columbia;  John  Purdue,  Jr.,  born  in  April,  1893,  *s  studying  law 
in  the  University  of  Kansas  at  Lawrence;  Owen,  born  in  December,  1896, 
is  attending  the  Porter  Military  Academy  at  Charleston,  South  Carolina; 
Lucy,  born  in  August,  1900,  is  a student  in  the  State  Normal  School  at 
Springfield;  and  William  Samuel,  born  in  June,  1903,  is  a student  in  the 
local  grade  schools. 

Mr.  McCammon  has  made  the  practice  of  law  his  foremost  concern 
but  has  also  found  time  to  take  an  interest  in  manufacturing  and  real  estate 
and  has  been  very  successful  in  a business  way,  accumulating  a comfortable 
competence  through  his  good  management  and  wise  foresight.  He  has  been 
counsel  for  a number  of  corporations.  Politically  he  is  a Republican  and 
while  interested  in  party  affairs  has  never  sought  office.  Fraternally,  he  is 
a member  of  the  Masonic  order.  He  is  a Beta  Theta  Pi.  He  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  regents,  State  Normal  at  Springfield,  Missouri,  his  term 
expiring  in  January,  1915. 


JAMES  GILMER  McMURTRY. 

In  placing  the  name  of  James  G.  McMurtry,  president  of  Drury  Col- 
lege, in  the  front  rank  of  educators  who  have  at  one  time  or  another  hon- 
ored Springfield  with  their  residence,  simple  justice  is  done  a biographical 
fact,  recognized  by  all  who  are  familiar  with  his  history.  A man  of  high 
intellectual  attainments,  wise  discretion  and  rare  executive  ability,  he  has 
managed  with  tactful  success  the  great  institution  of  which  the  citizens  of 
Greene  county  are  justly  proud.  He  has  been  very  largely  the  architect  of 
his  own  fortunes,  has  been  true  and  loyal  in  all  the  relations  of  life  and 
stands  as  a type  of  that  sterling  manhood  which  ever  commands  respect.  He 
is  a man  who  would,  no  doubt,  have  won  a conspicuous  position  in  whatever 
environment  fate  might  have  placed  him,  for  he  has  sound  judgment,  cou- 
pled with  great  energy  and  keen  discernment,  all  of  which  make  for  success 
wherever  they  are  rightly  applied  and  a laudable  ambition  is  persistently 
followed.  Withal,  he  is  an  unassuming  and  cultured  gentleman,  popular 
in  all  circles  in  which  he  moves. 

President  McMurtry  was  born  on  a farm  in  Parke  county,  Indiana,. 


1354 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


April  2,  1870.  He  is  a scion  of  a sterling  old  family  of  the  Hoosier  state, 
being  a son  of  David  W.  and  Martha  E.  (Cooper)  McMurtry.  The  father, 
also  a native  of  Parke  county,  was  born  in  1837  and  died  in  1910,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-three  years,  after  a long  and  successful  career  as  a general 
farmer  and  stock  raiser.  He  was  a son  of  John  S.  and  Margaret  (McKee) 
McMurtry,  both  natives  of  Kentucky,  from  which 'state  they  came  to  west- 
ern Indiana  in  pioneer  days,  and  there  became  well  established  through  their 
industry.  The  McMurtrys  have  ever  stood  for  right  living  and  good  citi- 
zenship, and  it  has  been  a pleasure  to  our  subject  to  keep  untarnished  the 
bright  escutcheon  of  the  family  name. 

James  G.  McMurtry  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father’s  farm  on  which 
he  laid  the  foundation  for  a robust  manhood  by  performing  his  full  share 
of  the  work  during  crop  seasons.  In  the  winter  time  he  attended  the  dis- 
trict schools,  later  taking  a course  in  Wabash  College,  from  which  institu- 
tion he  was  graduated  in  1893,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  In 
1895  this  institution  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts,  and 
Doctor  of  Philosophy  in  1898.  After  leaving  college  he  began  his  career 
as  educator,  in  which  his  rise  was  rapid,  each  succeeding  year  finding  him 
further  advanced,  until  today  he  is  universally  recognized  as  one  of  the 
foremost  educators  of  the  Middle  West.  He  has  specialized  in  Greek,  and 
is  regarded  as  an  authority  on  that  old  classic  language.  He  has  made  him- 
self proficient  in  Latin  also,  and  he  taught  these  languages  in  the  Collegi- 
ate Institute  at  Carthage,  Missouri,  in  1893-94.  From  1895  to  1897  he  was 
vice-president  of  Washington  College  in  Tennessee,  and  was  professor  of 
Greek  and  philosophy  in  that  institution,  then  taught  the  same  branches  in 
Henry  Kendall  College  until  1902.  He  then  went  to  Parsons  College,  Fair- 
field,  Iowa,  where  he  remained  seven  years  as  professor  of  Greek.  When 
he  first  entered  upon  his  duties  there  one  pupil  out  of  every  twenty-three 
was  studying  Greek.  He  made  this  department  so  popular  that  when  he 
left  one  out  of  every  two  students  was  studying  this  dead  language,  a re- 
markably notable  increase  which  perhaps  has  not  been  equalled  in  any  other 
school. 

His  insatiable  thirst  for  higher  learning  led  Professor  McMurtry,  after 
five  years’  work  in  Parsons  College,  to  an  extended  sojourn  abroad  in  travel 
and  study  in  Scotland,  France,  Germany,  Italy,  Greece,  Egypt  and  Palestine. 
He  had  not  been  in  Europe  long  until  he  became  a member  of  the  American 
School  of  Archaeology  at  Athens,  Greece.  He  has  also  been  a member  of 
the  Classical  Association  of  the  Middle  West  and  South  since  1905,  and 
since  1907  his  name  has  been  on  the  membership  roll  of  the  American  Philo- 
logical Association.  He  is  a man  of  highly  developed  perceptive  faculties, 
and  thus  being  a keen  observer,  he  was  greatly  benefited  by  his  studies  in 
foreign  lands,  and  since  his  return  to  the  United  States  he  has  given  many 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1355 


interesting  and  instructive  lectures,  especially  on  Jerusalem,  also  many  other 
places  of  importance,  having  been  frequently  requested  to  do  so.  His  de- 
scriptions of  the  scenes  and  places  through  which  he  passed  are  graphic 

and  are  of  greater  value  to  the  auditor  than  the  average  lecture  by  travelers. 
He  produced  a masterly  sermon  or  prose  poem  on  the  twenty-third  psalm 
several  years  ago,  and,  while  not  a theologian,  his  interpretation  of  this 
beautiful  portion  of  the  Scriptures,  is  superior  to  any  yet  known,  according 
to  those  who  have  had  the  good  fortune  of  hearing  his  address.  He  has 
been  frequently  importuned  to  have  it  published,  but,  never  having  put  a 
single  line  of  it  to  paper,  he  has  so  far  refused  to  give  it  to  the  printer. 

Upon  his  return  from  Europe  he  went  back  to  Fairfield,  Iowa,  and 
continued  his  connection  with  Parsons  College  until  1909,  when,  much  to  the 

regret  of  the  curators  and  all  concerned,  he  resigned  in  order  to  give  his 

attention  to  personal  business  interests  at  El  Campo,  Texas,  and  although  he 
had  never  given  much  time  or  attention  to  business  affairs,  he  was  so  suc- 
cessful that  while  there  he  was  offered  the  position  of  cashier  in  the  First 
National  Bank,  which  he  accepted,  acting  in  that  capacity  from  January  1, 
1911,  until  the  following  September.  Such  was  his  administration  of  the 
bank’s  affairs  that  he  received  numerous  flattering  offers  of  positions  in 
Eastern  banks.  However,  he  had  never  been  imbued  with  an  ambition  to 
become  a captain  of  industry,  and  he  preferred  to  return  to  educational 
work,  and  he  gave  up  his  high-salaried  position  with  the  El  Campo  bank 
to  accept  the  chair  of  Greek  in  Drury  College,  at  a salary  of  less  than  one- 
half  of  the  amount  he  was  receiving  as  cashier.  Thus  he  has  been  connected 
with  Drury  College  since  the  fall  of  1911.  He  proved  to  be  such  a valuable 
addition  to  the  faculty  that  his  salary  was  raised  a number  of  times  and  in 
August,  1913.  he  was  appointed  acting  president  of  the  college  for  one  year. 
However,  before  the  close  of  the  year,  he  was  elected  president,  which  re- 
sponsible and  exacting  position  he  has  since  filled  in  a manner  that  has  re- 
flected much  credit  upon  himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned. 
He  has  done  much  to  strengthen  the  work  in  all  departments  and  increase 
the  prestige  of  the  school.  His  exceptional  business  acumen  has  been  of 
great  service  in  placing  Drury  on  a sounder  financial  basis.  He  is  greatly 
enamored  of  his  work,  believing  that  teaching  is  the  greatest  of  all  profes- 
sions. He  mixes  freely  with  his  students,  encourages  and  assists  them  in 
any  way  possible,  unlike  the  heads  of  some  of  our  great  institutions  of  learn- 
ing who  hold  themselves  aloof  from  their  students.  He  is  easy  of  approach, 
obliging  and  of  unquestioned  altruistic  impulses,  and  is  therefore  popular 
with  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact.  His  superior  scholarship,  sound 
erudition  and  rare  ability  as  an  educator  being  unquestioned  by  those  who 
know  of  his  commendable  work.  Unlike  man}'  of  his  profession  he  has 


1356 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


never  become  narrow  or  pedantic,  but  his  views  on  national  and  other  ques- 
tions are  broad  and  progressive.  He  has  marked  ability  as  a public  speaker. 

Doctor  McMurtry’s  domestic  life  began  on  July  25,  1894,  in  Craw- 
fordsville,  Indiana,  when  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Mary  Anice  Bray, 
a daughter  of  Ira  M.  and  Emma  Bray,  a prominent  and  highly  esteemed 
family  of  that  city.  Mrs.  McMurtry  received  the  advantages  of  an  excel- 
lent education,  and  is  a lady  of  culture  and  refinement. 

The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  two 
children,  namely:  Mildred  Oenone  and  James  G.,  Jr. 

Politically,  Doctor  McMurtry  is  an  independent  voter.  Socially  he  be- 
longs to  the  University  Club  of  Springfield,  the  Young  Men's  Business  Club 
and  the  Springfield  Club. 


JAMES  BAIR. 

The  army  record  alone  of  James  Bair,  deputy  county  clerk  of  Greene 
county,  entitles  him  to  the  respect  of  all  good  citizens  who  remember  the 
troublous  times  of  the  great  war  between  the  states.  True  Americans  can 
never  forget  the  heroes  of  the  sixties,  nor  should  they  ever  fail  to  do  them 
honor.  Mr.  Bair  has  spent  forty-five  years  in  our  midst  and  each  succeeding 
year  has  found  him  with  more  friends  than  the  preceding,  which  would 
indicate  that  he  has  been  an  honorable  and  valuable  citizen.  Indeed  his 
long  record  as  educator  and  public  servant  in  this  county  is  worthy  of  praise. 
He  is  an  example  of  what  honest  effort,  combined  with  perseverance  and 
right  thinking,  will  produce.  His  beginning  was  somewhat  humble  and  dis- 
couraging, but  he  in  due  course  of  time  rose  to  a position  in  the  body  politic 
which  commanded  respect  by  his  fellow-citizens.  All  the  more  credit  is 
due  him  for  his  own  brave  efforts,  and  his  example  may  well  be  imitated 
by  those  whose  youthful  environments  are  not  of  an  encouraging  nature, 
not  that  he  has  been  a great  success  financially,  but  what  is  better,  that  he 
has  made  a good  and  useful  citizen. 

Mr.  Bair  was  born  at  Canal  Dover,  Tuscarawas  county,  Ohio,  on  De- 
cember 18.  1845.  He  is  a son  of  Jesse  and  Elizabeth  (Bonfield)  Bair.  Jesse 
Bair  was  born  near  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania,  about  1817,  was  reared  on  a 
farm  and  learned  the  millwright’s  trade  when  a boy,  also  worked  at  the 
carpenter’s  trade.  From  his  native  state  he  went  to  Canton,  Ohio,  and  about 
1842  moved  to  Canal  Dover,  that  state,  where  he  worked  at  his  trades, 
erecting  a number  of  substantial  mills  and  other  buildings  over  that  country; 
the  old  Blake  mills  are  still  standing  near  that  city  as  a monument  to  his  skill 
as  a builder.  Politically  he  was  a Democrat,  and  fraternally  a Mason.  His 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1357 


death  occurred  in  1890  at  the  home  of  our  subject.  Elizabeth  Bonfield, 
mentioned  above,  was  born  at  Canton,  Ohio,  and  was  a daughter  of  Dr. 
Bonfield,  of  that  city.  Her  death  occurred  in  New  Philadelphia,  that  state, 
in  1853.  Four  children  were  born  to  Jesse  Bair  and  wife,  James,  of  this 
sketch,  being  the  only  survivor  at  this  writing.  His  eldest  brother,  Martin 
V.  B.,  was  a soldier  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifteenth  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry  during  the  Civil  war,  and  was  one  of  the  large  number  of  soldiers 
who  met  death  by  drowning  bv  the  sinking  of  the  steamer  Sultana  in  the 
Mississippi  river  in  1865. 

Upon  the  death  of  his  mother  in  1853  James  Bair  went  to  live  with 
relatives  near  Waynesburg,  Ohio.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  there,  and  on  December  22,  1861,  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Eightieth 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  proved  to  be  a gallant  soldier  for  the  Union, 
serving  in  a number  of  important  engagements,  such  as  Farmington,  Iuka, 
Corinth,  Raymond,  Jackson  and  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  all  in  Mississippi, 
later  in  the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge,  Tennessee,  and  Resaca,  Georgia,  then 
joined  Sherman  during  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  marched  with  his  army 
to  the  sea.  He  had  previously  re-enlisted  in  the  same  company  and  regiment, 
which  entitled  him  to  rank  with  the  veterans.  After  reaching  the  coast  at 
Savannah  he  accompanied  the  army  northward  through  the  Carolinas  to 
Raleigh  and  was  present  when  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnston  surrendered  to 
Sherman,  then  marched  overland  to  Washington,  D.  C.,  camped  at  Arlington 
Heights,  Virginia,  and  later  participated  in  the  grand  review  at  the  capitol. 
After  that  he  was  sent  with  some  troops  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  thence 
to  Little  Rock,  Arkansas,  and  was  honorably  discharged  and  mustered  out 
on  August  13,  1865,  as  sergeant-major  of  his  regiment,  of  which  he  had 
been  adjutant  clerk  from  August,  1863,  until  May,  1865,  when  he  was 
appointed  sergeant-major.  Appreciating  his  ability  as  a soldier,  he  was  corn- 
commissioned  first  lieutenant,  but  never  mustered  as  such. 

After  his  career  in  the  army  Mr.  Bair  returned  to  Waynesburg,  Ohio, 
and  attended  school  for  some  time,  then  spent  two  terms  at  Mt.  Vernon 
College  at  Alliance,  Ohio.  After  finishing  school  he  clerked  in  a store  at 
Malvern,  Ohio,  for  eight  months,  then  began  his  career  as  teacher,  for  which 
he  seemed  well  qualified  by  both  nature  and  training.  His  first  work  as  an 
educator  was  at  Mapleton,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  until  1869,  when  he 
came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  soon  thereafter  began  teaching  in  the 
rural  schools  of  Greene  county,  which  he  continued  for  a period  of  seven- 
teen years,  teaching  nine  terms  in  one  district.  He  was  regarded  as  a 
progressive,  thorough  and  painstaking  instructor  and  his  services  were  in 
great  demand.  He  was  one  of  the  best-known  teachers  in  the  county  of  that 
period.  Since  abandoning  the  school  room  he  has  served  in  various  capacities 
in  business  and  county  offices.  He  was  deputy  recorder  of  deeds  for  two 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


years,  was  deputy  county  clerk  for  one  term,  then  bookkeeper  for  five  years 
for  a wholesale  company  in  Springfield,  then  traveled  for  a firm  for  eighteen 
months  in  several  states.  We  next  find  him  as  deputy  county  collector  for 
two  years,  then  as  deputy  county  assessor  for  four  years,  and  in  1903  he 
was  appointed  deputy  county  clerk,  in  which  capacity  he  has  since  served, 
being  still  in  this  office.  His  long  career  in  the  county  offices  has  made  him 
one  of  the  best-known  men  in  the  county,  and  his  work  has  been  most  satis- 
factory to  all  concerned,  being  not  only  well  performed,  but  promptly  and 
courteously. 

Politically  Mr.  Bair  is  a Republican.  He  is  a member  of  the  local  post 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  religiously  he  is  a member  of  the 
Christian  church. 

Mr.  Bair  was  married  on  August  n,  1870,  to  Virginia  J.  Jeffries,  who 
was  born  in  Greene  county.  Missouri,  in  March,  1851,  and  her  death  occurred 
on  November  12,  1912.  She  proved  to  be  a faithful  and  sympathetic  help- 
meet and  was  a good  woman  in  every  respect. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bair  four  children  were  born,  namely:  Anna  L.,  born 
on  April  20,  1871,  died  on  August  9,  1905;  William  M.,  born  on  May  4, 
1873,  died  in  March,  1875;  Victoria,  born  on  September  8,  1875,  died  on 
February  28,  1894;  Charles  A.,  born  on  May  2,  1878,  is  a conductor  on  the 
Frisco  Railroad  and  lives  in  Springfield. 


JAMES  ELMER  POTTER. 

A young  man  who  has  stamped  the  impress  of  his  strong  personality 
upon  the  minds  of  the  people  of  Greene  county  in  a manner  as  to  render 
him  one  of  the  conspicuous  characters  of  the  locality  is  James  Elmer  Potter, 
who  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  county  collector.  Few  men  of  his  age 
are  better  known  throughout  the  county,  few  occupy  a more  conspicuous 
place  in  public  affairs,  and  it  is  a compliment  worthily  bestowed  to  class  him 
with  the  representative  men  of  this  locality  where  the  Potters  have  been 
influential  since  the  first  settlement  of  the  county  and  where  he  has  been  con- 
tent to  spend  his  life  as  teacher,  agriculturist  and  public  servant — always 
having  the  best  interests  of  the  county  at  heart. 

Mr.  Potter  was  born  on  February  2,  1875,  near  Strafford  in  the  eastern 
part  of  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  he  is  a son  of  Louis  Cass  Potter  and 
Susan  M.  (Hankins)  Potter.  The  father  was  born  in  the  same  locality  as 
was  our  subject,  the  date  of  his  birth  being  1845,  and  there  also,  about  three 
miles  south  of  Taylor  township  line,  the  mother  was  born.  These  parents 
grew  up  in  this  locality  and  received  their  education  in  the  common  school 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1359 


and  were  married  there,  established  their  home  on  the  farm  and  spent  their 
lives  engaged  successfully  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  there 
the  death  of  Louis  C.  Potter  occurred  in  1893.  He  was  a man  of  industry 
and  public-spirit  and  made  a success  in  his  vocation,  leaving  behind  him  at 
death  an  honored  name.  His  family  consisted  of  three  children,  namely : 
Susie,  James  E.  and  Ethel. 

James  E.  Potter  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  near  Strafford 
and  there  he  worked  when  a youth,  and  when  of  proper  age  he  attended  the 
schools  of  his  community  and  later  the  Springfield  Normal,  after  which  he 
taught  school  for  a short  time,  but  was  compelled  to  give  up  that  line  of 
endeavor  owing  to  failing  health.  He  has  made  general  farming  and  stock 
raising  his  main  occupation. 

Politically,  Mr.  Potter  has  always  been  a stanch  Republican.  He  was 
first  elected  to  the  office  of  county  collector  in  1910,  and,  having  served  his 
term  of  four  years  in  a manner  that  was  highly  satisfactory  to  all  concerned 
and  with  much  credit  to  himself  he  was  again  elected  to  this  office  in  No- 
vember, 1914,  and  is  now  beginning  on  his  second  term.  He  is  faithful, 
painstaking  and  accurate  in  his  official  work.  Being  a man  of  uniform  cour- 
tesy and  fair  dealing,  and  being  straightforward,  candid  and  sincere,  he 
at  once  enlists  the  good  will  of  everyone. 

Mr.  Potter  was  married  on  August  10,  1904,  near  Strafford,  to  Susan 
E.  McCraw,  who  was  a native  of  California,  from  which  state  she  was 
brought  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  when  young  by  her  parents  and  here 
grew  up  on  a farm  and  received  a common  school  education.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  Gabriel  and  Elizabeth  C.  ( Waterson)  McCraw.  These  parents 
were  early  settlers  here,  locating  on  a farm.  They  went  to  California,  where 
the  mother  died.  The  father  later  returned  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  where 
he  still  lives  on  the  old  homestead  on  the  James  river.  Our  subject’s  wife  is 
the  oldest  of  two  children,  the  youngest  being-  James  G.  McCraw,  living 
with  his  father  on  the  farm. 

John  L.  McCraw,  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject’s  wife,  was  one 
of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Greene  county,  and  was  a surveyor  by  profession. 
He  surveyed  a great  deal  of  land  in  this  locality. 

Thomas  Potter,  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  among  the 
first  settlers  in  Greene  county,  was  prominent  among'  the  pioneers  and  was 
sheriff  of  the  county  in  the  early  fifties. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  E.  Potter,  namely: 
Eldred  McCraw  Potter,  born  May  16,  1905,  died  in  infancy;  and  Howard 
Cass  Potter,  born  July  5,  1910. 

Fraternally,  Mr.  Potter  is  a member  of  the  Independent  Order- of  Odd 
Fellows,  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 
He  is  a Republican.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1360 


EDWARD  F.  NEWTON. 

Why  is  it  that  railway  magnates,  presidents  of  banks  and  heads  of  great 
enterprises  who  must  perforce  do  business  in  cities,  almost  all  try  to  have 
homes  on  farms  in  the  country,  where  they  develop  soils,  plant  crops  and 
breed  animals?  It  is  because  there  is  wearisome  monotony  in  piled  up 
brick  and  stone.  There  is  confusion  in  crowded  streets  and  clanging  trolley 
cars  and  hot  smoky  railways.  These  things  man  has  made,  and  they  are 
needful,  but  they  are  not  life,  much  as  the  farm  boy  may  imagine  them  to  be. 
It  is  the  dream  of  millions  of  country  bred  boys  to  get  established  in  some 
city,  but  after  they  have  tried  urban  life  a few  years  and  see  the  many  ob- 
jectionable phases  of  it,  they  begin  to  have  other  dreams — of  returning  to  the 
farm,  where  there  is  more  freedom,  better  health  and  greater  happiness. 
Edward  F.  Newton,  well  known  farmer  and  breeder  of  live  stock  of  Franklin 
township,  Greene  county,  has  been  wise  enough  to  establish  himself  in  the 

■ country. 

Mr.  Newton  was  born  in  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky,  March  2,  1864. 
He  is  a son  of  Hiram  and  Caroline  (Kite)  Newton.  The  father  was  born 
in  Massachusetts,  from  which  state  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Bowling 
Green,  Kentucky,  when  young  and  there  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  engaged 
principally  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  his  death  occurring  in  1865,  when  about 
fifty-two  years  of  age.  Politically,  he  was  a Democrat.  Ele  owned  valu- 
able property  in  Bowling  Green.  His  wife  was  born  in  Warren  county, 
Kentucky,  and  her  death  occurred  also  in  the  year  1865,  when  forty-four 
years  of  age.  To  these  parents  fourteen  children  were  born,  named  as  fol- 
lows: Richard,  James,  John,  Hiram,  Jr.,  are  all  deceased;  George  lives  at 
Beaver  Dam,  Kentucky;  Andrew  Jackson  and  Silas  are  both  deceased;  Ed- 
ward F.  of  this  sketch;  Mary,  Fanny,  and  Eliza  are  deceased;  the  next  child 
died  in  infancy;  the  two  youngest,  twins,  also  died  in  infancy. 

Edward  F.  Newton  was  reared  by  his  sister,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  McCrary, 
with  whom  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  when  a child,  the  family 
locating  near  Ebenezer,  and  bought  a farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
on  which  our  subject  remained  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He 
received  a common  school  education. 

Mr.  Newton  has  been  twice  married,  first,  to  Nettie  Berry,  a daughter 
of  William  and  Martha  (Latham)  Berry.  She  was  born  in  Franklin  town- 
ship, this  county.  William  Berry  was  born  in  Tennessee,  from  which  state 
he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  when  young,  making  the  tedious  over- 
land journey  with  an  ox  team,  bringing  his  wife  and  household  effects.  He 
settled  on  rough  land,  which  he  cleared  and  developed  by  hard  work,  and 
here  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  dying  on  the  farm  now 

■ owned  by  our  subject.  Mr.  Berry  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 


EDWARD  F.  NEWTON. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1361 


of  railroad  land,  later  took  up  other  railroad  land.  He  devoted  his  active 
life  to  general  farming. 

Mr.  Newton  was  married  again  in  1909  to  Mrs.  Elva  (White)  Massey, 
which  union  has  been  without  issue,  but  he  is  the  father  of  seven  children 
bv  his  first  wife,  namely:  Roy,  born  September  20,  1886,  married  Mazie 
Murray  and  lives  in  Springfield;  Ethel,  born  March  28,  1889,  niarried  John 
Tacoby,  lives  in  Springfield  and  they  have  one  child,  Kenneth ; Theodore, 
born  August  5,  1892,  married  Bertha  Goetz  and  they  live  in  Franklin  town- 
ship; Ralph,  born  November  4,  1894;  Maver,  born  August  13,  1897:  Harold, 
born  July  13,  1900;  and  Thelma,  born  October  24,  1903.  Their  mother  died 
February  6.  1903. 

Mr.  Newton  moved  to  his  present  farm  in  1885,  after  his  first  marriage. 
He  has  prospered  through  his  close  application,  sound  judgment  and  honest 
dealings,  and  he  is  now  owner  of  one  of  the  choice  farms  of  the  township, 
consisting  of  two  hundred  and  fifty-three  acres,  of  well  improved  and  pro- 
ductive land,  all  under  cultivation,  but  ten  acres  in  timber.  He  built  his 
present  substantial  residence,  also  outbuildings,  in  1904.  In  1912  he  built  a 
modern  breeding  barn,  thirty-two  by  forty  feet,  with  box  stalls  and  other 
conveniences  found  only  on  up-to-date  farms.  In  connection  with  general 
farming  he  makes  a specialty  of  breeding  live  stock  and  owns  some  fine 
animals  which  are  greatly  admired  by  all.  At  present  he  has  three  jacks 
and  two  stallions — Black  Eagle,  Blue  John  and  Silver  Song,  Skelix  and 
Young  Roman.  Black  Eagle  is  a fine  black  jack  with  mealy  points,  four- 
teen and  one-half  hands  high,  heavy  bodied,  high  headed,  large  flat  heavy 
boned.  He  was  sired  by  old  Ratter,  a large  breeder,  well  known  in  the 
southern  part  of  Polk  county.  Black  Eagle’s  dam  was  a mammoth  jennett, 
stood  fifteen  hands  high.  Eagle's  sire  and  dam  were  both  high  bred  animals, 
making  Black  Eagle  a well-bred  jack.  Blue  John  is  a blue  jack,  fifteen 
hands  high,  jack  measure,  and  is  well  known  throughout  Greene  county  to  all 
breeders.  His  colts  are  heavy-boned,  with  good  heads,  and  always  make 
big  fine  mules  that  never  fail  to  top  the  market.  Silver  Song  is  a fine  black 
jack,  weighing  about  one  thousand  pounds,  and  is  fourteen  and  three-quarters 
hands  high;  he  is  sired,  by  Big  Eagle,  dam,  Lady  M.  Skelix  is  a dark  bay 
stallion,  fifteen  and  one-half  hands  high,  black  points,  weighing  eleven  hun- 
dred pounds.  His  sire  is  Kiosk,  No.  21359,  Vol.  12,  page  88.  Trotting 
record,  2:31,  sire  of  five  trotters  in  the  list;  chestnut,  star,  one  white  hind 
foot;  sixteen  hands  high;  weight  over  twelve  hundred  pounds;  sire.  Kremlin, 
2 :o7-;T,  trotting;  champion  of  the  world  in  1892.  Dam,  Elista,  2:20;  dam 
of  Elison,  2:17,  trotting;  second  dam  Green  Mountain  Maid;  dam  of  nine 
2:30  trotters.  Young  Roman  is  a draft  stallion,  eight  years  old  in  1915, 
sixteen  and  one-half  hands  high,  weight  seventeen  hundred  pounds.  He  is 
(86) 


1362 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


three-fourths  Percheron,  has  fine  style  and  action,  is  an  extra  well  made 
horse  with  large  heavy  bone.  He  is  an  entirely  black  stallion.  Young 
Roman  was  sired  by  Roman  Prince,  an  imported  and  thoroughbred  Percheron. 
He  weighed  two  thousand  pounds  and  was  as  fine  a breeder  as  the  southwest 
has  ever  afforded.  His  dam  is  a large  black  mare,  one-half  Percheron,  and 
weighs  fifteen  hundred  pounds. 

Politically,  Mr.  Newton  is  a Republican,  but  he  has  never  been  active 
in  public  affairs  or  held  office.  He  is  a member  of  the  Anti-Horse  Thief 
Association.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
at  Springfield,  also  the  Royal  Neighbors.  He  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  church  at  Pleasant  Valley.  He  is  a great  lover  of  good 
horses  and  mules  and  is  a good  judge  of  them.  He  is  a home  man,  is  soci- 
able, is  well  acquainted  over  the  county  and  has  hosts  of  friends  everywhere. 


HENRY  EATON. 

From  a sterling  family  of  the  old  Pine  Tree  state  came  the  late  Henry 
Eaton,  for  many  years  one  of  the  prominent  business  men  of  Springfield, 
and,  having  inherited  many  of  the  commendable  traits  of  his  rugged  ances- 
tors, he  won  not  only  material  success,  but  also  a creditable  position  as  a 
citizen.  He  was  a man  of  industry,  prompt  in  the  discharge  of  his  every-day 
duties,  and  he  gradually  overcame  the  obstacles  in  his  pathway  and  became 
one  of  the  substantial  men  of  his  city,  and  his  standing  here  as  a thorough- 
going, honorable  man  of  affairs  was  such  as  affords  the  keenest  satisfaction 
to  his  family  and  friends,  and  no  doubt  was  gratifying  to  himself,  and  in 
the  true  sense  in  which  the  term  is  used  his  life  was  a signal  success. 

Mr.  Eaton  was  born  on  October  10,  1840,  in  Stonington,  formerly 
known  as  Greene’s  Landing,  a small  island  off  the  coast  of  Maine.  Fie  was 
a son  of  Charles  and  Rebecca  (Doane)  Eaton.  The  father  was  born  in 
Stonington,  Maine,  also,  and  the  mother  was  a native  of  N ewberg,  that 
state,  the  birth  of  Charles  Eaton  occurring  in  1810,  and  Rebecca  Doane 
first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  1818.  These  parents  grew  to  maturity  in  their 
native  state,  received  meager  educations  and  were  married  there.  They 
each  represented  old  families  of  New  England.  Nathan  Eaton,  the  paternal 
grandfather,  established  the  family  home  in  Maine  when  that  state  was 
sparsely  settled.  Charles  Eaton  spent  his  life  in  Maine,  where  he  engaged 
extensively  in  the  mercantile  business,  dry  goods  and  groceries,  also  owned 
several  fishing  vessels,  and  carried  on  fishing  on  a large  commercial  scale. 
His  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  still  living. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1363 


Henry  Eaton  grew  to  manhood  in  Maine  and  assisted  his  father  when 
a boy  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  also  attended  a 
seminary.  After  leaving  school  he  went  to  sea  for  awhile,  and  was  also 
associated  with  his  father  for  some  time  in  merchandising,  remaining  there 
until  1870,  when  he  came  to  Missouri  and  located  in  Clinton,  Henry  county, 
where  he  remained  two  years,  and  traveled  for  Cole  Brothers,  of  Mt.  Pleas- 
ant, Iowa,  then  came  to  Springfield  and  went  into  the  transfer  business, 
becoming  a member  of  the  firm  of  Bryan  & Eaton,  and  later  conducted  the 
business  alone.  It  grew  to  large  proportions,  and  his  vans  and  teams  were 
to  be  seen  all  over  the  city  daily.  Later  he  added  coal  and  ice  to  his  transfer 
business  and  also  did  a large  business  in  this  line  of  endeavor,  and  con- 
tinued both  with  increasing  success  until  his  death.  Honesty  and  promptness 
were  his  aims,  and  he  had  the  good  will  and  confidence  of  the  people.  He 
was  also  intere’sted  in  mining  and  other  lines  of  business. 

Mr.  Eaton  was  married  on  June  30,  1863,  to  Tryphosa  B.  Raynes,  who 
was  born  at  Sunset,  on  the  same  island  in  Maine  on  which  Mr.  Eaton  was 
born,  her  birth  occurring  on  November  27,  1845.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Abial  and  Susan  (Lufkin)  Raynes,  both  parents  being  natives  of  that 
vicinity  also,  and  there  they  grew  up  and  were  married,  and  Mr.  Raynes 
became  a sailor,  was  shipwrecked  on  Martha’s  Vineyard,  Massachusetts, 
and  although  he  lived  to  reach  shore,  died  of  cold  and  exposure  later.  Mrs. 
Eaton’s  family  were  all  seafaring  people.  Mrs.  Eaton’s  grandfather,  Wil- 
liam Raynes,  was  born  in  1778,  and  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-one 
years;  his  wife,  Ruth  Sylvester,  was  born  in  1789  and  died  in  1852.  John 
Raynes,  father  of  William  Raynes,  was  born  in  1753  and  died  in  1837;  his 
wife,  Deborah  Cuchman  Sylvester,  died  in  1837  also.  Capt.  Edmond  Syl- 
vester, the  maternal  great-grandfather  of  Mrs.  Henry  Eaton,  was  born  on 
June  17,  1762,  and  he  served  a short  time  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and 
thereby  Mrs.  Eaton  is  a member  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revo- 
lution. Her  grandfather  and  grandmother  Sylvester  were  married  at  Marsh- 
field, Massachusetts,  on  December  23,  17S4.  Airs.  Eaton  was  the  only  child 
of  her  parents,  and  she  was  but  a year  old  when  her  father  lost  his  life  at 
sea.  She  grew  to  womanhood  in  her  native  community  and  received  a 
common  school  education. 

To  Henry  Eaton  and  wife  six  children  were  born,  three  of  whom  are 
deceased ; they  were  named  as  follows : Ann  is  the  eldest,  Charles  is  deceased, 
Daisy  is  living,  Henry,  Jr.,  is  deceased,  as  is  also  Kate;  Karl,  the  youngest, 
lives  in  Springfield  and  is  well  known  among  the  younger  business  men  here. 

Politically,  Henry  Eaton  was  a Republican,  and  fraternally  he  belonged 
to  the  Masonic  Order.  He  was  called  to  his  eternal  rest  on  March  23,  1913, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-two  and  a half  years. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI 


1364 

COL.  HOMER  F.  FELLOWS. 

No  man  stood  higher  in  the  affairs  of  the  city  of  Spring-field  in  the 
early  period  of  her  development  than  the  late  Col.  Homer  F.  Fellows,  a pio- 
neer who  came  here  nearly  sixty  years  ago,  in  ante-bellum  days  and  by  his 
industry  became  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  Springfield,  founded  a 
great  wagon  maufacturing  concern,  helped  organize  the  street  railway  sys- 
tem, was  twice  chief  executive  of  the  city  and  prominent  in  public  affairs, 
and  during  the  war  between  the  states  became  an  officer  of  high  rank.  His 
record  shows  that  he  did  as  much  as  any  other  man  ever  did  toward  the 
general  growth  of  the  city  for  a period  of  half  a century,  and  he  merits 
extended  notice  in  a work  of  this  nature. 

Col.  Fellows  was  born  in  Willsborough,  Tioga  county,  Pennsylvania, 
July  28,  1831.  He  was  a son  of  Erastus  and  Elizabeth  Fellows.  He 
sprang  from  old  Colonial  stock,  and  was  of  English-Puritan  extraction,  two 
brothers,  John  and  Drane  Fellows,  having  emigrated  from  England  among 
the  earlv  colonists.  John  Fellows,  the  colonel’s  grandfather,  was  born 
in  Canaan,  Connecticut,  where  his  ancestors  had  settled,  and  served  in  the 
Revolutionary  war.  He  married  Edna  Deibold,  also  born  in  the  town  of 
Canaan,  and  of  French  descent.  After  their  marriage  they  removed  to  Lu- 
zerne county,  Pennsylvania,  locating  on  a farm,  which  they  developed  by 
hard  work  from  the  wilderness,  which  was  filled  with  Indians  and  wild  beasts. 
Remaining  there  until  about  1820  John  Fellows  moved  with  his  family  to 
Tioga  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
dying  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  His  family  consisted  of  six  children: 
Horace,  Ashel,  Erastus,  Merritt,  Eliza  and  Hulda.  His  son,  Erastus,  father 
of  our  subject,  was  also  a native  of  Canaan,  Connecticut,  and  was  a small 
boy  when  the  family  moved  from  there  to  Pennsylvania.  He  received  a 
fairly  good  education  for  those  early  times,  and  when  a young  man  he 
went  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he  spent  one  year,  then  returned  to  Penn- 
sylvania and  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Cole)  Johnson,  a widow,  and  a daugh- 
ter of  Royal  Cole,  a native  of  the  state  of  New  York,  but  of  English  ex- 
traction. Mr.  Cole  was  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  participating 
in  a number  of  important  engagements,  including  the  battle  of  Trenton, 
and  was  present  at  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne.  He  also  served  in  the  War 
of  1812.  He  was  a well-informed  man  on  general  subjects,  and  was  a 
Universalist  in  his  religious  belief.  He  reared  a large  family.  The  latter 
part  of  his  life  was  spent  at  Wellsborough.  In  that  town  also  Erastus 
Fellows  and  his  wife  located,  and  there  he  engaged  in  hotel  keeping  and 
farming,  being  proprietor  of  Fellows’  Temperance  House  there  from  1825 
until  1865,  his  inn  being  well  known  to  the  traveling  public  of  that  period. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1365 


He  was  one  of  the  early  advocates  of  temperance,  accomplished  much  good 
by  his  determined  stand,  and  was  known  as  a man  of  high  moral  character 
in  every  respect.  He  was  also  a strong  Abolitionist,  and  his  house  was 
the  refuge  for  slaves  escaping  to  Canada  about  the  Civil  war  period.  He 
was  fearless  and  outspoken  in  his  views  when  once  convinced  that  he  was 
right.  The  famous  James  G.  Burney,  at  one  time  candidate  for  the  Presi- 
dency on  the  Abolitionist  ticket,  came  to  Wellsborough,  but  owing  to  the 
opposition,  could  find  no  place  in  which  to  make  a speech,  and  Mr.  Fellows 
gave  him  the  use  of  his  dining-room  and  there  his  lecture  was  delivered. 
Politically,  Mr.  Fellows  was  at  one  time  a Whig,  but  later  an  Abolitionist,  and 
finally  a Republican.  During  the  latter  part  of  his  life  he  became  a man 
of  wealth,  and  his  death  occurred  in  1884  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years. 
His  wife  received  an  excellent  education  for  her  day,  and  her  descendants 
are  in  possession  of  a certificate  issued  to  her  in  1813  by  the  directors  of  the 
district  of  Coeymans,  Albany  county,  New  York,  attesting  her  ability  to  teach 
school.  Through  her  life  she  took  an  interest  in  literary  matters,  was  a 
great  reader,  and  wrote  verse  of  much  merit,  some  of  which  found  its  way 
into  print.  She  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  was  strong  in 
her  moral  convictions.  By  her  first  husband  she  became  the  mother  of  two 
children,  Newton  and  Almira  Johnson,  and  her  union  with  Mr.  Fellows 
resulted  in  the  birth  of  four  children:  Rachael  A.,  Homer  F.,  of  this  sketch; 

Norris  W.  and  Mary  E.  The  parents  of  these  children  lived  their  entire 
married  life  at  Wellsborough,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  their  son,  Homer  F. 
Fellows,  grew  to  manhood,  working  on  his  father’s  farm  in  the  summer 
time  and  attending  the  common  schools  in  the  winter.  At  the  age  of  seven- 
teen he  began  clerking  in  a dry  goods  store  in  his  native  town,  in  which 
position  he  remained  about  a year  and  a half.  He  then  taught  a district 
school,  and  later  entered  the  Wesleyan  University  at  Lima,  New  York,  where 
he  remained  a year.  By  the  time  he  had  reached  his  twenty-first  year  he  had 
acquired  a good  education  for  those  days;  and  with  the  intention  of  going 
to  Texas  he  came  west,  but  illness  overtook  him  at  Rock  Island,  Illinois, 
interfering  with  his  plans.  He  went  on  to  Muscatine,  Iowa,  where  he  re- 
mained some  time,  then  went  to  Burlington,  that  state,  and  was  salesman  for 
a mercantile  firm,  and  later  worked  as  collector  there  for  one  of  his  em- 
ployers, then  managed  a store  for  him  at  Chariton,  Iowa,  for  a year  and  a 
half.  Following  this  he  managed  a general  store  for  two  other  employers, 
one  of  whom  sent  him  East  to  purchase  the  stock.  In  1856  he  went  to 
[Plattsburg,  Missouri,  where  he  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business,  which 
business  he  purchased  of  his  employers  a year  later,  and  established  offices 
at  Warsaw  and  Springfield,  this  state,  under  the  firm  name  of  Fellows,  Todd 
& Robinson,  in  1857,  and  the  firm  located  many  land  warrants  in  the  Platt 
Purchase  in  southwest  Missouri,  also  engaged  in  the  abstract  business  here. 


1366 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mr.  Fellows  was  a strong  Republican  from  the  first,  and,  possessing 
exceptional  qualifications,  he  was  appointed  registrar  of  lands  for  the  dis- 
strict  of  Springfield  by  President  Lincoln,  in  May,  1861,  and  continued  in 
this  office  until  the  battle  of  Wilson’s  Creek.  In  1861  he  visited  Washington, 
D.  C.,  on  military  business  in  the  interest  of  General  Sigel,  and  made  the 
personal  acquaintance  of  President  Lincoln,  whom  he  had  voted  for  the 
previous  year.  Springfield  then  being  occupied  by  the  Confederates,  Union 
men  avoided  the  city,  and  Mr.  Fellows  engaged  in  merchandising  at  Rolla, 
Missouri.  In  1863  he  was  appointed  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Forty-sixth 
Missouri  Militia,  which  regiment  was  called  out  under  General  McNeil, 
mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  was  on  guard  duty 
during  the  last  invasion  of  Missouri  by  the  Confederates  under  Gen. 
Sterling  Price.  In  the  winter  of  1864  Mr.  Fellows  sold  out  his  interests 
in  Rolla  and  engaged  in  the  wholesale  grocery  business  in  St.  Louis,  under 
the  firm  name  of  McElhaney  & Fellows.  Continuing  in  this  business  until 
1867,  he  then  sold  out  and  went  to  Arlington,  where  he  established  a gen- 
eral store.  The  St.  Louis  & San  Francisco  railroad  was  at  that  time  being- 
built  from  St.  Louis  to  Springfield,  and  when  business  over  the  same  com- 
menced Mr.  Fellows  established  stores  at  convenient  points  along  the  road, 
one  at  Lebanon  and  another  at  what  was  then  known  as  North  Springfield. 
This  business  was  largely  wholesale.  In  1871  he  erected  the  first  grain 
elevator  in  Springfield  and  the  following  year  was  induced  to  take  charge 
of  the  Springfield  Manufacturing  Company,  which  had  just  been  organized 
and  which  was  in  a bad  condition  financially.  Finding  the  concern  hope- 
lessly involved  the  stockholders  surrendered  their  stock  and  a new  com- 
pany was  organized  as  the  Spring-field  Wagon  Company.  The  principal 
stockholders  were  Colonel  Fellows,  his  brother,  Morris  W.,  and  Capt.  Boy- 
den.  New  capital  being  invested  the  company  began  the  manufacture  of  farm 
wagons  and  did  a good  business  from  the  start.  In  1883  the  plant  was 
destroyed  by  fire,  but  was  rebuilt  a year  later  and  the  capital  stock  increased 
from  twenty-five  thousand  to  fifty  thousand  dollars.  A year  later  it  was 
increased  to  seventy-five  thousand  dollars.  The  plant  was  greatly  enlarged 
and  the  business  increased,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present  the  demand 
has  been  equal  to  the  capacity  of  the  works,  and  several  thousand  wagons 
have  been  annually  manufactured  here,  and  they  find  a very  ready  market 
over  a vast  territory.  The  reputation  of  the  Springfield  wagon  for  utility 
and  service  has  steadily  gained  from  the  first,  so  that  it  has  long  since  com- 
manded the  highest  price  in  southern  Missouri,  Arkansas,  Texas  and  all 
over  the  great  Southwest.  Its  equal  is  not  manufactured  by  any  firm  in 
America,  and  it  comes  in  competition  with  all  other  wagons  manufactured  in 
this  country  and  ranks  as  the  best.  The  great  success  of  the  enterprise  was 
due  for  the  most  part  to  Col.  Fellows.  The  plant  of  the  company  is  a 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I367 


large  and  modern  one  and  gives  employment  to  scores  of  men,  and  as  an 
industrial  enterprise  has  been  one  of  the  most  important  in  the  city  for 
thirty  years.  In  1881  Col.  Fellows  was  the  chief  promoter  of  the  Spring- 
field  street  railway  system,  and  was  president  of  the  company  for  three 
years  and  made  it  a successful  venture.  In  1859  he  was  one  of  the  stock- 
liolders  of  the  first  telegraph  line  through  Springfield.  This  line  followed 
the  overland  stage  road.  Col.  Fellows  built  the  first  telephone  line  that 
came  into  Springfield,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  seventies,  which  connected 
his  office  and  residence.  He  was  a liberal  contributor  to  the  Kansas  City, 
Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  railroad,  which  was  made  a part  of  the  Frisco  System 
in  1900.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Springfield  Water  Works, 
and  president  of  the  company  for  three  years.  For  a number  of  years  after 
the  close  of  the  war  he  also  engaged  in  shipping  and  a transfer  business 
between  Rolla  and  Springfield.  He  remained  manager  of  the  wagon  fac- 
tory the  rest  of  his  life. 

In  i860  Col.  Fellows  was  the  only  man  in  Springfield  but  one  who 
openly  voted  the  Republican  ticket.  Like  his  father,  he  had  the  courage 
of  his  convictions  upon  all  occasions.  He  was  elected  mayor  of  this  city  in 
1876,  later  serving  a second  term,  and  for  many  years  he  was  a member 
of  the  city  council  and  the  local  school  board.  He  ever  extended  a helping 
hand  to  the  cause  of  education,  and  did  much  to  establish  good  schools  here. 
Liberal  in  his  views  and  progressive  in  his  ideas,  he  always  assisted  with 
his  means,  time  and  influence  the  churches  of  the  city  without  regard  to 
denomination;  in  fact,  one  of  our  most  public-spirited  citizens,  he  did  much 
to  further  the  general  interests  of  the  city.  Fraternally,  he  was  a member 
of  the  Masonic  Order,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  his  earlier 
years,  and  towards  the  latter  part  of  his  life  belonged  to  the  Knights  of 
Honor  and  the  Woodmen  of  the  World.  He  was  at  one  time  nominated  for 
lieutenant  governor  of  Missouri,  but  was  defeated. 

Col.  Fellows  was  three  times  married,  first,  on  November  15,  1859,  to 
Martha  Alvira  McElhaney,  of  Springfield,  and  to  this  union  three  children 
were  born,  namely : Emma,  who  married  Charles  T.  Keet ; Clara,  who  mar- 
ried F.  J.  Curran ; and  Adah,  who  married  George  Rathbun,  all  establishing 
homes  in  Springfield,  but  the  eldest  and  youngest  daughters  were  left  widows 
early  in  life.  The  mother  of  these  three  daughters  died  October  5,  1869. 
Col.  Fellows  was  married  a second  time  on  August  15,  1872,  to  Minnie  L. 
Royden,  of  Neosho,  Missouri,  and  to  this  union  one  son  was  born,  Homer 
Frank  Fellows,  who  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Frisco  railroad  for  some  time, 
in  the  offices  of  the  company  at  St.  Louis,  but  he  is  now  president  of  the 
Springfield  Wagon  Works  and  makes  his  home  in  Springfield.  A sketch 
of  him  will  be  found  on  another  page  of  this  work.  The  death  of  the 
Colonel’s  second  wife  occurred  September  24,  1881.  On  March  24,  1884, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1368 

our  subject  married  Mrs.  Matilda  (Dickard)  Jackson,  widow  of  J.  C.  Jack- 
son.  She  was  born,  May  29,  1847,  m Kentucky,  and  is  a daughter  of  Josiah 
R.  and  Mary  E.  (Hart)  Dickard,  the  father  a native  of  Virginia  and  the 
mother  of  Kentucky,  and  they  were  married  in  Hardin  county,  Kentucky, 
later  removing  to  Illinois  when  Mrs.  Fellows  was  a child  and  there  she 
grew  to  womanhood  and  received  her  education,  and  from  that  state  she 
came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  1870.  She  first  married  John  C.  Jackson, 
in  December,  1864,  in  Illinois.  He  was  a native  of  North  Carolina  and 
was  a merchant  by  occupation.  His  death  occurred  February  22,  1883.  To 
this  first  union  two  daughters  were  born  to  Mrs.  Fellows,  namely,  Mary 
M.  Jackson,  born  March  16,  1873,  married  James  H.  Jordon,  and  they  live 
in  Oklahoma  ; and  Jennie  Mabel  Jackson,  born  April  29,  1876,  married 
Richard  M.  Holbrook,  and  they  live  in  Clarksville,  Arkansas. 

Mrs.  Fellows  owns  a picturesque,  old-fashioned  home  on  North  Main 
street,  Springfield.  She  is  a member  of  Calvary  Presbyterian  church,  and  is 
a woman  of  many  praiseworthy  attributes. 

The  death  of  Col.  Homer  F.  Fellows  occurred  November  10,  1894,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-three  years,  after  a successful,  useful  and  honorable  life. 


W.  C.  POTTER. 

In  a brief  sketch  of  any  living  citizen  it  is  difficult  to  do  him  exact  and 
impartial  justice,  not  so  much,  however,  for  lack  of  space  or  words  to  set 
forth  the  familiar  and  passing  events  of  his  personal  history,  as  for  want 
of  the  perfect  and  rounded  conception  of  his  whole  life,  which  grows,  de- 
velops and  ripens,  like  fruit,  to  disclose  its  true  and  best  flavor  only  when  it 
is  mellowed  by  time.  Daily  contact  with  the  man  so  familiarizes  us  with  his 
many  virtues  that  we  ordinarily  overlook  them  and  commonly  underestimate 
their  possessor.  Nevertheless,  while  the  man  passes  away,  his  deeds  of  vir- 
tue live  on,  and  will  in  due  time  bear  fruit  and  do  him  the  justice  which  our 
pen  fails  to  record.  There  are,  however,  a number  of  elements  in  the  life 
record  of  W.  C.  Potter,  president  of  the  Bank  of  Fair  Grove  and  one  of  the 
most  progressive  agriculturists  and  representative  citizens  of  Greene  county, 
that  even  now  serve  as  examples  well  worthy  of  emulation,  and  his  scores  of 
friends  and  acquaintances  are  not  unappreciative  of  these.  He  is  one  of  the 
leading  native  citizens  of  this  section  of  the  state,  and  here  he  has  been  con- 
tent to  spend  his  life,  which  has  already  reached  the  Psalmist’s  specified  out- 
post of  three  score  and  ten,  and  during  that  long  period  he  has  done  much 
toward  the  general  development  of  the  country,  which  he  has  seen  reclaimed 
from  the  wilderness  and  transformed  into  a splendid  agricultural  section. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1369 


For  he  is  a scion  of  one  of  the  earliest  pioneers  of  southwestern  Missouri, 
his  parents  having  located  here,  “far  from  the  maddening  crowd’s  ignoble 
strife,”  like  the  “rude  forefathers”  in  Gray's  Elegy,  over  three-quarters  of 
a century  ago. 

Mr.  Potter  was  born  September  18,  1844,  in  Dallas  county,  Missouri. 
He  is  a son  of  Benjamin  T.  and  Sarah  (Adams)  Potter.  The  father  was 
born  in  Tennessee,  June  15,  1815,  and  died  in  Texas,  December  16,  1891  ; the 
mother  was  born  in  Virginia,  in  May,  1820,  and  died  August  4,  1874,  in 
Greene  county,  Missouri.  These  parents  spent  their  childhood  in  the  East 
and  received  limited  educations  in  the  old-time  schools.  When  a mere  boy 
B.  T.  Potter  and  his  elder  brother,  Col.  Tom  Potter,  emigrated  to  Missouri, 
in  1828,  and  were  the  first  settlers  in  Dallas  county  (then  Crawford  county), 
locating  there  about  the  time  the  Fulbrights  emigrated  to  Greene  county. 

B.  T.  Potter  spent  his  early  life  in  Dallas  county,  clearing  and  improving  a 
farm.  He  and  Sarah  Adams  were  married  in  Greene  county  in  1838.  In 
i860  he  was  one  of  two  men  in  the  township  where  he  was  living  to  vote  for 
Abraham  Lincoln.  However,  in  later  life  he  was  a Democrat.  He  reared 
his  family  on  his  farm  in  Dallas  county,  there  being  twelve  in  number,  name- 
ly: Elizabeth  Jane  is  living;  Louise  Ann  and  John  W.  are  deceased;  W.  C., 
of  this  sketch;  Lewis  and  Clark  twins,  are  deceased;  Martha  is  the  wife  of 
A.  J.  Hankin ; Josephine  is  deceased;  Benjamin  F.,  Napoleon  D.,  D.  L.  and 

C.  L.  are  all  living. 

W.  C.  Potter,  of  this  review,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  old  homestead  in 
Dallas  county,  where  he  worked  hard  when  a boy.  He  had  little  opportun- 
ity of  obtaining  an  education,  partly  because  of  lack  of  schools  and  partly 
because  of  the  interruption  by  the  Civil  war.  However,  he  has  made  up 
for  this  deficiency  in  later  years  by  contact  with  the  world  and  by  wide 
miscellaneous  home  reading,  and  is  a fine  type  of  the  successful  self-made 
man.  He  remained  in  Dallas  county  until  1881,  having  devoted  his  atten- 
tion to  trading  in  live  stock,  cattle  and  mules  especially.  In  that  year  he  pur- 
chased the  fine  farm  where  he  now  resides,  the  place  then  consisting  of  three 
hundred  and  twenty  acres,  known  as  the  old  Adams  farm.  During  his  resi- 
dence here  of  thirty-three  years  he  has  made  many  important  improvements, 
and,  having  prospered,  is  now  owner  of  over  six  hundred  acres  of  valuable 
and  productive  land  in  this  vicinity,  all  well  fenced  and  properly  improved, 
and  he  has  long  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  on  an  extensive 
scale.  His  farm  ranks  with  the  best  in  the  county  in  every  respect.  He  has 
an  attractive,  substantial  two-story  stone  residence,  modern  in  its  appoint- 
ments and  elegantly  furnished,  a place  where  he  can  spend  the  “twilight  of 
his  years”  in  comfort  and  happiness.  He  has  a large  number  of  convenient 
and  well  arranged  outbuildings,  in  fact,  everything  about  his  place  denotes 
thrift  and  prosperity.  He  built  his  handsome  residence  in  1888  of  stone 


1370 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


quarried  from  his  own  lands.  This  home  is  known  to  the  many  friends  of 
the  family  as  a place  of  old-fashioned  hospitality  and  good  cheer.  He  has 
continued  to  handle  annually  large  numbers  of  live  stock  of  various  grades, 
and  there  is  no  better  judge  of  live  stock  in  the  county  than  Mr.  Potter. 

Mr.  Potter  has  been  president  of  the  Bank  of  Fair  Grove,  near  which 
village  his  farm  lies,  since  its  organization  in  1905,  and  its  pronounced  suc- 
cess has  been  due  for  the  most  part  to  his  conservative,  honest  and  able  man- 
agement. It  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  sound  and  safe  banking  institutions 
of  southwestern  Missouri,  and  a general  banking  business  is  carried  on.  Its 
capital  stock  is  ten  thousand  dollars.  J.  W.  B.  Appleby  is  cashier  and  IT.  E. 
Gault  is  assistant  cashier.  All  three  of  these  gentlemen  are  well  known  about 
Fair  Grove  and  they  have  the  confidence  of  the  patrons  of  the  bank  to  the 
fullest  extent. 

Mr.  Potter  was  married  December  30,  1886.  in  Greene  county,  to  Emma 
Anthis,  who  was  born  in  Madison  county,  Illinois,  January  28,  1856.  She 
is  a daughter  of  George  and  Maria  (Ellis)  Anthis,  the  father  born  in  In- 
diana in  1828,  and  died  in  Alton,  Illinois,  December  25,  1898;  the  mother 
was  born  in  Delaware  in  1830,  and  died  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  October 
26,  1 9 1 1 . These  parents  were  married  January  30,  1851,  in  Madison  coun- 
ty, Illinois,  where  Mr.  Anthis  devoted  his  active  life  to  farming  until  1876, 
when  he  removed  to  Greene  county,  Missouri.  His  family  consisted  of  eight 
children,  namely:  Frances  E.,  deceased;  Wesley,  deceased;  Emma,  wife  of 

our  subject;  Hiram,  deceased;  Stephen;  Morton;  Anna,  wife  of  J.  Fergu- 
son, and  Ida,  widow  of  J.  S.  Reed. 

Mrs.  Potter  grew  to  womanhood  in  Illinois,  where  she  received  a good 
education,  and  she  taught  school  a year  in  that  state,  and  after  coming  with 
her  parents  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  taught  six  years  in  the  schools  here, 
Prof.  J.  Fairbanks  being  superintendent  of  schools  at  that  time. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Potter  has  been  without  issue. 

Politically,  Mr.  Potter  is  a Democrat,  and  although  he  has  always  been 
deeply  interested  in  the  public  affairs  of  his  township  and  county,  as  well  as 
state  and  national,  he  has  never  held  public  office,  being  essentially  a home 
and  business  man.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  a charter  member  of  Lodge  No.  387,  at  Fair  Grove,  in  which  he 
has  passed  all  the  chairs.  His  wife  is  a charter  member  of  the  Rebekahs  at 
Fair  Grove,  and  they  both  belong  to  the  Baptist  church  at  that  place  and  are 
liberal  supporters  of  the  same. 

Mr.  Potter  is  a splendid  example  of  the  virile,  broad-minded  man  of  af- 
fairs, who  has  always  believed  in  doing  well  whatever  is  worth  doing  at  all, 
a man  of  keen  discernment  and  sound  judgment,  and  at  the  same  time  a fol- 
lower of  the  principles  embodied  in  the  Golden  Rule  in  all  his  relations  with 
his  fellow  men,  and  therefore  he  enjoys  their  confidence  and  good  will. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I3/I 


HARRY  SANFORD  JEWELL. 

The  name  of  Harry  Sanford  Jewell  is  well  known  in  newspaperdom  in 
Missouri  for  he  has  long  been  the  motive  force  behind  the  Springfield  Daily 
Leader,  one  of  the  leading  Democratic  newspapers  of  the  state  and  one  of 
the  best  known  papers  of  the  Southwest — an  organ  that  has  done  much  for 
the  upbuilding  of  the  Queen  City  and  the  entire  Ozark  region. 

Mr.  Jewell  was  born  in  Wyandotte,  Kansas,  August  11,  1867.  He  is  a 
son  of  the  late  J.  B.  Jewell,  a well-remembered  publisher,  who  was  engaged 
in  the  newspaper  business  in  Missouri  for  a period  of  forty  years.  He  was 
also  a minister  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  having  been  ordained  in 
1869,  and  engaged  in  regular  work  as  pastor  of  various  churches  from  that 
year  until  1880,  in  which  year  he  retired  from  the  ministry  and  resumed  his 
newspaper  career,  purchasing  The  Democrat  at  Carrollton,  Missouri,  of  which 
he  was  owner  and  editor  from  that  year  until  1893.  Removing  from  Carroll- 
ton to  Springfield  in  1895,  he  became  editor  of  the  Springfield  Leader-Demo- 
crat, the  latter  part  of  the  name  being  later  dropped.  He  was  connected 
with  the  Leader  for  many  years,  also  had  other  interests  in  this  city.  His 
death  occurred  March  23,  1907.  He  was  a member  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  held  the  highest  honor,  grand  master  of  Missouri, 
during  the  year  1892,  also  served  as  grand  patriarch  of  the  Encampment 
branch.  He  established  the  Triple  Link,  the  official  paper  of  the  order,  in 
1875  and  was  editor  and  publisher  until  his  death.  He  also  represented  the 
order  at  various  meetings  of  the  sovereign  grand  lodge  of  America.  His 
widow  still  lives  at  the  old  homestead  here. 

Harry  S.  Jewell  was  nine  years  old  when  the  family  located  at  Carrollton, 
Missouri.  There  he  received  a public  school  education,  and  learned  the  news- 
paper business  under  his  father,  associating  with  him  in  business  in  the  publica- 
tion of  The  Democrat  of  that  city  in  1888.  He  removed  to  Springfield  in 
1893  and  became  business  manager  of  the  old  Springfield  Democrat,  a morn- 
ing daily  paper,  which  was  purchased  by  The  Leader  in  May,  1895,  and  he 
has  ever  since  been  connected  with  the  paper  of  which  he  is  now  owner  and 
publisher.  He  is  also  owner  and  publisher  of  The  Ozark  Countryman,  a 
monthly  farm  journal.  He  is  president  of  the  Springfield  Paper  Supply 
Company.  He  built  and  still  owns  the  Jefferson  Theatre  in  Springfield,  a 
popular  vaudeville  house.  The  Leader  occupies  its  own  substantial  two-story 
brick  building,  which  is  equipped  with  modern  presses,  type-setting  machines, 
etc.,  being  one  of  the  best  plants  of  its  size  in  the  Southwest,  and  a large 
force  is  employed  here. 

Mr.  Jewell  was  married  in  1889,  in  Carrollton,  to  Abba  T.  Kelly,  a 
daughter  of  the  late  William  H.  Kelly,  of  Carrollton,  Missouri.  She  was 


1372 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


born  at  Strathroy,  Canada,  and  moved  with  her  parents  to  Carrollton,  this 
state,  in  1870,  and  was  there  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  in  a convent 
of  Independence,  Missouri. 

Two  children  have  been  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jewell — John,  now  twenty- 
three  years  of  age,  was  educated  in  the  local  schools  and  at  this  writing  is 
attending  the  school  of  journalism  at  the  State  University  at  Columbia,  Mis- 
souri ; Marguerite,  now  sixteen  years  of  age,  is  a student  in  Drury  College. 

Politically,  Mr.  Jewell  is  a Democrat  and  while  he  has  never  sought 
political  leadership  has  been  a loyal  defender  of  the  party’s  principles  through 
his  newspaper.  Fraternallly,  he  is  a member  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Royal  Ar- 
canum and  the  Travelers’  Protective  Association.  He  also  'belongs  to  the 
Springfield  Club,  the  James  River  Club  and  the  Country  Club. 


B.  E.  MEYER. 

For  many  years  B.  E.  Meyer  has  been  one  of  Springfield’s  most  progres- 
sive men  of  affairs  and  most  influential  in  public  life.  Strong  mental  endow- 
ment, coupled  with  an  honesty  of  purpose  that  hesitates  at  no  opposition, 
have  so  entered  into  his  composition  as  to  render  him  a dominant  factor  in 
the  business  world  and  a leader  of  men  in  important  enterprises.  He  is 
essentially  a man  of  affairs,  sound  of  judgment  and  far-seeing  in  what  he 
undertakes;  and  every  enterprise  to  which  he  has  addressed  himself  has 
resulted  in  gratifying  financial  returns,  while  at  the  same  time  he  has  won 
and  retained  the  good  will  and  confidence  of  all  classes. 

Mr.  Meyer  was  born  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  on  December  27,  1863.  He 
is  a son  of  B.  E.  and  Mary  L.  (Fisher)  Meyer.  The  mother  was  born  in 
Reading,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  father  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany.  They 
emigrated  to  America  in  1849.  The  father's  birth  occurred  in  1834  and 
the  mother’s  ten  years  later,  in  1844.  These  parents  grew  to  maturity  in 
their  native  locality,  received  good  educations  and  were  married  in  Allen- 
town, Pennsylvania,  and  there  established  their  home,  Mr.  Meyer  engaging 
in  the  brewery  business  in  Allentown  for  a number  of  years,  later  removing 
to  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  from  there  to  Urbana,  that  state,  continuing  in  the 
same  line  of  business.  Selling  out  in  the  last  named  city  in  1866,  he  came 
to  St.  Louis  and  was  connected  with  the  Phoenix  Brewery  for  some  time. 
During  the  Civil  war  he  served  several  months  in  the  Union  army,  being 
sent  home  from  the  front  on  account  of  sickness.  Politically  he  was  a 
Republican  in  his  earlier  life,  but  later  was  a Democrat.  He  belonged  to 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  to  the  Knights  of  Honor.  He 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1373 


was  a good  business  man  and  always  provided  well  for  his  family,  which 
consisted  of  seven  children,  all  of  whom  are  still  living  but  one,  namely: 
B.  E.,  Jr.,  of  this  sketch;  Nellie,  Charles  D..  A.  E.,  Mary,  Jane  and  Louis, 
the  last  named  being  deceased.  The  parents  of  the  above  named  children 
finally  located  in  DeSoto,  Missouri,  where  the  death  of  the  father  occurred 
in  1894,  and  there  also  the  mother  passed  away  in  1896. 

B.  E.  Meyer,  of  this  sketch,  received  a practical  education  in  the  public 
schools,  and  when  a boy  went  to  work  for  the  Anheuser-Busch  Brewing 
Association,  with  which  he  has  remained  continuously  to  the  present  time, 
this  being  his  thirty rseventh  year  with  this  concern.  His  long  retention  would 
indicate  that  he  has  been  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  and  has  been 
reliable  and  industrious,  looking  well  to  the  company's  interests  in  every 
respect.  He  came  to  Springfield  in  1895  and  took  charge  of  the  Springfield 
Ice  & Refrigerator  Company,  with  which  he  is  still  connected  as  manager 
and  secretary,  and  he  is  also  manager  and  secretary-treasurer  of  the  Ozark 
Ice  & Storage  Company,  and  is  general  manager  at  Springfield  for  the 
Anheuser-Busch  Brewery  Association.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  he  has  a 
vast  amount  of  business  to  claim  his  attention,  but,  being  a man  of  rare 
business  acumen  and  industry,  he  manages  his  affairs  in  a successful  manner 
without  friction  and  worry  and  whatever  he  turns  his  attention  to  brings 
gratifying  results.  The  plants  with  which  he  is  connected  are  well  equipped 
in  every  respect,  employing  a large  number  of  men  and  doing  a mammoth 
annual  business  which  extends  over  a vast  terrritory. 

Mr.  Meyer  was  married  on  June  5,  1889,  in  St.  Louis,  to  Louise  A. 
Meyer  (no  relation),  who  was  born  in  Berne,  Switzerland;  she  is  a daughter 
of  Gustav  and  Anna  Meyer.  Her  father,  who  was  a tailor  by  trade,  is  now 
deceased.  He  and  his  wife  grew  up  in  their  native  land,  were  educated  and 
married  there,  and  when  our  subject’s  wife  was  a child  immigrated  to 
America  and  located  in  St.  Louis,  where  Mrs.  B.  E.  Meyer  received  her 
education.  Her  mother  is  living  at  St.  James,  Missouri. 

The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  resulted  in  the  birth  of  five 
children,  namely:  Charles  A.,  born  on  June  8,  1890,  died  in  1902:  Lydia  M., 
born  on  Lebruary  19,  1892,  died  in  1892;  Lelia,  born  on  July  16,  1893, 
died  in  1894;  Bert  E.,  born  on  October  14,  1895,  grew  up  in  Springfield 
and  was  educated  in  the  local  schools  and  is  now  foreman  of  the  storage 
house  with  which  his  father  is  connected;  Irena  A.,  born  on  November  24, 
1897,  was  educated  in  the  Springfield  schools  and  is  at  home  with  her 
parents. 

Politically  Mr.  Mever  is  a Democrat  and  has  long  been  active  in  party 
affairs,  in  fact,  a leader.  He  was  a member  of  the  city  council  in  1902-3, 
and  was  elected  mayor  of  Springfield  in  1904,  and,  having  made  an  excellent 
record  during  his  first  term,  was  re-elected  in  1906,  his  administrations 


1374 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


being  marked  by  a comprehensive  idea  of  what  the  city  needed  for  its  general 
development,  and  all  parties  regarded  him  as  one  of  the  best  chief  executives 
the  city  has  ever  had,  his  being  a straightforward,  conservative  and  yet  most 
effective  administration.  He  is  a member  of  the  Springfield  Club  and  the 
Country  Club,  and  is  prominent  in  fraternal  circles,  being  a member  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Security, 
Royal  Arcanum,  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  the  Fraternal  Order  of 
Eagles,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  having  been  exalted 
ruler  three  consecutive  times  of  Florence  Lodge,  No.  409.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 


JAMES  THOMPSON  CANTRELL. 

As  an  agricultural  region  of  which  Greene  county,  Missouri,  forms  a 
part  is  not  surpassed  by  any  state  in  the  Union.  It  is  indeed  the  farmer’s 
kingdom,  where  he  always  reaps  an  abundant  harvest  of  one  kind  or  an- 
other. The  soil,  in  most  portions  of  Greene  and  adjoining  counties,  has  an 
open,  flexible  structure,  quickly  absorbs  the  excessive  rains,  and  retains  mois- 
ture with  great  tenacity.  This  being  the  case  it  is  not  so  easily  affected  by 
drouth.  The  prairies  are  covered  by  esculent,  luxurious  grass,  equally  good 
for  grazing  and  hay ; grass  not  surpassed  by  the  famous  Kentucky  blue 
grass,  the  best  of  clover  and  timothy  in  raising  live  stock.  This  grass  is 
now  as  full  of  life-giving  nutriment  as  it  was  when  cropped  by  the  buffalo, 
the  elk,  antelope,  and  the  deer.  One  of  the  enterprising  men  of  Greene 
county  who  took  advantage  of  the  naturally  favorable  conditions  for  agri- 
cultural purposes  in  this  locality  and  was  adequately  repaid  for  his  pains 
is  James  Thompson  Cantrell,  now  living  in  the  town  of  Walnut  Grove, 
Greene  county,  after  a long,  active  and  successful  career  as  general  farmer 
and  stock  raiser.  He  has  also  a good  record  as  a public  servant,  having 
filled  a number  of  county  offices  in  an  adjoining  county,  and  he  is  also  a 
veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  and  a citizen  who  has  ever  enjoyed  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  his  fellow  men. 

Mr.  Cantrell  was  born  in  DeKalb  county,  Tennessee,  on  a farm,  Oc- 
tober 29,  1842.  He  is  a son  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Cantrell)  Cantrell. 
Peter  Cantrell  was  a native  of  Tennessee  also,  where  his  parents  located  in 
an  early  day,  having  removed  from  South  Carolina.  After  spending  his 
earlier  years  in  his  native  state,  Peter  Cantrell  came  to  Dade  county,  Mis- 
souri, arriving  there  November  3,  1848,  and  entered  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres  of  land  from  the  government,  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  which 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1375 


his  son,  James  E.,  of  this  sketch  now  owns.  Here  he  worked  hard  de- 
veloping his  raw  land  into  a good  farm,  the  work  of  clearing  and  improving 
being  an  arduous  task,  but  he  was  not  a man  lacking  grit  and  courage,  and 
here  he  farmed  successfully  until  his  death  on  June  24,  1874.  Politically, 
he  was  a Republican  and  was  quite  active  in  political  affairs,  was  always 
ready  to  defend  his  position  on  any  public  question.  Religiously  he  was  a 
Baptist,  and  active  in  the  work  of  the  church.  He  married  his  cousin,  Eliza- 
beth Cantrell,  in  Tennessee,  where  she  was  born  and  reared.  Her  death 
occurred  in  1862.  To  them  a large  family,  fifteen  children,  were  born,  two 
of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Seven  of  the  sons  were  all  soldiers  in  the  Union 
army  during  the  Civil  war,  and  all  survived  the  conflict  except  one  who 
was  killed  by  a guerrilla  near  Dadeville,  Missouri. 

James  T.  Cantrell  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  being  six  years 
old  when  his  parents  brought  him  to  Dade  county,  this  state.  He  assisted 
his  father  clear  and  develop  the  homestead,  and  he  received  what  education 
he  could  in  a few  books  at  home  by  the  old  fire-place,  school  advantages  of 
those  days  being  very  limited  in  his  locality.  On  August  8,  1862,  when  but 
eighteen  years  of  age,  he  enlisted  in  the  Missouri  State  Militia  in  which  he 
served  a year,  then  enlisted  in  the  Fifteenth  Missouri  Cavalry,  and  was  con- 
tinuously fighting  guerrillas  while  in  this  regiment.  While  in  the  service  he 
contracted  rheumatism  from  which  he  has  never  recovered.  He  was  hon- 
orably discharged  on  June  30,  1865,  in  Springfield,  after  which  he  returned 
home  and  resumed  work  on  the  farm,  and  continued  farming  in  Dade  county, 
which  joins  Greene  county  on  the  west,  until  1890  when  he  was  elected  re- 
corder of  Dade  county,  which  office  he  held  four  years,  then  returned  to 
farming,  which  he  continued  with  his  usual  gratifying  results  until  1911 
when  he  retired  from  active  life  and  located  in  Walnut  Grove,  Greene 
county.  He  always  kept  his  farm  in  Dade  county  under  a high  state  of 
cultivation  and  improvement  and  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  farm- 
ers of  his  community.  He  served  as  clerk  of  his  township  for  some  time, 
and  was  also  assessor  of  his  township  for  two  years. 

Politically,  Mr.  Cantrell  is  a Republican  and  has  been  more  or  less 
active  in  the  affairs  of  his  party  for  many  years.  He  attends  the  Baptist 
church,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

James  T.  Cantrell  was  married  on  December  8,  1867,  to  Mary  E.  York, 
who  was  born  in  Kentucky,  April  15,  1852,  a daughter  of  Greenberry  and 
Elizabeth  ( Plarclcastle)  York,  and  when  young  in  years  she  came  to  Dade 
county,  Missouri.  Ten  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife, 
three  of  whom  are  now  deceased,  namely : Alva  B.  is  the  wife  of  William 

Carlock  and  they  live  in  Dade  county;  Louis  E.  is  practicing  dentistry  at 
Everton,  Dade  county;  Nora  E.  is  the  wife  of  T.  J.  Drisdel,  and  they  make 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I376 

their  home  in  Dadeville,  Missouri ; Benjamin  F.  is  practicing  dentistry  in 
Walnut  Grove;  Homer  A.  lives  on  the  home  farm;  Henry  C.  lives  in  San 
Pedro,  California,  and  Kate  B.  is  the  wife  of  F.  A.  Wheeler,  of  Walnut 
Grove. 


JOHN  M.  FI  ALL. 

The  record  of  John  M.  Hall  is  that  of  one  of  the  leading  twentieth  cen- 
tury agriculturists  and  stock  men  of  Franklin  township,  Greene  county,  where 
lie  owns  and  operates  a valuable  farm,  specializing  in  dairying.  His  char- 
acteristics observed  in  demonstration  are  those  of  the  matter  of  fact  business 
man,  reliable  and  responsible,  careful  of  his  antagonisms  and  loyal  in  his 
friendships.  He  is  economic  in  the  use  of  time,  knowing  that  the  “mill  will 
never  grind  with  the  water  that  is  passed,"  so  he  tries  to  make  the  best  use 
possible  of  the  present ; for  time  moves  as  steadily  as  the  clock  ticks  in  its 
measurement,  but  the  manifestation  of  things  resulting  during  its  movement 
is  dependent  upon  the  impetus  or  push  applied  in  correlation.  Knowing  how 
and  doing  promptly  dissolves  the  mysticism  which  wonderment  attaches. 
Mr.  Hall  believes  with  the  eulogies  of  Bret  Harte,  that 

“The  charitable  few  are  chiefly  they 
Whom  fortune  places  in  the  middle  way ; 

Just  rich  enough,  with  economic  care, 

To  save  a pittance,  and  a pittance  spare.” 

Mr.  Hall  was  born  October  5,  1869,  in  the  above  named  township  and 
county.  He  is  a son  of  Isaac  M.  and  Martha  (King)  Hall,  a well  known 
old  family  of  this  locality,  full  mention  of  whom  is  made  in  a separate  sketch 
in  this  volume,  hence  their  life  records  will  not  be  reproduced  here. 

John  M.  Hall  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  his  father’s  farm  in  Franklin 
township,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
county,  and  with  the  exception  of  six  months  spent  in  Colorado,  he  has 
always  lived  in  Franklin  township.  In  the  spring  of  1907  he  bought  ninety- 
four  acres,  known  as  the  McMurray  farm,  and  his  father  gave  him  sixty 
acres,  thus  making  him  a farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-four  acres,  which 
is  known  as  the  “Grove  View  Stock  Farm,”  and  which  he  has  placed  under 
a high  state  of  improvement  and  cultivation,  and  here  he  is  making  a pro- 
nounced success  as  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser.  Formerly  he  handled 
large  numbers  of  mules  annually,  but  has  now  turned  his  attention  to  dairy- 
ing, operating  a modern  and  sanitary  dairy  for  several  years,  keeping  an 
excellent  grade  of  cows  and  he  also  raises  large  numbers  of  hogs,  specializing 
in  spotted  Poland-China  breeds,  and  is  having  great  success  with  them.  At 


ESIDENGE  OF  J.  M.  HALL. 


3R0VE  VIEW  STOCK  FARM— J.  M.  HALL. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1377 


this  writing  he  owns  two  choice  specimens  of  Poland-China  hogs,  one  ten 
months  old  and  weighing  four  hundred  and  fifty  pounds.  He  takes  great 
pride  in  his  stock  and  the  upkeep  of  his  fine  farm,  believing  in  advanced 
methods  whenever  practicable,  and  everything  about  his  place  indicates  thrift 
and  good  management.  He  has  a pleasant  home  and  large  outbuildings. 
He  has  such  modern  farming  machinery  and  implements  as  his  needs  require. 
In  1912  he  built  an  imposing  barn,  sixty  by  seventy  feet,  with  a capacity  of 
one  hundred  tons  of  loose  hay.  It  is  equipped  with  box  stalls  and  is  well 
protected  by  lightning  rods. 

Mr.  Hall  is  one  of  eight  children,  namely:  Mrs.  Sadie  Appleby  lives 
near  Strafford,  Missouri;  Mary  has  remained  on  the  home  farm;  John  M., 
■of  this  review ; Mrs.  Lillian  Appleby  lives  in  Kansas  City ; William  liv  es  near 
Gladville,  this  county,  on  the  Bolivar  road  ; Avery  lives  in  Franklin  town- 
ship; Frank  makes  his  home  in  Franklin  township;  Charles  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Hall  was  married  in  October,  1891,  to  Emma  Thomas,  a native  of 
Greene  county,  Missouri,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  her 
■education.  She  is  a daughter  of  Jackson  and  Cellia  (Foren)  Thomas.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall  six  children  have  been  born,  namely : Coral ; Madison, 

born  April  5,  1892,  who  married  Emma  Kemling,  have  one  child,  Edward 
Kemling  Hall,  born  April  4,  1915,  is  a native  of  Greene  county  and  lives 
with  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Mabel  Fitch,  born  November  17,  1893, 
is  living  at  home;  Hazel,  born  January  7,  1896,  died  December  26,  1901; 
Loal  Luanna,  born  January  2,  1898;  Dorotha  C.  A.,  born  February  3,  1907, 
and  Martha  Hermosa  born  August  30,  1910,  all  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hall  is  a stanch  Republican,  but  has  never  aspired  to 
public  office.  However,  he  takes  a delight  in  assisting  in  any  local  movement, 
political  or  otherwise,  which  he  thinks  will  be  for  the  general  good  of  his 
■community. 


LUCIUS  W.  HUBBELL. 

When  a man  can  command  his  own  self-respect  he  will  have  no  cause 
to  worry  about  what  the  world  thinks  of  him.  Lucius  W.  Hubbell,  well- 
known  real  estate  and  insurance  dealer  of  Springfield  has  always  looked 
well  to  his  self-respect  and  thus  the  world  has  respected  and  trusted  him 
and  since  coming  to  Greene  county,  some  forty  years  ago,  he  has  built  up 
a reputation  that  is  inviolable,  having  the  good  will  of  all  with  whom  he 
has  come  in  contact.  Like  many  of  the  best  citizens  of  the  Ozark  rep'ion 

- o 

lie  hails  from  the  old  Buckeye  state,  a commonwealth  that  has  produced 
more  presidents,  great  generals  and  famous  statesmen  than  any  other  except 
(87) 


13/8 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Virginia,  and  the  natives  of  that  state  are  always  welcomed  into  the  newer 
sections  of  the  Union,  for  they  have  proven  themselves  to  be  people  who  do 
things  and  can  be  relied  upon  in  all  emergencies. 

Mr.  Hubbell  was  born  in  Ashtabula  county,  Ohio,  May  16,  1841.  He 
is  a son  of  William  S.  and  Eliza  (Case)  Hubbell,  both  natives  of  Connec- 
ticut, the  father’s  birth  having  occurred  in  the  town  of  Birmingham  in  1812, 
and  his  death  occurred  in  1899.  The  mother  was  born  in  1809  at  Canton, 
and  her  death  occurred  in  1877.  These  parents  grew  up  in  the  old  Nutmeg 
state,  and  there  attended  the  common  schools,  and  they  both  emigrated  to 
Ohio  when  young  where  they  were  married.  William  S.  Hubbell  was  a 
woolen  manufacturer,  having  served  his  apprenticeship  in  Orange,  Connec- 
ticut, going  from  there  direct  to  Ohio,  and  was  married  about  1835.  He 
built  the  first  woolen  mill  in  that  part  of  the  United  States.  In  later  life 
he  and  his  wife  removed  to  Benzonia,  Michigan,  where  they  both  died. 
Politically,  Mr.  Hubbell  was  a Republican  in  his  later  life.  He  belonged 
to  the  Congregational  church.  His  family  consisted  of  seven  children,  only 
two  of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing.  They  were  named  as  follows : Har- 
riett, deceased;  Helen,  deceased;  Lucius,  of  this  sketch;  John,  deceased; 
Buel ; Nelson,  deceased;  Lizzie,  deceased. 

Lucius  W.  Hubbell  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  state  and  was  edu- 
cated at  the  town  of  Kingsville,  and  graduated  from  the  old  Spencer  commer- 
cial school  at  Oberlin,  Ohio,  having  taken  a commercial  course.  Later  he 
taught  penmanship  in  the  Kingsville  Academy.  He  was  teaching  there  when 
the  Civil  war  broke  out,  and  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army  when 
Lincoln  issued  his  first  call  for  seventy-five  thousand  volunteers,  but  was 
rejected  as  physically  unfit  for  service.  He  then  went  to  northern  Michi- 
gan and  took  up  land  in  1862,  and  after  remaining  there  about  a year  he 
started  a school  at  Traverse  City,  Michigan,  teaching  penmanship.  He  was 
in  the  employ  of  Hannah  Lay  & Company,  of  Traverse  City,  Michigan,  in 
1863,  continuing  for  five  years  in  this  large  mercantile  and  lumber  firm, 
then  was  in  active  business  for  himself  for  many  years  in  Traverse  City. 
In  1874  Mr.  Hubbell  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  has  since 
made  his  home.  He  first  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  under  the  firm  name 
of  L.  W.  Hubbell  & Company,  continuing  about  ten  years,  later  took  up  real 
estate  and  insurance  which  he  still  carries  on  successfully,  having  built  up 
a large  business  through  his  industry  and  fair  dealings.  He  maintains  an 
office  in  the  Holland  Building.  For  a period  of  ten  years  he  was  interested 
in  mining  at  Aurora,  Missouri,  and  in  Colorado.  He  has  been  very  success- 
ful in  a business  way.  He  has  a pleasant  home  on  East  Walnut  street. 

Mr.  Hubbell  has  been  twice  married,  first,  in  Kingsville,  Ohio,  on  July 
4,  1862,  to  Jennie  Peck,  whose  death  occurred  on  April  27,  1872.  To  this 
union  four  children  were  born,  namely : May,  who  married  William  L. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1379 


Case;  Nellie,  who  married  Walter  N.  Case;  Agnes  has  remained  single,  and 
Bernice,  deceased.  On  April  8,  1873,  Mr.  Hubbell  was  married  in  Traverse 
City,  Michigan,  to  Mina  Leach,  a daughter  of  Dewitt  C.  and  Abigail  (Com- 
fort) Leach.  To  this  second  union  were  also  born  four  children,  namely: 
Lucius  .C.,  who  married  Clara  Gage;  Hattie  H.  is  the  wife  of  David  H. 
Frazer;  Ruth  S.  is  unmarried,  and  Alfred  W.  is  also  single.  The  sons  of 
our  subject  are  all  members  of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution,  and 
Mr.  Hubbell’s  daughters  belong  to  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hubbell  is  a Republican,  and  has  been  more  or  less 
active  in  party  affairs.  He  served  for  some  time  as  a member  of  the  city 
council.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 


ROY  McKEE. 

By  a life  of  persistent  and  well-applied  energy,  led  along  the  most  ap- 
proved lines  Roy  McKee  has  won  the  right  to  a position  in  this  history 
along  with  other  good  citizens  of  Greene  county,  of  which  he  is  a native 
and  in  which  he  has  spent  his  life.  He  is  one  of  the  best-known  and  most 
promising  young  men,  who  has  been  willing  to  work  hard  for  his  advance- 
ment. He  came  up  from  the  soil,  improved  every  opportunity  as  best  he 
could  and  the  fact  that  he  has  recently  been  elected  for  a second  time  to  the 
responsible  position  of  city  collector  of  Springfield  indicates  that  he  is  not 
only  a man  of  ability  and  tact,  but  also  of  scrupulous  honesty  and  integrity. 

Mr.  McKee  was  born  in  the  northern  part  of  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
on  a farm,  June  15,  1888.  He  is  a son  of  William  D.  and  Fanny  (Alex- 
ander) McKee.  The  father  was  born  in  Bedford  county,  Tennessee,  March 
5,  1852,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  education  in  public 
schools.  Remaining  in  his  native  state  until  1882,  or  until  he  was  thirty 
years  of  age,  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  where  he  has  since  re- 
sided. His  earlier  life  was  devoted  to  general  farming,  but  during  the  past 
twelve  years  he  has  been  employed  in  the  upholstery  department  of  the 
Frisco  shops  in  Springfield,  and  is  a proficient  workman  in  his  line.  His 
wife  was  born  in  the  year  1856,  in  Greene  county,  and  to  them  the  follow- 
ing children  were  born : Leila,  Roy,  Auddroth  and  Ralph.  Roy  McKee 

was  reared  on  the  farm  in  his  native  community  and  there  he  worked  when 
growing  up.  When  a boy  he  attended  the  rural  schools  in  his  district.  Like 
many  boys  from  the  farms  in  the  territory  adjacent  to  the  Queen  City  he 
came  here  seeking  employment,  and  became  a conductor  on  the  Springfield 
Traction  Company’s  lines,  which  position  he  held  a number  of  years,  giving 
the  company  most  satisfactory  service  in  every  respect.  In  1912  he  made 


t38o 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


the  race  for  city  collector  of  Springfield  and  was  duly  elected,  and  he  re- 
signed his  position  with  the  traction  company  to  assume  his  official  duties. 
The  fact  that  he  was  re-elected  to  this  office  in  the  spring  of  1914  is  suffi- 
cient evidence  of  his  popularity  as  a public  servant  and  the  faithful,  con- 
scientious and  honest  discharge  of  his  duties. 

Mr.  McKee  was  married  February  18,  1908,  to  May  Foster,  of  Spring- 
field,  a daughter  of  John  and  Malinda  Foster.  She  was  born  in  Springfield 
in  1889  and  was  reared  and  educated  here. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Ber- 

nice, born  on  September  11,  1909,  and  Leroy,  born  May  14,  1911. 

Politically,  Mr.  McKee  is  a Democrat  and  is  a worker  in  the  ranks  of 
his  party.  Fie  is  popular  in  fraternal  circles,  belonging  to  the  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  Gate  of  the  Temple  Lodge  No.  422;  Vincil  Chapter  No. 
no,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  St.  John’s  Commandery,  Knight  Templars;  Abou 
Ben  Adhem  Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine;  also  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Woodmen  of  the  World, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


ANDREW  JACKSON  EISENMAYER. 

One  of  Springfield’s  representative  citizens  is  Andrew  Jackson  Eisen- 
mayer,  whose  life  has  been  spent  in  activities  that  seem  to  exercise  to  the 
full  his  somewhat  varied  and  unusual  abilities;  a life  that  carries  with  it 
the  lesson  that  one  whose  capacity,  while  not  of  the  very  greatest,  may  yet 
do  great  work  by  close  devotion  to  the  task  in  hand.  Lie  is  a busy  man, 
an  industrious  man.  For  the  past  thirty  years  he  has  been  successfully  en- 
gaged in  building  up  one  of  the  important  industries  of  Greene  county,  one 
of  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  southwestern  Missouri — having  been  manager 
during  that  protracted  period  of  the  Eisenmayer  Milling  Company.  He  has 
attained  a place  in  the  commercial  world  of  high  degree  and  compelling 
importance  in  this  locality,  in  which  he  is  a constant  quantity — one  of  the  kind 
that  makes  up  the  front  rank,  the  kind  that  can  be  relied  on,  a good  work- 
man in  the  world’s  affairs,  a splendid  specimen  of  the  many  that  do  the 
real,  hard  work  of  the  world  in  places  of  passing  importance,  and  do  it  well. 
His  is  a kind  of  life  that  does  not  attract  attention  for  its  unusual  brilliancy 
or  any  picturesque  or  erratic  qualities,  but  the  kind  out  of  which  the  warp 
and  woof  of  the  substance  that  goes  to  make  up  the  continuous  achievement 
of  humanity  is  made. 

Mr.  Eisenmayer,  as  his  name  would  indicate,  is  of  German  blood,  but 
he  is  an  American  by  birth,  having  first  opened  his  eyes  on  the  fight  of  day 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1381 

in  Mascoutah,  Saint  Clair  county,  Illinois,  January  27,  1862.  He  is  a son 
of  Andrew  and  Christian  (Sauter)  Eisenmayer,  both  natives  of  Bavaria, 
Germany,  the  father’s  birth  having  occurred  February  22,  1824,  and  there 
they  grew  to  maturity  and  received  their  educations.  The  paternal  grand- 
parents of  our  subject  were  Christopher  and  Margaret  (Sies)  Eisenmayer, 
both  natives  of  Bavaria,  also,  his  birth  occurring  in  1784,  and  she  was  born 
about  1788,  and  there  they  grew  up  and  were  married  in  1807.  He  became 
a large  land  owner,  devoting  his  active  life  to  farming.  During  the  Neapoli- 
tan wars  he  served  in  the  Home  Guards.  He  was  a Protestant.  His  death 
occurred  in  1870,  and  his  wife  died  in  1872.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight 
children,  six  sons  and  two  daughters.  Five  of  the  sons  and  one  daughter 
came  to  America  and  established  their  homes. 

Andrew  Eisenmayer,  father  of  our  subject,  was  seventeen  years  old 
when  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1841.  He  worked  for  two  years 
at  the  carpenter’s  trade  in  Saint  Clair  county,  Illinois,  and  in  1843  started 
a sawmill  and  a flouring  mill  in  Mascoutah,  Illinois,  and  operated  the 
latter  until  1886,  and  was  known  as  one  of  the  successful  mill  men  of 
Saint  Clair  county.  In  1884  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  purchased 
the  present  mill  of  the  Eisenmayer  Milling  Company  on  West  Commercial 
street,  and,  having  accumulated  an  abundance  of  this  world's  goods,  he  re- 
tired from  active  life  in  1886.  Upon  purchasing  the  local  mill  he  placed  his 
son,  Andrew  J.,  of  this  review,  in  charge.  Politically,  he  was  first  a Whig, 
later  a Republican,  and  Avas  very  active  in  political  affairs,  but  Avould  never 
accept  public  office,  although  many  were  proffered.  He  was  a director  of  the 
German  Methodist  College  at  Warrenton,  Missouri,  and  contributed  large 
sums  to  its  support.  He  erected  a well-equipped  gymnasium  which  bears  his 
name,  for  that  institution.  Religiously,  he  was  a . Methodist,  as  was  his 
wife  and  they  were  both  very  active  in  church  work.  They  grew  up  in  the 
same  locality  in  the  Fatherland,  and  after  he  had  gotten  a start  in  the  Xerv 
World  he  returned  to  his  native  land  for  her,  and  they  Avere  married  in 
1847.  She  Avas  a daughter  of  John  Sauter,  a farmer,  who  Avas  also  a mem- 
ber of  the  Home  Guards  during  the  Avars  Avith  Napoleon.  The  death  of 
Andrew  Eisenmayer  occurred  in  1900,  his  Avidow  surviving  until  1904.  They 
Avere  a fine  old  couple,  beloved  by  all  Avho  knew  them  for  their  true  German 
hospitality  and  kindness.  They  Avere  charitably  inclined,  and  helped  in  all 
good  causes,  but  never  gave  for  the  sake  of  display.  Eight  children  Avere 
born  to  them,  three  sons  and  five  daughters,  namely:  Elizabeth  is  the  Avife 

of  Dr.  A.  E.  Wehrman,  of  Indianapolis,  Indiana:  Louisa  is  the  Avife  of  Wil- 
liam Bromeleich,  a banker  of  LaAvrenee,  Kansas;  John  C.  is  engaged  in  the 
banking  business  in  Trenton,  Illinois;  Kate  is  the  wife  of  Z.  T.  Remick,  an 
attorney  in  Trenton,  Illinois;  AndreAv  Jackson,  of  this  reAriew ; Julius  W.  is 
A'ice-president  of  the  milling  firm  in  Avhich  our  subject  is  interested;  Anna 


1382 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


E.  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  L.  C.  Toney,  of  Los  Angeles,  California;  Amelia  lives 
in  Los  Angeles,  also. 

Andrew  J.  Eisenmayer  grew  to  manhood  in  Saint  Clair  county,  Illi- 
nois, and  he  received  a good  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Mascoutah, 
later  studying  at  the  University  of  Illinois,  at  Champaign,  and  was  graduated 
from  the  mechanical  engineering  department  in  1882.  After  leaving  school 
he  spent  a year  in  his  father’s  mill  in  Trenton,  Illinois,  and  spent  the  fol- 
lowing year  traveling,  and  as  already  intimated  he  came  to  Springfield,  Mis- 
souri, in  1884  and  took  charge  of  the  Eisenmayer  Milling  Company’s  plant, 
and  has  since  been  president  of  the  same.  Under  his  able  and  judicious 
management,  the  business  increased  with  advancing  years  until  it  assumed 
extensive  proportions,  its  products  being  sent  to  very  ready  markets  all  over 
the  country,  and  it  is  one  of  the  best  known  flouring  mills  in  the  Southwest, 
and  is  one  of  the  largest  mills  in  this  section  of  the  state,  occupying  four 
hundred  and  sixty  feet  on  Commercial  street  and  one  hundred  feet  on  Broad 
street,  covering  forty-six  thousand  square  feet  of  ground.  One  elevator  of 
concrete,  of  six  tanks,  has  a capacity  of  one  hundred  and  forty  thousand 
bushels  of  wheat,  and  another  elevator  has  a capacity  of  one  hundred  and 
eighty  thousand  bushels.  This  mammoth  plant  has  a daily  capacity  of  one 
thousand  barrels  of  flour,  the  leading  brands  being  the  “Spotless”  and  the 
“Royalty.”  The  plant  is  modernly  equipped  in  every  respect  as  to  machinery 
and  conveniences,  a general  milling  business  is  carried  on  and  a large  force 
of  skilled  assistants  are  employed,  everything  is  managed  under  a superb  sys- 
tem. Thousands  of  carloads  of  flour  are  sent  annually  from  the  railroad 
spur  which  has  been  built  alongside  the  mill. 

Mr.  Eisenmayer  was  married  October  1,  1890,  to  Celia  A.  Heer,  a daugh- 
ter of  Charles  H.  Heer.  She  is  a representative  of  one  of  the  most  promi- 
nent Springfield  families  and  is  a leader  in  the  best  social  circles.  She  was 
born  in  Waterloo,  Illinois,  in  December,  1867.  She  was  given  excellent  edu- 
cational advantages. 

The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  resulted  in  the  birth  of  five 
children,  namely:  Walter  C.,  born  June  3,  1891,  is  assisting  his  father  in 
the  mill;  Christine,  born  February  5,  1893,  is  the  wife  of  Victor  Simon,  who 
is  connected  with  the  Farmers  & Merchants  Bank  of  Springfield;  Louise, 
born  on  March  25,  1897,  is  attending  school;  Marie,  born  February  5,  1900, 
is  also  a student  in  the  local  schools;  and  Andrew  J.,  Jr.,  born  July  12,  1911. 

Politically,  Mr.  Eisenmayer  is  a Republican,  and  he  has  always  been  more 
or  less  active  in  public  affairs  and  has  done  much  for  the  general  welfare 
of  Springfield.  He  was  one  of  the  first  councilmen  when  the  city  was  con- 
solidated, spending  four  years  in  the  council,  and  he  was  a member  of  the 
local  school  board  for  six  years.  He  received  a captain’s  commission  in 
the  military  department  of  the  University  of  Illinois,  was  president  of  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1383 


junior  class,  also  president  of  the  literary  society,  and  was  elected  presi- 
dent of  college  government,  and  other  offices  of  trust  and  honor  were  ten- 
dered him,  but  business  affairs  prevented  him  from  accepting  them.  Those 
he  has  held,  whether  at  the  University  or  in  Springfield,  have  received  his 
close  attention  and  been  well  and  commendably  filled.  Fraternally,  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order,  Gate  of  Temple  Lodge  No.  422,  Ancient  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons;  Vincil  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  St.  John’s  Com- 
mandery  No.  20,  Knights  Templar;  Abou  Ben  Adhem  Temple,  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  Fie  is  also  a member  of  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 


MITCHELL  C.  SMITH. 

As  a leading  citizen  of  Springfield,  in  its  professional  life,  lending 
eminent  strength  to  her  bar,  Mitchell  C.  Smith  commands  attention  from 
the  biographer  who  would  wish  to  do  Greene  county  justice.  He  is  one  of 
our  ablest  of  attorneys,  and  has  few  peers  in  his  comprehensive  knowledge 
of  state  and  international  law,  and  has  conducted  annually  for  many  years 
a large  number  of  cases  to  successful  issue.  He  is  thoroughly  the  thinker 
and  legal  philosopher,  inclined  to  be  mild  and  gentle,  but  capable  of  attain- 
ing a glowing  passion  of  eloquence,  stirring  and  exciting  in  its  appeals  to 
the  emotions  and  the  intellect.  He  possesses  the  elements  of  determination, 
courage  and  nerve,  and  his  mental  organism  is  broad,  solid,  and  disciplined 
to  the  last  degree  by  thought  and  study;  he  is  singularly  free  from  any 
narrowness  of  professional  bandinage,  and  the  prejudices  and  partialities 
of  the  mere  attorney.  He  seldom  indulges  in  anecdote  or  humor,  but  this 
may  not  be  equally  true  in  matters  of  retort  and  repartee.  It  is  not  of  fre- 
quent occurrence  that  a lawyer  can  be  found  who  has  so  sharp  and  clear  a 
mind  for  details  and  historic  particulars,  accompanied  by  such  depth  and 
strength  of  thought,  and  sustained  and  invigorated  by  so  healthful  a moral 
nature. 

Mr.  Smith  was  born  in  Hinds  county,  Mississippi,  in  1849.  He  is  the 
scion  of  an  old  Southern  family.  His  father,  Dr.  N.  J.  Smith,  was  a native 
of  Norfolk  county,  Virginia,  and  his  nrother,  Sarah  J.  Smith,  was  a native 
of  Currituck  county,  North  Carolina.  The  progenitors  of  our  subject  were 
patriotic  and  several  of  them  served  in  the  various  wars  of  the  country,  in- 
cluding the  Revolutionary  war,  War  of  1812,  and  the  Civil  war.  In  the 
latter  they  were  true  to  their  own  Dixie  and  fought  on  the  side  of  the  Con- 
federacy. Several  of  his  ancestors  were  prominent  in  public  life,  were  mem- 


1384 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


bers  of  the  convention  in  North  Carolina  on  the  adoption  of  the  constitution 
of  the  United  States,  and  also  the  ordinance  of  secession  of  1861. 

Dr.  N.  J.  Smith  was  born  in  1809.'  He  was  graduated  from  Jefferson 
Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  in  1840,  and  practiced  his  profession  in  Nor- 
folk county,  Virginia,  and  Hinds  county,  Mississippi.  He  died  in  Kansas 
in  1884.  His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Bell,  who  was  a descendant  of  the 
Ferebee  family,  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  eastern  North  Carolina.  She 
died  in  Kansas  in  1912,  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven  years. 

Mitchell  C.  Smith  grew  to  manhood  in  eastern  Kansas.  He  received 
his  early  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  later  attended  the  State  Nor- 
mal at  Emporia,  Kansas.  He  began  studying  law  when  a young  man  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1882,  at  Yates  Center,  Kansas.  He  first  began 
practice  at  this  place,  and  in  1893  located  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he 
has  remained  to  the  present  time,  and  has  built  up  a large  and  lucrative 
clientele,  ranking  among  the  leading  attorneys  of  the  Greene  county  bar. 

Mr.  Smith  was  married  in  November,  1882,  to  Elenor  M.  Bixler,  a 
daughter  of  Israel  Bixler  and  wife  of  Sumner  county,  Kansas.  Mrs.  Smith 
was  born  in  1861,  and  she  received  a good  common  school  education  in 
Kansas,  graduating  from  the  State  Normal  at  Emporia,  Kansas. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  three  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Otto- 
M.,  Allie  D.,  and  Eclwill  B.  These  children  are  now  all  mature  and  have 
been  carefully  educated. 

Politically,  Mr.  Smith  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Spring- 
field  Bar  Association,  and  fraternally  is  prominent  in  Masonic  circles. 


JOHN  T.  GREENWADE. 

The  social,  political  and  business  history  of  this  section  is  filled  with 
the  deeds  and  the  doings  of  self-made  men,  and  no  man  in  Greene  county, 
Missouri,  was  more  deserving  the  appellation  than  the  late  John  T.  Green- 
wade,  for  he  marked  out  his  own  career  at  an  early  day  and  steadily  followed 
it  up  to  the  end  of  his  career,  his  prosperity  being  attributable  to  his  earnest 
and  persistent  endeavor  as  well  as  to  the  fact  that  lie  always  consistently 
tried  to  do  as  he  would  be  done  by. 

He  was  born  in  Hampshire  county,  Virginia,  October  14,  1839,  and  was 
a son  of  Moses  T.  and  Mary  Ann  (Long)  Greenwade,  natives  of  Allegany 
county,  Maryland,  and  there  they  were  reared,  educated  and  married,  residing 
for  a few  years  thereafter  in  Virginia,  where  Mr.  Greenwade  owned  some  land. 
They  later  returned  to  Maryland  and  there  the  mother  died  when  John  T. 
was  about  fourteen  years  of  age,  after  which  his  father  was  married  to 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1385 

Rhoda  Allen,  who  survived  him.  Moses  T.  Greenwade  was  a very  successful 
farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  industrious  and  enterprising  and  was  a public- 
spirited  man  and  an  active  politician  but  by  no  means  an  office  seeker.  He. 
was  independent  in  bis  religious  views,  but  the  soul  of  honesty  and  morality. 
His  death  occurred  in  1858. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  John  T.  Greenwade  emigrated  to  America 
from  England  with  his  parents  when  he  was  about  six  years  of  age,  the. 
family  settling  in  Maryland,  about  ten  miles  east  of  old  Fort  Cumberland. 
It  is  supposed  that  he  spent  his  life  in  that  state,  where  his  death  occurred 
in  1852.  His  wife,  Rachel,  was  of  Pennsylvania  Dutch  stock.  Their  chil- 
dren were,  John,  who  died  in  Maryland  about  1890,  leaving  a family  well 
provided  for;  Mrs.  Nancy  Cheney,  who  resided  in  Scotland  county,  Mis- 
souri, for  over  a half  century;  Mrs.  Mary  Parker,  who  died  in  1893,  in 
Hampshire  county,  Maryland;  Mrs.  Sallie  Miller,  who  died  while  visiting  in 
Indiana  in  1883;  Mrs.  Rebecca  Welch,  who  died  in  Maryland,  in  1892; 
Daniel  has  long'  been  deceased;  and  Moses  T.,  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

Mary  Ann  Long,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  was  a daughter  of  Adam 
Long,  who  was  a German  by  descent,  but  was  probably  born  in  Allegany 
county,  Maryland,  and  died  in  Harrison  county,  West  Virginia,  to  which 
place  he  removed  about  the  middle  of  the  last  century.  He  was  a farmer 
and  left  a fair  property  to  be  divided  among  his  sons  and  daughters,  who 
were  named  as  follows:  George,  who  died  in  Harrison  county,  West  Vir- 

ginia, in  1891,  was  a farmer;  Jacob,  who  also  died  there;  John,  who  died 
in  the  same  county,  in  1892  ; William  was  a soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  and 
he  died  in  the  above  named  county  also  ; Jesse  died  there  in  1892;  Mary  Ann,, 
who  became  the  wife  of  Moses  T.  Greenwade;  Mrs.  Sallie  McCray,  who 
died  before  the  Civil  war  and  soon  after  her  marriage. 

To  Moses  T.  Greenwade  and  wife  five  children  were  born,  namely: 
John  T.,  of  this  review;  Sarah  C.  married  A.  P.  Race  and  they  settled  in 
Greene  county,  Missouri;  Mary  Ellen  married  John  F.  Dayton,  and  they 
established  their  home  in  Mineral  county,  West  Virginia;  William  became 
a fanner  in  Allegany  county,  Maryland:  and  Nancy,  who  was  a twin  to 
William,  died  young. 

John  T.  Greenwade  spent  his  youthful  days  on  a farm,  received  a com- 
mon school  education,  and  after  the  death  of  his  father  he  began  life  for 
himself,  and  when  only  nineteen  years  of  age  rented  a piece  of  land  and 
began  farming.  In  January,  i860,  he  was  married  to  Ruhamah,  daughter  of 
Nimrod  and  Elizabeth  Pugh,  natives  of  Virginia,  where  they  spent  all  their 
lives,  Mrs.  Pugh  surviving  her  husband  many  years.  She  was  of  Irish,  and 
Mr.  Pugh  was  of  Welsh  descent,  and  they  reared  a large  family.  Mrs. 


1386 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Greenwade  was  bora  in  Hampshire  county,  Virginia,  and  died,  after  becoming 
the  mother  of  seven  children,  namely:  Edward  Everett;  Josephine,  who 
married  John  Brady;  Jennie,  who  married  Dewitt  Murray;  Sallie,  who  mar- 
ried Dr.  J.  I.  Grieves;  Robert,  Claude  and  Porter.  I11  1879,  Mr.  Greenwade 
was  married  to  his  second  wife,  Maggie  Johnson,  a native  Kentuckian  and  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Lucy  Johnson,  who  came  from  the  Blue  Grass  state 
to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  about  1870,  and  located  their  future  home  on  a 
farm  near  Spring-field.  This  wife  died  after  having  borne  her  husband  three 
children:  Mollie,  Weldon  and  Ralph.  On  June  26,  1892,  Mr.  Greenwade’s 
third  marriage  was  consummated,  Nellie,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Lizzie 
Shepherd,  becoming  his  wife.  Her  parents  came  from  England  about  twenty- 
five  years  ago  and  began  farming  in  Greene  county. 

John  T.  Greenwade  lived  in  Maryland  during  the  Civil  war  and  was  not 
subject  to  military  duty,  owing  to  ill  health.  He  was  in  sympathy  with  the 
South,  but  all  the  rest  of  his  people  were  stanch  Unionists.  I11  the  fall  of 
1886  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  in  1867  located  on  a farm  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty-two  acres,  one  mile  east  of  Willard,  where  he  con- 
tinued to  labor  during  his  active  life,  all  the  improvements  of  the  place  being 
made  by  himself,  and  he  was  known  as  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  that 
part  of  the  county  for  many  decades.  Politically,  Mr.  Greenwade  was  a 
Democrat  until  1867,  when  he  joined  the  Greenback  party,  and  back  in  the 
seventies  became  a Populist.  He  was  frequently  on  the  Populist  ticket  for 
office,  and  in  1878  came  near  being  elected  treasurer  of  the  county.  He 
has  been  a justice  of  the  peace,  was  a candidate  for  county  judge  and  also 
for  representative.  Pie  was  a prominent  Alliance  man,  having  held  nearly 
all  the  offices  in  that  order.  He  was  of  a decidedly  public  spirit,  and  being 
a successful  organizer  was  an  active  worker  for  public  good  in  every  way. 

Mr.  Greenwade’s  death  occurred  in  February,  1914. 

Weldon  Greenwade,  son  of  our  subject,  was  born  September  22,  1882, 
in  Willard,  Greene  county.  He  received  his  education  in  this  county.  He 
remained  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old  and  then  moved 
to  Spring-field  and  went  to  work  as  conductor  for  the  Spring-field  Traction 
Company,  which  position  he  held  until  1914.  He  was  then  appointed  deputy 
city  collector,  which  position  he  still  holds. 

Weldon  Greenwade  was  married  in  Springfield,  February  4,  1906,  to 
Olive  Carr,  a daughter  of  Plenry  and  Cynthia  H.  (Stubblefield)  Carr.  They 
were  from  Crawford  county,  Missouri.  Mr.  Carr  has  been  a farmer  in  this 
county  since  the  Civil  war.  Weldon  Greenwade  and  wife  have  one  child, 
Hazel,  who  was  born  April  13,  1909.  Mr.  Greenwade  has  always  been  a 
Democrat.  He  made  the  race  in  1914  for  county  collector,  but  was  de- 
feated. Pie  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  Blue  Lodge,  and  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  in  which  he  has  been  keeper  of  records  and  seal  for  a number  of 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1387 


years.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Uniform  Rank  of  Knights  of  Pythias, 
the  Woodmen  of  the  World,  the  Anti-Horse  Thief  Association,  and  the 
Ozark  Game  and  Fish  Protective  Association.  His  family  are  members  of 
the  Christian  church. 


WILLIAM  BURTS  LINNEY. 

Those  who  are  observing  know  that  it  is  not  a very  rare  thing  in  this 
favored  land  of  ours  for  a man  to  achieve  his  ambition  in  the  face  of  ob- 
stacles, accepting  assistance  from  no  one,  or  at  least  not  depending  upon 
others  to  bring  them  to  the  goal  sought.  William  Burts  Linney,  a well- 
known  and  successful  Springfield  attorney  is  an  example  of  one  who  has 
met  and  overcome  in  an  admirable  manner  the  obstacles  that  have  threat- 
ened to  thwart  him  in  his  laudable  quest  for  the  coveted  heights  of  profes- 
sional success.  In  early  life  he  was  apprised  of  the  fact  that  the  pathways 
of  mortal  men  are  beset  with  many  things  calculated  to  impede  them  in 
their  race  for  material  crowns;  but  he  was  also  taught  that  the  prize  is 
always  won  by  the  deserving,  persevering  and  patient. 

Mr.  Linney  was  born  on  August  28,  1867,  in  Fort  Worth,  Texas.  He 
is  a son  of  William  Carlyle  Linney  and  Mary  Ann  (Kelso)  Linney.  The 
father  was  a soldier  in  the  Confederate  army  under  Gen.  Sterling  Price, 
and  fought  at  the  battles  of  Wilson’s  Creek,  Pea  Ridge,  Lexington,  Cabin 
Creek  and  others.  At  Cabin  Creek  his  regiment  captured,  by  the  assistance 
of  other  troops,  a Federal  wagon  train,  taking  valuable  supplies.  William 
Linney’s  brother  had  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  about  the  same  time  of  his 
enlistment  in  the  Southern  ranks.  After  the  train  was  captured  the  bag- 
gage, clothing,  provisions,  etc.,  were  divided  among  General  Price’s  troops, 
and  William  Linney’s  allotted  portion  contained  a suit-case  in  which  he 
found  a new  pair  of  boots  and  a good  suit  of  clothes.  In  the  pocket  of  the 
coat  several  letters  were  found,  addressed  to  John  Linney,  and  thus  he  knew 
that  he  had  come  into  possession  of  his  brother’s  clothes.  After  the  war 
was  over  the  Linney  brothers  got  together  and  verified  this  fact. 

William  C.  Linney  was  a native  of  Kentucky,  but  his  wife  was  born 
in  Missouri,  to  which  state  he  removed  with  his  parents  when  about  two 
years  old,  the  family  locating  in  Grundy  county  in  1843,  where  they  lived 
until  1861,  when  he  moved  to  Ft.  Worth,  Texas,  living  there  until  1867, 
when  he,  his  wife  and  son  returned  to  Grundy  county,  Missouri,  living  there 
until  1869.  when  he  located  at  Clinton,  Henry  county,  but  not  long  there- 
after removed  to  Joplin,  this  state,  thence,  in  1878,  to  Grundy  county,  Mis- 
souri, where  their  permanent  home  was  established. 

William  B.  Linney  received  his  primary  education  in  the  public  schools 


1 388 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI 


of  Joplin  and  the  district  schools  of  Grundy  county.  He  assisted  his  father 
with  the  work  on  the  farm  in  Grundy  county,  where  the  family  led  the  plain 
life  of  a plain  American  people,  the  life  which,  in  its  apparently  monotonous 
smoothness  makes  possible  the  development  of  good  citizenship.  During  the 
winter  months  he  attended  the  district  schools  in  the  vicinity  of  the  home 
farm,  until  1883,  when  he  obtained  a teacher’s  certificate.  But  he  did  not 
begin  teaching  then,  securing  a position  as  clerk  in  a general  merchandise 
store  at  Grant  City.  He  adopted  a very  simple  rule  at  that  time  which  has 
stood  him  in  good  stead  in  those  greater  undertakings  later  in  life.  That 
rule  was  to  do  every  day’s  work  thoroughly.  Thus  it  was  that  his  employer 
soon  came  to  learn  that  the  young  man  in  his  employ  was  to  be  trusted  tO' 
do  whatever  was  assigned  him,  with  accuracy  and  complete  fidelity  to  their 
interests. 

The  goal  of  Mr.  Linney’s  ambition  was  finally  reached  and  he  entered 
the  law  department  of  the  University  of  Missouri,  at  Columbia,  from  which 
institution  he  was  graduated  on  March  25,  1886.  His  ambition  to  be  a 
lawyer  did  not  spur  him  ahead  so  rapidly  that  he  neglected  or  only  half 
learned  the  preliminary  details  of  the  profession.  He  took  care  to  study  his 
forms,  the  verbiage  and  the  principles  of  its  constructions  so  that  he  might 
be  able  to  apply  the  knowledge  to  future  original  work.  The  future  seemed 
very  bright  to  his  imagination,  and  he  had  already  begun  to  look  back  with 
pride  at  the  progress  he  had  made  since  the  days  of  the  Grant  City  store. 
Especially  encouraging  was  the  consciousness  that  every  day  he  was  acquir- 
ing in  fuller  measure  the  powers  by  which  he  had  cleared  a way  for  himself 
thus  far,  and  that,  set  in  the  right  channels  from  the  beginning  those  powers 
must  ultimately  bring  success. 

On  August  23,  1886,  Mr.  Linney  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Grundy 
county  by  Hon.  Gavon  D.  Burgess,  at  that  time  judge  of  the  Grundy  Cir- 
cuit Court.  He  continued  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Trenton, 
Missouri,  until  1908,  except  the  year  1894,  when  he  was  located  at  Joplin, 
in  partnership  with  former  Attorney-General  Edward  C.  Crow,  when  he 
moved  to  Pryor,  Oklahoma,  where  he  was  elected  and  served  as  cashier  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  that  place.  It  was  said  of  him,  “He  filled  faith- 
fully and  with  conceded  ability  the  position  which  industry  and  honorable 
ambition  secured  for  him.”  In  January,  1914,  he  located  in  Springfield, 
Missouri,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  the  law  with 
very  gratifying  results. 

Mr.  Linney  was  married  on  June  5,  1895,  to  Elenora  Van  Horn,  a 
daughter  of  Robert  F.  and  Margaret  A.  (Messerly)  Van  Horn,  a well-known 
family  of  Webb  City,  Missouri.  Mrs.  Linney  had  the  advantage  of  a good 
education.  One  child  has  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife — Mary  Marga- 
ret Linney,  whose  birth  occurred  on  May  24,  1898. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


138  9 


Politically,  Mr.  Linney  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a thirty-second  degree 
Mason,  belonging  to  Indian  Consistory  at  McAlester,  Oklahoma ; he  is  also 
a member  of  Bedouin  Temple,  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  N'obles  of  the  Mys- 
tic Shrine,  at  Muskogee,  Oklahoma.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  and  the  Woodmen  of  the  World.  He  is  a member  of  the  Spring- 
field  Club  and  the  Country  Club.  He  and  Mrs.  Linney  have  made  many 
friends  since  locating  in  this  city  and  gained  a high  standing  in  the  circles 
in  which  they  move. 


ERNEST  D.  HAYNES. 

It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  it  is  possible  for  every  able-bodied  young 
man  to  prepare  against  those  periods  of  misfortune  and  ill  luck  which  await 
all  mankind  somewhere  down  the  path  of  life,  but  some,  instead  of  doing 
so,  trust  to  luck,  which  is  an  elusive  and  capricious  thing,  and  so,  believing 
in  the  optimism  of  the  future,  they  spend  all  on  the  present.  The  late  Ernest 
D.  Haynes,  of  Springfield,  it  seems,  was  wiser  and  his  prudence  urged  him 
to  pursue  a different  course,  which,  all  contemplative  minds  will  agree,  is 
the  wiser,  and  therefore  his  example  is  to  be  commended  to  the  younger 
generation  of  readers  of  this  work  whose  destinies  are  yet  matters  for  fu- 
ture years  to  determine  and  who  are  hesitating  at  the  parting  of  the  ways, 
apparently  unable  to  determine  which  course  to  pursue. 

Mr.  Haynes  was  born  in  Putnam  county,  Missouri,  May  21,  1867.  He 
was  a son  of  Simon  and  Mary  Belle  (Smith)  Haynes,  the  father  a native  of 
Missouri  and  the  mother  of  Kentucky.  He  is  now  living  in  Arkansas,  the 
mother  of  our  subject  being  deceased.  Siom  Haynes  has  been  a real  estate 
dealer  and  promoter,  and  very  active  in  politics,  and  has  held  several  county 
offices  on  the  Democratic  ticket.  His  family  consisted  of  four  children, 
namely:  Mattie  M.,  deceased;  Cora  is  living;  Myrtle  is  living;  and  Ernest 

D.,  of  this  sketch. 

Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  in  Putnam  county  and  received  a good 
common  school  education.  He  was  engaged  in  mining  for  several  years 
during  his  younger  days,  in  Utah,  interested  in  gold  and  silver  mines.  Re- 
turning East  he  began  railroading  in  Ft.  Scott,  Kansas,  becoming  an  engi- 
neer on  the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  road,  which  is  now  under 
lease  by  the  Frisco  system,  and  he  continued  to  work  as  such  until  1901, 
when  he  went  into  the  coal  and  fuel  business  in  Ft.  Scott,  under  the  firm 
name  of  E.  D.  Haynes  Coal  Company,  remaining  there,  enjoying  a large 
business,  until  1909,  when  he  went  to  West  Plains,  Missouri,  and  purchased 
the  ice  plant  there.  Selling  out  later  he  bought  a hack  and  buggy  line  in 
Ft.  Scott,  but  subsequently  returned  to  West  Plains,  where  he  remained  two 


1390 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


years,  and  in  1910  located  in  Springfield  as  manager  of  the  Consumers  Ice 
Company,  and  later  bought  the  Clinton  Ice  & Fuel  Company  which  he 
operated  with  his  usual  success  until  his  death,  having  changed  the  firm- 
name  to  the  Haynes  Ice  & Fuel  Company. 

Mr.  Haynes  was  married  on  December  16,  1S91,  in  Park  City,  Utah, 
to  Margaret  Nolan,  who  was  a native  of  New  Jersey,  and  a daughter  of 
Philip  and  Mary  (Lyons)  Nolan,  both  natives  of  New  Jersey.  Mr.  Nolan 
was  for  a number  of  years  engaged  in  the  woolen  mill  business,  and  he  and 
his  wife  spent  their  lives  in  their  native  state  and  died  there.  Their  family 
consisted  of  ten  children,  six  of  whom  are  still  living. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haynes  only  one  child  was  born,  Myrtle  Haynes, 
whose  birth  occurred  on  October  24,  1892.  She  was  given  good  educa- 
tional advantages.  She  married  William  M.  Plamilton,  who  is  in  partner- 
ship with  Mrs.  Margaret  Playnes  in  the  fuel  business  at  331  North  Campbell 
street,  Springfield,  under  the  firm  name  of  the  Hamilton  Ice  and  Fuel  Com- 
pany, with  yards  at  Campbell  and  Water  streets.  They  have  built  up  a large 
and  growing  business  and  are  making  a pronounced  success.  Promptness 
and  honesty  of  service  is  their  motto. 

Politically,  Ernest  D.  Haynes  was  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  and  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Haynes  occurred  on  October  31,  1912.  He  was 
known  as  a man  of  industry,  making  a success  of  whatever  he  turned  his 
attention  to,  and  he  numbered  his  friends  by  the  scores  wherever  he  was 
known. 


ONAS  SMITH,  M.  D. 

Success  in  the  medical  profession  comes  as  a result  of  merit  and 
painstaking  effort.  In  the  industrial  world  one  may  by  the  proverbial  “lucky 
stroke”  win  great  results  or  may  come  into  possession  of  a lucrative  business 
through  inheritance,  but  professional  advancement,  especially  as  a physician, 
is  to  be  depended  on  solely  by  critical  study  and  consecutive  research  long 
continued.  Fie  must  not  only  be  a man  willing  to  work  hard  and  honestly, 
but  must  have  courage,  fortitude,  sympathy,  a kind  and  genial  nature  and 
lead  a wholesome  life,  so  that  he  will  inspire  the  confidence  and  trust  of  his 
patients.  The  medical  profession  is  a very  old  and  honored  one.  All  tribes 
and  peoples  of  all  the  ages  have  had  their  so-called  “doctors”  or  medicine 
men,  and  as  a rule  these  were  regarded  as  being  especially  gifted  of  the  gods, 
but  in  this  rushing  age,  with  the  mad  desire  to  obtain  wealth  speedily,  many 
young  men  are  dishonoring  the  physician’s  calling  by  practicing  quackery 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1391 

and  every  unfair  means,  their  motto  being : “Get  the  money,  get  it  quick  and 
in  as  large  amounts  as  possible.’’  This  class,  however,  is  confined  principally 
to  the  great  cities,  for  such  a course  could  not  well  be  long  pursued  in  rural 
districts  for  obvious  reasons.  So  when  a young  man  of  ability  and  honest 
principles  like  Dr.  Onas  Smith,  of  Ash  Grove,  Greene  county,  takes  up  this 
calling  he  should  receive  special  notice. 

Dr.  Smith  was  born  at  Halltown,  Missouri,  February  22,  1883.  He  is 
a son  of  Russell  G.  and  Melvina  (Oldham)  Smith.  Russell  G.  Smith  was 
born  in  Mt.  Vernon,  Missouri,  February  22,  1857,  and  is  a son  of  James 
and  Mary  Ann  (Clayton)  Smith.  James  Smith  was  born  in  Kentucky  about 
1821,  and  was  a son  of  Spencer  and  Sally  Smith.  Spencer  Smith  was  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  where  he  spent  his  life,  meeting  death  suddenly,  being 
killed  by  a horse.  James  Smith  spent  his  earlier  years  in  Kentucky,  and 
removed  to  Lawrence  county,  Missouri,  in  1857,  and  engaged  successfully  in 
general  farming  there  for  about  thirty  years.  His  death  occurred  in  1891. 
He  was  a Democrat,  and  while  very  active  in  public  affairs,  never  held  office. 
He  was  also  active  as  a member  of  the  Christian  church.  He  was  a member 
of  the  Masonic  Order — the  Blue  Lodge. 

Mary  Ann  Clayton,  wife  of  James  Smith,  whom  he  married  about  1840, 
was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1820,  and  her  death  occurred  in  1906. 

Russell  G.  Smith,  father  of  our  subject,  grew  up  on  the  farm  and 
received  the  usual  educational  training  of  that  period  in  Lawrence  county, 
Missouri.  There  he  began  farming  when  a young  man  and  continued  until 
1910,  when  he  removed  to  Ash  Grove  and  in  1912  he  purchased  a third 
interest  in  the  drug  store  of  the  firm  name  of  Smith,  Mason  & Smith,  a large 
and  popular  store  here,  which  is  doing  an  extensive  business  and  is  well 
stocked  with  drugs  and  drug  sundries.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat  and  is 
very  active  in  party  affairs ; is  a member  of  the  Christian  church  and  is  active 
in  that.  Fraternally  he  is  a Mason,  belonging  to  Ash  Grove  Lodge,  No.  100, 
Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  Lie  and  Melvina  Oldham  were  married 
on  September  10,  1877.  She  was  born  in  Kentucky,  on  January  6,  1856. 
She  was  a daughter  of  Daniel  and  Mahaley  (Sims)  Oldham,  who  were  early 
settlers  of  Lawrence  county,  Missouri.  Mrs.  Smith  was  a woman  of  fine 
Christian  sentiment,  and  she  was  called  to  her  eternal  rest  on  July  4,  1904. 
To  these  parents  two  children  were  born,  namely:  Daisy,  wife  of  John  F. 
Mason,  a sketch  of  whom  appears  on  another  page  of  this  volume,  and  Dr. 
Onas  Smith,  of  this  review. 

Dr.  Smith  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Lawrence  county  and 
he  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools.  He  began  studying 
medicine  with  Dr.  C.  A.  Wilkerson,  of  Halltown,  and  in  1899  entered  the 
St.  Louis  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  where  he  made  a good  record 


I392 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


and  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  on  April  13,  1904,  and  just 
•one  month  later  he  opened  an  office  for  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Plano, 
Missouri,  but  remained  there  only  six  weeks,  then  came  to  Ash  Grove,  where 
he  has  been  engaged  in  general  practice  to  the  present  time  and  has  met  with 
encouraging  success  from  the  first.  He  is  surgeon  for  the  St.  Louis  & San 
Francisco  Railroad  at  Ash  Grove.  He  has  a one-third  interest  in  the  Smith, 
Mason  & Smith  Drug  Company  here.  In  1912  he  took  a post-graduate  course 
in  the  Polyclinic  Hospital  in  Chicago. 

Dr.  Smith  was  married  on  July  20,  1904,  to  Allie  B.  Sater,  who  was 
Lorn  in  Kansas  on  May  18,  1886.  She  had  the  advantages  of  a good  edu- 
cation. To  the  Doctor  and  wife  one  child  has  been  born,  Orland,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  February  15,  1906. 

Politically,  Dr.  Smith  is  a Progressive.  Religiously,  he  is  a member  of 
the  Christian  church.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Order,  includ- 
ing Ash  Grove  Lodge,  No.  100,  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Ash 
Grove  Chapter,  No-.  124,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Zahud  Council,  Royal  and 
Select  Masters,  and  St.  John's  Commandery,  No.  20,  Knights  Templars.  He 
is  also  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  of  which  he  is  past  chancellor, 
and  he  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  The  doctor  and 
bis  wife  have  made  many  friends  since  locating  in  Ash  Grove. 


JAMES  THOMPSON  WALKER. 

Nearly  sixty  years  has  passed  into  the  irrevocable  past  since  James 
Thompson  Walker,  deputy  collector  at  Springfield,  came  to  Greene  county. 
Thus  he  has  lived  to  see  and  take  part  in  the  great  transformation  of  the 
country  from  practically  a wilderness  to  one  of  the  leading  agricultural  and 
commercial  centers  of  the  state  of  Missouri,  and  he  talks  most  interestingly 
of  the  early  days  here,  since  which  time  everything  has  so  changed  a-s  to 
make  it  seem  that  he  is  living  in  an  entirely  different  country.  He  has  not 
only  lived  to  see  the  forests  replaced  by  fine  fields  of  grain,  log  cabins  by- 
large  farm  houses  but  an  insignificant  handful  of  buildings  grow  into  the 
great  city  of  which  everyone  of  this  section  of  the  state  is  justly  proud. 
Mr.  Walker  has  served  his  country  well,  both  as  a soldier  and  as  a public 
servant  and  citizen  and  now  in  his  eightieth  year,  he  is  still  active  and 
efficient  as  a result  of  a carefully  lived  life,  and  he  enjoys  the  good  will  and 
•esteem  of  all  classes,  all  well  knowing  that  his  long  life  has  been  one  of  use- 
fulness. 

Mr.  Walker  was  born  in  Bedford  county,  Tennessee,  September  23, 
1834.  He  is  a son  of  Isaac  W.  and  Violet  Matilda  (Reed)  Walker.  Isaac 


JAMES  T.  WALKER. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1393 


Walker  was  born  in  Mecklenburg  county,  North  Carolina,  November  12, 
1800.  Isaac  Walker  was  a man  of  much  industry  and  devoted  his  life  to 
farming  in  connection  with  carpentering  and  stone  mason  work.  He  and 
his  mother  removed  to  Tennessee  in  1806,  locating  in  Bedford  county,  the 
township  in  which  they  settled  being  now  a part  of  Marshall  county.  There 
he  grew  to  manhood  and  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  and  became  a prominent 
citizen  there,  served  as  county  commissioner  for  a number  of  years.  His 
death  occurred  in  July,  1888.  Politically,  he  was  first  a Whig  and  later  in 
life  a Democrat.  His  wife  Violet  Matilda  Reed,  was  born  in  Logan  county, 
Kentucky,  July  1,  1802,  and  died  in  July,  1865. 

James  T.  Walker  grew  up  on  the  farm  where  he  worked  hard  when  a 
boy.  He  had  practically  no  chance  to  obtain  an  education,  learning  what 
he  could  in  Sunday  school,  but  later  in  life  he  became  a well  read  man, 
and  is  well  informed  on  general  topics.  He  remained  in  Tennessee  until  he 
reached  his  majority  and  in  1855  came  overland  to  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
reaching  here  November  12th.  He  found  employment  as  clerk  in  a small 
store  in  the  village  of  Springfield.  Later  he  farmed  in  Robberson  town- 
ship, Greene  county,  until  the  commencement  of  the  Civil  war,  when  he  en- 
listed in  Company  A.  Twenty-fourth  Missouri  Volunteer  Infantry,  August 
5,  1861.  He  was  in  a number  of  engagements,  including  Pea  Ridge,  Arkansas, 
and  Tupalo,  Mississippi.  His  fidelity  and  ability  were  soon  noted  by  his 
officers  and  he  was  made  first  sergeant,  then  duty  sergeant  and  afterwards 
orderly  sergeant,  and  served  with  his  regiment  in  all  the  campaigns  until 
mustered  out  October  14,  1864  at  St.  Louis.  He  was  sick  for  two  months 
at  Helena,  Arkansas,  but  was  never  wounded  or  a prisoner. 

After  the  war  he  returned  to  Springfield,  and  engaged  in  farming  near 
here  until  1885,  with  the  exception  of  six  years,  when  he  served  as  assessor 
of  Greene  county,  having  been  elected  in  1867,  and  he  made  such  a satis- 
factory and  commendable  record  that  he  was  twice  re-elected.  He  estab- 
lished his  permanent  home  in  Springfield  in  1883.  In  1898  he  was  appointed 
deputy  revenue  collector,  which  position  he  has  held  to  the  present  time,  a 
period  of  over  fifteen  years,  his  long  retention  being  evidently  a criterion  of 
his  faithful  and  satisfactory  service. 

Mr.  Walker  was  married  December  23,  1856,  to  Margaret  H.  Mullings, 
who  was  born  in  Bedford  county,  Tennessee,  April  8,  1833.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Hosea  and  Margaret  (Reed)  Mullings,  who  came  to  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  in  1833.  She  has  proven  to  be  a faithful  life  companion. 
Mr.  Mullings  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  Mrs.  Walker  is  one  of  only  a few  of 
the  real  daughters  of  the  war  of  1812,  there  being  only  three  living  in  Spring- 
field.  To  the  union  of  our  subject  and  wife,  eight  children  have  been  born,  two 
of  whom  died  in  infancy:  Etta  is  at  home;  John  Clav  is  fanning  in  Greene 
(8-8) 


1394 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


county;  Hosea  E.  is  a physician  in  New  York;  Violet  is  the  wife  of  H.  S- 
Warner,  of  Denver,  Colorado  ; Maude  is  the  wife  of  G.  G.  Beckley,  who  is 
employed  by  the  Frisco  railroad;  and  Isaac  G.  is  a member  of  Fire  Depart- 
ment No.  i,  Springfield. 

Politically,  Mr.  Walker  is  a Republican.  Religiously,  he  is  a member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  belongs  to  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic,  of  which  he  has  been  post  commander.  He  was  a member 
of  the  Masonic  Order,  but  is  now  demited. 


DR.  WILLIAM  F.  DONOVAN. 

Ability,  when  backed  by  enterprising  measures  and  progressive  ideas,, 
will  accomplish  more  than  any  other  professional  requirement,  an  illustration 
of  which  may  be  seen  in  the  career  of  Dr.  William  F.  Donovan,  one  of  the 
most  widely  known  opticians  in  the  Southwest.  He  ranks  among  the  lead- 
ers in  the  professional  circles  of  Springfield,  and  is  in  every  way  deserving 
of  the  large  success  that  he  has  attained  in  life,  for  he  has  by  his  own  efforts- 
risen  from  an  environment  none  too  auspicious  to  a conspicuous  position  in 
the  professional  world.  But  this  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  when  we  learn 
that  there  runs  in  his  veins  blood  of  an  excellent  old  Celtic  family,  and  he 
has  doubtless  inherited  from  his  sterling  ancestors  the  characteristics  that 
win  in  the  battle  of  life. 

Dr.  Donovan  was  born  in  the  city  of  Cork,  Ireland,  July  16,  1868.  He 
is  a son  of  John  and  Mary  (McCarthy)  Donovan.  The  father’s  death  oc- 
curred in  Hull,  England,  in  1892.  He  was  surveyor  of  the  board  of  trade 
of  the  British  government  for  a period  of  more  than  thirty  years.  He  was 
also  an  officer  in  the  Royal  navy  for  a period  of  more  than  twenty  years, 
having  been  a lieutenant.  Our  subject's  mother  died  when  he  was  an  infant 
and  he  has  little  knowledge  of  her  family. 

Doctor  Donovan  attended  the  common  schools  and  later  was  gradu- 
ated from  Christian  Brothers  College  in  1883.  When  a boy  he  immigrated 
to  America  without  the  consent  of  his  father.  He  went  direct  to  St.  Paul, 
Minnesota,  and  there  began  working  for  an  oculist,  remaining  in  his  em- 
ploy for  six  months,  and  then  entered  the  University  of  Minnesota,  near 
the  city  of  St.  Paul,  remaining  a student  there  two  years.  He  received  funds 
from  his  father  to  defray  his  expenses  while  in  school  there.  He  then  went 
back  to  work  for  his  former  employer,  the  “Pioneer”  oculist,  remaining  with 
him  one  year,  then  took  a position  in  the  technical  department  of  the  Spencer 
Optical  Company,  of  New  York  City,  remaining  there  about  five  years. 
Desiring  to  further  his  optical  education,  he  spent  one  year  in  the  Phila- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1395 


delphia  College  of  Optics,  and  then  went  to  Chicago  and  took  charge  of  the 
Julius  King  Optical  Company  of  the  Chicago  branch,  this  firm  having  other 
branches  in  Philadelphia,  Cleveland  and  Chicago,  the  company’s  headquarters 
being  in  New  York.  After  remaining  three  years  with  this  company  in 
Chicago  and  becoming  exceptionally  well  equipped  for  his  life  work,  he 
opened  offices  for  himself  on  State  street  in  Chicago,  where  he  built  up  a 
lucrative  and  satisfactory  business,  remaining  there  until  the  opening  of  the 
Louisiana  Purchase  Exposition  in  St.  Louis,  in  1904,  when  he  came  to  St. 
Louis  to  accept  a flattering  offer  by  the  A.  S.  Aloe  Optical  Company  of  that 
city,  who  had  obtained  exclusive  optical  concession  at  the  World’s  Fair. 
Doctor  Donovan  accepted  the  offer  and  became  general  superintendent  and 
head  consultant  in  difficult  cases,  fie  remained  with  this  widely-known  firm 
until  the  close  of  the  fair,  giving  his  usual  satisfaction  and  high-grade  service. 

On  February  6,  1905,  Doctor  Donovan  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri, 
and  opened  an  office  at  303  South  street,  taking  the  entire  floor,  and  imme- 
diately built  upon  one  of  the  largest  businesses  of  its  kind  in  the  Southwest. 
After  a stay  of  six  months  it  became  apparent,  because  of  the  crude  and 
unsatisfactory  work  received  in  ordering  his  lenses  ground  in  St.  Louis  and 
Kansas  City  and  the  necessity  of  returning  them  frequently  for  correction, 
it  was  absolutely  necessary,  if  he  was  to  turn  out  the  high-class  work,  which 
had  already  won  him  an  enviable  reputation  in  Chicago  and  elsewhere,  he 
must  instal  a grinding  plant  of  his  own.  In  September,  1905,  an  order  for 
the  same  was  placed  with  the  Bausch  & Lamb  Company  of  Rochester,  New 
York,  and  on  November  1,  1905,  was  ground  the  first  lens  in  southwestern 
Missouri,  and  his  is  still  the  only  institution  equipped  for  lense  grinding  in 
southern  Missouri;  in  fact,  there  are  only  four  other  lens  grinding  concerns 
in  the  state.  The  extent  to  which  Doctor  Donovan’s  private  practice  has 
grown  is  illustrated  by  the  fact  that  he  has  on  file  seventy-five  thousand  pre- 
scriptions for  lenses,  fitted  and  ground  under  his  supervision,  in  addition 
to  this,  many  lenses  for  other  opticians  in  this  section  of  the  state.  An  aver- 
age day’s  grinding  amouts  to  fifty  pairs  of  lenses.  Eight  expert  lense  grinders 
and  one  frame  maker  are  employed.  Sixteen  people  are  employed  by  Doc- 
tor Donovan  to  assist  him  in  ministering  to  the  needs  of  the  eyes  of  the 
people  of  the  Ozarks.  In  1913  he  removed  from  his  first  location  to  306 
South  street,  taking  the  entire  ground  floor,  his  increased  business  making 
this  move  necessary.  I11  May,  1914,  he  began  the  erection  of  the  attractive 
and  substantial  Donovan  building  at  420  South  Jefferson  street,  and  it  was 
completed  the  following  October.  It  occupies  an  excellent  site  just  across 
the  street  from  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building.  It  was  built  at  a cost  of  forty 
thousand  dollars,  and  its  erection  would  indicate  the  faith  of  Dr.  Donovan 
in  the  future  of  Springfield. 

Dr.  Donovan  was  married  on  Thanksgiving  Day,  1909,  to  Mary  B. 


1396 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Durbin,  a daughter  of  William  F.  and  Matilda  (Manning)  Durbin,  natives 
of  Kentucky,  from  which  state  they  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in 
1879,  Mr.  Durbin  engaging  in  the  grocery  business  on  the  public  square, 
later  removing  to  a location  on  South  Campbell  street.  He  is  now  conducting 
a large  grocery  store  and  meat  market  on  College  street.  Mrs.  Donovan  was 
born  in  Springfield,  on  September  20,  1885,  and  here  she  grew  to  woman- 
hood and  received  a liberal  education  in  the  Loretto  Academy,  making  a good 
record,  and  graduating  from  that  institution  in  1900.  She  was  talented  by 
nature  as  a musician  and  she  devoted  special  attention  to  the  study  of  this 
art,  with  the  result  that  she  is  a highly  accomplished  musician,  both  vocal 
and  instrumental.  Until  her  marriage  she  was  a leader  in  the  choir  of  the 
Church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  She  is  a lady  of  culture  and  has  long 
been  a favorite  with  a wide  circle  of  friends.  The  union  of  our  subject  and 
wife  has  been  without  issue. 

Dr.  Donovan  is  a member  of  the  Missouri  State  Optical  Association, 
of  which  he  is  president,  the  duties  of  which  important  office  he  is  discharg- 
ing in  a very  creditable  and  satisfactory  manner.  Politically  he  is  a Demo- 
crat. He  belongs  to  the  Springfield  Club,  the  Retail  Merchants’  Association, 
the  Young  Men’s  Business  Club,  the  Associated  Retailers,  and  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  St.  Agnes  Catholic  church. 

Personally  Dr.  Donovan  is  a genteel  gentleman  and  he  stands  high  in 
the  circles  in  which  he  moves. 


WALTER  WEIR  McMASTER. 

Walter  Weir  McMaster  belongs  to  the  class  of  citizens  whose  lives  do 
not  show  any  meteoric  effects,  but  who  by  their  support  of  the  moral,  political 
and  social  status  for  the  general  good,  promote  the  real  welfare  of  their 
respective  communities,  and  are  therefore  deserving  of  honorable  mention 
on  the  pages  of  history.  He  takes  an  abiding  interest  in  the  progress  and 
improvement  of  schools,  good  roads,  in  fact,  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the 
upbuilding  of  his  city  and  county. 

Mr.  McMaster  was  born  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  on  March  22,  1874. 
He  is  a son  of  Cyrus  J.  and  Belle  (Weir)  McMaster.  The  father  of  our 
subject  was  a son  of  Dr.  Edwin  K.  and  Eliza  J.  (Bull)  McMaster,  and  was 
born  in  Dade  county,  Missouri,  May,  1847.  His  parents  were  natives  of 
North  Carolina,  and  were  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Dade  county.  In 
1851  his  parents  moved  to  Greene  county,  where  Cyrus  J.  grew  to  manhood 
and  was  educated.  In  1864  he  enlisted  in  the  Fourteenth  Missouri  Cavalry, 
and  served  until  the  war  closed.  During  1869-70  he  carried  on  the  saddle 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1397 


and  harness  business  at  Walnut  Grove,  this  county.  In  1871  he  came  to 
what  was  then  called  North  Springfield  and  engaged  in  the  produce  and 
commission  business.  In  1880  he  entered  into  partnership  with  George  O. 
Vick  and  they  carried  on  a thriving  business  in  produce  and  grain  shipments, 
handling  about  a quarter  of  a million  dollars’  worth  of  grain  in  1882.  We 
next  find  him  engaged  in  the  buggy  and  wagon  business,  which  he  conducted 
alone  and  on  an  extensive  scale  for  a period  of  thirty-four  years  and  Avas 
one  of  the  best  known  dealers  in  this  line  in  southwestern  Missouri.  Besides, 

■ he  was  local  agent  for  a number  of  the  standard  makes  of  wagons  and 
buggies.  About  1904  he  went  on  the  road  as  traveling  salesman  for  the  Joel 
Turney  Brothers  Wagon  Company,  of  Illinois.  He  remained  active  in  busi- 
ness affairs  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  December  30,  1912.  In  Wal- 
nut Grove,  on  December  16,  1869,  he  had  married  Belle  Weir,  who  was  born 
in  Springfield,  Illinois,  on  April  23,  1852;  she  was  a daughter  of  James  D. 
and  Fidelia  (Meacheld)  Weir,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Illinois,  respectively. 
They  spent  their  active  lives  on  a farm  in  Illinois,  and  to  them  nine  children 
were  born,  only  three  of  whom  now  survive,  namely : Andrew,  Mrs.  Agnes 
Dagan  and  Marion.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McMaster  two  children  were  born, 
namely:  Vernie,  born  on  April  6,  1871,  married  John  French,  and  they  reside 
in  St.  James,  Missouri,  and  Walter  W.,  subject  of  this  sketch. 

The  death  of  Mrs.  Belle  McMaster  occurred  on  September  14,  1914. 

Walter  W.  McMaster  was  educated  in  the  Springfield  schools,  and  when 
seventeen  years  of  age  he  went  into  his  father’s  store  as  clerk,  remaining 
there  several  years,  then  took  a position  in  the  coach  department  of  the  Frisco 
shops,  in  the  repair  department,  in  which  he  remained  three  years,  then  started 
in  the  implement  business  with  his  father  on  Commercial  street  and  remained 
in  this  two  years,  then,  in  1902,  he  was  appointed  deputy  recorder  of  deeds 
and  served  eight  years  as  such  in  a most  faithful  manner.  In  1910  he  Avas 
elected  recorder  of  deeds  on  the  Republican  ticket,  serving  one  term,  dis- 
charging the  duties  of  the  same  in  a manner  that  Avas  highly  satisfactory  to 
all  concerned.  He  is  now  engaged  in  the  implement  and  real  estate  business. 

Mr.  McMaster  Avas  married  on  July  10,  1893,  to  Nettie  Smith,  Avho  Avas 
born  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  on  August  28,  1875,  and  here  grew  to  woman- 
hood and  received  her  education.  The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has 
resulted  in  the  birth  of  five  children,  named  as  follows : Raymond,  born  in 
1894;  Irma,  born  in  1899:  Verna,  born  in  1901  ; Marjorie,  born  in  1903,  and 
Louise,  born  in  1910. 

Politically  Mr.  McMaster  is  a Republican,  and  has  been  faithful  in  his 
adherence  to  the  party  in  both  victory  and  defeat.  Fraternally  he  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Yeomen  and  the  Court  of 
Honor,  and  religiously  he  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  he 
is  a trustee  and  is  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  congregation. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1398 


SAMUEL  A.  REED. 

The  people  of  Greene  county  have  been  fortunate  in  securing  such  men 
as  Samuel  A.  Reed  as  their  public  servants  and  it  would  be  difficult  to  re- 
place the  present  county  officials,  clerks  of  the  various  courts  and  those  in 
general  who  are  serving  the  people  here  in  an  official  capacity  with  better 
men,  at  least  this  is  in  the  main  true.  It  seems  that  they  have  been  chosen 
for  these  responsible  positions  more  for  their  ability  and  honesty  than  for 
political  reasons.  One  of  these  is  Samuel  A.  Reed,  present  incumbent  of  the 
office  of  clerk  of  the  circuit  court. 

Mr.  Reed  is  a scion  of  a worthy  old  family  of  the  far  Southland  and 
he  was  born  in  the  fair  state  of  Mississippi  while  the  family  was  en  route 
to  the  North,  on  September  8,  1859.  Lie  is  a son  of  Robert  S.  and  Sarah 
.(Goode)  Reed,  and  is  one  of  a family  of  twelve  children,  eight  sons  and 
four  daughters,  of  which  number  only  four  sons  now  survive.  Robert  S. 
Reed,  the  father,  was  a native  of  Tennessee,  where  he  grew  to  manhood, 
was  educated  and  married  and  there  he  spent  his  earlier  years  engaged  in 
farming.  His  wife  was  also  a native  of  that  state  where  she  grew  up  and 
was  educated.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
of  English  descent,  and  he  was  born  in  Virginia,  from  which  state  he  re- 
moved to  Mississippi  in  a very  early  day. 

The  Reed  family  was  desirous  of  getting  out  of  the  South  on  account 
of  the  turmoil  there  during  the  Civil  war  period.  The  long  journey  over 
rough  roads  to  Christian  county,  Missouri,  required  over  six  weeks.  It 
was  on  this  trip  that  our  subject  was  born.  The  family  located  on  a farm 
and  made  their  permanent  home  in  this  locality,  unlike  most  of  the  Southern 
families  who  left  on  account  of  the  war,  after  which  they  returned  to  their 
old  homes.  Robert  S.  Reed  continued  farming  up  to  old  age  and  he  is  now 
living  in  Springfield  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years.  He  is  well 
known  in  the  sections  of  Christian  and  Greene  counties  in  which  he  has  lived 
and  his  record  is  of  the  best.  His  wife  passed  away  a quarter  of  a century 
ago,  dying  in  1889. 

Samuel  A.  Reed  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  and  assisted  his  father 
with  the  general  work  of  the  same  when  a boy.  He  received  his  education 
in  the  common  schools  of  his  locality. 

On  November  3,  1881,  he  was  married  to  Susie  W.  Turner,  a daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Edith  Turner,  an  old  family  of  Greene  county,  who  spent 
their  active  lives  on  a farm,  and  here  Mrs.  Reed  was  reared  to  womanhood 
and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  She  is  one  of  a family  of  thir- 
teen children. 

Five  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Lulu 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1399 


Maud  married  R.  N.  Farren,  an  electric  engineer;  they  live  in  Wright 
•county,  Missouri,  and  have  three  children:  Sarah  E.  married  Fred  W. 

Hoover,  who  is  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in  Tacoma,  Washington, 
where  they  reside;  Elizabeth,  born  in  1888,  is  at  home;  Benton,  born  in 
1892  is  a natural  artist  and  at  this  writing  is  attending  the  Chicago  Art 
School,  expecting  to  be  a member  of  the  graduating  class  of  that  institution 
in  1915;  Nellie,  born  in  1894,  is  at  home. 

Politically  Mr.  Reed  is  a Republican  and  has  been  more  or  less  active  in 
political  affairs.  In  1910  he  was  chosen  clerk  of  the  circuit  court  here,  the 
■duties  of  which  he  has  discharged  in  an  eminently  satisfactory  manner,  being 
accurate,  prompt  and  courteous.  He  was  re-elected  in  1914. 

Mr.  Reed  and  family  are  members  of  the  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal 
■church  on  South  street. 


GEORGE  IRVIN  BOMGARDNER,  D.  V.  S. 

Foresight  is  one  of  the  greatest  assets  of  the  individual.  We  all  know 
what  we  should  have  done  yesterday.  The  real  trouble  is  to  know  what  to 
■do  today.  There  are  opportunities  in  southern  Missouri  and  northern  Arkan- 
sas for  the  young  and  middle-aged  men  who  are  not  afraid  to  work  and  wait 
for  time  to  bring  them  recompense  for  their  years  of  toil.  In  the  Ozarks, 
in  the  country  and  in  the  town  there  are  innumerable  opportunities  awaiting 
men  with  foresight,  but  the  majority  of  these  opportunities  will  not  be  seen 
by  the  present  generation  until  they  are  brought  within  the  range  of  vision 
of  their  retrospection.  Among  the  exceptions  is  Dr.  George  Irvin  Bomgard- 
ner, a promising  young  veterinarian  of  Ash  Grove,  Greene  county,  who  had 
the  foresight  to  first  get  ready  to  do  something  that  needed  doing  well  and 
then  locate  in  a country  that  abounds  in  opportunities  and  has  a great  future. 

Dr.  Bomgardner  was  born  at  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  on  July  28,  1882.  He 
is  a son  of  John  and  Adeline  E.  (Hawkins)  Bomgardner.  The  father  was 
born  in  Somerset  county,  Pennsylvania,  about  1848,  and  when  quite  young 
he  went  to  Iowa  among  the  pioneer  settlers,  and  was  living  there  when  the 
war  between  the  states  began,  and  although  he  was  quite  young,  he  enlisted 
in  the  one  hundred  day  service  in  an  Iowa  volunteer  regiment  and  served 
faithfully  until  his  term  expired  and  he  was  honorably  discharged.  When  a 
young  man  he  learned  the  painter’s  trade  and  followed  that  for  some  time, 
later  engaged  in  the  coal  and  livery  business.  In  1875  he  began  farming, 
which  he  followed  with  success  until  1895,  in  Iowa,  when  he  moved  to  Greene 
-county,  Missouri,  and  bought  a farm  in  Center  township,  adjoining  the  town 
of  Bois  D'Arc,  and  here  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  on  June  4,  1898. 


1400 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


His  widow  survived  until  November  26,  1913.  Politically  he  was  a Demo- 
crat, and  he  belonged  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Dr.  Bomgardner  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm  in  Missouri  and 
assisted  with  the  general  work  there.  After  his  father's  death  he  and  his 
younger  brother  took  charge  of  the  farm.  Pie  had  the  advantages  of  a good 
common  school  education,  and  later  he  entered  the  Western  Veterinary  Col- 
lege, where  he  spent  one  year,  then  was  a student  for  three  years  at  the 
Kansas  City  Veterinary  College,  making  an  excellent  record  there,  and  was 
graduated  in  1911.  The  first  Missouri  Kansas  City  Veterinary  College  Club 
was  organized  that  year  and  our  subject  was  elected  vice-president  and  the 
following  year  he  was  elected  president.  Soon  after  graduating  he  began 
the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Ash  Grove,  where  he  has  since  remained 
and  has  built  up  a large,  satisfactory  and  rapidly  growing  practice,  and  has 
had  uniform  success.  He  is  very  studious  and  keeps  fully  abreast  of  the  times 
in  all  that  pertains  to  his  profession. 

Dr.  Bomgardner  was  married  on  July  6,  1904,  to  Mary  M.  Hudgings, 
who  was  born  in  Boone  township,  this  county,  on  September  6,  1881,  and 
here  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  a good  public  school  education. 
She  is  a daughter  of  F.  M.  and  Dorthula  (Gilmore)  Hudgings. 

To  -our  subject  and  wife  two  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Dorothy 
A.,  who  is  attending  school,  and  Gertrude  A. 

Politically  the  doctor  is  a Progressive,  and  religiously  he  belongs  to  the 
Baptist  church.  In  March,  1913,  he  organized  the  Baptist  Young  Men’s 
Organization,  the  only  organization  of  its  kind.  Dr.  Bomgardner  is  a teacher 
and  active  worker  in  the  Sabbath  school.  He  is  Scout  Master  of  the  Boy 
Scouts  of  America  at  Ash  Grove,  and  is  also  a Free  and  Accepted  Mason  in 
the  Blue  Lodge. 


LEONARD  WALKER. 

Pdie  name  of  Leonard  Walker  is  entitled  to  a high  position  in  the  list 
of  Springfield’s  successful  attorneys-at-law,  as  those  conversant  with  his 
record  will  readily  attest,  for  he  possesses  the  personal  characteristics  that 
should  always  enter  the  make-up  of  the  man  who  essays  a legal  career.  In 
addressing  the  jury  or  the  court  he  is  interesting,  forcible  and  decisively 
natural — natural  in  his  native  conceptions  of  the  law — forcible  in  his  scru- 
tinizing of  it,  direct,  lucid  and  concentrative  in  his  presentations,  employing 
and  using  in  a remarkable  measure  the  language  of  the  law,  if  not  by  actual 
quotation,  in  a vocabulary  of  his  own,  highly  comparative  with  its  best  stand- 
ards of  legal  and  literarv  expression.  He  easily  obtains  the  understanding 
of  the  court,  and  uniformly  places  himself  in  such  relations  to  it  that  he  will 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1401 


not  be  misunderstood.  His  powers  with  a jury  is  well  known.  His  argu- 
ments come  from  the  sources  upon  which  decisions  are  based,  radiate  the 
light  of  his  judgment  and  investigation,  and  his  words  are  but  the  echo  of 
the  law  with  which  courts  are  disposed  to  co-ordinate  themselves. 

Mr.  Walker  was  born  near  Ozark,  Christian  county,  Missouri,  on  March 
1,  1866.  He  is  a son  of  Leonard  and  Nancy  M.  (Adamson)  Walker.  The 
father  was  born  in  Wilson  county,  Tennessee,  on  July  12,  1812,  and  was  a 
son  of  William  J.  and  Polly  (Adams)  Walker.  William  J.  Walker  was  born 
near  Dublin,  Ireland,  and  he  emigrated  to  America  when  a boy,  just  after 
the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  first  located  in  North  Carolina, 
later  lived  in  Virginia  and  Tennessee,  and  was  a resident  of  the  latter  state 
during  the  war  of  1812  and  joined  Gen.  Andrew  Jackson’s  force  and  fought 
with  the  famous  Tennessee  Riflemen  at  the  memorable  battle  of  New  Orleans. 
After  the  war  he  returned  to  Tennessee  and  accumulated  a handsome  for- 
tune, owning  six  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  rich  bottom  land,  also  a large 
whisky  distillery.  He  owned  many  slaves,  but  sold  them  after  the  death  of 
his  wife,  and  began  trading  in  live  stock,  buying  up  large  herds  and  driving 
them  to  the  far  South  and  selling  them,  and  while  on  one  of  these  trips  he 
contracted  a fever  in  northern  Alabama  and  died  there  about  1827.  Polit- 
ically he  was  a Whig,  and  was  a great  personal  friend  of  both  Henry  Clay 
and  Andrew  Jackson.  Religiously  he  was  a Baptist.  Leonard  Walker,  Sr., 
was  reared  on  the  home  plantation  in  Tennessee,  and  received  a limited  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  his  native  locality.  His  mother  died  when  he  was 
ten  years  of  age  and  he  was  reared  by  an  old  negro  mammy,  who  did  not 
accord  him  very  tender  treatment.  He  was  fifteen  years  of  age  when  his 
father  died.  The  estate  was  all  squandered  and  he  was  left  practically  penny- 
less. When  young  in  years  he  began  his  career  as  a general  farmer,  also 
engaged  in  the  tinware  business,  remaining  in  Tennessee  until  1842,  when 
he  made  the  tedious  overland  journey  to  Missouri,  stopping  first  near  Bolivar, 
Polk  county,  and  farmed  there  for  three  years,  then  moved  to  the  Finley 
Creek  bottoms  near  Ozark,  Christian  county,  where  he  purchased  a farm  of 
two  hundred  and  five  acres,  which  he  developed  and  operated  in  a fairly 
successful  manner  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  January  18,  1896.  He 
was  regarded  as  one  of  the  substantial,  useful  and  worthy  citizens  of  that 
county  and  was  more  or  less  influential  in  public  matters.  Politically  he  was 
first  a Whig,  later  a Republican  and  was  a stanch  Union  man  during  the 
Civil  war  period.  He  belonged  to  the  Baptist  church.  He  and  Nancy  M. 
Adamson  were  married  in  September,  1842.  She  was  born  in  DeKalb 
county,  Tennessee,  on  July  24,  1826,  and  was  a daughter  of  Wells  Adamson 
and  wife,  pioneers  of  that  state  and  there  Mrs.  Walker  grew  to  womanhood 
and  was  educated  in  the  old-time  log  cabin  schools.  Her  death  occurred 
on  October  15,  1901.  Twelve  children  were  born  to  the  parents  of  the  subject 


1402 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


of  this  sketch,  ten  of  whom  are  still  living  at  this  writing.  One  son,  W.  J. 
Walker,  was  a soldier  in  the  Civil  war. 

Leonard  Walker,  of  this  review,  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father’s  farm 
.and  assisted  with  the  general  work  during  the  crop  seasons,  and  he  had  the 
advantages  of  a good  education,  attending  the  district  schools  in  his  home 
community,  and  later  was  a student  in  Drury  College,  Springfield,  but  was 
compelled  to  leave  his  studies  on  account  of  failing  health.  When  only 
sixteen  years  of  age  he  was  deputy  assessor  of  Christian  county.  He  has 
remained  a close  student  and  has  become  a well  educated  man,  not  only  keep- 
ing fully  abreast  of  the  times  in  his  chosen  profession,  but  is  familiar  with 
•the  world’s  best  literature  and  well  informed  on  current  topics.  He  began 
studying  law  when  quite  young  and  made  rapid  progress  in  the  same.  How- 
ever, ill  health  interrupted  his  studies  and  he  underwent  an  operation  in  a 
hospital  in  St.  Louis  in  1890.  He  studied  in  the  law  offices  of  Harrington  & 
Pepperdine,  a well-known  firm  in  Springfield,  in  1891,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  February,  1892,  and  ever  since  he  has  been  successfully  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Springfield,  enjoying  a constantly  growing 
and  satisfactory  business  and  ranking  among  the  leading  lawyers  of  Greene 
county. 

]Vlr.  Walker  was  married  in  August,  1892,  to  Lucy  Jania  Robertson,  of 
Ozark,  Missouri,  where  her  birth  occurred  on  December  25,  1866,  and  there 
she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  She  is  a daughter  of  J.  W.  and 
Martha  Robertson,  a well-known  and  highly  respected  family  of  Christian 
county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walker  two  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Harold  M.,  born  on  November  2,  1895,  is  at  this  writing  a junior  in  Drury 
College;  Helen  A.,  born  on  October  26,  1896,  is  now  a sophomore  in  Drury 
^College ; they  are  both  making  excellent  records  in  scholarship. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Walker  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  Order  and  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  being  past  chancellor  of  the  latter  lodge  in  Springfield 
and  a member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri.  He  is  a member  of  the  Con- 
gregational church. 

Flis  Americanism  and  Republicanism,  neither  give  nor  take  quarter  from 
any  faction,  junta  or  party.  Practically  self-educated,  self-qualified  for  the 
exercise  of  his  civic  duties,  fortified  in  his  political  views  by  the  confirming 
theories  and  opinions  of  the  most  brilliant  and  powerful  leaders  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  Mr.  Walker  stands  nobly  erect  in  the  ranks  of  the  gigantic 
national  political  organization  to  which  he  belongs.  The  principles  that  gave 
birth  to  it,  that  vitalized  it  in  infancy,  nurtured  its  growing  years,  and  in  its 
maturity  impart  to  it,  its  dominant  and  beneficent  character,  are  those  that 
he  advocated  in  the  days  of  Grant,  Garfield  and  Blaine,  for  even  when  a boy 
he  had  pronounced  views  on  national  questions,  and  he  has  ever  been  in 
straight  and  uniform  alignment  with  the  Republican  party  and  its  policies, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1403 


and  he  has  been  one  of  the  local  leaders  in  the  same  for  many  years.  He 
was  elected  city  attorney  of  Springfield  in  1896  and  renominated  in  1898, 
but  went  down  in  defeat  with  the  entire  ticket  in  Greene  county.  Again  in 
1912  he  was  elected  city  attorney  and  served  two  years.  He  has  also  served 
one  year  as  tax  attorney.  As  a public  servant  his  record  was  eminently 
satisfactory  to  his  constituents  and  all  concerned,  being  marked  with  fidelity 
to  duty,  honesty  and  ability  of  a high  order. 


WILLIAM  HOWELL. 

The  late  William  Howell  was  one  of  the  sterling  pioneer  characters  of 
Greene  county,  there  remaining  today  but  very  few  of  his  type.  He  came 
here  when  the  country  was  comparatively  little  developed.  He  was  also  an 
adventurer  of  the  great  plains  of  the  Southwest  in  the  days  of  the  hostile 
red  man.  He  also  served  his  country  as  a soldier.  All  this  indicates  that 
he  was  a man  of  courage,  hardihood  and  strong  characteristics.  It  is  the 
names  of  such  as  he  that  the  biographer  likes  to  write  of  in  a volume  of  the 
nature  of  the  one  in  hand. 

Mr.  Howell  was  born  at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  in  1838.  His  father 
died  when  our  subject  was  about  three  months  old  and  at  the  age  of  about 
one  year  his  mother  also  died,  he  was  then  taken  by  his  uncle,  James  Free- 
man, to  raise,  who  was  a resident  of  Ray  county,  Missouri.  Mr.  Howell 
lived  here,  receiving  his  early  education  in  the  district  school  and  doing  what 
work  fell  to  him  on  the  farm.  When  the  war  of  the  rebellion  broke  out 
our  subject  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Sixth  Missouri  Cavalry,  serving  his  full 
term.  He  took  part  in  many  important  engagements,  including  the  battle 
of  Pea  Ridge,  also  the  battle  of  Springfield,  January  8,  1863.  He  remained 
in  this  city  during  the  spring  of  that  year,  and  while  here  met  and  married 
Lettie  J.  Gardner,  who  was  born  in  1840,  in  Tennessee,  and  was  a daughter 
of  Tames  D.  and  Matilda  Gardner,  both  Tennessee  people.  During  his  life 
he  made  two  trips  overland  to  New  Mexico,  which  were  hazardous  in  vari- 
ous ways  and  in  later  life  he  told  many  interesting  incidents  of  the  same. 

Mrs.  Llowell  is  still  living.  She  remained  in  Springfield  during  the 
time  our  subject  was  with  his  troops  in  the  field  during  the  Civil  war,  and 
at  the  close  of  the  war  he'  was  honorably  discharged  as  first  lieutenant  and 
located  in  this  city  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  on  August  30, 
1901.  His  family  consisted  of  three  children,  namely:  John  C.,  deceased; 

Charles  A.,  who  lives  on  South  Florence  street;  and  Janies  Edward,  living 
on  Monroe  street,  this  city. 

Charles  A.  Howell  was  born  on  November  1,  1866,  in  Ray  county,  Mis- 


1404 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


souri.  He  received  a high  school  education  in  Springfield,  in  the  early 
period  of  Professor  Fairbank’s  superintendency.  He  has  lived  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Springfield  since  1873,  followed  farming  for  awhile,  and  kept  books 
for  seven  years.  On  June  10,  1896,  he  went  into  the  feed  business  for  him- 
self in  the  old  “elevator  corner”  at  St.  Louis  and  Jefferson  streets  which 
soon  afterwards  was.  destroyed  by  fire.  He  remained  in  this  business,  also 
carrying  a line  of  wood  and  coal  until  January  1,  1909,  since  which  time 
he  has  retained  the  last  two  lines,  discarding  the  feed  business,  at  the  corner 
of  Lena  and  Hayden  streets,  having  been  in  business  alone,  and  he  has  en- 
joyed a good  trade  which  is  all  the  while  increasing.  He  was  married  on 
January  22,  1891,  in  Springfield,  to  Katherine  C.  Blackman,  who  was  born 
on  the  old  Blackman  homestead  a few  miles  south  of  Springfield  and  here 
she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  She  is  a daughter  of  J.  M. 
and  Fanny  C.  (Deupree)  Blackman.  Mr.  Blackman  was  born  in  this  city, 
March  4,  1840,  and  here  his  death  occurred  on  November  22,  1904.  He 
spent  his  life  as  a farmer.  His  family  settled  in  Greene  county  in  pioneer 
days.  He  became  an  influential  citizen.  Lie  was  a nephew  of  the  well- 
known  John  P.  (Jack)  Campbell,  who  founded  the  city,  donating  ground 
for  the  public  square  and  other  important  places  in  the  heart  of  the  city. 

To  Charles  A.  Howell  and  wife  three  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Junius  B.,  born  August  22,  1893,  is  single  and  is  employed  in  the  McDaniel 
National  Bank  of  Springfield;  Mary  E.,  born  on  September  25,  1895,  is  at 
home;  Katherine  F.,  born  on  November  8,  1900,  is  also  with  her  parents. 

Politically,  Mr.  Howell  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Royal 
Arcanum  lodge,  and  is  a member  of  the  Christian  church  in  which  he  is  a 
deacon  and  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  same. 


THOMAS  MURRAY. 

Recurrence  to  the  past,  with  reflections  and  associations  which  make 
it  appear  in  life-like  review  before  our  mental  vision,  will  continue  as  “long 
as  the  heart  has  sorrows,  as  long  as  life  has  woes”  to  be  a source  of  satis- 
faction; and  especially  when  our  personality  and  former  friends,  happily  in- 
terwoven in  some  pleasant  incident,  will  the  picture  thus  reflected  be  more 
pleasing.  These  reminders,  however,  often  vanish  and  pass  away  with  the 
life  of  the  participants  when  no  landmarks  remain  to  serve  as  a background 
for  the  picture  engraved  on  the  tablets  of  memory,  the  impressions  of  which 
are  but  remodelings  of  others.  To  preserve  these  from  oblivion  before  they 
have  lost  their  distinguishing  originality  is  the  work  devolved  upon  the 
writer  of  local  history  and  biography.  These  both  fail  in  their  mission  when 


GREENE  COUNTY^  MISSOURI,. 


1405 


they  fail  to  preserve  the  life  features  connected  with  their  trust.  Biography, 
more  than  anything  else,  commands  the  most  interested  attention  for  the 
reason  that  it  is  a record  of  those  who,  in  times  gone  by,  traveled  the  thorny 
pathway  of  life  as  companions,  acquaintances,  friends  or  relatives.  To  pre- 
serve from  forgetfulness  the  simple  story  of  their  experiences  and  record 
their  acts,  however  uneventful,  is  a task  attended  with  much  pleasure  and 
fraught  with  great  good  to  humanity.  Especially  is  this  the  case  when  the 
subject,  like  that  of  the  well  remembered  pioneer  engineer  whose  name 
forms  the  caption  of  this  article,  has  led  a useful  and  honorable  life. 

Thomas  Murray  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1842.  He  was  a son  of 
Thomas  Murray,  a native  of  the  Emerald  Isle,  where  he  grew  up,  attended 
school  and  was  married,  and  from  there  immigrated  to  America  when  com- 
paratively young  and  located  in  Clyde,  Wayne  county,  New  York,  and  when 
about  forty  years  of  age  he  was  killed  on  the  Erie  Canal  in  New  York.  His 
family  consisted  of  six  children,  all  of  whom  are  now  deceased. 

Thomas  Murray,  of  this  sketch,  was  a child  when  his  parents  brought 
him  to  the  United  States  from  Ireland,  and  he  grew  to  manhood  in  the  state 
of  New  York,  receiving  a limited  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
Wayne  county,  that  state.  When  a boy  he  worked  awhile  on  the  Erie  Canal, 
later  began  working  for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  as  fireman 
out  of  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  which  position  he  held  two  years,  then 
came  West  and  located  at  Pacific,  Missouri,  when  the  St.  Louis  &.  San 
Francisco  Railroad  Company  was  being  built  in  that  part  of  the  state,  and 
there  he  began  firing  for  this  company.  This  was  about  the  time  this  road 
was  being  built  into  Springfield.  Later  he  was  promoted  to  engineer,  and 
he  removed  from  Pacific  to  Springfield.  He  remained  a locomotive  engi- 
neer the  rest  of  his  life  and  was  in  the  service  of  the  Frisco  system  for  a 
period  of  forty-six  years,  during  which  he  was  regarded  as  a capable  and 
trustworthy  engine  driver.  He  found  but  a straggling  village  when  he 
first  came  to  Springfield,  and  he  saw  the  place  grow  into  the  important  city 
it  is  today.  He  was  married  in  St.  Louis  in  1872,  to  Julia  Hailey,  who  was 
born  in  1849.  Her  death  occurred  in  1895.  She  had  received  a common 
school  education  and  she  was  a member  of  the  Sacred  Heart  Catholic  church. 

To  Thomas  Murray  and  wife  four  children  were  born,  namely:  El- 

len is  deceased:  J.  D.,  our  subscriber,  is  mentioned  at  the  close  of  this  sketch; 
Julia  is  deceased:  Thomas  i§  also  deceased. 

Politically,  Thomas  Murray,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
a Democrat.  He  belonged  to  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers, 
having  been  a charter  member  of  the  Springfield  branch  of  the  order.  He 
Avas  a member  of  the  Sacred  Heart  Catholic  church.  His  death  occurred  at 
the  family  residence  in  Springfield  on  September  12,  1908,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
six  years. 


1406 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


J.  D.  Murray,  son  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Pacific,  Missouri,  No- 
vember 19,  1876,  and  he  was  an  infant  when  his  parents  brought  him  to 
Springfield,  in  which  city  he  grew  to  manhood  and  was  educated  in  the 
ward  and  high  schools.  After  leaving  school  he  worked  eighteen  months  as 
machinist  apprentice  in  the  north  side  Frisco  shops,  later  was  sent  out  on 
the  road  as  brakeman  for  the  Frisco  out  of  this  city,  and  was  in  the  serv- 
ice nine  years  as  freight  brakeman.  In  1907  he  met  with  misfortune,  losing  a 
limb  which  incapacitated  him  for  further  road  service. 

J.  D.  Murray  has  remained  unmarried.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat. 
Fie  belongs  to  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Trainmen. 


LOUIS  ALLEN  DICKEN  CRENSHAW. 

Few  men  of  a past  generation  in  Greene  county  were  held  in  higher 
esteem  than  the  late  Louis  Allen  Dicken  Crenshaw,  who,  now  that  life’s  fit- 
ful fever  is  over,  is  sleeping  serenely  in  the  “windowless  palaces  of  rest.” 
Although  more  than  a quarter  of  a century  has  elapsed  since  he  was  an  actor 
in  the  local  arena  of  material  affairs,  his  memory  is  still  revered  by  a vast 
circle  of  friends  who  knew  him  well  and  admired  him,  for  he  was  a man  in 
whom  all  took  delight,  owing  to  his  sterling  honesty,  his  indomitable  indus- 
try, his  charitable  nature  and  his  readiness  to  help  in  the  furtherance  of  any 
movement  looking  to  the  general  upbuilding  of  the  community.  He  was  one 
of  our  sterling  pioneer  citizens  to  whom  we  owe  so  much,  for  he  came  here 
when  little  improvement  had  been  made,  and,  working  long  and  hard,  re- 
deemed, with  others,  the  fertile  fields  and  the  fine  farms  which  we  of  today 
enjoy  and  which  are  now  so  valuable.  We  can  never  say  too  much  regarding 
these  splendid,  brave  and  courageous  pioneers  who  literally  took  their  own 
lives  in  their  hands,  and,  not  counting  the  cost,  cast  their  lot  in  a new  coun- 
try, away  from  the  pleasant  hearthstones  of'  their  ancestors  and  the  advan- 
tages of  more  advanced  civilization.  Mr.  Crenshaw  by  his  own  efforts  rose 
to  be  one  of  the  most  substantial  men  in  the  community,  was  one  of  the 
county’s  most  extensive  land  owners  and  largest  farmers  and  stock  men,  and 
influential  in  public  affairs. 

Mr.  Crenshaw  was  born  in  1821  in  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  was  a son 
of  William  and  Susanna  (Ward)  Crenshaw.  The  father  was  a native  of 
Virginia,  a representative  of  a prominent  family,  members  of  which  built 
the  capitol  building  in  Richmond,  and  the  Crenshaws  owned  the  mansion 
which  was  used  by  the  Confederate  president  in  Richmond.  The  mother  of 
the  subject  of  this  memoir  was  born  in  North  Carolina;  her  father  emi- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1407 


grated  from  that  state  to  Nashville,  Tennessee,  when  it  was  a little  more  than 
a fort.  To  William  and  Susanna  Crenshaw  four  sons  and  one  daughter 
were  born. 

Louis  A.  D.  Crenshaw  spent  his  early  life  in  Tennessee.  When  a boy 
he  assisted  his  father,  who  was  a wholesale  grocery  merchant  in  Nashville. 
In  1839,  when  just  entering  young  manhood,  our  subject  removed  with  his 
father  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  located  on  a farm.  Later  the  father 
purchased  another  farm,  on  which  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life. 

In  1849  Mr.  Crenshaw  went  to  California,  crossing  the  plains  at  the 
head  of  a large  train  of  wagons  drawn  by  oxen  and  loaded  with  provisions 
and  merchandise  of  all  kinds.  He  took  with  him  twenty-seven  men,  who 
gave  their  services  for  their  expenses  on  the  trip.  One  of  this  number  was 
later  well  known  as  Governor  McClurg,  of  Missouri,  being  honored  with  the 
highest  office  in  the  gift  of  the  people  of  this  state.  While  in  California, 
Lewis  A.  D.  Crenshaw  fitted  up  a store  with  the  merchandise  which  he  had 
taken  to  the  coast,  and  then  sold  his  stock  and  all  his  wagons  at  a big  price. 
This  business  sagacity  was  characteristic  of  him.  He  seemed  always  to 
recognize  the  full  value  of  an  opportunity  and  by  the  wise  use  thereof  he 
gained  success.  In  all  of  his  dealings  he  was  thoroughly  reliable  and  his 
efforts  upon  the  Pacific  coast  gave  him  a good  start.  After  about  a year  he 
returned  by  way  of  the  Panama  route  and  New  York  to  Missouri.  Again 
settling  in  Springfield,  he  engaged  in  dealing  in  mules  and  likewise  became 
interested  in  a wholesale  hardware  business  and  other  undertakings.  He 
also  made  extensive  investments  in  land  and  resided  upon  a large  ranch  of 
about  three  thousand  acres  four  miles  south  of  Springfield,  which,  since  his 
death,  has  been  divided  into  several  farms.  He  planted  fortv  acres  in  black 
walnuts,  which  made  a magnificent  grove.  On  this  place  he  built  a com- 
modious. substantial,  and,  at  that  time,  elegant  home,  in  the  old  Colonial  style 
of  architecture,  and  near  by  stands  a large,  expensive  barn.  Here  his  widow, 
who  owns  the  place,  still  spends  the  summer  months,  but  lives  in  Springfield 
with  her  daughter  in  the  winter  time.  Mr.  Crenshaw  was  one  of  the  prin- 
cipal contractors  and  builders  of  the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  rail- 
road, commonly  known  as  the  “Gulf"  line,  which  is  now  a part  of  the  Frisco 
system,  his  operations  being  between  Springfield  and  Ash  Grove,  this  county, 
and  he  owned  considerable  stock  in  that  road. 

Mr.  Crenshaw  was  twice  married,  first,  in  1851,  to  Louise  Crenshaw, 
whose  death  occurred  in  September,  1865,  having  borne  her  husband  six  chil- 
dren. On  June  20,  1867,  Mr.  Crenshaw  married  Fanny  Smith,  who  was- 
born  in  Nashville.  Tennessee,  May  28,  1841.  She  is  a daughter  of  John  T. 
and  Elizabeth  (Shockwell)  Smith,  the  father  and  the  mother  natives  of 
Georgia.  To  John  T.  Smith  and  wife  six  children  were  born,  onlv  one  of 
whom,  Mrs.  Fanny  Crenshaw,  is  still  living.  She  grew  to  womanhood  in 


1408 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Nashville,  and  there  received  her  education,  being  graduated  from  a semi-  _ 
nary  there  in  1857. 

Eight  children  were  born  to  our  subject's  second  marriage,  seven  of 
whom  are  still  living,  namely:  Susanah,  born  May  10,  1869,  married  Dr. 

J.  W.  Love ; they  live  with  her  mother  and  they  have  two  children,  Louis 
C.  and  Bettie  Love;  Anna  W.,  Mrs.  Shepard;  Edith  is  deceased;  Dicken  W. ; 
Smith  S. ; Aileen  Sandridge ; Thomas,  and  Clara  C.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Allen 
Earley. 

Politically,  Louis  A.  D.  Crenshaw  was  a Whig,  later  a Greenbacker,  and 
finally  a Democrat.  Ele  was  a strong  supporter  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil 
war  times.  When  he  was  but  a boy  he  was  a deputy  constable.  His  death 
occurred  on  his  fine  farm  near  Springfield  on  December  23,  1884. 


JOHN  WESLEY  KLINGNER. 

The  record  of  John  Wesley  Klingner  is  one  that  is  deserving  of  our 
admiration  for  it  shows  the  possibilities  here  in  free  America  of  a young  man 
of  ambition,  fortitude,  grit  and  perseverance,  although  springing  from  a 
humble  environment.  It  proves  that  blood  counts  in  this  country  but  in  a 
different  way  in  which  the  “blood''  of  the  European  nations  count,  for  here 
we  count  as  worthiest,  the  good,  sterling  blood  of  our  honest,  hard-work- 
ing ancestors,  while  across  the  ocean  it  is  merely  a difference  of  aristocracy 
so-called  and  peasantry,  the  latter  counting,  in  many  instances,  for  more  than 
the  former,  in  the  true  scale  of  being.  Our  subject  was  fortunate  in  having 
behind  him  progenitors  of  the  right  sort,  what  we  in  this  country  would  call 
the  best  blood  of  Germans  and  Anglo-Saxons,  and  so  it  is  not  surprising 
that  he  has  made  a success  in  life  despite  obstacles. 

Mr.  Klingner  was  born  September  28,  1877,  at  Fair  Grove,  Greene 
county,  Missouri.  He  is  a son  of  John  and  Mollie  (Shade)  Klingner,  a 
well  known  and  highly  respected  family  of  that  locality,  where  the  father 
has  long  been  engaged  in  general  agricultural  pursuits  and  where  he  is  also 
doing  a splendid  work  as  a local  minister  in  the  Methodist  church.  In  view 
of  the  fact  that  a full  record  of  this  family  appears  on  another  page  of  this 
volume,  it  will  not  be  repeated  here. 

John  W.  Klingner,  who  is  one  of  the  progressive  and  efficient  under- 
takers of  this  section  of  Missouri,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  near 
Fair  Grove  and  there  did  his  share  of  the  work  during  the  crop  season,  when 
he  became  of  proper  age,  and  he  received  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  vicinity,  and  when  young  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade 
at  which  he  worked  for  a period  of  ten  years,  becoming  quite  proficient  in  the 


JOHN  W.  KLINGNEE. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1409 


•same  and  had  a good  business,  but  turning  his  attention  to  another  field  of 
•endeavor  he  entered  the  Williams  Institute  of  Embalming  at  Kansas  City, 
where  he  made  rapid  progress  and  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated 
with  the  class  of  1908.  Soon  thereafter  he  went  to  Rogers,  Arkansas,  where 
he  engaged  in  his  profession  a year  and  got  a good  start,  but  seeking  a larger 
field  for  the  exercise  of  his  talents  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri  and  on 
November  1,  1909,  organized  the  J.  W.  Ivlingner  & Company,  with  a capital 
stock  of  seven  thousand  dollars,  and  incorporated  the  same.  They  com- 
menced business  at  432  East  Commercial  street  and  here  they  have  remained 
and  have  built  up  a large  and  constantly  growing  business,  of  which  our 
.subject  is  manager.  They  are  properly  equipped,  everything  modern,  and 
prompt  and  honest  service  is  the  aim  of  the  company  at  all  times.  Mr.  Kling- 
ner  is  an  expert  in  embalming  and  is  a close  student  in  all  that  pertains  to  this 
art,  and  he  is  popular  as  a funeral  director. 

Mr.  Ivlingner  was  married  December  24,  1899,  to  Lulu  Putman,  of 
Fair  Grove,  Missouri,  where  she  was  born  September  17,  1880,  and  there 
was  reared  to  womanhood  and  educated.  She  is  a daughter  of  E.  B.  and 
Meranda  Putman. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ivlingner,  namely:  Velda, 
born  August  2,  1901,  died  October  4,  1913;  Mona,  born  February  14,  1906; 
John  B.,  born  July  13,  1909;  Malcolm,  born  June  12,  1911. 

Politically,  Mr.  Ivlingner  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  South,  and  fraternally,  is  a member  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Masonic  order,  being 
pastmaster  of  Gate  of  Temple  Lodge,  No.  422,  ii\  the  work  of  which  he 
has  been  very  active ; he  also  belongs  to  Oueen  City  Chapter,  Order  of  East- 
ern Star,  No,  226. 


WILLIAM  H.  COWDEN,  M.  D. 

Amidst  the  splendors  of  twentieth  century  achievements  and  the  nu- 
merous factors  that  go  to.  make  up  the  component  parts  of  our  boasted 
advanced  civilization  one  factor  looms  among  the  most  conspicuous — the  art 
•of  healing.  This  fact  may  not  be  readily  accepted  by  the  rank  and  file  of  the 
peoples  of  the  world,  who  no  doubt  believe  the  palm  should  be  given  to 
mechanical  science,  because  the  conspicuous  progress  in  this  field  is  more  a 
part  of  our  every-day  life  and  is  therefore  kept  more  constantly  before  us  and 
is  more  quickly  observed  and  appreciated.  The  student  of  the  early  history 
■of  the  human  race  finds  that  ignorance  and  superstition  surrounded  the 
•anatomy  of  the  human  organism,  which  resulted  in  the  belief  that  disease 
(89) 


1410 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


was  of  supernatural  and  mysterious  origin.  For  ages  it  was  believed  that 
the  sick  and  afflicted  were  possessed  of  devils  and  weird  chants,  incantations 
and  so-called  religious  rites  were  common  resorted  to  rather  than  the  appli- 
cation of.  drugs  or  other  means  of  modern  healing.  In  fact,  it  was  not  until 
the  thinking  Greeks  proved  that  the  medical  cure  was  the  practical  way  of 
overcoming  the  multiform  ills  of  the  flesh  which  were  not  due  to  the  presence 
of  evil  spirits  or  to  the  anger  of  the  gods,  and  thus  was  placed  upon  a scien- 
tific basis  the  study  of  the  human  organism  with  its  various  ailments.  There 
is  generally  a wide  diversity  of  opinion  among  the  people  outside  the  medical 
profession  in  their  estimate  of  the  skill  and  ability  of  a particular  physician. 
A family  is  likely  to  pin  its  faith  to  one  practitioner  and  distrust  all  the  rest. 
If  there  is  a member  of  the  profession  in  Greene  county  who  has  successfully 
fought  down  this  prejudice,  and  now  stands  secure  in  the  confidence  of  the 
general  public,  that  man  is  Dr.  William  Id.  Cowden,  of  Springfield,  a man 
whose  research  in  the  fields  of  science  has  produced  such  pronounced  results 
as  to  leave  no  question  of  his  knowledge  of  his  profession. 

Dr.  Cowden  was  born  in  Polk  county,  Missouri,  on  February  9,  1850. 
Fie  is  a son  of  Robert  Blackburn  Cowden  and  Martha  J.  (Headlee)  Cowden, 
who  were  born  in  Maury  county,  Tennessee,  the  father  in  1825  and  the 
mother  in  1831.  There  they  spent  their  early  childhood,  but  were  young 
when  they  accompanied  their  parents  to  this  section  of  the  Ozarks,  the 
Cowden  family  emigrating  to  Polk  county  in  about  1839,  and  the  Headlee 
family  coming  to  Greene  county  in  1836.  The  parents  of  our  subject  received 
such  educational  advantages  as  the  early  day  schools  afforded,  and  here  they 
were  married,  and  immediately  thereafter  settled  on  a farm  in  Polk  county, 
where  they  became  successful  in  general  agricultural  pursuits,  and  there  the 
death  of  the  father  occurred  in  July,  1892,  and  the  death  of  the  mother  oc- 
curred on  October  10,  1899.  Robert  B.  Cowden  was  a stanch  Democrat  and 
was  active  in  party  affairs,  however,  during  the  Civil  war  he  was  in  sym- 
pathy with  the  Union,  but  took  no  part  in  the  war.  After  the  close  of  the 
war  he  was  registering  officer  for  a number  of  years.  He  was  one  of  the 
successful  and  influential  men  of  his  locality  and  of  unquestioned  integrity. 
He  was  a member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  Ozark  Lodge,  No.  297,  at  Fair 
Grove,  and  was  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  this  order.  He  and  his  wife  were 
Presbyterians  in  their  religious  affiliations.  They  were  the  parents  of  the 
following  children:  Dr.  William  H.,  of  this  sketch:  Christopher  C.,  who 
remained  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Polk  county,  becoming  a successful  general 
farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and  previous  to  his  death  moved  to  Colorado,  near 
Lamar,  his  death  occurring  on  June  29,  1913:  Mary  Caroline,  who  died  un- 
married, and  Albert  S.,  who  studied  law  and  became  one  of  the  leaders  of 
the  Springfield  bar. 

Robert  Cowden,  paternal  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I4IT 


born  in  Alabama  about  the  year  1793,  where  his  father,  also  Robert  Cowden, 
who  was  a captain  in  the  American  army  during  the  Revolutionary  war, 
had  settled  after  the  close  of  the  war  for  independence.  He  removed  to 
Tennessee  with  his  father,  where  he  soon  after  married  and  began  farming. 
About  the  year  1838  or  soon  thereafter  he  emigrated  by  wagon  to  Polk 
county,  Missouri,  located  on  the  Upshaw  Prairie,  where  he  developed  a good 
farm  and  established  a comfortable  home,  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  days,  dying  about  1863.  He  was  of  Irish  descent.  Politically  he  was  a 
Democrat,  and  was  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church.  His 
family  consisted  of  the  following  children : James,  who  was  a farmer  in 
Greene  county,  died  prior  to  the  Civil  war;  John  A.  engaged  in  farming 
and  mercantile  pursuits  at  Pleasant  Hope,  Polk  county;  William  was  a farmer 
and  died  at  Pleasant  Hope,  leaving  a family ; Robert  Blackburn,  father  of 
the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch;  Newton,  who  remained  on  the  old 
homestead  near  Pleasant  Hope;  Marshall  became  a farmer  and  miller  at 
Pleasant  Hope;  Samuel,  who  was  a soldier  in  the  Confederate  army,  operated 
a part  of  the  old  home  farm;  Hannah,  long  since  deceased,  was  the  wife  of 
Newton  Fawcett;  Elizabeth  married  Lundy  Crocker,  who  died  in  early  life; 
Jane  became  the  wife  of  J.  P.  Fullerton  and  they  established  their  home  in 
Polk  county,  and  Melissa  married  Rev.  J.  B.  Landreth,  a Polk  county  min- 
ister of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South;  he  died  a few  years  ago  at 
Morrisville,  Polk  county,  and  his  widow  is  still  living  there. 

Judge  Elisha  Headlee,  the  maternal  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Greene  county,  where  he  was  well 
known  among  the  early  residents,  was  prominent  in  public  affairs  and  was  a 
successful  general  farmer.  His  death  occurred  on  his  farm  here  about  1876. 
His  grandfather,  John  Headlee,  was  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war, 
and  his  father,  E.  Headlee,  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  Jersey  in  May,  1760,, 
and  was  married  there  to  Mary  Fairchild,  and  soon  thereafter,  in  1790, 
removed  to  North  Carolina.  Judge  Elisha  Headlee  was  the  seventh  of 
eleven  children,  and  was  born  in  Burke  county,  North  Carolina,  in  October, 
1802,  where  he  received  a limited  education.  He  removed  to  Maury 
county,  Tennessee,  with  his  parents  in  1823,  and  there,  in  1825,  he  married 
Rachael  Steele,  who  was  also  a native  of  North  Carolina,  born  in  1803,  and 
removed  from  the  old  Tar  state  to  Tennessee  with  her  parents  in  1810.  Mr. 
Headlee  farmed  in  Tennessee  after  his  marriage  until  1836,  then  migrated 
overland  with  his  family  to  Greene  county,  being  thus  among  the  pioneer 
settlers  here,  and  eventually  one  of  its  most  prominent  and  useful  citizens. 
He  was  a justice  of  the  peace  for  several  years,  and  in  1846  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  County  Court  for  four  years,  after  which  he  receive^ 
appointment  from  the  governor  of  the  state  and  served  two  terms  ' 
credit  to  himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  T 


1412 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


appointed  public  administrator  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  1872.  He 
was  a stanch  Democrat  all  his  life,  and  voted  for  Gen.  Andrew  Jackson  in 
1824,  and  for  every  Democratic  President  until  his  death.  However,  during 
the  Civil  war  he  was  in  sympathy  with  the  Union.  In  1813  he  became  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  after  the  war  followed 
the  Southern  branch  of  that  denomination.  He  and  his  wife  enjoyed  a happy 
wedded  life  of  over  half  a century  and  became  the  parents  of  the  following 
children:  Dr.  Samuel  PI.,  who  established  himself  as  a physician  at  St.  James, 
Missouri,  once  represented  Phelps  county  in  the  state  Legislature ; Mary 
Caroline,  who  died  in  childhood;  Caleb  C.,  who  died  in  Louisiana  in  1891 
after  a life  devoted  to  farming;  Martha  J.,  mother  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch ; Hannah  A.  married  J.  D.  W.  Kerr,  who  died  many  years  ago ; David 
A.  died  shortly  after  the  Civil  war;  he  was  a soldier  in  the  Federal  army; 
Emma  A.,  who  became  the  wife  of  Robert  Armor;  Margaret  M.,  who  was 
a twin  of  Evaline  (deceased)  ; Rachael  E.  and  Harriet  I.  all  remained  un- 
married and  still  live  at  the  old  homestead  in  this  county. 

Dr.  William  H.  Cowden  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  where  he 
worked  when  a boy,  and  he  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
at  Ebeneezer  and  at  McGhee  College  in  Macon  county,  Missouri.  During 
this  period  he  spent  a portion  of  his  time  in  teaching.  He  finished  his  literary 
education  in  Drury  College,  Springfield,  and  in  1876  began  the  study  of 
medicine  with  his  uncle,  Dr.  Samuel  H.  Headlee,  of  St.  James,  Missouri, 
and  in  1878  entered  the  Missouri  Medical  College  at  St.  Louis,  from  which 
institution  he  was  graduated  in  1880.  He  returned  to  his  home  in  Polk 
county  and,  staying  but  a short  time,  when  he  went  to  Fair  Grove,  and  there 
he  practiced  his  profession  until  1882,  when  he  went  back  to  Polk  county, 
staying  until  1887,  then  returned  to  Fair  Grove  and  remained  until  1911, 
when,  seeking  a larger  field  for  the  exercise  of  his  talents,  he  located  on  the 
public  square,  Springfield,  where  he  maintained  his  office  until  the  disastrous 
fire  of  the  spring  of  1914,  when  he  located  at  200  East  Commercial  street, 
where  he  has  remained.  He  had  built  up  quite  an  extensive  practice  in  the 
northern  part  of  this  county  and  in  the  southeastern  part  of  Polk  county, 
his  name  being  a household  word  in  that  locality  for  years,  and  upon  locating 
in  Springfield  he  found  that  his  reputation  had  preceded  him,  and  he  has 
enjoyed  a good  practice  since  coming  to  this  city.  He  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful as  a general  practitioner  and  has  kept  well  abreast  of  the  times  in  all 
that  pertains  to  his  profession.  Soon  after  locating  in  Fair  Grove  he  pur- 
chased a drug  store,  with  which  he  was  connected  until  he  removed  to  Spring- 
field.  He  owns  a comfortable  home  at  1376  North  Jefferson  street. 

Dr.  Cowden  was  married  in  1890  to  Mcie  Butts,  a daughter  of  J.  M. 
and  Fannie  (McLaughlin)  Butts,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Barry  county, 
Missouri,  respectively,  and  are  now  residents  of  Fair  Grove,  where  Mr.  Butts 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1413 


has  long  been  engaged  in  the  drug  business.  Mrs.  Cowden  was  born  in  Barry 
county,  this  state,  but  ever  since  early  childhood  has  been  a resident  of  Fair 
Grove  until  removing  to  Springfield  four  years  ago,  and  was  reared  and 
educated  in  the  former  place. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  one  child  has  been  born,  William  B.  Cowden, 
whose  birth  occurred  on  June  5,  1894,  in  Fair  Grove,  Missouri.  There  he 
grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  in 
Drury  College.  He  was  making  a splendid  record  for  scholarship  when  he 
was  compelled  to  give  up  his  studies  on  account  of  trouble  with  his  eyes. 
He  is  living  at  home. 

Politically  Dr.  Cowden  is  a Democrat.  He  is  prominent  in  Masonic 
circles,  being  a member  of  Ozark  Lodge,  No.  297,  at  Fair  Grove;  also  of 
Vincil  Chapter,  No.  no,  and  St.  John's  Commandery,  No.  20,  both  of  Spring- 
held.  He  is  a member  of  the  Greene  County  Medical  Society  and  the  South- 
west Missouri  Medical  Society. 

Dr.  Cowden’s  generous  treatment  of  his  patients  has  won  for  him  not 
the  respect  alone,  but  the  earnest  regard  of  the  large  clientele  which  he  has 
gathered  around  him,  and,  like  many  other  family  physicians,  he  has  become 
in  many  cases  the  family  adviser  in  matters  of  business  and  affairs  other 
than  of  a professional  nature. 


JUDGE  JAMES  R.  VAUGHAN. 

The  life  and  record  of  the  late  Judge  James  R.  Vaughan,  for  many 
years  a prominent  attorney  and  business  man  of  Springfield,  are  typical  of 
that  class  of  men  who  in  the  earlier  history  of  this  country  helped  to  lay 
the  foundations  of  its  present  greatness,  the  same  being  true  of  his  honored 
father  and  grandfather  before  him.  He  was  austere  in  his  relations  with 
his  fellow-men,  puritanical  in  his  ideas  of  right  and  wrong  and  zealous  to 
live  up  to  them.  While  on  the  bench  he  had  a proper  sense  of  dignity  and 
research  which  was  due  to  his  court,  and  was  not  slow  to  insist  on  them. 
Nevertheless  he  took  a lively  interest  in  the  careers  of  young  men  starting 
their  work  at  the  bar,  and  many  of  them  have  reasons  to  remember  the 
kindly  aid  and  suggestions  from  him  which  saved  them  from  the  pitfalls  and 
traps  of  the  law  into  which,  in  their  ignorance,  they  might  otherwise  have 
fallen.  In  his  public  career  as  well  as  in  his  private  life  no  word  of  suspicion 
was  ever  breathed  against  him.  His  actions  were  the  result  of  careful  "and 
conscientious  thought;  and  when  once  convinced  that  he  was  right,,  no  sug- 
gestion of  policy  or  personal  profit  could  swerve  him  from  the  course  he  had 
decided  upon.  His  career  was  complete  and  rounded  in  its  beautiful  sim- 


1414 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


plicity ; he  did  his  full  duty  as  a pubic  officer  and  as  a private  citizen;  and  he 
died,  in  the  fullness  of  years,  beloved  of  those  near  to  him,  and  respected  and 
esteemed  by  his  fellow  citizens. 

Judge  Vaughan  was  born  in  Murfreesboro,  Tennessee,  January  6,  1845. 
He  was  the  eldest  son  of  Thomas  and  Susan  B.  Vaughan,  and  he  was  four 
years  old,  when,  in  1849,  b’s  parents  moved  to  Christian  county,  Missouri, 
locating  on  a farm,  and  there  the  elder  Vaughan  became  a prominent  citi- 
zen; he  took  much  interest  in  public  affairs,  and  was  one  of  the  political  lead- 
ers of  that  county.  He  was  a Whig  until  that  party  was  succeeded  by  the  Re- 
publican party  in  the  fifties,  and  he  was  a stanch  Union  man  during  the  Civil 
war,  and  after  the  war  he  was  a Democrat.  His  death  occurred  on  August 

18,  1880,  his  widow  surviving  several  years.  She  was  a native  of  Tennessee, 

and  was  a daughter  of  Robert  Rawing,  who  was  an  early  settler  of  that  state. 
James  Vaughan,  Sr.,  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a native  of 
Virginia.  Thomas  H.  Vaughan,  father  of  our  subject,  was  a soldier  in  the 
Seminole  Indian  war  in  Florida.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  but  late  in  life  she  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
To  these  parents  seven  children  were  horn,  only  three  of  whom  grew  to  ma- 
turity, namely:  Samuel  R.  died  in  1889  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years; 

a daughter  who  became  the  wife  of  James  R.  Bell;  and  James  R.,  of  this 
memoir. 

Judge  Vaughan  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  near  Ozark,  Mis- 
souri, and  attended  the  district  schools  near  his  home,  and  the  schools  in 
Ozark,  and  in  i860  entered  the  University  of  Murfreesboro,  Tennessee, 
where  he  remained  until  the  commencement  of  the  Civil  war,  when  the  in- 
stitution was  closed.  Young  Vaughan  then  returned  to  Missouri  with  an 
uncle,  Dr.  David  A.  Vaughan,  and  remained  with  his  parents  until  March 

19,  1862,  when  he  took  “French  leave'’  of  his  home  and  joined  the  Sixth 
Missouri  Volunteer  Calvary  under  Gen.  Samuel  R.  Curtis,  enlisting  at  Cass- 
ville,  this  state.  Although  but  a boy  of  tender  years,  he  proved  to  be  a 
faithful  and  courageous  soldier  and  participated  in  a number  of  engagements 
in  western  Missouri,  such  as  Sarcoxie  and  other  places,  later  going  south, 
and  was  with  the  army  that  invested  the  renowned  Confederate  stronghold 
at  Vicksburg,  later  went  up  the  Arkansas  river  to  Arkansas  Post,  after  which 
he  was  assigned  to  different  transports  on  the  Mississippi  river.  Besides  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg  lie  was  in  the  engagements  at  Jackson  and  a number  of 
cavalry  raids  in  eastern  Louisiana;  was  in  the  Red  river  expedition  led  by 
General  Banks,  and  fought  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads  and  Pleasant  Hill,  and 
was  again  in  an  expedition  to  southeastern  Mississippi,  along  Mississippi 
sound.  Although  in  many  campaigns  and  engagements  he  was  never  wound- 
ed. For  meritorious  conduct  he  rose  to  the  rank  of  sergeant-major,  and  as 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1415 


such  was  honorably  discharged  after  the  battle  of  Baton  Rouge,  March  22, 
1865,  and  returned  to  his  Missouri  home.  After  teaching  school  a short 
time  he  entered  Illinois  College,  at  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  where  he  spent 
one  term,  and  in  1866  entered  the  law  department  of  the  University  of  Michi- 
gan at  Ann  Arbor,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  March,  1868.  Soon 
thereafter  he  began  practicing  his  profession  at  Ozark,  Missouri,  and  built 
up  a good  clientage,  ranking  among  the  leaders  of  the  Christian  county  bar, 
and  became  a public  school  commissioner.  Remaining  at  Ozark  until  1877, 
he  came  to  Springfield,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  and  was  one  of  the 
ablest  and  most  successful  lawyers  in  Greene  county,  and  enjoyed  a large 
business.  He  was  possessed  of  a logical  and  analytical  mind,  was  resourceful, 
tactful  and  tenacious,  and  as  a pleader  at  the  bar  he  had  few  equals.  In  1886, 
upon  the  death  of  Judge  W.  F.  Geiger,  Governor  Marmaduke  appointed 
Mr.  Vaughan  to  the  position  of  circuit  judge,  to  fill  out  the  unexpired  term 
of  several  months,  and  he  discharged  the  duties  of  this  responsible  position  in 
an  able  and  most  satisfactory  manner.  Although  a very  busy  man  profession- 
ally he  found  time  to  look  after  extensive  business  interests,  which  accumulated 
with  advancing  years  under  his  able  management  and  keen  foresight.  Dur- 
ing several  years  he  was  vice-president  of  the  First  National  Bank,  of 
Springfield,  and  he  did  much  to  further  the  prestige  and  success  of  the  same 
by  his  able  counsel  and  management.  Aside  from  that  he  owned  considerable 
valuable  real  estate,  and  was  attorney  for  several  corporations,  and  was 
widely  known  as  one  of  the  most  successful  corporation  lawyers  in  the  state. 
Politically,  he  was  a Democrat  and  was  one  of  the  local  party  leaders,  how- 
ever was  not  a seeker  afer  political  preferment,  preferring  to  devote  his  at- 
tention exclusively  to  his  extensive  professional  and  business  interests. 

Judge  Vaughan  was  married,  May  10,  1871,  to  Barbara  A.  Weaver,  a 
daughter  of  John  R.  Weaver,  a native  of  Tennessee,  from  which  state  he 
emigrated  to  Christian  county,  Missouri,  in  an  early  day,  and  there  became  a 
prominent  citizen,  and  he  served  that  county  twice  in  the  office  of  county 
treasurer.  Mrs.  Vaughan  was  born  on  December  17,  1852,  and  was  one  of 
seven  children. 

To  Judge  Vaughan  and  wife  eight  children  were  born,  six  of  whom 
are  still  living,  namely:  Lena  V.,  who  married  John  A.  Taylor,  president  of 
the  Springfield  Business  College  and  a prominent  business  man  of  this  city; 
thev  have  three  children  and  live  in  a cozy  home  at  800  South  National 
boulevard;  the  other  children  are  Anne  C.,  Charles  and  James;  Susie  died 
when  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  Mary  died  at  the  age  of  two  and  one-half 
years;  Eleanor  and  Robert  H.  Mrs.  Vaughan  lives  iii  a beautiful  home  on 
East  Walnut  street,  and  she  has  a host  of  warm  friends. 

Judge  James  R.  Vaughan  was  summoned  to  his  eternal  rest  on  February 


1416 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


4,  1904.  Of  him  the  Greene  county  bar  will  ever  cherish  his  many  virtues 
in  fondest  memory,  and  his  many  friends  will  lay  up  in  their  hearts  in  high- 
est esteem  the  pure  worth  of  him  whose  exemplary  life  and  character  were 
manifest  in  all  his  professional,  judicial  and  business  relations. 


HARRISON  MILTON  SMITH. 

Harrison  Milton  Smith,  cashier  of  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Bank,, 
of  Springfield,  is  a native  of  the  Buckeye  state,  having  been  born  on  June  28, 
1857,  in  Licking  county,  Ohio.  His  parents  were  Harrison  and  Margaret 
(Brown)  Smith,  who  were  natives  of  Culpeper  county,  Virginia.  His. 
grandfather,  Philip  Smith,  was  a native  of  Warren  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  came  from  that  sturdy  German  stock.  His  grandfather  on  his  mother’s 
side,  Peter  Brown,  was  of  English  descent.  He  was  a minute  man  of  the 
War  of  1812,  and  lived  to  the  ripe  old  age  of  ninety-one  years.  When, 
H.  M.  was  a small  boy  his  parents  emigrated  from  Ohio  to  Lagrange  county, 
Indiana,  where  he  lived  until  he  grew  to  manhood.  He  received  his  early 
education  in  the  district  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  com- 
menced teaching.  Pie  taught  four  terms  and  in  the  spring  of  1880  he  en- 
tered the  State  Normal  at  Terre  Haute  and  graduated  with  honors  in  June, 
1883,  receiving  a state  teacher's  license  for  life  in  the  state  of  Indiana. 

After  graduating  he  became  general  agent  for  the  Union  Publishing 
Company  of  Chicago,  in  which  position  he  served  for  eighteen  months.  In 
March,  1885,  lie  entered  the  employ  of  the  Goodspeed  Publishing  Company 
and  for  five  years  he  was  their  biographical  writer  for  state  works.  He 
traveled  in  ten  different  states  and  was  considered  as  one  of  the  company’s 
most  efficient  and  competent  men. 

On  Mav  9,  1889,  he  married  Sarah  Catharine  Foltz,  who  is  a native  of 
Indianapolis,  Indiana.  By  this  union  three  children  were  born;  Imo  Ann, 
died  on  October  31,  1895;  Orpha  Foltz  and  Wilma  Bernice  are  at  home  with 
their  parents. 

On  June  3,  1889,  Mr.  Smith  located  at  Richland,  Missouri,  where  he 
organized  the  Pulaski  County  Bank,  it  being  the  first  bank  in  Pulaski  county, 
hence  he  is  known  as  the  pioneer  banker  of  said  county.  He  was  elected  its 
cashier,  which  position  he  held  for  fourteen  years.  In  June,  1903,  he  sold 
out  and  moved  his  family  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  at  once  organized 
the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Bank,  and  it  opened  for  business  on  September 
21,  1913.  Here  again  he  was  elected  as  cashier  of  said  banking  institution, 
which  position  he  has  since  held.  As  a banker  he  has  been  a success.  His 
principal  has  always  been  “safety  first’’  to  his  depositors  and  the  banking 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1417 


institution  of  which  he  has  been  cashier,  carrying  at  ail  times  a surplus  equal 
to  the  capital  stock.  He  has  always  been  a very  busy  man,  looking  carefully 
after  every  detail  of  the  work  at  hand  and  in  doing  this  he  has  been  able  to 
accumulate  good  property.  Mr.  Smith  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in 
public  affairs  and  in  the  welfare  of  the  city  in  which  he  has  lived.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being  a member  of  United  Lodge,  No.  5, 
Gate  of  Temple  Chapter,  No.  15,  St.  John’s  Commandery,  Abou  Ben  Adhem 
Temple,  Shrine.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America 
and  Woodmen  of  the  World.  He  has  been  a member  of  the  Methodist 
church  for  many  years,  and  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  Grace  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  and  one  of  its  active  members. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a self-made  man  in  the  true  sense  of  the  word.  He  was 
reared  on  the  farm,  working  for  twenty-five  cents  a day  when  a boy ; worked 
two  years  in  a brick  yard  at  a dollar  a day  and  boarded  himself.  He  is  one 
of  the  substantial  business  men  of  Springfield  and  one  of  the  leading  bankers 
of  southwestern  Missouri.  Lie  was  elected  secretary  of  Group  No.  7 at  its 
last  meeting  in  the  fall  of  1914. 


WILLIAM  ALEXANDER  HALL. 

Human  life  is  like  the  waves  of  the  sea;  they  flash  a few  brief  moments 
in  the  sunlight,  marvels  of  power  and  beauty,  and  then  are  dashed  upon  the 
remorseless  shores  of  death  and  disappear  forever.  As  the  mighty  deep  has 
rolled  for  ages  past  and  chanted  its  sublime  requiem,  and  will  continue  to  roll 
during  the  coming  ages,  until  time  shall  be  no  more,  so  will  the  waves  of 
human  life  follow  each  other  in  countless  succession  until  they  mingle  at 
last  with  the  billows  of  eternity’s  boundless  sea.  The  passing  of  an}'  human 
life,  however  humble  and  unknown,  is  sure  to  give  rise  to  a pang  of  anguish 
to  some  heart,  but  when  the  “fell  destroyer"  knocks  at  the  door  of  the  useful, 
and  removes  from  earthly  scenes  the  man  of  influence  and  the  benefactor  of 
his  kind,  it  not  only  means  bereavement  to  kindred  and  friends,  but  a public 
calamity  as  well.  In  the  largest  and  best  sense  of  the  term,  the  late  William 
Alexander  Hall  was  distinctively  one  of  the  noted  men  of  his  day  and  genera- 
tion in  Greene  county,'  Missouri,  and  as  such  his  life  record  is  entitled  to  a 
conspicuous  life  in  the  annals  of  Springfield  and  vicinity.  As  a citizen  he  was 
public-spirited  and  enterprising  to  an  unwonted  degree ; as  a friend  and  neigh- 
bor, he  combined  the  qualities  of  head  and  heart  that  won  confidence  and 
commanded  respect ; as  a man  of  affairs,  who  had  a comprehensive  grasp 
upon  the  philosophy  of  business,  he  ranked  for  years  among  our  most  progres- 
sive commercial  exponents.  He  was  one  of  the  prominent  Masons  of  the 


1418 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


state,  and  he  brought  honor  and  dignity  to  the  public  positions  he  filled  with 
such  distinguished  success. 

Mr.  Hall  was  born  in  Nashville,  Tennessee,  November  27,  1834.  He 
was  a son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Hall,  both  natives  of  Scotland,  from  which 
country  they  emigrated  to  America  when  young  and  located  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  were  married  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  They  removed  to  Tennessee 
in  the  year  1828,  where  they  lived  ten  years,  thence  moved  to  Missouri  in 
1838,  settling  in  St.  Louis,  where  the  father  established  the  first  water-works 
of  that  city,  and  where  his  death  occurred  in  1862.  In  1848  the  mother  of 
our  subject,  together  with  her  youngest  child,  perished  in  a steamboat  dis- 
aster on  the  Alabama  river.  William  A.  Hall  was  about  fifteen  years  old 
at  the  time  of  his  mother’s  death,  and  he  then  went  to  live  with  his  sister, 
Mrs.  Emily  Jane  Oliver,  wife  of  Judge  Mordecai  Oliver,  of  Richmond,  Mis- 
souri. While  living  in  Richmond  he  supplemented  the  public  school  educa- 
tion acquired  in  St.  Louis  with  an  academic  training  under  the  tutelage  of 
Prof.  A Coke  Redman,  completing  the  course  of  study. 

Mr.  Hall  began  his  business  career  by  opening  a drug  store  in  Richmond, 
Ray  county,  removing  to  Liberty,  Clay  county,  this  state,  in  1856,  where  he 
continued  in  the  same  line  of  business  for  fourteen  years.  He  then  accepted 
the  position  of  cashier  in  the  Commercial  Bank,  of  Liberty,  but  owing  to 
failing  health  he  was  compelled  to  resign.  In  1872  he  went  to  Mexico,  Mis- 
souri, and  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  and  a year  later  left  Audrain  county 
for  Springfield,  where  he  and  John  R.  Ferguson  opened  a drug  store,  which, 
under  his  management,  assumed  so  large  a volume  he  was  induced  to  discon- 
tinue the  retail  and  devote  his  energies  to  building  up  an  exclusive  wholesale 
business.  The  business  of  this  widely  known  house  flourished  and  expanded 
and  an  extensive  trade  was  carried  on  all  over  the  Southwest.  It  was  for 
some  time  known  as  the  Hall-Pipkin  Drug  Company,  later  as  the  Hall  Drug- 
Company,  our  subject  having  acquired  the  interests  of  his  partner,  John  D. 
Pipkin,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  president  and  general  manager. 

Mr.  Hall  was  married  in  Liberty,  Missouri,  in  1855,  to  Florence  Ringo, 
Rev.  Moses  E.  Lord,  a noted  divine  of  the  Christian  church,  performing  the 
ceremony.  Mrs.  Hall  was  a daughter  of  Samuel  Ringo,  a pioneer  merchant 
of  Liberty.  To  this  union  six  sons  and  two  daughters  were  born,  five  of 
whom  are  still  living,  namely:  J.  William,  Samuel  A.,  Mrs.  J.  D.  Pipkin, 

Richard  Lee  and  Mrs.  Florence  McLaughlin.  The  mother  of  these  children 
passed  away  on  May  10,  1901.  Both  parents  were  active  members  of  the 
Christian  church  during  the  major  portion  of  their  lives.  Florence  Hall  mar- 
ried Charles  McLaughlin,  a native  of  Portland,  Maine,  where  he  was  reared 
and  partly  educated,  subsequently  attending  a military  school,  and  he  engaged 
in  newspaper  work  for  some  time  in  his  native  city,  then  removed  to 
Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  became  secretary  of  the  water  company.  His 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1419 


death  occurred  a number  of  years  ago.  To  Charles  and  Florence  (Hall) 
McLaughlin  one  child  was  born,  Florence,  who  is  now  a student  in  Drury 
College.  Mr.  McLaughlin's  father,  Charles  McLaughlin,  Sr.,  was  a promi- 
nent citizen  of  Portland,  Maine,  where  he  was  a successful  business  man, 
helped  improve  the  city,  and  was  elected  representative  to  the  Legislature  of 
Maine  in  1878,  and  in  1884  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate.  At  the  time  of 
his  death,  many  years  ago,  he  was  first  vice-president  of  the  Board  of  Trade 
of  his  city,  a director  in  a bank  and  president  of  the  Society  for  the  Preven- 
tion of  Cruelty  to  Animals. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hall  was  a Democrat,  having  cast  his  first  vote  in  the 
interests  of  that  party,  to  which  he  adhered  the  rest  of  his  life.  Throughout 
his  career,  despite  the  distractions  of  business,  he  took  an  active  interest  in 
civic  affairs.  He  was  twice  elected  mayor  of  Springfield,  his  first  term  of 
office  beginning  in  1875.  He  again  was  mayor  in  1897.  He  gave  the  city 
his  best  service  and  his  administrations  were  eminently  satisfactory  to  all 
concerned.  He  did  much  toward  the  general  upbuilding  and  welfare  of  the 
city,  whose  interests  he  ever  had  very  much  at  heart. 

From  the  date  of  his  association  with  Masonry,  Mr.  Hall  was  intensely 
interested  in  the  benevolent  motives  of  the  order  and  took  great  pride  in  the 
honors  conferred  upon  him.  His  Masonic  career  commenced  in  Liberty 
Lodge  No.  31,  where  he  was  made  a Master  Mason  in  1857.  He  served  as 
master  of  the  same  in  the  years  1868  and  1869.  He  was  exalted  to  the  Royal 
Arch  degree  on  May  10,  i860,  and  in  Liberty  chapter  No.  3 he  served  as 
high  priest  in  1869,  and  again  in  1871.  He  received  the  degree  of  Cryptic 
Masonry  in  Zabud  Council  No.  25  at  Springfield  in  1904.  He  was  created  a 
Knight  Templar  in  Liberty  Commandery  No.  6,  Knights  Templars,  November 
17,  1865.  On  his  removal  to  Mexico  he  affiliated  with  Hebron  lodge,  of  that 
place,  and  assisted  in  forming  Crusade  Commandery  No.  23.  In  1873,  after 
his  removal  to  Springfield,  he  affiliated  with  United  Lodge  No.  5,  Spring- 
field  Chapter  No.  15,  and  St.  John’s  Commandery  No.  20,  Knights  Templars. 
He  served  United  lodge  as  master  in  1875,  1S78,  1883  and  1884.  Fie  served 
Springfield  chapter  as  high  priest  in  1876.  and  again  in  1890.  He  received 
the  order  of  high  priesthood  in  1900.  He  served  St.  John’s  commandery  as 
commander  in  1877.  1878.  1879,  1880,  1881.  1883,  1884.  1886.  18S7  and 
1888.  In  1896  he  was  appointed  grand  warder  of  the  Grand  Commandery, 
Knights  Templars,  of  Missouri,  and  successively  filled  the  several  stations, 
being  elected  grand  commander  in  1904.  In  this  latter  eminent  position  the 
order  credits  him  with  having  shown  good  judgment,  zeal  and  activity,  round- 
ing out  an  administration  that  will  go  into  history  as  beneficial  to  the  order 
he  loved. 

Personally,  Mr.  Hall  was  a gentleman  of  commanding  presence,  and  his 


1420 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


genial,  social  qualities  and  strict  business  rectitude  rendered  him  popular  as. 
a man  and  citizen. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Hall,  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-five  years,  was. 
sudden  and  unexpected,  occurring  at  the  commodious  Hall  residence  on  North 
Alain  street,  on  Friday  morning,  September  25,  1909.  The  impressive  funeral 
services  were  in  charge  of  St.  John's  commandery,  Knights  Templars,  and 
were  held  in  St.  Paul’s  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South.  The  eulogy  was 
delivered  by  Rev.  F.  L.  Moffett,  pastor  of  the  South  Street  Christian  church, 
of  which  Mr.  Hall  was  a member.  The  remains  were  escorted  to  the  church 
and  to  the  Maple  Park  cemetery  by  the  Hobart  Military  band  and  by  St. 
John’s  commandery,  Knights  Templars,  and  the  united  lodges.  John  Nixon, 
of  St.  Louis,  eminent  grand  generalissimo;  William  H.  Glancey,  of  St.  Louis, 
eminent  grand  standard  bearer;  John  Gilles,  past  grand  commander,  of  St. 
Louis;  W.  Y.  Beam,  grand  instructor,  St.  Louis;  A.  N.  Martin,  grand  war- 
der, Lebanon;  John  Wingsweimer,  Will  Diffenderffer,  Senator  J.  W.  Farris,, 
past  commanders,  and  John  Diffenderffer,  all  of  Lebanon,  and  other  high 
Masonic  officials,  attended  the  services.  The  pallbearers  were  Jobe  Newton, 
Col.  H.  W.  Diggins,  Dr.  D.  B.  Farnsworth,  Paul  O’Day,  M.  V.  Ausherman, 
George  Arnold,  J.  M.  Heckenlively  and  W.  T.  Bigbee,  all  past  commanders, 
of  St.  John’s  commandery,  Knights  Templars. 

Among  the  many  complimentary  and  eulogistic  newspaper  articles  that 
appeared  in  the  press  from  time  to  time  in  regard  to  Mr.  Hall,  the  biographer 
will  here  reproduce  but  one,  which  he  deems  sufficient  to  show  the  high  stand- 
ing of  our  subject  as  a man  of  affairs  and  citizen,  the  article  having  appeared 
editorially  in  the  Springfield  Leader,  under  the  caption  of  “Springfield’s  Pop- 
ular Mayor.’’  It  follows: 

“In  this  day  and  time  when  money  is  regarded  as  the  summium  bonnm, 
that  municipality  whose  affairs  are  looked  after  by  clean,  honest,  conscien- 
tious men  is,  indeed,  fortunate.  Of  course,  all  men  have  weaknesses  and 
shortcomings,  and  your  correspondent  is  not  prepared  to  say  that  he  has  found 
a man  or  body  of  men  who  are  by  any  means  faultless,  but  when  we  state 
that  the  city  of  Springfield  has  one  of  the  best  mayors  she  ever  had,  and  that 
her  governmental  affairs  are  being  conducted  in  an  honorable  and  straight- 
forward manner,  we  expect  to  be  taken  with  all  seriousness. 

“The  Hon.  William  A.  Hall  is  certainly  the  right  man  in  the  right  place, 
for  none  to  whom  we  have  spoken,  and  we  have  conversed  with  many  on  the 
subject,  have  had  anything  to  say  in  regard  to  him  and  his  methods  except 
words  of  praise  and  commendation  and  approval. 

“Mr.  Hall  is  a representative  man  of  affairs,  having  been  identified  with 
the  business  interests  of  this  section  for  a number  of  years.  He  is  interested 
in  the  drug  business,  of  which  business  he  is  a master,  and  has  done  his  share 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1421 


in  building  up  the  city  and  making  it  one  of  the  most  substantial  towns  in 
this  section  of  the  country. 

“In  view  of  these  facts  his  nomination  for  mayor  by  the  Democrats 
and  his  election  by  the  people  were  certainly  manifestations  of  good  judg- 
ment. Since  his  inauguration  there  has  not  been  a mistake  made  in  conduct- 
ing the  affairs  of  the  city;  no,  not  even,  as  far  as  we  can  learn,  an  indiscre- 
tion. The  city  has  been  well  kept,  lives  and  property  have  been  adequately 
protected,  and  prosperity  has  come — let  it  be  hoped,  to  stay. 

“We  congratulate  the  people  of  Springfield  upon  their  good  judgment 
in  selecting  such  a mayor,  and  at  Mr.  Hall's  request  will  say  that  he  is  not  a 
candidate  for  re-election,  which  is  certainly  a matter  for  regret." 


JAMES  T.  WALSH. 

When  a man  is  called  “foreman”  it  means  more  than  the  casual  ob- 
server might  at  first  suppose,  for  it  indicates  that  he  has  labored  persistently 
and  conscientiously  else  he  would  not  be  in  charge  of  the  men  in  his  de- 
partment. It  does  not  matter  what  he  is  foreman  of,  whether  a machine 
shop,  factory,  a crew  of  farm  hands  or  on  public  works.  The  same  con- 
clusions may  be  drawn  no  matter  what  kind  of  a firm  he  represents,  or 
whether  it  is  one  of  world-wide  reputation  or  only  of  local  importance.  So 
when  we  speak  of  James  T.  Walsh  as  foreman  of  the  boiler  shops  in  the 
new  shops  of  the  Frisco  railroad  at  Springfield,  we  confer  upon  him  a well 
deserved  title  of  honor. 

Mr.  Walsh  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  on  August  21,  i860.  He  is  a 
son  of  James  and  Celia  (Collins)  Walsh,  both  natives  of  Ireland,  where 
they  grew  to  maturity,  attended  school  and  were  married.  Upon  emigrating 
to  America  they  located  in  the  state  of  Ohio.  After  living  for  some  time  in 
the  city  of  Cincinnati  they  removed  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  where  they  spent 
the  rest  of  their  lives,  both  dying  there.  Mr.  Walsh  worked  at  various  occu- 
pations after  coming  to  the  LTiited  States.  For  years  he  worked  as  river- 
man  on  the  Ohio.  His  family  consisted  of  four  children,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  being  the  only  survivor. 

James  T.  Walsh  was  an  .infant  when  his  parents  removed  with  him  to 
St.  Louis  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  attended  school,  his  education 
being  limited  to  the  eighth  grade.  When  a young  man  he  began  learning 
the  boilermaker's  trade  in  the  shops  of  Rohan  Brothers,  St.  Louis,  with  whom 
he  remained  for  several  years.  He  came  to  Springfield  in  1881  and  went  to 
work  at  his  trade  in  the  old  north  side  Frisco  shops,  where  he  remained  until 
he  was  transferred  to  Memphis,  Tennessee,  in  December,  1906,  as  foreman 


1422 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


of  the  boiler  shops  for  the  Frisco  there.  He  was  retained  by  the  company 
in  that  city  until  in  December,  1909,  when  he  was  made  foreman  in  the  boiler 
shops  at  the  new  shops  on  the  north  side,  where  he  has  since  remained,  giving- 
eminent  satisfaction  in  every  respect  and  being  regarded  as  one  of  the  best 
men  in  his  line  on  the  entire  system,  not  only  understanding  every  phase  of 
his  department,  but  he  is  also  a man  of  considerable  executive  ability  and 
handles  his  force  of  men  in  an  able  manner. 

Mr.  Walsh  was  married  on  April  18,  1883,  in  St.  Louis,  to  Nora  Shea, 
who  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  is  a daughter  of  Dan  and  Nora  (Lyons)  Shea. 
These  parents  lived  and  died  in  Ireland,  spending  their  lives  on  a farm,  where 
Mrs.  Walsh  grew  to  womanhood  and  there  she  attended  the  common  schools. 

The  following  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walsh,  namely: 
James,  born  on  February  26,  1884;  Mary,  born  on  March  24,  1885,  lives  at 
home;  Francis  J.,  born  on  November  18,  1886;  Daniel,  born  on  Tuly  6,  1888; 
Robert,  born  on  August  29,  1890,  and  Thomas,  born  on  November  29,  1892. 

Politically  Mr.  Walsh  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
Royal  Arcanum  and  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  He  is  a member  of  Sacred 
Heart  Catholic  church. 


SAMUEL  MACK  LLOYD. 

One  of  the  representative  business  men  of  Greene  county  of  a past  gen- 
eration was  the  late  Samuel  Mack  Lloyd,  who  devoted  his  earlier  life  to  gen- 
eral live  stock  pursuits,  but  for  over  a decade  he  was  in  the  tin  and  stove 
business  in  Springfield.  Lie  was  essentially  a man  of  affairs,  sound  of  judg- 
ment and  far-seeing  in  what  he  undertook,  and  with  scarcely  an  exception 
every  enterprise  to  which  he  addressed  himself  resulted  in  gratifying  financial 
returns.  He  began  life  poor  in  this  world's  goods,  but  rich  in  what  is  of  far 
more  value  than  material  wealth — a sound  mind  and  a sound  body.  He  pos- 
sessed concentration  of  purpose  and  energy  that  laughed  at  restraint;  keen 
foresight  and  the  rare  executive  ability  that  made  everything  undertaken 
accomplish  the  purpose  for  which  intended.  To  these  qualities  were  added 
scrupulous  integrity  in  all  dealings  with  his  fellow  men  and  an  honor  in  keep- 
ing with  the  ethics  of  business  life,  while  behind  all  and  controlling  all  were 
the  great  principles  embodied  in  the  Golden  Rule,  without  which  no  man, 
however  great  his  wealth,  and  however  distinguished  his  name,  can  be  truly 
successful. 

Mr.  Lloyd  was  born  in  the  state  of  Delaware,  in  the  year  1833.  When 
he  was  a small  child  his  parents  moved  to  Canton,  Lewis  county  j Missouri, 
and  established  their  home  on  a farm,  the  father  devoting  his  active  life  to 
agricultural  pursuits,  and  there  he  and  his  wife  died  when  our  subject  was 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1423 


but  a boy.  Their  family  consisted  of  four  children,  all  now  deceased,  namely : 
Jeremiah  was  the  father  of  James  T.  Lloyd,  who  became  a noted  politician 
and  a congressman;  John,  Samuel  Mack  and  Henry. 

Samuel  M.  Lloyd  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  where  he  worked  hard 
when  a boy,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Canton, 
Missouri,  and  when  but  a boy  he  manifested  decided  natural  talent  as  a judge 
of  live  stock,  and,  consequently,  turned  his  attention  to  dealing  in  live  stock, 
which  he  followed  principally  up  to  1883,  in  later  years  under  the  firm  name 
of  S.  M.  Lloyd  & Company,  and  he  was  very  successful  all  along  the  line  in 
this  field  of  endeavor. 

In  the  fall  of  1883,  Mr.  Lloyd  located  in  Springfield,  and  continued  to 
make  his  home  here  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  conducted  a tin  and  stove  estab- 
lishment on  Boonville  street,  his  shop  being  one  of  the  largest  and  best  known 
of  its  kind  in  southwest  Missouri,  and  he  did  a large  and  successful  business, 
under  the  firm  name  of  S.  M.  Lloyd,  Tin  and  Stoves.  He  conducted  this 
business  ten  years,  or  until  1893.  His  health  had  begun  to  fail  and  he  gave 
up  the  business  that  kept  him  so  closely  confined,  and,  in  order  to  have  some- 
thing to  do,  accepted  the  position  of  relief  officer  of  Springfield,  being  ap- 
pointed by  Jerry  Fenton,  at  that  time  mayor,  and  he  continued  to  discharge 
the  duties  of  this  office  until  his  death. 

Mr.  Lloyd  was  married,  October  10,  1882,  in  Canton,  Missouri,  to  Eva 
Bartlett,  who  was  born  on  September  12,  1859,  in  LaGrange,  Missouri.  She 
is  a daughter  of  Henry  S.  and  Mary  (Barker)  Bartlett.  The  father  was 
born  in  New  Hampshire,  April  26,  1832,  and  his  death  occurred  in  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  in  1906.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Lloyd  was  born  in  Kentucky  on 
November  13,  1846,  and  is  still  living,  making  her  home  with  her  daughter, 
Mrs.  Lloyd,  in  a handsome  residence  on  East  Elm  street,  Springfield.  Mr. 
Barker  devoted  his  active  life  to  mercantile  pursuits,  and  was  a man  of  busi- 
ness ability  and  exemplary  character. 

Two  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lloyd,  namely:  Nelle,  born 

on  January  5,  1884.  married  T.  J.  Means,  who  is  in  the  railroad  service;  May 
Elizabeth,  born  on  November  17,  1885,  is  the  wife  of  Holland  Keet,  a well 
known  young  business  man  of  Springfield. 

Politically,  Mr.  Lloyd  was  a Prohibitionist.  Fraternally,  he  belonged  to 
the  Masonic  order  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  was  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South.  He  was  sum- 
moned to  his  eternal  rest  on  January  17,  1896.  Interment  was  made  in  Ma- 
ple Park  cemetery.  At  a meeting  of  the  Springfield  Board  of  Charities  the 
following  resolution  was  passed  on  Mr.  Lloyd’s  death : 

“Whereas,  In  the  mysterious  providence  of  God,  S.  M.  Lloyd,  relief 
officer  of  the  Board  of  Charities  of  Springfield,  Missouri,  has  been  removed 
by  the  hand  of  death, 


1424 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


“Resolved  by  the  Board  of  Charities  assembled  in  special  session,  first: 
i hat,  while  bowing  submissively  to  the  will  of  God,  we  express  our  earnest 
regret  at  this  seemingly  untimely  death  and  our  appreciation  of  his  efficient 
conscientious  discharge  of  the  arduous  duties  of  his  trying  office  during  his 
brief  administration,  we  could  sincerely  say  to  him,  ‘Well  done,  thou  good 
and  faithful  servant.’ 

“Resolved,  second:  That  we  tender  his  bereaved  family  our  sincere 

sympathies  in  the  loss  of  a true  husband  and  devoted  father,  and  commend 
them  to  the  care  of  Him  who  is  pledged  to  be  the  husband  of  the  widow  and 
father  of  the  fatherless. 

“Resolved,  third : That  a copy  of  these  resolutions  be  furnished  to  the 

family,  the  daily  papers,  and  that  they  be  spread  upon  the  minutes  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  board.” 


JOHN  J.  HOBBS. 

Illustrative  of  the  evidence  that  the  bitterness  and  malevolence  resulting 
from  the  war  between  the  states  is  rapidly  passing  away,  are  the  frequent 
reunions  between  the  veterans  of  the  North  and  the  South,  when  they  clasp 
hands  across  what  was  once  a “bloodv  chasm,"  but  is  now  filled  and  flower 
grown ; and  the  frequent  return  of  battle  flags,  torn  from  dying  hands  on 
the  fields  of  conflict  are  a further  evidence  of  a finer  feeling  and  a more  sin- 
cere regard  each  for  the  other.  The  children  of  the  blue  and  the  gray  have 
intermarried  and  their  sires  sit  together  amid  the  falling  shadows  of  life’s 
evening,  respecting  each  other  yet  the  more  because  they  have  tried  and 
learned  to  honor  the  dauntless  spirit,  each  of  the  other,  on  the  field  of  deadly 
strife. 

One  of  the  Civil  war  veterans  of  Greene  county  is  John  J.  Hobbs,  who, 
after  a successful  career  as  general  farmer,  is  living  retired  at  Walnut  Grove, 
being  now  past  his  three-score  and  ten.  He  has  spent  his  long  life  in  this 
section  of  the  Ozarks,  which  he  has  seen  grow  from  a country  of  wild-woods 
to  a thriving  farming  community.  He  was  born  in  Dade  county,  Missouri, 
which  adjoins  this  county,  on  March  n,  1843.  He  is  a son  of  Silas  and 
Polly  Ann  (Fanning)  Hobbs,  each  representing  two  of  the  early  families 
of  Greene  county.  His  parents  were  both  natives  of  Tennessee,  from  which 
state  they  came  to  this  county  about  1837  and  settled  on  Grand  Prairie,  north 
of  Springfield,  both  having  made  the  journey  with  their  parents.  The  paternal 
grandfather  settled  in  Dade  county,  while  the  maternal  grandfather  located 
in  Greene  county.  After  their  marriage  the  parents  of  our  subject  engaged 
in  farming  in  Dade  county.  The  father  died  in  1887,  and  the  mother's  death 


MR.  AND  MRS.  JOHN  J.  HOBBS. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1425 


occurred  in  1874.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  James 
W.,  John  J.,  of  this  sketch  ; Elizabeth.  Jane,  William,  Louisa,  Rebecca,  Vinson 
G.,  Oliver  P.,  Mary  Ann  and  Silas  A. 

John  J.  Hobbs  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Dade  county  and  there  attended 
the  common  schools,  and  remained  with  his  parents  until  July,  1861,  when 
he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Sixth  Missouri  Cavalry  Volunteers,  sometimes 
called  the  Dade  County  Home  Guards.  It  was  not  long  until  he  had  a chance 
to  ascertain  what  war  really  meant,  for  on  the  10th  of  August  of  that  year 
he  fought  at  Wilson’s  Creek,  not  very  far  from  his  home,  but  which  proved 
to  be  one  of  the  two  greatest  and  most  important  battles  of  the  first  year  of 
the  war.  Here  he  conducted  himself  like  a veteran,  despite  his  youth  and 
lack  of  military  experience.  He  retreated  with  the  Federal  forces  from  that 
field  to  Springfield  and  on  to  Rolla,  Phelps  county,  and  his  next  engagement 
was  at  Wet  Glaize,  near  Lebanon,  Missouri.  From  there  he  was  with  the 
troops  that  went  to  Linn  Creek,  Camden  county,  where  they  captured  Capt. 
Bill  Roberts  and  his  company.  He  was  later  in  the  battle  at  Prairie  Grove, 
also  Newtonia,  then  went  to  southeastern  Missouri  and  fought  an  engage- 
ment with  Gen.  John  S.  Marmaduke’s  forces,  driving  them  from  the  state. 
He  and  a comrade.  E.  Woodrow,  were  sent  with  a dispatch  from  Bloomfield 
to  General  Davidson’s  headquarters  at  Witsburg,  Arkansas.  While  on  the 
way  they  were  captured  by  the  enemy  and  held  as  prisoners  at  Little  Rock 
for  over  two  weeks,  when  they  were  exchanged,  and  soon  thereafter  rejoined 
their  own  company.  Mr.  Hobbs  was  on  guard  duty  ar  the  bridge  of  the  Iron 
Mountain  railroad  for  awhile.  Lie  took  part  in  numerous  other  engagements, 
and  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  on  July  16,  1864,  and  honorably  dis- 
charged, having  been  in  the  army  three  years.  After  returning  home,  where 
he  remained  several  months,  he  re-enlisted  on  March  15,  1865,  in  the  Four- 
teenth Missouri  Cavalry,  in  which  he  served  eight  months,  and  was  mustered 
out  by  general  orders  from  the  war  department. 

After  the  war  Mr.  Hobbs  turned  his  attention  to  general  farming  in 
Dade  and  Polk  counties  and  this  continued  to  claim  his  attention  up  to  a few 
years  ago,  when  he  retired  from  active  life.  He  became  owner  of  a good 
farm  and  devoted  much  attention  to  stock  raising.  He  located  in  Greene 
county  in  1912,  and  he  is  now  living  at  Walnut  Grove,  where  he  has  a 
pleasant  home. 

Mr.  Hobbs  was  married  on  February  15,  1866,  to  Martha  E.  Messick, 
a daughter  of  Elihu  and  Sarah  ( J effnics ) Messick,  each  of  whom  came  with 
their  families  to  Greene  county  in  the  early  days  and  located  near  Springfield 
when  that  place  was  a small  frontier  village. 

Nine  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Sarah  L. 
is  the  wife  of  J.  C.  Routh,  who  lives  in  Montrose,  Colorado;  Benjamin  L. 


1426 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


lives  in  Hiattville,  Kansas;  John  F.  is  farming  in  Polk  county,  Missouri; 
Thomas  W.  lives  in  Pompey  Pillar,  Montana;  Mary  M.  became  the  wife  of 
O.  E.  Hargrave,  who  died  in  1901,  leaving  three  children;  four  of  our  sub- 
ject’s children  died  in  infancy. 

Politically  Mr.  Hobbs  is  an  Independent  Republican.  He  is  a member 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  belongs  to  the  Free  Will  Baptist 
church,  and  his  wife  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  church. 


CYRUS  J.  McMASTER. 

There  are  always  valuable  lessons  to  be  gained  in  perusing  the  life  his- 
tories of  such  men  as  the  late  Cyrus  J.  McMaster,  one  of  Greene  county’s, 
most  progressive  citizens  of  a past  generation,  whose  life  forcibly  illustrated 
what  energy,  integrity  and  fixed  purpose  can  accomplish  when  animated  by 
noble  aims  and  correct  ideals.  During  the  years  of  his  residence  in  the 
county  he  held  the  unequivocal  esteem  of  those  with  whom  he  came  in  con- 
tact, for  he  was  a man  whom  to  know  was  to  trust  and  admire,  owing  to 
his  many  commendable  attributes  of  head  and  heart,  and  when  the  “reaper 
whose  name  is  death"  gathered  him  in  his  sheaves  he  was  greatly  missed 
by  a wide  acquaintance.  For  many  years  he  was  one  of  the  leading  business 
men  on  the  north  side  of  Springfield,  and  was  widely  known  as  a hardware 
and  implement  dealer  over  this  section  of  the  Ozarks. 

Mr.  McMaster  was  born  in  Dade  county,  Missouri,  on  May  18,  1847. 
He  was  a son  of  Edward  H.  and  Eliza  J.  (Bull)  McMaster,  both  natives  of 
North  Carolina,  where  they  grew  to  maturity,  were  educated  exceptionally 
well  for  their  day  and  generation.  The  father  studied  medicine  and  received 
his  degree,  after  taking  the  prescribed  course  in  a medical  college,  and  he 
became  a successful  general  practitioner,  most  of  his  active  life  being  devoted 
to  this  vocation.  The  parents  of  our  subject  were  married  in  their  native 
state,  but  while  yet  young  removed  to  Missouri  in  an  early  day,  located  in 
Dade  county,  where  they  became  prominent  among  the  pioneer  settlers,  and 
they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  in  this  state.  Their  family  consisted  of  nine 
children,  four  of  whom  are  still  living,  named  as  follows:  Rufus  W.,  Mrs. 

Carrie  Patterson,  Mrs.  Ester  Denby  and  Mrs.  Madge  Denby. 

Cyrus  J.  McMaster  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Dade  county,  but  he  was  for  the  most  part  a self-made  man,  having  had 
little  assistance  in  any  way,  working  persistently  and  earnestly  to  advance 
himself.  He  came  to  Walnut  Grove,  Greene  county,  when  young,  and  there 
remained  until  he  was  about  twenty-six  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Spring- 
field.  He  had  for  some  time  been  engaged  in  the  harness  and  saddlery  busi- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I427 


ness,  which  he  continued  after  coming  to  this  city  for  three  or  four  years, 
then  went  into  the  buggy  and  wagon  business,  which  he  conducted  alone  and 
on  an  extensive  scale  for  a period  of  thirty-four  years,  during  which  he  car- 
ried on  a successful  trade  over  a wide  territory  and  was  one  of  the  best  known 
men  in  this  line  of  business  in  southwestern  Missouri,  a large  part  of  his 
trade  extending  into  adjoining  counties.  He  was  the  county  agent  of  a num- 
ber of  the  best  makes  of  wagons  and  buggies  and  had  full  charge  of  the  busi- 
ness of  these  firms  in  this  section  of  the  state.  Eight  years  before  his  death 
he  went  on  the  road  as  traveling  salesman  for  the  Joel  Turney  Brothers 
Wagon  Company,  of  Illinois,  and  gave  this  firm  eminent  satisfaction  in  every 
respect,  doing  much  to  extend  the  prestige  of  the  same  in  the  territory  as- 
signed him.  He  remained  active  in  his  chosen  line  of  work  until  his  death. 
He  was  one  of  the  best  informed  men  in  the  implement  trade  in  the  state,  and 
his  judgment  and  veracity  could  always  be  relied  upon,  so  that  his  thousands 
of  customers  reposed  implicit  confidence  in  his  integrity  at  all  times  during 
his  career.  His  large  vehicle  house  on  Commercial  street  was  kept  fully 
stocked  with  various  kinds  of  standard  wagons,  buggies,  carriages  and  other 
similar  things  used  by  farmers  and  in  fact,  all  classes  of  citizens  who  bought 
and  used  vehicles  of  any  kind. 

Mr.  McMaster  was  married,  December  16,  1869,  at  Walnut  Grove,  to 
Belle  Weir,  who  was  born  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  April  23,  1852.  She  was 
a daughter  of  James  D.  and  Fidelia  (Meachel)  Weir.  They  were  natives  of 
Kentucky  and  Illinois,  respectively.  They  grew  up  in  their  localities  and 
were  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  when  a young  man  Mr.  Weir  left 
the  Blue  Grass  state  and  located  in  Illinois,  where  he  married.  They  estab- 
lished their  home  on  a farm,  devoting  their  lives  to  agricultural  pursuits. 
Their  family  consisted  of  nine  children,  three  of  whom  are  living  at  this 
writing,  namely : Andrew,  Mrs.  Agnes  Dagan  and  Marion.  Airs.  Belle 

McMaster  grew  to  womanhood  in  Illinois  and  received  a good  education  in 
the  schools  there.  She  proved  to  be  a most  faithful  helpmeet  and  was  a 
woman  of  many  commendable  characteristics.  Her  death  occurred  on  Sep- 
tember 14,  1914. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McMaster  two  children  were  born,  namely:  Vernie, 

born  April  16,  1871,  married  John  French,  and  they  live  in  St.  James,  Mis- 
souri; Walter  W.,  born  March  22,  1874,  married  Nettie  Smith.  He  was  in 
the  recorder’s  office  of  Greene  ‘county  for  a period  of  twelve  years,  eight 
years  as  deputy,  and  four  years  as  recorder.  His  long  retention  in  this  office, 
one  of  the  most  important  in  the  county,  would  indicate  that  the  people  im- 
posed implicit  confidence  in  his  ability  and  integrity.  He  is  now  engaged  in 
business  on  the  north  side. 

Cyrus  J.  McMaster  was  a veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  having  been  but  a 
mere  boy  when  he  enlisted  in  1861  in  a regiment  of  Missouri  volunteers,  hav- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1:428 

ing  enlisted  from  Walnut  Grove.  He  was  in  the  army  four  years,  seeing 
quite  a good  deal  of  active  service,  and  serving  in  a most  creditable  manner 
for  one  of  his  tender  years.  Politically,  he  was  always  a Republican,  and,  re- 
ligiously, he  belonged  to  the  Presbyterian  church,  while  his  family  affiliates 
with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Mr.  McMaster  was  called  to  his  eternal  rest  on  December  30,  1912,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-five  years,  after  a successful  and  honorable  life. 


CHRISTOPHER  COLUMBUS  CLEMENTS,  M.  D. 

The  man  who  devotes  his  talents  and  energies  to  the  noble  work  of  con- 
scientiously administering  to  the  ills  and  alleviating  the  sufferings  of  hu- 
manity pursues  a calling  which,  in  dignity,  importance  and  beneficial  results, 
is  second  to  no  other.  If  true  to  his  profession  and  earnest  in  his  efforts 
to  enlarge  his  sphere  of  usefulness,  he  is  indeed  a benefactor  of  his  kind, 
for  to  him  more  than  any  other  man  are  entrusted  the  safety,  the  comfort 
and  in  many  instances  the  lives  of  those  who  place  themselves  under  his  care 
and  profit  by  his  services.  Of  this  class  of  professional  men  was  the  late 
Dr.  Christopher  Columbus  Clements,  who  stood  for  many  years  with  few 
peers  among  the  general  practitioners  of  Springfield.  He  realized  that  to 
attain  determinate  success  in  the  medical  profession  there  must  be  not  only 
given  technical  ability,  but  also  a broad  human  sympathy  which  must  pass 
from  mere  sentiment  To  be  an  actuating  motive  for  helpfulness.  So  he  dig- 
nified and  honored  the  profession  by  his  able  and  self-abnegating  services. 
Plis  long  and  useful  life  as  one  of  the  world’s  workers  was  one  of  devotion, 
almost  consecration,  to  his  calling. 

Doctor  Clements  was  born  at  Clementsville,  Jackson  county,  Tennessee, 
April  8,  1838.  Lie  descended  from  an  old  Colonial  American  family.  He 
was  a son  of  Christopher  Columbus  Clements,  who  was  born  in  Virginia  in 
1791,  and  whose  family  immigrated  to  the  Old  Dominion  from  England 
prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war,  in  which  conflict  they  participated.  Our 
subject’s  father  spent  his  early  life  in  Virginia,  from  which  state  he  removed 
to  Tennessee  in  the  early  settlement  of  that  state  and  devoted  his  life  to 
general  farming.  He  was  active  in  politics  and  held  various  elective  offices. 
He  was  a colonel  of  militia  and  served  in  the  Seminole  Indian  War  in  Flor- 
ida. The  town  of  Clementsville,  Tennessee,  was  named  after  him,  and  there 
his  death  occurred,  August  11,  1858,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years,  his  wife 
having  died  on  the  home  farm  there  on  September  11,  1849.  Lie  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  church,  while  she  held  membership  in  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  church.  Mrs.  Clements  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I429 


Mary  Frame,  a native  of  Tennessee,  and  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  To  these 
parents  eight  children  were  born,  six  sons  and  two  daughters,  namely : Leroy 
S.,  Henderson  M.,  Dr.  Christopher  C.,  William  M.,  Andrew  J.,  George  W., 
Tabitha  and  Sallie. 

Dr.  C.  C.  Clements  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm  near  Clements- 
ville,  Tennessee,  and  there  he  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
and  when  a young  man  began  the  study  of  medicine  under  the  preceptorship 
of  his  brother,  Dr.  William  M.  Clements,  with  whom  he  pursued  his  medi- 
cal studies  for  several  years,  then  attended  the  medical  department  of  the 
University  of  Louisville,  Louisville,  Kentucky,  completing  his  education  at 
Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  from  which  noted  in- 
stitution he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  doctor  of  medicine.  Thus  well 
ecpiipped  for  his  chosen  profession,  he  returned  to  Tennessee  and  began 
practice  in  Macon  county,  where  he  was  building  up  a good  business  during 
the  earlier  years  of  the  Civil  war,  and  he  was  appointed  assistant  surgeon 
of  the  Second  Tennessee  Mounted  Infantry.  Later  he  was  major  and  sur- 
geon of  the  Fourth  Tennessee  Mounted  Infantry,  serving  in  such  capacity 
until  the  close  of  the  struggle.  His  record  in  the  Union  army  is  a most  com- 
mendable one.  His  military  service  was  mostly  in  the  states  of  Tennessee, 
Kentucky  and  Mississippi.  He  participated  in  many  important  battles  and 
skirmishes  and  was  one  of  the  surgeons  who  cared  for  the  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Nashville. 

Following  the  close  of  the  war  between  the  states  he  went  to  Texas, 
spending  a year  in  Sherman  and  Paris;  leaving  northern  Texas  in  the  spring 
of  1867,  he  located  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  resided  and  practiced 
his  profession  continuously  and  with  pronounced  success  until  shortly  before 
his  death,  which  occurred  on  December  20,  1905,  or  during  a period  of  thirty- 
eight  years. 

Doctor  Clements  was  married  in  Springfield,  in  1870,  to  Albina  Carson 
Parrish,  a daughter  of  Dr.  Horatio  M.  and  Sarah  J.  Parrish,  both  natives  of 
Warren  county,  Kentucky,  from  which  state  they  came  to  Springfield,  Mis- 
souri, in  1848,  and  here  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  Doctor  Parrish  having 
been  a well  known  pioneer  physician.  Two  children  were  born  to  Doctor 
and  Mrs.  Clements,  namely:  Charles  Edward,  who  died  in  infancy,  and 

Frank  Parrish  Clements,  who  was  born  in  Springfield  and  educated  in  this 
city  and  Chicago,  and  was  engaged  in  the  banking  and  manufacturing  busi- 
ness in  Springfield  until  1903,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  busi- 
ness in  the  Southwest,  although  he  has  retained  his  legal  residence  in  Spring- 
field. 

Mrs.  Dr.  Clements  resides  at  the  commodious  family  residence  on  East 
Walnut  street,  Springfield. 

Doctor  Clements  was  a Republican  in  politics.  He  belonged  to  Solomon 


1,430 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Lodge,  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  Springfield.  He  was  a member 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  was  a member  of  and  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  Springfield  Medical  Society,  of  which  he  was  for  many 
years  president.  He  was  president  of  the  Board  of  Health  at  various  times, 
and  was  president  of  the  Springfield  Board  of  Pension  Examiners.  He  was 
interested  in  various  public  enterprises.  He  was  a patron  of  the  leading 
medical  periodicals  of  his  day,  and  kept  well  abreast  of  the  times  in  his 
profession,  and  he  stood  high  not  only  as  a physician  of  rare  skill,  but  as  a 
man  of  high  integrity  in  the  city  of  his  adoption,  where  he  passed  so  many 
years  of  successful  practice. 


HARRY  H.  FINCH. 

If  industry,  hard  work  and  ceaseless  activity,  united  with  a strong  and 
determined  perseverance  can  accomplish  anything  in  this  world,  then  Harry 
H.  Finch,  engineer  at  the  Springfield  Gas  & Power  Company,  is  bound 
to  succeed,  for  in  him  are  to  lie  found  all  the  characteristics  mentioned,, 
and  indeed  he  is  deserving  of  more  than  ordinary  credit  for  his  career 
thus  far  in  life,  having  yet  scarcely  begun  his  serious  life  work. 

Mr.  Finch  was  born  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  March  8,  1894.  Fie  is 
a son  of  John  S.  and  Lillie  (Robinson)  Finch,  the  latter  residing  at  her 
own  home  on  West  Poplar  street,  this  city.  The  father  was  born  at  Straf- 
ford, Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  grew  to  manhood  in  this  county  and 
attended  school  here.  Securing  a position  on  the  St.  Louis  & San  Francisco 
road  here  when  a young  man,  he  worked  his  way  up  to  a locomotive  engi- 
neer, in  which  capacity  he  was  long  connected  with  this  road  and  which 
he  was  holding  at  the  time  of  his  death,  on  October  2,  1903,  when  about 
forty-six  years  old.  His  death  was  by  accident  in  a head-on  collision  at 
Thayer,  this  state.  He  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  when  he  first  came  to 
Springfield  he  worked  in  the  south  side  shops,  then  went  on  the  road  as 
fireman,  and  was  in  due  course  of  time  promoted  to  engineer.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers,  also  belonged  to 
the  First  Baptist  church.  His  family  consisted  of  three  children,  namely: 
Nellie  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Gardner,  lives  with  her  mother,  and  has  one 
child,  Juinita;  Harry  H.,  of  this  sketch;  and  Jesse,  who  is  an  apprentice 
plumber. 

The  Finches  were  early  settlers  in  Greene  county,  the  grandfather  hav- 
ing located  there  in  pioneer  times,  became  a successful  farmer,  and  served 
in  the  Civil  war. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I43I 

Harry  H.  Finch  received  his  education  in  the  ward  schools  of  his  native 
city,  but  left  school  when  fourteen  years  of  age  and  went  to  work  in  the 
plant  of  the  Steineger  & Rountree  Harness  Company,  as  an  apprentice 
harness  maker,  but  he  found  the  work  not  altogether  to  his  liking,  having 
had  a natural  bent  toward  machinery,  so  he  gave  up  the  idea  of  becoming 
a harness  maker  and  he  secured  a position  as  apprentice  in  the  Frisco  shops, 
later,  when  the  shops  closed  down  temporarily,  he  accepted  a position 
with  the  Springfield  Gas  & Electric  Company  as  an  oiler,  on  October  25, 
1907.  He  held  this  position  for  two  years,  then  began  work  as  an  engi- 
neer, having  successfully  passed  the  required  examination  on  October  15, 
1911,  and  received  his  license,  having  enjoyed  the  honor  of  being  the 
youngest  licensed  engineer  in  Springfield.  But  he  had  thoroughly  prepared 
himself,  having  not  only  been  a close  observer  while  acting  as  oiler,  but  also 
mastered  the  prescribed  course  of  the  • American  Correspondence  School 
in  steam  engineering.  He  is  still  a student  of  everything  that  pertains  to 
his  calling  and  is  unquestionably  one  of  the  most  up-to-date  steam  engi- 
neers in  Springfield. 

Mr.  Finch  was  married  on  August  7.  1913,  to  Pearl  Stine,  a daughter 
of  Cassius  H.  Stine.  She  received  a common  school  education.  This 
union  has  been  without  issue. 

Mr.  Finch  is  a member  of  the  National  Association  of  Stationary 
Engineers.  He  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  church  on  Grant  street,  and. 
politically,  he  votes  the  Democratic  ticket. 


LEONARD  FAWCETT. 

We  may  not  always  realize  it,  but  quite  often  little  things  rob  a farmer 
of  the  joy  of  farming  and  living  in  the  free  open  country.  It  may  be  a 
broken-down  gate,  a half -destroyed  string  of  fence,  a leaky  roof  or  a 
dozen  other  similar  things  that  ought  never  to  be  found  on  a farm.  These 
seemingly  trivial  things  are  responsible  not  only  for  keeping  the  owner  in  a 
bad  temper  but  also  positively  occasion  loss  in  many  ways.  The  wise  hus- 
bandman, during  his  spare  moments  from  his  crops  and  in  the  long  winter 
months  looks  after  these  defects  one  by  one  until  everything  is  efficient 
and  in  ship-shape,  for  he  deems  it  a shame  to  let  such  little  things  rob  him 
of  the  pleasure  of  farm  life.  Leonard  Fawcett,  of  Jackson  township,  Greene 
county,  is  this  kind  of  farmer.  The  stranger  finds  everything  in  good  re- 
pair and  in  its  place  when  visiting  his  farm.  Such  a man  sets  a good  ex- 
ample for  his  neighbors. 


14  32 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mr.  Fawcett  was  born  in  Keokuk  county,  Iowa,  September  8,  1868. 
He  is  a son  of  Melville  and  Susan  Jane  (Shipman)  Fawcett.  The  father 
was  born  in  Ohio,  November  9,  1838,  but  when  a small  boy  his  parents  re- 
moved to  West  Virginia  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  attended  school. 
When  nineteen  years  of  age  he  came  to  Iowa,  where  he  married  and  began 
life  for  himself  on  a farm,  became  owner  of  eighty  acres  and  remained  in 
that  state  twenty  years,  removing  from  there  to  Missouri  in  1877,  settling- 
south  of  Springfield  in  Greene  county,  where  he  purchased  a farm  of  two 
hundred  acres.  lie  was  very  successful  as  a general  farmer  and  there  he 
spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  1909.  During  the  Civil  War  he  served 
in  the  Union  army,  having  been  drafted  into  the  service  in  1863.  xTfter 
serving  a year  he  was  discharged  at  Mobile,  Alabama.  He  belonged  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  The  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was. 
born  in  Canada,  July  28,  1836,  and  there  she  was  reared  on  a farm  and 
educated.  Remaining  in  her  native  country  until  twenty  years  of  age  she  then 
moved  to  Michigan,  later  went  to  Iowa,  where  she  met  and  married  Mr. 
Fawcett.  She  is  now  advanced  in  years  and  is  living  on  the  farm  adjoining 
that  of  her  son,  our  subject,  making  her  home  with  her  daughter.  To. 
Melville  D.  Fawcett  and  wife  ten  children  were  born,  namely:  Herbert, 
deceased;  Warren,  Robert,  Ira  is  deceased;  Lucy,  Leonard  of  this  sketch; 
Jesse  H.,  Mrs.  Lottie  Rogers,  Rolland,  and  William. 

Leonard  Fawcett  lived  in  Iowa  until  he  was  nine  years  of  age,  when 
he  removed  with  the  family  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  here  he  lias, 
since  resided.  He  received  a common  school  education.  He  remained  at 
home  working  for  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-six  'years  of  age,  in  1894, 
then  married  Rosa  Putnam,  soon  after  which  he  began  life  for  himself 
as  a farmer.  He  and  his  wife  moved  to  their  present  farm  nine  years  ago. 
This  place  consists  of  one  hundred  and  two  acres,  which  is  well  located,  well 
improved  and  is  kept  well  stocked.  Our  subject  carries  on  general  farming 
and  stock  raising  and  he  has  for  many  years  dealt  extensively  in  live  stock, 
being  one  of  the  best  known  stockmen  in  this  country.  He  has  a good 
home  and  substantial  outbuildings.  Mrs.  Fawcett  was  born  in  this  county, 
August  20,  1876,  on  a farm,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood,  and  she  was 
educated  in  the  rural  schools.  She  is  a daughter  of  Elijah  and  Maranda 
(Wood)  Putman.  Her  mother  is  deceased,  but  her  father  is  living  in  Fair 
Grove,  Greene  county. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fawcett,  namely: 
Flarry,  born  August  1,  1895;  and  Johnie,  born  April  22,  1901. 

Mr.  Fawcett  is  a Democrat  in  his  political  relations;  fraternally  he  is 
a member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  religiously,  he  and  his  wife  belong  to 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1435 


JOHN  GLENN  NEWBILL. 

Judge  John  G.  NewbilL  the  present  judge  of  the  police  court  of  Spring- 
field,  is  serving  his  second  term  in  that  now  important  office.  When  re- 
elected in  April,  1914,  he  was  the  only  candidate  on  the  Democratic  ticket 
who  carried  every  ward  in  the  city.  He  was  appointed  by  President  Cleve- 
land to  the  position  of  register  of  the  United  States  land  office  at  Spring- 
field  in  1894,  and  discharged  the  duties  of  that  office  during  a term  of  four 
years,  more  than  a year  of  which  time  was  under  the  administration  of 
President  McKinley.  Judge  Newbill  is  also  editor  of  The  Express,  an  earn- 


JOHX  G.  NEWBILL. 


est  and  strictly  reliable  Democratic  weekly  newspaper  that  he  established  on 
April  1,  1881.  For  a period  of  fourteen  years  he  was  the  efficient  secretary 
of  the  Democratic  central  committee  of  Greene  county,  and  during  all  his 
journalistic  career  he  has  been  a well  known  correspondent  of  different  met- 
ropolitan daily  newspapers,  as  \yell  as  agent  of  the  Associated  Press  when 
William  Henry  Smith  was  its  able  manager. 

John  Glenn  Newbill  is  a native  of  southwest  Missouri,  his  first  recol- 
lection beginning  on  his  father’s  fine  farm  two  and  one-half  miles  west  of 
Springfield  on  the  Mt.  Vernon  road.  His  father,  Tyree  Glenn  Newbill,  was 
a native  of  Franklin  county,  Virginia,  in  which  all  his  ancestors  located 
when  they  came  to  America  during  the  days  of  the  colonies,  prior  to  the 
Revolution,  in  which  a number  of  them  took  an  active  part  as  soldiers  in  the 


1434 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


army  of  General  Washington.  Judge  Newbill’s  parents  came  to  Greene 
county  in  the  early  fifties,  and  his  father  was  one  of  the  most  enterprising- 
farmers  and  stock  raisers  in  this  section.  He  was  the  president  of  the  local 
fair  association  the  two  years  preceding  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  and,  like 
his  son,  was  an  earnest  and  devoted  Free  Mason,  the  names  of  both  as  mem- 
bers being  in  the  archives  of  United  Lodge  No.  5 and  Springfield  Chapter 
No.  15,  Royal  Arch  Masons.  Judge  Newbill  is  also  a thirty-second  degree 
Mason  of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  his  membership  being  in 
Joplin  Consistory  No.  3,  at  Joplin,  Missouri. 


EMIEL  SANDERS. 

America  has  always  held  the  gates  of  her  entry  ports  ajar  to- the  sons 
of  Sweden,  ancl,  having  thus  extended  them  a hearty  hand  of  welcome  and 
given  them  every  opportunity  to  advance  themselves  after  they  got  within 
our  borders,  they  have  come  in  large  numbers,  from  year  to  year,  and  their 
substantial  homes  now  dot  the  hills  and  plains  of  nearly  every  agricultural 
community  of  the  Union,  and  there  is  hardly  a city  of  any  importance  in 
which  we  do  not  find  their  homes  and  places  of  business.  Thus  they  have 
aided  us  in  developing  this  vast  and  comparatively  new  western  hemisphere 
and  we  have  in  turn  improved  their  condition.  They  were  reared  in  a land 
where  Mother  Nature  is  somewhat  unkind,  where  the  winters  are  long  and 
the  country  rugged  and  none  too  fertile  and  where  business  and  professional 
opportunities  are  not  so  extensive  as  in  our  own  country,  so  that  they  have, 
as  a rule,  had  to  battle  hard  for  the  right  to  live,  had  to  exert  every  energy 
for  the  food  and  clothing  necessary  to  keep  aglow  the  little  flame  of  life. 
But  this  all  has  helped  them  to  win  success  in  America,  where  there  are  un- 
limited opportunities,  for  they  have  inherited  from  their  forebears  those 
sterling  qualities  of  energy,  persistence,  fortitude  and  tact,  and  they  do  not 
halt  at  any  obstacle  or  permit  any  adversity  to  swerve  them  from  their  course. 
One  of  this  number  was  the  late  Emiel  Sanders,  as  was  also  his  father-in- 
law,  Peter  Swanson,  men  who  came  to  this  country  of  ours  with  little  to 
start  on,  but  forged  to  the  front  and  became  possessors  of  a competency  and 
comfortable  homes  in  due  course  of  time. 

Mr.  Sanders,  who  was  for  many  years  a well  known  furniture  dealer  in 
Springfield,  was  born  in  Stockholm,  Sweden,  May  7,  1845.  In  an  early  day 
he  came  to  the  United  States,  first  locating  in  New  York,  and  there  he  was 
first  married  to  a lady  of  English  birth.  They  were  the  parents  of  three 
children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy  and  John,  who  survived,  is  now  in 
Ponka  City,  Oklahoma.  Subject’s  first  wife  died  in  1876,  and  subject  again 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1435 


.married,  this  time  Marie  Swanson,  a daughter  of  Peter  and  Gustava  (Law- 
son)  Swanson,  both  of  Sweden.  Mrs.  Sanders  was  one  of  six  children,  three 
boys  and  three  girls,  the  youngest  born  in  America  and  the  rest  in  Sweden. 
This  last  marriage  occurred  May  io,  1880. 

Emiel  Sanders  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  land  and  there  received 
his  education  and  learned  the  cabinet  maker’s  trade,  and  when  a young  man 
went  to  Germany  and  spent  three  years,  then  emigrated  to  the  United  States, 
.first  locating  in  New  York,  as  before  stated.  He  came  on  to  Springfield, 
.Missouri  in  an  early  day  and  here  remained  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  had 
continued  working  at  his  trade,  at  which  he  was  quite  skilful,  and  after  he 
had  become  well  established  in  Springfield  he  started  a furniture  factory, 
which  he  operated  a short  time,  then  owned  and  conducted  a large  furniture 
store  at  309  Boonville  street,  where  he  built  up  a large  and  satisfactory  busi- 
ness, carried  an  extensive  and  up-to-date  stock  of  everything  commonly  found 
in  the  best  furniture  stores  of  the  large  cities,  and  this  line  of  business  he 
■continued  until  his  death,  at  which  time  he  was  one  of  the  oldest  furniture 
dealers  in  the  city.  He  dealt  in  an  honest  and  courteous  manner  and  his 
hundreds  of  patrons  remained  his  friends. 

Mr.  Sanders  was  married  May  10,  1881,  at  Marshfield,  Missouri,  to 
Marie  Swanson,  who  was  born  in  the  central  part  of  Sweden,  April  21, 
1857.  She  is  a daughter  of  Peter  and  Gustava  (Lawson)  Swanson,  both 
natives  of  Sweden  also,  and  there  they  grew  to  maturity,  received  common 
school  educations  and  were  married.  Mr.  Swanson  was  a farmer  by  occu- 
pation, which  he  followed  in  his  native  land  until  1869,  when  he  emigrated 
to  the  United  States  and  located  at  Salem,  Missouri,  and  after  he  got  a good 
foothold  in  the  new  country  he  sent  for  his  wife  and  daughter,  Marie,  who 
made  the  long  trip  from  their  native  land  to  this  state  in  1872.  The  family 
moved  from  Salem  to  Mountain  Grove,  Missouri,  but  the  death  of  Mr.  Swan- 
son occurred  at  Salem.  His  family  consisted  of  five  children,  all  living  at 
this  writing.  Mrs.  Sanders  grew  to  womanhood  in  Sweden  and  received  a 
limited  education  in  the  common  schools,  but  she  has  educated  herself  and 
is  a well  informed  and  intelligent  lady,  with  affable  manners.  She  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Congregational  church,  and  has  a pleasant  home  on  East  Grand 
avenue. 

Four  children  were  born  to  Emiel  Sanders  and  wife,  one  of  whom  is 
deceased,  namely:  Emma  C.,  born  February  16,  1882,  was  educated  in 

the  schools  of  Springfield,  married  Gorden  Coil,  and  they  live  on  a farm 
near  Fair  Grove,  Greene  county;  Mary  Hattie,  born  June  25,  1884,  died  in 
February,  1886;  Nellie  A.,  born  June  29,  1886,  was  graduated  from  the 
Springfield  high  school  and  the  state  normal  here,  and  she  is  a successful 
teacher;  Ada  G.,  born  July  29,  1888,  was  also  graduated  from  the  local  high 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1436 

school  and  the  state  normal  here  and  taught  in  Wyoming  one  year,  where  she 
made  a good  record. 

Emiel  Sanders  was  called  to  his  rest  on  July  8,  1892,  at  the  age  of  forty- 
seven  years,  when  in  the  prime  of  life. 


GEORGE  W.  BARNES,  M.  D. 

It  is  a pleasure  to  the  biographer  to  revert  to  the  life  of  an  individual 
who  surmounted  the  discouraging  obstacles  of  an  early  environment  that  was 
none  too  auspicious,  and  while  achieving  a large  measure  of  individual  suc- 
cess has  found  time  to  be  a good  citizen  in  a general  way,  making  his  locality 
better  by  his  residence  therein.  Such  a man  is  Dr.  George  W.  Barnes,  for 
over  a quarter  of  a century  a leading  physician  of  the  north  side  in  Spring-field. 
Frank,  courageous,  honest,  aggressive,  he,  nor  his  position  as  a citizen  can  not 
well  be  misunderstood.  In  professional,  civic  and  social  relations  he  thinks 
and  acts  along  well-regulated  lines,  and  does  not  evade,  does  not  dodge  an  is- 
sue. He  has  energy,  intellect,  and  will;  has  self-purpose,  resolution  and  de- 
termination, throwing  his  entire  force  of  body  and  mind  direct  upon  his  work. 
His  self-reliance  has  not  been  wholly  acquired — it  was  born  in  him.  He  be- 
lieved at  the  start  that  if  there  were  better  days,  and  “good  times  coming” 
that  we  are  justified  in  hoping  for,  we  must  be  capable  of  making  them  for 
ourselves.  The  fable  of  the  “Labors  of  Hercules”  is  indeed  the  type  of 
human  doing  and  success. 

Doctor  Barnes  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  April  7,  1855.  He 
is  a son  of  Elisha  Iv.  and  Mary  J.  (Small)  Barnes.  The  father  was  born  in 
1830  in  North  Carolina,  from  which  state  he  emigrated  to  Missouri  in  early 
life,  locating  in  Greene  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  When  the 
Civil  war  came  on  he  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  army  during  the  early  part 
of  the  conflict  and  fought  gallantly  until  taken  prisoner.  He  was  sent  to 
the  Federal  prison  at  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  where  he  died.  He  was  of 
English  ancestry.  His  father,  Nineveh  Barnes,  was  a native  of  North  Caro- 
lina. He  married  Phoebe  Headlee.  They  spent  their  earlier  years  in  North 
Carolina,  from  which  state  they  removed  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  pio- 
neer days,  located  on  a farm,  and  there  spent  the  rest  of  their  days,  each 
reaching  advanced  ages.  The  mother  of  Doctor  Barnes  was  born  on  August 
4,  1833,  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  where  her  people,  the  Smalls,  were  first 
settlers,  and  the  old  homestead  has  remained  in  possession  of  the  family  to 
the  present  time.  The  Small  family  is  of  Scotch  ancestry. 

Elisha  K.  Barnes  and  wife  were  married  on  March  25,  1851,  and  they 
reared  a family  of  four  children,  three  sons  and  a daughter,  namely : Dr. 


GREENE  COUNTY^  MISSOURI. 


T437 


George  W.,  of  this  review;  Elisha  E.,  born  March  24,  1864,  is  married  and 
lives  in  Oklahoma  City ; Mrs.  Mattie  Dennis,  who  resides  in  Hutchinson, 
Kansas,  where  Mr.  Dennis  is  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business,  and  Rob- 
ert N.,  who  died  in  Wichita,  Kansas.  The  mother  of  these  children  is  still 
living,  having  attained  her  eighty-first  year. 

Doctor  Barnes  is  an  excellent  type  of  the  successful  self-made  man.  His 
parents  were  poor  and  his  father  died  when  the  future  physician  was  but  a 
boy,  so  he  was  early  thrown  on  his  own  resources,  and,  therefore,  practically 
his  whole  life  has  been  one  of  self-support.  He  grew  up  on  the  farm  and 
worked  hard  as  a tiller  of  the  soil  during  the  summer  months  and  in  the  win- 
ter time  attended  the  district  schools.  Later  he  taught  country  schools  in  the 
winter  months  and  farmed  summers,  and  laid  by  funds  to  complete  his  educa- 
tion. He  finished  his  literary  studies  at  Morrisville  College,  in  Polk  county, 
this  state,  and,  in  1882,  he  entered  the  Missouri  Medical  College  in  St.  Louis, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1884,  and  in  that  year  he 
commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Brighton,  Polk  county,  where  he 
remained  in  a good  country  practice  until  1888',  when  he  removed  to  Spring- 
field,  opening  an  office  at  Boonville  and  Commercial  streets,  which  office  he 
has  since  occupied,  and  his  success  as  a general  practitioner  has  steadily 
grown  all  the  while,  and  it  is  worthy  of  note  that  after  a continuous  practice 
here  of  twenty-five  years  the  past  year  was  the  best  of  all,  which  fact  should 
be  a sufficient  recommendation,  not  only  of  his  ability^,  but  of  the  confidence 
reposed  in  him  by  the  people  of  this  locality.  He  now  confines  himself  as 
much  to  city  practice  as  possible.  He  is  often  called  in  consultation  on  serious 
cases  with  other  leading  physicians  of  the  city  and  county.  Pie  does  a great 
deal  of  hospital  work,  and  he  has  lectured  at  Burge  Deaconess  Hospital, 
Springfield,  since  its  organization.  He  is  a member  of  the  board  that  lectures 
the  nurses  in  training  at  this  hospital,  and  also  at  the  Springfield  Hospital. 
His  principal  subject  is  nervous  diseases. 

Doctor  Barnes  is  a member  of  the  Greene  County  Medical  Society,  of 
which  he  was  president  in  1906,  and  vice-president  in  1905,  and  is  at  this 
writing  a member  of  the  board  of  censors  of  this  society.  He  also  belongs 
to  the  Southwest  Missouri  Medical  Society,  the  Missouri  State  Medical  Asso- 
ciation and  the  American  Medical  Association.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Commercial  Club.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Order,  Tribe  of 
Ben  Hur,  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  the  Woodmen  and  the  Court  of 
Honor.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat,  and,  religiously,  belongs  to  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church. 

Doctor  Barnes  was  married,  May  26,  1886,  to  Annie  I..  Fender,  who 
was  born  in  1864  in  Greene  county,  where  she  was  reared  and  educated  in 
the  public  schools.  She  is  a daughter  of  Wilson  and  Louisa  (Wallace)  Fen- 
der, she  being  the  only  child.  Her  father  was  a farmer,  and  when  the  Civil 


1438 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


war  came  on  he  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  and  saw  much  hard  service,, 
and  as  a result  of  the  exposure,  contracted  pneumonia  while  in  the  service, 
was  sent  home,  and  died  soon  afterwards.  Mrs.  Barnes  was  but  a child  at 
that  time  and  too  young  to  remember  him.  A few  years  later  Mrs.  Louisa 
Fender  married  again,  her  last  husband  being  Capt.  J.  W.  Peltz,  an  officer 
in  the  Union  army.  Two  children  were  born  to  the  second  marriage,  namely : 
Joseph  E.  Peltz,  a member  of  the  shoe  firm  of  Peltz  & Cogiey,  who  conduct 
one  of  the  most  extensive  shoe  businesses  on  Commercial  street,  Springfield ; 
and  Mrs.  Alice  Meador,  also  of  Springfield,  and  the  wife  of  a passenger  con- 
ductor on  the  Frisco  railroad. 

To  Doctor  Barnes  and  wife  one  child  has  been  born,  Geneva  Aline 
Barnes,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Springfield  on  December  13,  1896.  She 
was  educated  in  the  ward  schools  and  is  now  in  her  fourth  year  in  the  high 
school.  She  is  a cultured  and  talented  young  lady,  takes  a fond  interest  in 
elocution,  has  decided  musical  ability  and  tastes,  and  at  present  is  taking 
voice  culture  under  Rev.  Mrs.  McClanahan,  of  this  city. 

In  his  private  and  social  relations  Doctor  Barnes  is  enjoyable,  animated, 
jovial,  and  entertaining.  There  is  no  pretense  or  display  about  him,  is  kind 
and  generous-hearted,  and  with  friends  is  firm  and  true. 


OTIS  EVERETT  SNIDER. 

Never  before  has  there  been  so  much  interest  taken  in  the  best  methods; 
of  farming  and  in  the  conditions  of  rural  homes.  The  struggle  to  bring 
rural  life  from  the  present  to  ideal  conditions  is  not  an  easy  one,  nor  will 
it  be  speedily  accomplished.  Yet  there  are  now  farms  and  country  homes 
in  every  county  which  might  be  taken  as  models  worth  imitating.  Among 
those  in  Greene  county  which  come  pretty  near  the  high-water  mark  of  an 
ideal  twentieth-century  farm  is  that  owned  and  operated  by  Otis  Everett 
Snider  and  known  as  “Brookdale  Farm.”  Such  places  are  a credit  to*  any 
community,  and  they  inspire  others  to  put  forth  a like  effort,  as  well  as  pub- 
lishing to  the  outside  world  the  fact  that  here  is  a community  of  citizens 
of  thrift  and  good  taste. 

Mr.  Snider  was  born  in  the  above-named  township  and  county  on 
February  23,  1874.  He  is  a son  of  David  and  Eliza  Jane  (Robertson) 
Snider.  David  Snider  was  born  on  February  19,  1844,  in  Monroe  county, 
eastern  Tennessee,  and  was  a son  of  John  and  Nellie  (McKee)  Snider. 
John  Snider  was  a native  of  Tennessee,  where  he  spent  his  life,  dying  there 
when  his  son,  David,  was  seven  years  old,  after  devoting  his  life  to  farm- 
ing. His  wife,  Nellie  McKee,  was  a native  of  Pennsylvania.  David  Snider 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


r439' 


grew  to  manhood  in  Tennessee  and  received  such  educational  advantages- 
as  the  old-time  subscription  schools  afforded,  and  there  he  continued  to 
reside  until  he  was  twenty-seven  years  of  age,  when  he  removed  to  Gentry 
county,  Missouri,  but  remained  only  three  months,  coming  on  then  to  Greene 
county,  arriving  here  on  December  24,  1872.  After  renting  a farm  for 
some  time,  he  bought  forty  acres,  and,  prospering  through  close  applica- 
tion and  good  management,  he  added  to  his  original  purchase,  until  he 
owned  three  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  valuable  and  productive  land  in 
sections  21  and  28,  Murray  township,  and  there  he  still  resides,  engaged 
successfully  and  extensively  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  ranks 
among  the  leading  agriculturists  of  the  county,  throughout  which  he  is 
widely  known  and  highly  esteemed  as  a man  and  citizen.  He  and  Eliza  Jane 
Robertson  were  married  on  February  3,  1873.  She  was  born  in  Greene 
county,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  She  is  a daugh- 
ter of  Jefferson  and  Mary  Ann  (Ludspeech)  Robertson,  one  of  the  pioneer 
families  of  the  northern  part  of  Greene  county.  A history  of  this  well- 
known  family  appears  in  the  sketch  of  Charles  L.  Robertson  on  another 
page  of  this  work. 

To  David  Snider  and  wife  five  children  were  born,  namely:  Otis  E., 

of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Josie  Lee  Green,  of  Murray  township;  Mrs.  Mary  Jus- 
tice, who  lives  near  Ash  Grove,  this  county;  Mrs.  Virgie  Thomas,  who  lives 
in  Murray  township;  and  Virgil,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Politically,  David  Snider  is  a Democrat,  but  has  never  cared  for  pub- 
lic office.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order  at  Bois  D’Arc, 
Greene  county.  He  was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Methodist  church,  and 
his  wife  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South,  at  Willard. 

Otis  E.  Snider  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  his  father's  farm  and  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  local  public  schools.  Lie  remained  on  the  home 
place  assisting  with  the  general  work  there  until  his  marriage,  at  the  age 
of  twenty-four  years,  after  which  he  began  farming  for  himself  in  Mur- 
ray township,  and  was  successful  from  the  first.  He  accumulated  two  hun- 
dred acres  of  good  land,  which  he  sold  in  1913,  and  removed  to  Nebraska; 
but  ranching  in  that  state  did  not  appeal  to  him  in  every  respect,  and, 
after  making  a crop  there  he  returned  to  his  native  township  and  located 
on  his  present  place,  “Brook dale  Farm,”  which  consists  of  two  hundred 
acres,  and  is  one  of  the  desirable  and  well-improved  farms  of  the  township, 
on  which  stands  a good  residence  and  substantial  and  convenient  outbuild- 
ings. Pie  carries  on  general  farming,  and  makes  a specialty  of  raising  hogs, 
and  has  traded  in  them  on  a large  scale  until  very  recently,  when  he  turned 
his  attention  more  to  general  crops.  His  place  is  well  drained,  well  fenced 
and  well  watered,  there  being  an  excellent  running  spring  on  his  land,  be- 
sides good  wells. 


1440 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mr.  Snider  was  married,  February  2,  1897,  to  Birdie  Gilmore,  a native 
of  this  part  of  Greene  county,  where  she  was  reared  and  educated.  She  is 
a daughter  of  George  and  Miley  (Phillips)  Gilmore,  a well  known  and 
highly  respected  family  of  near  Willard,  this  township. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  four  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Ralph, 
George,  Ellis,  and  the  youngest  died  in  infancy,  unnamed. 

Politically,  Mr.  Snider  is  a Democrat,  but  has  never  been  active  in 
party  affairs.  He  was  reared  in  a Methodist  family,  and  his  wife  belongs  to 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Willard.  He  is  a quiet,  hard-working 
farmer  of  good  habits  and  pleasing  disposition. 


GEORGE  LAFAYETTE  McELHANY. 


Few  residents  of  the  western  part  of  Greene  county  are  so  well  and 
favorably  known  as  George  Lafayette  McElhany,  the  enterprising  farmer 
and  representative  citizen  whose  life  history  is  briefly  told  in  the  following 
lines,  and  none  stand  higher  than  he  in  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  the 
community  in  which  he  has  spent  his  entire  life  and  for  the  material,  civic 
and  moral  advancement  of  which  he  has  devoted  both  time  and  influence. 
During  his  residence  here  of  over  three  score  years  he  has  noted  wonderful 
changes  and  talks  interestingly  of  them.  Pie  is  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  and 
the  family  of  which  he  is  an  honorable  representative  has  been  known  in 
America  for  many  generations,  especially  has  the  name  been  a familiar  one 
in  various  portions  of  the  state  of  Tennessee,  but  wherever  they  have  dis- 
persed the  McElhanys  have  been  known  as  enterprising  and  public-spirited 
citizens. 

Mr.  McElhany  was  born  in  Brookline  township,  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, March  13,  1852.  Pie  is  a son  of  Warry  and  Jane  (Robertson) 
McElhany,  both  natives  of  Tennessee,  the  father  born  in  Granger  county, 
August  3,  1820,  and  the  mother’s  birth  occurred  in  Rome  county,  February 
24,  1826.  Our  subject’s  great  grandfather  was  a Scotchman,  and  his  wife 
was  a native  of  Ireland.  The  father  died  when  Warry  McElhany  was 
three  years  old  and  the  latter  spent  his  boyhood  in  Tennessee,  being  seven- 
teen years  of  age  when  he  made  the  overland  journey  to  Missouri  with  his 
mother  and  stepfather,  the  family  stopping  a mile  and  a half  southwest  of 
Springfield,  and  cultivated  the  old  Eperson  farm,  in  October,  1837,  where 
they  remained  a year,  then  moved  on  the  north  side  of  the  James  river  in 
Wilson  township  on  the  old  Edwards  farm,  where  they  remained  a year, 
then  moved  to  Brookline  township  and  entered  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 


McELIIAXY  AND  SON'S. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1441 


from  the  government,  near  where  the  town  of  Brookline  is  now  located. 
Warry  McElhany  assisted  his  stepfather,  Joel  Phillips,  clear  and  develop 
the  land  into  a good  farm.  In  1839  and  1840  he  carried  the  mail  between 
Springfield  and  Neosho.  In  the  fall  of  1845  he  went  to  Texas,  where  he 
remained  a few  months,  later  returning  to  the  home  farm  in  Greene  county. 

Warry  McElhany  married,  December  23,  1847,  Jane  Robertson,  a 
daughter  of  Linsey  and  Delilah  Robertson,  and  to  this  union  the  following 
children  were  born : Mary,  who  married  Reuben  Rose,  is  deceased,  but  he 

is  living  in  Brookline  township;  Delilah  first  married  W.  T.  Adams,  now 
deceased,  and  later  she  married  Charles  Lloyd;  George  L.,  of  this  review;; 
the  next  child  died  in  infancy. ' 

The  father  of  the  above  named  children  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned 
by  George  L.  McElhany,  in  Section  15,  in  1850,  and  here  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  born  and  spent  his  life,  working  on  the  place  during  the  summer 
months  when  a boy  and  attending  the  neighboring  schools  in  the  winter  time, 
mostly  subscription  schools.  He  was  nine  years  of  age  when  the  battle  of 
Wilson’s  Creek  was  fought,  of  which  he  has  a very  vivid  recollection  and 
tells  many  interesting  things,  also  tells  of  the  days  when  the  Indians  still 
occupied  this  part  of  the  Ozarks,  when  his  father  was  hired  by  the  govern- 
ment to  assist  in  removing  the  red  men  from  the  vicinity  of  Springfield 
to  below  Cassville.  The  death  of  Warry  McElhany  occurred  July  20,  1889, 
and  his  wife  preceded  him  to  the  grave,  December  8,  1885. 

George  L.  McElhany  was  married  twice,  first  to  Alice  Garton,  August 
9,  1874.  She  was  a daughter  of  J.  W.  and  Elizabeth  (Rainey)  Garton, 
and  to  this  union  eleven  children  were  born,  namely : Henry  H.  lives  in 
Brookline  township;  Myrtle  is  the  wife  of  P.  F.  Shelton  of  Republic  town- 
ship; Jane  is  the  wife  of  G.  T.  Norman  of  Brookline  township;  Lucy  is  the 
wife  of  W.  A.  Wiley,  of  Kansas  City;  Maggie  is  the  wife  of  G.  W.  Ward 
and  they  live  in  Christian  county;  Charles  and  Warry  both  live  in  Brookline 
township;  Robert  makes  his  home  in  California;  Bessie  and  William  Bryan 
both  live  at  home ; Alice  died  in  infancy.  The  mother  of  the  above  named 
children  passed  away  January  6,  1901.  and  Mr.  McElhany  was  again  mar- 
ried July  1,  1907;  his  last  wife,  Mrs.  Emma  Manley,  widow  of  C.  B.  Manley, 
deceased,  a native  of  Greene  county,  is  a daughter  of  Ben  and  Barbara 
(Fleming)  McCormick,  who  were  residents  of  Illinois,  and  in  that  state 
Mrs.  McElhany  was  born.  She  was  one  of  ten  children,  all  now  deceased 
but  two — Mrs.  McElhany  and  the  oldest  child,  Mrs.  Mary  Ramsey,  who  is 
now  seventy-four  years  of  age,  and  is  living  in  Woodbine,  Iowa. 

Politically  Mr.  McElhany  is  a Democrat.  He  has  served  as  school 
director  of  his  district  for  a period  of  twenty-five  years.  Fraternally  he 

(91) 


RESIDENCE  OF  G.  L,  McELHANY. 


SI'RTXG DA  EE  FAR?, I. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1443 


belongs  to  the  Masonic  order  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
He  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church  at  Brookline. 

Mr.  McElhany  is  one  of  the  best  farmers  of  Brookline  township.  His 
well-tilled  and  well-kept  place  contains  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  all 
under  cultivation  but  about  sixty  acres.  His  holdings  were  formerly  much 
greater  but  he  has  given  his  children  forty  acres  each  as  a start  in  life. 
His  place  is  known  as  “Springdale  Farm,"  and  is  one  of  the  most  desirable 
in  the  community.  It  is  a rich  red  loam  soil  with  a red  clay  sub-soil  a foot 
or  more  under  the  surface.  Fie  has  made  a pronounced  success  as  a general 
farmer  and  stock  raiser,  especially  in  hogs  and  mules. 


DAVID  EDWARD  ROSS. 

Many  people  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  word  farming  means  the  same 
the  world  over,  and  so  it  does  in  a sense,  but  yet,  like  many  another  word 
in  our  complicated  language,  it  has  what  one  might  call  an  elastic  meaning. 
At  least  the  methods  of  farming  vary  radically  in  different  countries.  So  the 
word  means  one  thing  to  the  tiller  of  the  soil  in  the  Ozark  region  and  quite 
another  to  the  husbandman  in  Mexico,  Brazil,  India  or  Ceylon.  Such  de- 
cidedly different  methods  have  to  be  employed  in  coaxing  from  Mother  Earth 
the  grains,  fruit  and  vegetables  by  which  we  live  that  the  expert  farmer  of 
one  country  would  be  a decided  failure  in  another.  And  many  years  are 
required  to  become  properly  acquainted  with  the  methods  of  successful  agri- 
culture in  any  land  and  clime.  This  being  the  case  the  world  over,  that 
man  is  wise  who  remains  in  his  own  country  if  he  intends  to  devote  his 
attention  to  this  vocation  all  his  life. 

David  Edward  Ross,  a successful  general  farmer  and  stockman  of 
Murray  township,  Greene  county,  has  been  content  to  spend  his  life  in  his 
native  community,  and,  being  a man  of  industry,  sound  judgment  and  a 
close  observer  he  has  forged  ahead  until  he  now  ranks  among  the  leading 
men  of  his  calling  in  this  locality.  Mr.  Ross  was  born  near  Willard.  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  July  11.  1869.  He  is  a son  of  Lafayette  A.  and  Malinda 
(Evans)  Ross.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Robberson  township, 
this  county,  February  21,  1835,  the  son  of  David  and  Louisa  (Robinson) 
Ross.  David  Ross,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1812,  was  one  of  the 
prominent  pioneer  preachers  of  the  Methodist  church  in  southwestern  Mis- 
souri and  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Greene  county  of  that  period,  having- 
come  here  when  he  was  twelve  years  of  age  from  Cooper  county.  Missouri 
with  his  parents,  William  and  Elizabeth  Ross.  William  Ross  was  a sur- 
veyor and  he  laid  out  the  town  of  Boonville,  this  state,  and  was  also  employed 


1444 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


by  the  government  of  Mexico  to  help  survey  what  is  new  the  state  of  Texas. 
He  left  Greene  county  and  engaged  in  merchandising  in  bolivar,  Polk  county, 
for  a number  of  years,  later  moving  to  Versailles,  Morgan  county,  where 
his  death  occurred  at  an  advanced  age,  he  and  his  wife  both  passing  their 
four-score  mile-post.  David  Ross  engaged  in  farming  in  the  northern  por- 
tion of  Greene  county,  erecting  a log  cabin  on  wild  land,  and,  working  hard 
and  managing  well,  finally  had  a line  farm  of  about  five  hundred  acres  and 
a large  comfortable  home  took  the  place  of  his  little  primitive  dwelling. 
He  handles  large  numbers  of  live  stock  of  various  kinds  and  is  a good  judge 
of  stock.  For  a period  of  over  thirty-five  years  he  preached  the  gospel  all 
over  this  country  and  was  a powerful  preacher  of  his  type.  His  wife,  Louisa 
Robinson,  was  born  in  Tennessee  about  1815  and  her  death  occurred  on  the 
homestead  here,  and  he  died  on  January  6,  1869,  at  the  age  of  fifty-six 
years,  after  a successful  and  useful  career,  although  comparatively  brief. 
To  these  parents  twelve  children  were  born,  namely:  Lafayette  A.,  father 

of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch;  William,  Dr.  Francis  E.,  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  J.  Whitlock;  Mrs.  Mary  L.  Skeen,  David  W.,  Mrs.  Sarah  M. 
Watson,  Mrs.  Henrietta  J.  Robinson,  Mrs.  Cordelia  Robinson,  Bennett  J., 
Mrs.  Laura  M.  Appleby,  and  Dr.  Leonidas  C. 

Lafayette  A.  Ross  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  the  vicinity  of  his  birth 
with  the  exception  of  three  years  in  California  during  the  early  fifties,  the 
gold-fever  days,  having  been  but  nineteen  years  of  age  when  he  made  the 
hazardous  trip  across  the  plains.  Returning  home  in  1856,  he  took  up  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising  here,  which  has  since  claimed  his  attention,  and  he 
is  owner  of  an  excellent  farm  in  Murray  township  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres,  having  lived  on  the  same  farm  for  a period  of  forty-six  years. 
He  and  Malinda  A.  Evans  were  married  September  21,  1856.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Leathers)  Evans,  all  three  of  whom  were 
born  in  North  Carolina.  Joseph  Evans  was  a millwright  by  trade,  which 
he  followed  during  the  winter  months  and  farmed  in  the  summer  time.  He 
moved  his  family  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1840,  locating  on  a farm  at 
the  edge  of  Robberson  Prairie.  He  built  the  first  frame  house,  also  the  first 
saw  mill  and  grist-mill  in  this  county,  and  became  a prosperous  and  influen- 
tial citizen  here.  His  death  occurred  in  1888,  when  eighty-five  years  of  age. 
His  family  consisted  of  ten  children,  all  now  deceased  but  four,  namely: 
Alexander,  of  Springfield;  Daniel  M.,  of  Willard;  Malinda  A.,  who  is  the 
mother  of  our  subject;  and  Mrs.  Emma  McDaniel,  of  Springfield.  To  La- 
fayette A.  Ross  and  wife  six  children  were  born,  named  as  follows:  George 
Emery  lives  in  Texas;  William  J.  is  a resident  of  Morrisville,  Polk  county; 
Mrs.  Emma  Ault  lives  in  Tulsa,  Oklahoma;  Mrs.  Lula  R.  Appleby  lives 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


M45 


with  her  parents;  David  Edward,  of  this  sketch;  and  Walter  Evans,  who 
lives  in  Oklahoma. 

David  Edward  Ross,  always  called  “Ed  Ross,’’  grew  to  manhood  on 
his  father’s  farm  and  there  he  worked  when  a boy,  and  he  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  community  and  at  Morrisville  College 
in  Polk  county.  He  remained  on  the  home  farm  until  his  marriage  at  the  age 
of  twenty-four  years,  after  which  he  rented  a farm  just  north  of  his  present 
place  which  he  operated  one  year,  and  in  1894  moved  to  Willard  and  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  pursuits,  which  he  continued  until  in  February,  1901, 
enjoying  a good  business  and  an  extensive  trade  with  the  town  and  com- 
munity as  a result  of  his  straightforward  and  courteous  dealings  with  his 
customers  and  the  fact  that  he  always  carried  a well-selected  stock  of  general 
merchandise.  He  moved  back  to  his  father's  farm  in  1900,  where  he  now 
resides  and  has  been  very  successful  as  a general  farmer  and  stockman, 
dealing  extensively  in  buying  and  selling  mules  during  the  winter  months. 
He  raises  large  numbers  of  mules  for  the  market,  also  horses,  and  it  is  safe 
to  say  that  there  is  no  better  judge  of  both  mules  and  horses  than  he,  and 
no  small  portion  of  his  comfortable  competence  has  been  secured  through 
the  judicious  handling  of  these  animals.  In  1911  he  moved  to  Springfield, 
where  he  was  in  the  horse  and  mule  business  and  engaged  in  trading  until 
1913,  when  he  returned  to  the  farm  and  is  now  active  in  general  agricul- 
tural pursuits.  His  counsel  is  often  sought  by  his  neighbors  and  friends  in 
regard  to  the  horse  and  mule  market  and  as  to  the  value  of  certain  animals 
and  his  advice  is  usually  followed  with  gratifying  results.  His  farm  is 
well  kept,  well  improved  and  indicates  that  a gentleman  of  thrift  and  good 
taste  has  its  management  in  hand. 

Mr.  Ross  was  married  September  28,  1893,  1°  Ida  M.  Watson,  who 
was  born,  reared  and  educated  in  the  vicinity  of  Willard.  She  is  a daughter 
of  John  P.  and  Nancy  (Bryant)  Watson.  Mr.  Watson  was  born  in  Tennes- 
see, October  22,  1840,  where  he  spent  his  early  boyhood,  making  the  tedious 
overland  journey  from  his  native  state  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  when 
he  was  ten  years  of  age,  with  his  parents,  Barney  and  Jane  Watson,  who 
settled  on  a farm  in  Murray  township,  and  here  John  P.  grew  to  manhood 
and  received  his  education  in  the  early  schools  of  this  vicinity.  His  father 
took  up  a claim  in  this  township,  which  he  developed  into  a good  farm  and 
here  devoted  his  remaining  years  to  general  farming  and  died  here.  John  P. 
Watson  has  devoted  his  active  life  to  general  agricultural  pursuits,  becoming 
owner  of  a good  farm  in  this  locality  but  for  several  years  has  been  living 
retired,  having  bought  a home  at  Morrisville.  Polk  county,  about  1904.  where 
he  still  lives.  He  has  been  twice  married.  He  is  the  father  of  four  children 
by  his  marriage  to  Nancy  Bryant,  who  was  born  in  1839,  being  a native  of 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1446 

Missouri,  and  her  death  occurred  when  her  daughter,  Ida  M.,  was  six 
years  of  age.  These  children  were  named:  Mollie,  who  is  the  wife  of 
William  J.  Ross,  a merchant  of  Morrisville,  Missouri;  David  is  deceased; 
Mrs.  Lula  Appleby  lives  near  Willard,  this  county  ; and  Ida  M.,  wife  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch.  The  second  wife  of  John  P.  Watson  was  Sarah  Ross, 
and  to  this  union  one  child  was  born,  Ross  Watson,  who  is  engaged  in  busi- 
ness at  Willard. 

Two  children  have  been  horn  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ed.  Ross,  of  this  sketch, 
namely:  Charles  Id.,  who  is  working  in  the  oil  fields  of  Oklahoma  with  his 
uncle,  Walter  Ross;  and  John  A.,  who  is  at  home  with  his  parents. 

Mr.  Ross  is  a Democrat  hut  has  never  been  an  aspirant  for  political 
honors,  although  he  is  active  in  all  movements  looking  to  the  general  progress 
of  his  township  and  county.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America  and  of  the  Masonic  Blue  Lodge.  He  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South,  at  Willard  and  are 
active  in  the  affairs  of  the  same.  Mrs.  Ross  is  third  vice-president  of  the 
Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  same. 


WILLIAM  ROY  STEWART. 


Greene  county  has  been  especially  fortunate  in  the  character  of  her  pio- 
neers, who,  save  in  rare  instances,  possessed  the  pluck,  fortitude  and  sound 
judgment  of  the  true  Anglo  Saxon — that  race  which  appears  to  delight  in 
difficulties,  because  thereby  an  opportunity  is  afforded  to  conquer  them.  The 
founders  of  this  country  were  brave,  strong-armed,  far-seeing,  law-abiding 
citizens,  patriotic  and  true  to  their  native  land,  and  conscientious  in  the  dis- 
charge of  their  every  duty  toward  their  fellow  men.  Such  was  the  Stewart 
family,  who  emigrated  from  the  old  Blue  Grass  state  to  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, fifty-four  years  ago,  and  have  proven  to  be  among  our  substantial  citi- 
zens from  that  remote  day,  over  a half  century  ago,  to  the  present  time. 
One  of  the  best  known  of  the  present  generation  is  William  Roy  Stewart, 
who,  although  a young  man,  holds  the  responsible  position  of  yard-master 
at  Springfield  for  the  Frisco  railroad. 

Mr.  Stewart  was  born  in  this  city  on  January  31,  1883.  He  is  a son  of 
John  W.  Stewart,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky,  near  the  old  city  of  Lexington, 
and  from  there  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1861,  and  has  since 
resided  here,  living  now  on  College  street.  After  attending  the  common 
schools  he  began  his  railroad  career,  in  1880,  as  brakeman  for  the  Frisco, 
becoming  conductor  in  1881,  and  he  continued  in  this  capacity  until  1908,  or 
a period  of  twenty-seven  years,  during  which  time  he  was  one  of  the  best 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1447 


known  conductors  on  the  system,  and  that  his  work  was  highly  satisfactory 
in  every  respect  is  indicated  by  his  long  service,  in  1908  he  quit  the  road 
and  entered  the  yard  service  of  the  Frisco  as  switchman  in  Spnngneld,  which 
position  he  has  held  ever  since.  Politically,  he  is  a Republican.  He  belongs 
to  the  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  the 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  and  the  Knights  Templars;  also-  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Order  of  Railway  Conductors,  and  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

John  W.  Stewart  married  Emma  Kite,  whose  death  occurred  in  Decem- 
ber, 1905,  at  the  age  of  forty-three  years,  and  she  was  buried  m Maple  Park 
cemetery.  Ihree  children  were  born  to  these  parents,  namely:  W.  Roy,  of 

this  sketch ; Walter,  who  was  in  the  employ  of  the  road,  and  was  killed  in 
[913  by  a locomotive  ; Guy  D.  died  in  infancy. 

A.  Dudley  Stewart,  paternal  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
spent  his  earlier  days  in  Kentucky,  removing  with  his  family  to  Springfield, 
Missouri,  about  the  commencement  of  the  Civil  war.  He  has  devoted  his 
active  life  to  railroad  service,  and  for  many  years  worked  as  carpenter  and 
car  repairer  in  the  North  Side  Frisco  shops.  He  is  still  living  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty  years,  making  his  home  on  North  Jefferson  street,  this  city. 

William  Roy  Stewart  moved  with  his  parents  from  Springfield  to  Deni- 
son, Texas,  when  a child  and  there  spent  his  boyhood  and  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools,  but  left  the  school  room  when  only  fourteen 
years  of-  age  to  begin  his  railroad  career,  his  first  work  being  that  of 
night  baggage  agent  at  Joplin,  Missouri,  in  1899,  f°r  the  Frisco.  In  1900 
lie  began  braking  cut  of  Monett  and  in  1902  was  promoted  to  conductor, 
his  run  being  between  Sapulpa,  Oklahoma,  and  Sherman,  Texas,  also  ran 
out  of  Monett,  Missouri,  as  conductor.  He  resigned  this  position  in  the 
spring  of  1905  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  went  to  work  as  switchman  in 
the  Springfield  yards,  and  in  the  same  year  was  promoted  to  the  position 
of  yardmaster,  which  position  he  has  held  to  the  present  time,  having 
twenty-five  hands  under  his  direction.  In  all  capacities  in  which  he  has 
worked  for  the  Frisco  he  has  given  eminent  satisfaction.  Pie  has  charge 
of  the  work  in  the  yards  at  the  passenger  station. 

Mr.  Stewart  was  married  in  1904  to  Kate  Crow,  a daughter  of  James 
P.  Crow,  a native  of  Louisiana.  To  this  union  one  child  has  been  born, 
Belva  Stewart,  now  ten  years  bid  and  attending  school. 

Politically,  Mr.  Stewart  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Order 
of  Railway  Conductors,  holding  the  office  of  assistant  chief  conductor  in 
the  local  lodge.  He  is  president  of  the  local  Switchmen's  Union.  He  be- 
longs to  Solomon  Lodge  No.  271,  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  He 
is  also  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1448 


HARVEY  W.  HOWARD. 

Although  Americans  do  not  take  nearly  so  much  interest  in  their  family 
trees  as  do  the  Europeans  or  better  classes  of  Orientals,  yet  it  should  be  a 
matter  of  pride  with  us,  who  like  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  able  to  refer  to 
a long  line  of  honorable  progenitors — men  and  women  who  have  left  be- 
hind them  records  of  which  their  descendants  may  not  be  ashamed  but 
proud.  Records  of  this  fine  old  family  may  be  traced  back  to  William  the 
Conqueror  of  England,  to  the  year  1066,  and  their  record  in  America  goes 
back  to  our  first  settlers,  when  the  original  of  this  name  landed  either 
in  Rhode  Island  or  Massachusetts,  it  is  believed  in  the  year  1628,  not  so  very 
long  after  the  memorable  arrival  of  the  Mayflower. 

Harvey  W.  Howard,  pit  foreman  in  the  new  shops  of  the  Frisco  at 
Springfield,  a direct  descendant  of  this  old  family,  was  born  in  Peabody, 
Kansas,  September  27,  1877.  Pie  is  a son  of  Albert  S.  and  Charlotte  E. 
(Trimble)  Howard,  the  mother  now  a resident  of  the  state  of  Idaho,  being 
at  this  writing  seventy-six  years  of  age.  The  father  was  born  in  Wisconsin, 
from  which  state  he  came  to  Kansas  in  an  early  day.  In  his  earlier  life  he 
followed  the  trade  of  millwright,  later  devoting  his  attention  to  carpen- 
tering and  contracting,  and  although  he  is  now  seventy-seven  years  of  age 
he  is  still  active.  He  makes  his  home  at  Boise,  Idaho.  Politically,  he  is 
a Republican,  and  he  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His 
family  consisted  of  four  children,  namely : Clinton,  who  was  killed  some 

years  ago  in  a railroad  accident ; Samuel,  who  is  a brass-maker,  lives  in 
Denver,  Colorado;  Hattie  married  Rev.  P.  B.  Ivnepp,  minister  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church,  now  stationed  at  Axtell,  Kansas ; and  Harvey  W.  of 
this  sketch. 

Mr.  Howard  of  this  review  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
at  Council  Grove,  Kansas,  but  left  school  when  sixteen  years  of  age,  and 
began  learning  the  machinist’s  trade  in  that  town,  working  under  his  father 
in  a contract  shop;  after  serving  his  apprenticeship  he  worked  for  ten  years 
at  his  trade  in  Osawatomie,  Kansas,  then  worked  there  in  the  Missouri 
Pacific  shops  at  his  trade.  For  two  years  he  worked  in  Colorado  City 
as  machinist  for  the  Plassell  Iron  Company.  His  next  position  was  with 
the  Colorado  Midland  railroad,  continuing  his  trade,  part  of  the  time  in 
Colorado  City,  then  went  to  La  Junta,  Colorado,  for  the  Atchison,  Topeka 
& Santa  Fe  railroad,  working  in  their  shops  there  until  in  1903,  when  he 
came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  took  a position  in  the  south  side  Frisco 
shops,  working  as  machinist  a year,  then  went  to  Leadville,  Colorado,  and 
was  division  foreman  for  the  Colorado  Midland  a year,  after  which  he  went 
back  to  the  Hassell  Iron  Works  at  Colorado  City  for  five  months,  then 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1449 


came  back  to  the  south  side  shops  in  Springfield,  and  after  working  here 
as  machinist  for  three  months  he  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  erecting 
foreman,  which  he  held  over  three  years,  then  went  to  the  new  shops  in 
1911,  working  as  machinist  for  six  months,  then  was  promoted  to  the  po- 
sition which  he  now  holds,  that  of  pit  foreman  in  the  erecting  department. 
He  has  about  twenty  hands  under  his  direction  and  is  giving  eminent  satis- 
faction in  this  important  position.  He  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most 
expert  machinists  the  Frisco  has  ever  employed  from  a Western  road. 

Mr.  Howard  was  married  on  March  15,  1899,  to  Hattie  Stickney,  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Jane  (Helm)  Stickney,  of  Springfield,  and  to  this 
union  one  child  has  been  born,  Helen  Charlotte  Howard,  born  January 
15,  1905.  John  Stickney,  father  of  Mrs.  Howard,  served  in  the  Union 
Army.  The  maternal  grandparents  of  our  subject’s  wife  were  born  in 
Germany. 

Politically,  Mr.  Howard  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  He  holds  membership  in  Orient  Lodge  No.  86,  Knights 
of  Pythias,  of  which  he  was  elected  chancellor  commander  for  the  year  1915, 
and  is  also  a member  of  the  Machinist’s  Union  No.  363. 


CHARLES  WALTER  KERR. 

In  years  gone  by  farmers  were  looked  upon  as  a class  of  people  who 
were  not  educated,  who  could  do  nothing  but  farm.  Now  times  have  changed 
- — one  can  not  make  a pronounced  success  as  a farmer  unless  one  is  educated, 
not  necessarily  in  the  classics,  it  is  true,  but  educated  in  the  things  that  he  has 
to  employ  in  his  vocation — the  care  and  management  of  his  place.  A farmer, 
to  be  a successful  farmer,  must  carefully  manage  his  farm  and  know  what 
he  is  gaining  or  losing,  and  on  what  branch  there  is  no  profit,  just  the  same 
as  the  business  man  of  the  city  manages  his  business,  in  a way,  he  should 
be  a good  bookkeeper.  Among  the  tillers  of  the  soil  in  Brookline  township, 
Greene  county,  who  not  only  knows  how  to  plow  and  hoe,  but  also  how  to 
properly  manage  the  business  end  of  his  farm,  is  Charles  Walter  Kerr. 

Mr.  Kerr  was  born  in  Vermilion  county,  Illinois,  August  9,  1874.  He  is 
a son  of  James  A.  and  Sarah  (Irvin)  Kerr.  The  father  was  a native  of  In- 
diana, in  which  state  he  grew  to  manhood,  and  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  and  he  remained  in  his  native  state  until  about  1869,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Illinois,  and  from  that  state  he  brought  his  family  to  Greene  county, 
Missouri,  when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  six  years  old,  the  family  lo- 
cating in  Brookline  township,  in  1880,  and  here  our  subject  has  since  resided. 
To  James  A.  Kerr  and  wife  seven  children  were  born,  three  sons  and  four 


145° 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


daughters,  namely:  J.  Owen,  born  in  1870,  lives  in  Republic;  Elmer  E.,  born 
in  1866,  died  in  1894;  Mary  E.,  born  in  1868,  married  D.  F.  Leabo,  and  they 
live  in  Carthage,  Missouri;  Emma  V.,  born  in  1872,  married  R.  A.  Rowland, 
and  they  reside  in  Springfield;  Charles  W.,  of  this  sketch;  Olive  M.,  born  in 
iS'76,  married  H.  H.  McElhaney,  and  they  live  in  Brookline  township;  Edna 
May,  born  in  1880,  is  unmarried  and  resides  with  her  mother  on  the  home 
place  in  this  township.  The  father  died,  October  23,  1903. 

Charles  W.  Kerr  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  assisted  with 
the  work  during  the  crop  seasons,  attending  the  public  schools  in  the  winter 
time  in  his  district.  He  has  always  followed  farming,  on  the  home  place, 
managing  the  same  for  his  father  until  the  latter’s  death  in  1903,  since  which 
time  he  has  operated  the  place  on  his  own  account.  He  has  kept  it  under 
an  excellent  state  of  improvement  and  cultivation.  He  recently  completed 
an  attractive  residence,  on  the  bungalow  order,  near  the  old  home.  It  is  on 
the  main  highway  between  Springfield  and  Republic,  and  is  surrounded  by  a 
beautiful  oak  grove,  and  is  appropriately  named  “The  Oaks.” 

Mr.  Kerr  was  married  in  1911  to  Frances  Short,  a daughter  of  Frank 
and  Nancy  Short,  who  live  in  Christian  county,  Missouri,  where  Mrs.  Kerr 
was  born,  reared  and  educated,  the  date  of  her  birth  being  1878. 

Politically,  Mr.  Kerr  is  a Republican,  but  while  he  supports  every  move- 
ment calculated  to  he  of  general  public  interest,  he  has  never  been  a candi- 
date for  public  office.  He  belongs  to  the  Baptist  church  at  Republic. 


DR.  GEORGE  L.  NOLAND. 

Osteopathy  has  an  able  exponent  in  Springfield  and  Greene  county  in  the 
person  of  Dr.  George  L.  Noland,  a man  who  has  studied  hard  and  left  no 
stone  unturned  whereby  he  might  get  to  the  top  of  his  profession.  Thorough- 
ness, promptness  and  honesty  have  been  watchwords  with  him  and  he  is  in 
every  way  deserving  of  the  large  success  and  the  popularity  which  he  has  at- 
tained, for  he  began  at  the  bottom  of  the  ladder  and  has  mounted  its  rungs 
unaided.  He  seems  to  have  inherited  many  of  the  traits  that  win  in  life  from 
his  sterling  ancestors  of  the  old  Buckeye  state. 

Doctor  Noland  was  born  at  Big  Plain,  near  Columbus,  Ohio,  in  1868. 
He  is  a son  of  Beckworth  and  Martha  (Biggert)  Noland,  a highly  respected 
family  of  that  place,  the  elder  Noland  spending  his  life  on  a farm  and  was 
one  of  the  enterprising  citizens  of  his  community.  George  L.  Noland  was 
reared  in  his  native  vicinity  and  when  of  proper  age  he  assisted  his  father 
with  the  work  on  the  farm  during  the  crop  season,  and  during  the  winter 
attended  the  public  schools,  later  entered  the  State  Normal  School  at  Dan- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I451 


ville,  Indiana,  completing  the  prescribed  course  there,  after  which  he  re- 
turned to  Ohio,  and  was  married  to  Lou  Tway,  of  London,  that  state,  on 
November  2,  1891,  and  then  he  engaged  in  farming  for  three  years  on  the 
old  home  place.  He  removed  from  the  scenes  of  his  childhood  to  Alt.  Ayr, 
Iowa,  where  he  engaged  successfully  in  the  live  stock  business  until  the  fall 
of  1899,  when  lie  sold  out  and  moved  to  Ivirksville,  Missouri,  and  there  he 
and  his  wife  entered  the  American  School  of  Osteopathy,  where  they  both 
made  splendid  records,  and  were  graduated  in  due  course  of  time.  Imme- 
diately thereafter  they  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  began  the  practice 
of  osteopathy  here  in  July,  1901,  and  they  have  continued  the  same  to  the 
present  time  with  ever-increasing  success,  and  are  among  the  most  skillful 
and  best  known  osteopathic  physicians  in  southern  Missouri,  and  each  of 
the  thirteen  years  they  have  been  here  has  found  them  further  advanced  and 
with  more  patients  and  with  more  friends  than  the  preceding. 

Mrs.  Lou  Tway  Noland  was  born  on  July  16,  1870,  in  Fayette  count}'. 
Ohio,  and  there  spent  her  early  girlhood.  When  twelve  years  of  age  she  went 
to  London,  where  she  resided  until  1895.  She  was  graduated  from  the  high 
school  there  in  1888,  and,  subsequently,  took  a post-graduate  teacher's  course 
in  the  State  Normal  at  Ada,  Ohio,  after  which  she  spent  several  years  teach- 
ing school  in  Madison  county,  that  state,  and  was  regarded  as  one  of  the 
leading  public  school  instructors  of  that  county,  and  it  was  in  London  that 
she  and  Mr.  Noland  were  married.  She  spent  six  months  studying  in  Europe, 
in  1908,  and  took  a course  of  lectures  in  osteopathy  in  University  of  Vienna, 
Austria.  She  is  profoundly  versed  in  this  science,  has  met  with  pronounced 
success  during  her  professional  career  and  has  been  of  great  assistance  to  her 
husband.  She  is  a daughter  of  Perry  and  Clara  (Cartlich)  Tway,  the  mother 
a daughter  of  Abraham  and  Lucinda  (Will)  Cartlich.  Lucinda  Will  was  a 
daughter  of  George  Will,  who  was  born  on  May  3,  1749,  and  he  died  on 
October  13,  1828.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  serving  as 
first  lieutenant  and  adjutant  of  the  Sixth  Pennsylvania  Regiment.  He  was 
commissioned  first  lieutenant  on  February  5,  1877,  aild  his  name  is  the  last 
one  on  a list  of  officers,  dated  August  27.  1778.  This  regiment  was  in  the 
disaster  at  Fort  Wellington  on  March  16,  1776. 

Mrs.  Noland  has  served  three  years  as  treasurer  of  the  Missouri  Os- 
teopathic Association,  which  position  she  still  holds.  She  is  also  secretary 
of  the  Ozark  Osteopathic  Association,  and  has  discharged  her  duties  in  these 
capacities  in  a faithful  and  commendable  manner.  She  is  one  of  the  most 
widely  known  Osteopaths  in  the  state  and  is  popular  in  the  various  associa- 
tions. Religiously,  she  belongs  to  the  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal  cnurcfi. 
She  is  an  active  member  of  the  American  Osteopathic  Association,  belongs 
to  the  Royal  Neighbors  of  America,  the  Sorosia  Society,  and  the  Daughters 
of  the  American  Revolution. 


1 45— 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


To  Do'ctor  Noland  and  wife  one  child  was  born,  Percy  Ray  Noland, 
vvnose  birth  occurred  in  February,  1895,  at  Mt.  Ayr,  Iowa,  and  died  on  Feb- 
ruary 27,  1906,  in  Springfield,  Missouri. 

Doctor  and  Mrs.  Noland  have  an  up-to-date  suite  of  offices  in  the  Landers 
building,  and  they  are  pleasant  people  to  meet,  intelligent,  experienced,  and 
courteous  to  all. 


ALBERT  SIDNEY  McLINN. 

Diversified  farming  is  essential  to  profitable  production  and  main- 
tenance of  soil  fertility,  but  it  is  necessary  to  specialize  on  something  to 
secure  a superior  standard  of  excellence.  A well-diversified  farm  will  have 
the  customary  crops  that  are  grown  in  the  locality,  together  with  the  usual 
farm  animals,  and  some  one  crop  or  some  one  kind  of  animals  should  be 
singled  out  as  a specialty,  or  the  farmer  should  give  his  close  attention 
to  some  phase  of  endeavor  more  than  others.  Albert  Sidney  McLinn,  one 
of  the  most  progressive  general  farmers  of  Murray  township,  Greene  county, 
has  succeeded  in  a general  way,  but  has  made  a specialty  of  dealing  in 
live  stock,  for  some  time  feeding,  buying  and  shipping,  and  is  one  of  the 
best  known  stock  men  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county. 

Mr.  McLinn  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Tennessee,  March  31, 
1862.  He  is  a son  of  Robert  Alexander  McLinn  and  Margaret  Caroline 
(Seehorn)  McLinn,  and  a grandson  of  .William  Richard  McLinn,  who  was 
a native  of  Tennessee,  and  whose  father  was  a native  of  Ireland,  from 
which  country  he  immigrated  to  the  LTnited  States  in  old  Colonial  days,  and 
from  him  descended  the  present  numerous  McLinn  family.  Robert  A. 
McLinn,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Tennes- 
see, in  1827,  and  he  spent  his  life  within  one-fourth  of  a mile  of  the  old 
homestead  there.  Fie  was  a farmer  and  stock  trader,  bought  and  shipped 
mules,  cattle  and  hogs.  He  was  a man  of  prominence  in  his  community 
and  was  a leader  in  Democratic  politics.  He  served  one  term  as  judge  of  the 
county  court.  He  was  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  he 
was  an  elder  for  a number  of  years,  and  he  took  a very  active  part  in  church 
work.  His  wife  was  also  a native  of  Washington  county,  Tennessee,  was 
a member  of  the  same  church  and  was  active  in  church  and  Sunday  school 
work.  Idis  death  occurred  on  October  18,  1895,  she  having  preceded  him 
to  the  grave  on  August  16,  1880.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children, 
namely:  William  Richard,  deceased;  Mrs.  Mary  Ida  Sellers  lives  on  the 

old  homestead  in  Tennessee;  Mrs.  Anna  Cordelia  Robinson  lives  in  Lock- 
ney,  Texas;  Albert  S.,  of  this  review;  Luella  McLinn  died  in  Ft.  Worth, 
Texas;  James  Alexander  also  lives  in  Ft.  Worth,  Texas;  Charles  Seehorn 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1453 


lives  in  Galveston,  Texas,  and  was  in  the  great  flood  there  in  September, 
1901;  Mrs.  Ada  Jane  Moore  lives  in  Telford,  Tennessee;  and  Benjamin 
Franklin  is  deceased. 

It  is  worthy  of  note  that  Washington  College,  in  Washington  county, 
Tennessee,  was  founded  by  James  McLinn  and  was  long  supported  and 
managed  by  the  McLinns,  who  were  near  relatives  of  our  subject's  father. 

Albert  S.  McLinn  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Tennessee, 
and  there  assisted  with  the  work  when  a boy,  and  received  a good  educa- 
tion in  the  home  schools.  He  remained  in  his  native  county  until  May 
10,  1881,  when  he  left  his  native  state  and  crossed  the  Cumberland  moun- 
tains alone,  carrying  his  clothes  in  a pillow-case.  He  was  employed  by  a 
man  named  Day  at  Jackson,  Breathitt  county,  Kentucky,  and  helped  sur- 
vey a railroad  in  the  Cumberland  mountains  under  Captain  Kelton,  who 
surveyed  and  built  the  Frisco  railroad  through  Willard,  Greene  county, 
the  road  being  known  as  the  Bolivar  branch,  terminating  at  the  county- 
seat  of  Polk  county,  until  it  was  built  on  north  many  years  later  to  con- 
nect the  Blair  line  at  Osceola.  He  also  attended  school  at  Hazelgreen, 
that  state,  for  three  years,  the  town  being  at  that  time  about  one  hundred 
miles  from  a railroad.  Coming  to  Missouri,  in  1884,  he  worked  under 
Captain  Kelton  at  St.  Louis.  Mr.  McLinn  located  in  the  vicinity  of  Cave 
Spring,  Greene  county,  on  rented  land,  bought  a team  and  began  general 
farming,  and  has  lived  in  this  locality  ever  since.  In  1896  he  purchased 
eighty  acres  in  Murray  township,  on  which  he  resided  until  1900,  then 
sold  out  and  rented  the  Spencer  Watson  farm  of  forty  acres  and  the  Wes- 
ley Wadlow  farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-three  acres  together  and  lived 
there  until  1903,  when  he  moved  to  the  old  homestead  residence  of  Wesley 
Wadlow,  whose  widow  still  lived  on  the  place,  and  after  her  death  Mr. 
McLinn  purchased  the  interests  of  the  other  heirs,  in  1909,  and  here  he 
still  resides,  now  owning  one  hundred  and  ninety-seven  acres  of  good  land, 
on  which  he  has  made  many  important  improvements,  and  carries  on  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock  raising,  handling  large  numbers  of  mules,  cattle 
and  hogs  annually.  During  the  winter  months  he  buys,  trades  and  ships 
live  stock,  and  usually  feeds  a large  herd  of  cattle  and  hogs.  He  has 
erected  on  his  place  a modern  barn  and  silo  and  other  substantial  buildings, 
and  his  place,  which  is  known  as  the  “Side  View  Farm,’’  is  one  of  the  best 
appearing  and  valuable  in  the  township.  Twenty-five  acres  of  his  land 
has  been  set  to  apples,  principally  the  Ben  Davis  variety,  and  he  devotes 
considerable  attention  to  the  same,  and  in  favorable  years  this  nets  him  a 
neat  income.  The  farm  is  well  located;  public  roads  run  past  three  sides 
of  his  farm  and  one  passes  through  the  place. 

Mr.  McLinn  was  married,  first,  on  October  21,  1886,  to  Rachel  Wilson, 
a native  of  Greene  county,  who  died  in  1900,  leaving  three  children,  namely: 


1454 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


John  Herman,  who  married  Barbara  Lee  Kime,  of  Willard,  lives  on  a 
farm  in  Murray  township;  Jessie  Leona,  who  married  Clarence  Gorsuch, 
lives  in  Lamar,  Missouri;  Gladys  Lucile  lives  at  home. 

On  May  2,  1903,  our  subject  married  Lillie  D.  Wadlow,  and  two  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  this  union,  namely:  Robert  Wesley  and  Mary 

Margaret.  Mrs.  McLinn  was  born  and  reared  near  Willard,  this  county, 
and  was  educated  in  the  local  schools.  She  is  a daughter  of  John  Wesley 
Wadlow,  who  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Virginia,  now  a part  of 
West  Virginia,  December  17,  1797,  and  there  he  spent  his  early  boyhood, 
immigrating  from  Tennessee  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  about  1S35,  and 
settling  twelve  miles  northwest  of  Springfield.  On  July  24,  1837,  he  married 
Mary  Hastings,  and  to  them  seven  children  were  born,  namely : Alzirah  Jane, 
deceased;  Mary  Louisa,  living;  Sarah  Ann,  Margaret  Elizabeth,  Martha  Agnes, 
Matilda  Caroline  and  John  W.  are  ail  deceased.  Mary  Hastings  was  born  on 
January  27,  1820,  and  her  death  occurred  on  December  12,  1854.  On 
November  29,  1858,  John  W.  Wadlow  married  Mary  Ann  Lethco,  a native 
of  Greene  county,  and  seven  children  were  also  born  to  this  union,  namely: 
Joanna,  Susan  Arbell,  Charles  F.,  George  W.  and  Dora  Emma  were  twins; 
Laura  May  is  deceased:  and  Lillie  Daisy,  wife  of  our  subject,  is  the  young- 
est of  the  family.  The  death  of  the  mother  of  these  children  occurred  on 
March  13,  1909.  Cyrus  Cunningham,  grandfather  of  the  wife  of  our 
subject,  was  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 

John  W.  Wadlow  was  a devout  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  South,  and  he  gave  a tract  of  land  on  which  was  built  the  Wesley 
chapel,  of  this  township,  and  he  also  donated  ground  for  a cemetery,  and  in 
this  he  was  finally  laid  to  rest  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-two  years, 
after  a long,  useful  and  honest  life,  replete  with  kindness,  good  deeds  and 
blessings  to  others.  In  his  early  days  he  taught  school,  and  was  justice 
of  the  peace  in  Greene  county  for  many  years.  He  was  a typical  pioneer. 
He  entered  land  from  the  government  in  Virginia,  and  from  that  state 
moved  to  Tennessee  with  his  parents,  John  Wesley  Wadlow  and  Mary 
(Kenolcl)  Wadlow,  and  received  his  education.  He  was  a Democrat,  was 
a well  read  and  influential  man  and  was  a hard-working,  successful  farmer, 
and  by  his  thrift  and  good  management  accumulated  a comfortable  com- 
petence. He  remained  vigorous  in  his  old  age  and  was  able  to  do  a great 
deal  of  work  up  to  the  last.  His  wife,  Mary  Ann  Lethco,  was  born  on 
March  28,  1829,  in  Richland  county,  North  Carolina,  and  when  twelve  years 
of  age  she  made  the  long  overland  journey  from  that  remote  section  of 
Dixie  land  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  the  family  locating  near  Ebenezer, 
in  Robberson  township.  Her  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine 
years.  She  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South,  at 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1455 


Wesley  chapel  and  Willard,  holding  membership  in  this  denomination  over 
sixty  years. 

Mr.  McLinn,  our  subject,  made  a trip  to  Tennessee  with  his  family 
in  1905  and  attended  a reunion  of  the  McLinns,  a large  number  of  whom 
still  reside  in  Washington  county.  He  has  many  valuable  heirlooms,  such 
as  old  gold  and  silver  pocket-pieces,  bed-spreads,  table-cloths  of  fine  linen, 
and  many  other  things,  all  of  which  he  highly  prizes. 

Politically,  Mr.  McLinn  is  a Democrat,  but  has  never  cared  for  an  active 
public  life.  He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South, 
at  Willard,  to  which  his  wife  also  belongs,  and  they  both  take  an  active 
interest  in  church  and  Sunday  school  work,  the  missionary  society  and- 
the  young  people's  meetings.  They  are  advocates  of  all  good  things  for 
their  community,  and  the  general  welfare  of  the  township  and  county, 
being  broad-minded,  well-read  and  neighborly; 


JESSE  J.  FOSTER,  JR. 

A strict  adherence  to  a fixed  purpose  and  faithfulness  to  duty,  backed 
by  correct  individual  habits  of  life,  have  been  dominating  factors  in  the 
career  of  Jesse  J.  Foster,  Jr.,  for  a number  of  years  one  of  the  successful 
educators  of  the  locality  of  Strafford,  where  he  later  worked  in  the  United 
States  mail  service  and  where  he  is  now  postmaster. 

Mr.  Foster  was  born  on  a farm  in  Webster  county, . Missouri,  August 
26,  1875.  He  is  a son  of  Jesse  J.  and  Elizabeth  (Turner)  Foster.  The 
father  was  born  in  Webster  county  also,  near  the  town  of  Seymour,  in 
1846,  and  was  reared  in  Marshfield,  county-seat  of  that  county,  and  there 
he  received  his  education.  He  began  life  for  himself  by  teaching,  which 
he  continued  three  years.  When  eighteen  years  old  he  enlisted  for  service 
in  the  Union  army  under  Colonel  McMahan,  in  1863,  and  served  creditably 
for  two  years,  being  honorably  discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war  at  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  after  which  he  returned  to  Marshfield,  then  located  on  the 
James  river  in  Greene  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  later  moved 
to  the  village  of  Henderson,  where  he  operated  a store,  then  moved  to  another 
farm  in  Greene  county,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  three  years  ago, 
when  he  moved  to  Colorado,  in  which  state  he  now  resides.  He  is  a member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His  wife  was  born  in  Missouri  in 
1848,  was  reared  on  a farm  and  educated  in  the  district  schools.  She 
taught  school  three  years  before  her  marriage.  Two  of  her  brothers  were 
soldiers  in  the  Confederate  army  and  were  wounded.  She  is  a member  of 
the  Missionary  Baptist  church.  Eight  children  have  been  born  to  these 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1456 

parents,  namely:  John  D.  is  the  oldest;  William  F.  was  well  educated  and 
taught  school  a number  of  years  before  his  death;  Joseph  F.  was  next 
in  order  of  birth;  Jesse  J.,  jr.,  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Mary  A.  McKerali; 
Mrs.  Bessie  Killian ; Grace  is  teaching  music  in  Colorado ; Sarah  is  teaching 
school  in  Colorado. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  he  was 
given  the  advantages  of  a good  education.  He  began  teaching  school  when 
young,  which  he  followed  with  marked  success  for  eight  years,  after  which 
he  began  carrying  the  mail,  remaining  in  this  work  for  a period  of  nine 
years,  giving  entire  satisfaction  to  the  people  and  the  department  at  Wash- 
ington. In  February,  1914,  he  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Strafford, 
having  passed  a successful  civil  service  examination  for  the  same,  and  he 
is  proving  to  be  an  alert,  capable  and  popular  postmaster. 

Mr.  Foster  was  married  to  Florence  Hankins,  who  was  born  in  Greene 
county  in  1875,  and  she  grew  to  womanhood  in  Strafford,  and  received  a 
common  school  education  here.  She  is  a daughter  of  William  T.  and  Mary 
(Comstock)  Hankins.  The  latter  is  deceased,  but  the  father  is  still  a resi- 
dent of  Strafford.  Mrs.  Foster  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  church. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Joseph 
W.,  born  May  1,  1904;  and  Flelen,  born  August  30,  1906. 

Politically,  Mr.  Foster  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of 
the  Masonic  order  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  belongs 
to  the  Baptist  church.  He  is  active  and  influential  in  the  affairs  of  his 
locality,  is  a director  in  the  Bank  of  Strafford  and  a member  of  the  local 
school  board. 


GEORGE  W.  O’BRYANT. 

Although  George  W.  O’Bryant,  of  Brookline  township,  Greene  county, 
does  not  farm  on  so  large  a scale  as  some  of  his  neighbors,  yet  he  does  well 
whatever  he  attempts  and  is  making  a good  living. The  time  has  arrived 
when  farms  the  size  of  his  will  be  more  numerous  than  those  that  are  larger, 
for  it  has  been  found  that  the  methods  of  farming  must  change  as  climate 
and  general  conditions  change,  and  in  order  to  carry  on  intensive  farming 
one  does  not  need  a vast  acreage.  Our  subject  has  spent  his  life  in  this 
locality  which  he  has  seen  develop  from  primitive  conditions  to  its  present 
high  state  of  prosperity. 

Mr.  O’Bryant  was  born  in  the  above  named  township  and  county,  Octo- 
ber 7,  1864.  He  is  a son  of  George  W.  and  Mary  Caroline  (Howard) 
O’Bryant,  natives  of  Tenneessee  and  North  Carolina,  respectively.  The 
father  came  to  Missouri  with  his  parents  when  he  was  quite  young,  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


*457 


family  locating  in  Cedar  county,  near  Cane  Hill,  on  a farm,  and  there 
G.  W.  O'Bryant  was  reared  to  manhood  and  received  a meager  education 
in  the  early-day  schools.  When  older  he  located  in  Greene  county.  His 
wife,  Mary  Caroline  Howard,  emigrated  from  the  far  Southland  with  her 
parents  to  Missouri  in  1839,  the  family  locating  near  what  is  now  Battle- 
field, on  the  James  river,  in  Greene  county,  and  there  our  subject’s  mother 
was  reared  on  a farm  and  received  such  educational  advantages  as  the  early- 
day  schools  afforded,  and  she  and  Mr.  O'Bryant  were  married  in  1851.  To 
their  union  nine  children  were  born,  namely:  Armitta  died  in  infancy;  Mary 
Frances  is  the  wife  of  Levi  Taylor,  of  Polk  county,  Missouri ; Martha  Ann 
married  J.  T.  Phillips,  both  now  deceased,  who  was  at  one  time  judge  of 


RESIDENCE  OF  G.  W.  O'BRYANT. 


the  county  court  of  Greene  county;  William  T.  and  Delilah  E.  are  twins; 
the  former  lives  on  a farm  in  Brookline  township,  and  the  latter  is  the  wife 
of  Winfield  Lawson,  of  Republic;  Alice  A.,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  a Dr. 
Camp,  of  Springfield;  Nancy  C.  is  the  wife  of  J.  T.  Crouch  and  lives  in 
Arizona;  George  W.  of  this  sketch;  Jas.  Henry  is  in  the  United  States 
mail  service  in  Springfield. 

During  the  Civil  war  George  W.  O'Bryant,  Sr.,  was  a member  of  the 
Home  Guards,  seeing  considerable  service  in  this  locality.  He  was  one  of 
the  guides  of  Gen.  Lyon’s  army  from  Springfield  to  the  Confederate  camps 
on  Wilson’s  creek  the  night  preceding  the  great  battle  there,  August  10. 
1861,  and  he  was  at  Springfield  during  the  various  engagements  that  were 
later  fought  there.  His  death  occurred  on  his  farm  in  Brookline  township 
in  1-866,  his  widow  surviving  until  1903,  outliving  him  thirty-seven  years, 
and  reaching  the  age  of  seventy-three. 

(92) 


1458 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


George  W.  O’Bryant  of  this  sketch  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home- 
stead and  here  he  still  resides,  in  fact,  has  spent  his  life  here.  He  received 
his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  native  township,  the  first  school 
he  attended  having  been  taught  in  an  old  log  house,  equipped  with  an  open 
fireplace  and  hewn  slabs  for  seats  with  no  backs.  He  was  about  twenty 
years  old  before  he  went  to  school  and  eight  years  later  he  attended  one 
term  in  Republic,  walking  almost  daily  to  the  school  house  which  was  three 
and  one-half  miles  distant.  He  has  spent  his  life  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing and  owns  sixty  acres,  a part  of  the  original  home  place,  and  he  has  kept 
the  land  well  tilled  and  it  is  very  productive,  and  he  has  a comfortable  home. 

Mr.  O’Bryant  was  married,  November  7,  1904,  to  Maude  Kirby,  a 
daughter  of  James  H .and  Mary  (Woods)  Kirby,  who  are  residents  of  Mt. 
Vernon,  Lawrence  county,  this  state.  Mrs.  O’Bryant  was  born  in  1873 
in  the  village  of  Chesapeake,  that  county,  and  in  that  vicinity  she  grew  to 
womanhood  and  received  a common  school  education.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Kirby  the  following  children  were  born:  Mattie  is  the  wife  of  George  Hill- 
house,  of  Verona,  Missouri;  M.  Filmore  lives  in  California;  Sallie  is  the 
wife  of  William  Howard,  of  Lawrence  county;  Dora  is  the  wife  of  J.  N. 
McCacken,  of  Springfield;  Ella  is  the  wife  of  G.  W.  Moore  and  they  live 
in  New  Mexico;  Isora,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Henderson  Maberry, 
deceased;  Ollie  lives  in  Chicago;  Maude,  who  was  the  first  wife  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  died  in  1900;  Myrtle,  youngest  of  the  Kirby  children, 
is  now  the  wife  of  our  subject,  they  having  married  in  1911  ; one  died  at  age 
of  eighteen  years. 

To  Mr.  O’Bryant’s  first  marriage  three  children  were  born,  all  of  whom 
died  in  infancy.  His  second  marriage  has  been  without  issue. 

Politically  Mr.  O’Bryant  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally  he  is  a member 
of  the  Court  of  Honor.  Lie  was  formerly  a member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  but  now  belongs  to  the  Methodist  church  at  Republic,  as  does  his  wife. 


ABNER  D.  THOMPSON. 

One  of  the  most  enterprising  farmers  of  Clay  township,  Greene  county, 
is  Abner  D.  Thompson,  who  has  considered  himself  fortunate,  and  indeed 
he  might  well  do  so,  that  he  has  been  permitted  to  spend  his  life  on  the 
homestead,  for,  in  the  first  place,  as  one  of  our  great  writers  said  long 
ago,  “There  is  no  place  like  home',”  and  also  because  his  home  happened  to 
be  in  a country  greatly  favored  by  nature.  It  is  true  that  it  took  a great 
deal  of  hard  work  to  get  Greene  county  in  proper  shape  for  agricultural 
purposes,  but  once  in  condition  there  is  no  better. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1459 


Mr.  Thompson  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  July  28,  1855. 
He  is  a son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Dabbs)  Thompson.  The  father  was 
born  in  Henry  county,  Tennessee,  December  13,  1822,  and  in  1829,  when 
seven  years  old,  he  came  to  Missouri  with  his  parents,  the  family  having 
made  the  trip  in  wagons,  experiencing  a number  of  hardships  en  route. 
They  settled  in  Greene  county  among  the  earliest  pioneers,  when  this  lo- 
cality was  indeed  a wilderness,  the  vast  forests  having  as  yet  heard  the 
ring  of  the  axe  but  little  and  the  wide  rolling  prairies  were  still  unscarred 
by  the  plowshare.  It  was  amid  such  environment  that  the  father  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  grew  to  manhood.  He  found  plenty  of  hard  work  to 
do  in  assisting  to  develop  a farm,  and  he  received  a meager  education  in 
the  old-time  subscription  schools.  He  remained  under  his  parental  roof- 
tree  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  then  began  life  on  the  farm  for 
himself,  entering  land  from  the  government  and  purchasing  other  tracts 
until  he  became  owner  of  valuable  holdings  aggregating  eight  hundred 
acres.  He  had  some  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county.  He  kept  his  land 
in  good  shape  and  was  a prosperous  farmer  and  extensive  raiser  of  live 
stock  and  also  a large  dealer  in  stock,  was  very  successful  as  a trader.  He 
was  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  the  county  in  the  early  days.  In  the 
fall  of  1864,  during  the  Civil  war  days,  he  drove  a large  herd  of  cattle  to  the 
northern  part  of  the  state,  where  he  sold  them  and  upon  his  homeward 
trip  was  waylaid  and  killed,  October  5,  1864,  about  a mile  from  his  home. 
It  was  supposed  that  he  had  a large  sum  of  money  on  his  person  at  the 
time,  and  bushwhackers  murdered  him ; however,  the  nyystery  has  never 
been  cleared  up.  Politically,  he  was  a Democrat.  On  May  21,  1854,  he 
married  Elizabeth  Dabbs,  who  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  March  27,  1831, 
who  came  at  an  early  age  to  Missouri  with  her  parents,  the  family  locating 
in  Greene  county.  After  her  husband’s  death  she  reared  her  four  children. 
She,  too,  met  a tragic  end,  having  been  killed  by  a cyclone  April  18,  1880. 
In  all,  five  children  were  born  to  James  Thompson  and  wife,  namely:  Abner 
D.,  of  this  sketch  being  the  eldest;  William  Edward,  born  February  3, 
1858,  died  August  13,  1861 ; James  P.,  born  May  16,  i860,  is  living  in 
California;  Mrs.  Mary  L.  Fulbright,  born  May  15,  1863;  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
C.  McCracken,  born  January  25,  1865,  is  living  in  California. 

Abner  D.  Thompson  was  born  and  reared  where  he  is  now  living,  and 
was  educated  in  the  district  schools.  Being  the  oldest  child  he  took  the 
lead  in  making  a livelihood  for  the  family  after  his  father’s  death,  being  onlv 
nine  )^ears  old  at  that  time.  He  finally  became  owner  of  the  homestead,  and 
at  this  time  has  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  township,  consisting  of  three 
hundred  and  ten  acres.  He  has  kept  the  place  well  improved  and  has  a 
good  home.  The  land  is  all  in  cultivation  with  the  exception  of  about 
thirty-five  acres  which  is  in  timber.  He  has  been  very  successful  as  a general 


1460 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


farmer.  Mr.  Thompson  deals  extensively  in  live  stock,  shipping  on  an  aver- 
age of  twenty  cars  of  hogs  and  cattle  each  year. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  married,  December  4,  1879,  to  Janie  S.  Galloway, 
who  was  born  in  Barry  county,  Missouri,  and  is  a daughter  of  Major  Charles 
and  Susan  (Carney)  Galloway.  She  came  to  Greene  county  when  a young 
girl  and  was  reared  on  a farm.  She  received  a common  school  education. 
She  had  a narrow  escape  from  death  in  the  cyclone  of  April  18,  1880,  in 
which  her  mother  was  killed. 

Nine  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson,  namely: 
Mrs.  Jessie  Anderson  lives  in  California;  Susie  E.,  born  November  15,  1883, 
lives  at  home;  Charles  E.,  born  March  15,  1885,  is  farming  in  Greene 
county;  Catherine  Rena,  born  February  14,  1887,  is  working  in  Springfield 
at  the  McDaniel  National  Bank;  Mrs.  Janie  Dee  Gibson,  born  June  1,  1889, 
lives  in  Greene  county;  Mrs.  Ruth  Gibson,  born  June  18,  1893.  Janie  and 
Ruth  married  brothers.  Bettie,  born  July  20,  1895,  lives  at  home;  Anna 
Lee,  born  July  27,  1897,  lives  at  home;  Mary  Eunice,  born  February  8, 
1903,  is  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Thompson  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 
the  Modern  Woodmen. 


JAMES  HOWARD  EARNEST. 

This  is  an  age  of  specialization.  Nearly  everybody  has  a hobby  and  is 
doing  or  trying  to  do  some  one  thing  well — better  than  all  the  rest  of  the 
things  that  he  is  engaged  in.  It  is  found  among  the  farmers  of  Greene 
county  that  many  of  them  are  specializing  in  corn.  Some  farm  animal,  as 
a particular  breed  of  cows,  will  make  as  good  a specialty  as  corn.  It  does 
not  make  much  difference  what  it  is  so  it  is  the  one  kind  of  stock  in  which 
the  owner  has  the  greatest  interest.  The  more  one  gives  his  attention  to  his 
specialty  the  more  it  will  take  possession  of  him  and  while  he  gets  a great 
deal  of  pleasure  and  makes  a financial  success  of  his  chosen  line  the  danger 
is  that  he  will  neglect  his  other  stock  or  crops  in  his  desire  to  excel  in  his 
specialty.  James  Howard  Earnest,  well-known  farmer  of  Murray  township, 
is  one  of  the  citizens  of  Greene  county  who  is  making  a specialty  of  fine  full- 
blooded  Jersey  cattle  and  at  the  same  time  is  successful  as  a general  farmer, 
being  careful  to  not  neglect  any  department  of  his  well-regulated  farm. 

Mr.  Earnest  was  born  in  the  above  named  township  and  county,  Sep- 
tember 2,  1850,  and  is  a representative  of  an  old  and  influential  family  of 
this  locality.  He  is  a son  of  John  Ramsey  Earnest  and  Sarah  H.  (McClure) 
Earnest.  The  father  was  born  in  eastern  Tennessee  in  1822,  and  was  a son 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I461 


of  Wesley  and  Elizabeth  (Blackburn-Ramsey)  Earnest,  both  natives  of 
Tennessee,  in  which  state  they  grew  up,  were  married  and  made  their  home 
there  until  1851,  when  they  immigrated  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and 
lived  the  rest  of  their  lives  on  a farm,  his  death  occurrring  in  i860  and  his 
wife  died  in  Cave  Spring.  John  R.  Earnest,  father  of  our  subject,  grew 
to  manhood  in  Tennessee  and  received  his  education  there  in  the  early-day 
subscription  schools,  fie  had  passed  his  twenty-first  birthday  when  he  came 
to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  he  worked  a year  on  the  old  Appleby  farm 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  county,  and  here  he  married  and  settled  on  forty 
acres  south  of  Willard.  He  sold  out  later  and  bought  another  farm  in  the 
neighborhood  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  Selling  this  he 
bought  the  old  Willey  farm  of  about  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  and 
operated  it  until  1866,  when  he  sold  out  to  Henry  Willey  and  moved  to  the 
John  Murray  farm,  buying  out  the  Murray  heirs,  and  farmed  there  for 
about  ten  years,  then  sold  out  and  went  to  one  of  the  western  states  and 
took  up  a claim,  and  was  killed  by  a falling  tree  in  1879.  He  was  a very 
successful  farmer  and  was  a man  of  influence  in  Murray  township.  He  was 
justice  of  the  peace  for  some  time  and  was  administrator  in  many  estates, 
in  which  capacity  he  discharged  his  duties  in  a manner  satisfactory  to  all 
concerned.  He  was  elected  county  judge  and  filled  this  position  one  term 
with  honor  and  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  township  and  county.  Fra- 
ternally, he  was  an  enthusiastic  Mason,  belonging  to  the  lodge  at  Ebenezer, 
Missouri.  He  was  an  active  Democrat  and  a local  leader  in  the  party.  He 
was  a worthy  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church,  in  which 
he  was  an  elder  for  years.  He  was  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him. 
His  wife,  Sarah  H.  McClure,  was  born  in  Tennessee  about  1832  and  her 
death  occurred  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1864.  He  married  his  second 
wife  in  1865,  Bonde  A run,  a native  of  Tennessee,  who  died  in  Texas  in  1904. 

John  R.  Earnest  was  the  father  of  seven  children  by  his  first  marriage, 
and  three  by  his  second;  those  by  his  first  wife  were  named  as  follows: 
James  H.,  of  this  sketch:  the  second  died  in  infancy:  Marv  Virginia,  Eliza- 
beth and  Nathan  are  all  three  deceased;  John  Charles  lives  in  California; 
Mrs.  Sarah  H.  Halloway  lives  in  Jefferson  Citv,  Missouri.  The  following 
children  were  by  his  last  wife;  Mrs.  Anna  Love  Saddler  lives  in  Texas; 
Luther  and  AValter,  both  make,  their  homes  in  the  Lone  Star  state  also. 

James  H.  Earnest  spent  his  bovhood  days  on  the  farm  in  Murrav  town- 
ship and  assisted  his  father  with  the  general  work  during  the  crop  seasons. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  at  Cave  Spring  and  in  the 
old  Murray  school.  Early  in  life  he  began  farming  for  himself  and  operated 
land  in  different  parts  of  Murray  township,  moving  to  his  present  farm  in 
1884.  He  had  eighty  acres  at  first,  but  prospering  through  close  applica- 
tion and  good  management  he  added  to  his  holdings  and  now  has  a finely 


1462 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


improved  and  productive  farm  of  one  hundred  acres,  on  which  he  carries 
on  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  making  a specialty  of  full-blooded 
Jersey  cattle,  which  are  greatly  admired  by  all  who  see  them,  who  know 
how  to  appreciate  live  stock  of  a superior  grade.  In  connection  with  his 
general  farming  he  operates  a dairy  under  modern  and  sanitary  methods, 
and  finds  a very  ready  market  for  his  products.  He  has  a pleasant  home 
and  a number  of  convenient,  substantial  outbuildings,  and  everything  about 
his  place  denotes  good  management  and  industry. 

Mr.  Earnest  has  been  twice  married,  first,  in  1872,  to  Mary  Ann  Par- 
rish, a native  of  Greene  county,  Missouri.  She  died  in  1875  without  issue. 
In  1877  Mr.  Earnest  married  Sarah  Frances  Staklev,  a native  of  Lawrence 
county,  Missouri,  and  to  this  union  three  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Ethel,  who  married  William  H.  Grafton,  of  Willard,  has  five  children, 
Joseph,  Newman,  Homer,  Rolla  and  Kermit;  Orville,  second  child  of  our 
subject,  married  Bessie  Lee;  they  live  in  Sarcoxie,  Missouri,  and  have  one 
child,  Ellen;  Bertha,  third  child  of  our  subject,  lives  in  Powersite,  Missouri. 

Politically,  Mr.  Earnest  is  an  independent  voter,  and  is  a man  who 
takes  a deep  interest  in  the  general  welfare  of  his  township  and  county. 


JAMES  M.  W1LKERSON,  M.  D. 

Greene  county  owes  a great  debt  of  gratitude  to  the  state  of  Ten- 
nessee for  the  large  number  of  sterling  citizens  which  have  located  here 
from  that  state,  perhaps  more  than  from  any  two  other  states.  They  have 
proven  themselves  to  be  people  of  industry,  honesty  and  public  spirit,  true 
types  of  empire  builders.  Among  this  number  is  Dr.  James  M.  Wilkerson, 
who  has  lived  in  Springfield  twenty-six  years.  Formerly  he  was  a suc- 
cessful general  physician,  but  later  turned  his  attention  to  the  real  estate 
business  in  which  he  has  reaped  a satisfactory  reward. 

Doctor  Wilkerson  was  born  in  Bedford  county,  Tennessee,  November 
2,  1844.  Lie  is  a son  of  James  and  Lydia  (Messick)  Wilkerson,  a fine  old 
Southern  family.  The  father  was  born  in  Ireland  on  a farm  in  County 
Tyrone,  in  the  year  1808,  and  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States  when 
a young  man  and  established  his  home  on  a farm  in  Bedford  county, 
Tennessee.  During  the  Civil  war  he  removed  his  family  to  Arkansas,  later 
to  Kansas,  where  they  remained  a short  time,  then  came  to  Lawrence 
county,  Missouri,  where  the  death  of  James  Wilkerson  occurred  at  the 
age  of  seventy-three  years.  He  had  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming 
and  stock  raising.  His  wife  was  a native  of  Tennessee.  Her  death  occurred 
in  the  year  1892.  To  these  parents  twelve  children  were  born,  ten  sons 
and  two  daughters.  Four  of  the  sons  are  now  deceased. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1463 


Dr.  James  M.  Wilkerson  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  and  he 
received  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools.  He  studied  medicine 
under  his  brother,  W,  C.  Wilkerson,  and  Doctor  Gray,  of  Lawrenceburg,  Mis- 
souri, the  town  at  that  time  containing  only  a country  store.  Later  he  took  the 
regular  course  in  the  American  Medical  School  in  St.  Louis,  receiving  his 
diploma  in  1878.  Locating  at  Humansville,  Polk  county,  in  1871,  where  he 
was  married,  and  soon  thereafter  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  which 
he  continued  there  for  a period  of  eighteen  years  with  a large  degree  of 
success,  during  which  period  he  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  physi- 
cians of  the  western  part  of  Polk  county.  He  removed  to  Springfield,  in 
1888,  where  he  continued  the  practice  of  medicine  for  three  years  with  his 
usual  success,  but  desiring  to  take  up  a business  career,  he  abandoned  his 
profession  and  took  up  the  real  estate  business,  which  he  has  continued  to 
the  present  time  with  ever-increasing  success  and  is  rated  among  the  lead- 
ing dealers  in  this  part  of  the  country  and  a judge  of  property  values, 
both  city  and  rural. 

Doctor  Wilkerson  was  married,  July  1,  1874,  to  Mary  A.  Ayers,  a 
daughter  of  Alven  Ayers,  a native  of  Virginia,  where  he  spent  his  earlier 
life,  finally  removing  to  Missouri.  He  devoted  his  active  life  to  farming 
and  stock  raising.  He  and  his  wife  are  both  deceased.  They  were  the 
parents  of  five  children. 

Six  children  have  been  born  to  Doctor  Wilkerson  and  wife,  namely: 
Lydia,  married  Claude  Washburn,  who  was  killed  in  a railroad  accident, 
leaving  one  son,  James,  born,  January  22,  1899;  Mary  H.,  married  A.  C. 
Hayward,  an  attorney,  of  Springfield,  and  they  have  one  child,  Edgar; 
two  sons  and  one  daughter  of  our  subject  died  in  infancy;  Edgar,  the 
youngest  child,  died  when  five  years  of  age. 

Politically  Doctor  Wilkerson  is  a Democrat,  fraternally  a member  of 
the  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  he  and  his  wife  belong  to  the 
Christian  church. 


WALTER  HAUN. 

In  different  localities  the  spirit  of  better  things  manifests  itself  in  differ- 
ent ways.  Sometimes  it  takes  the  form  of  increasing  the  fertility  of  the  soil ; 
at  other  places  there  is  a demand  for  good  roads ; it  is  shown  in  the  desire 
to  keep  better  live  stock,  to  have  more  attractive  farm-yard  surroundings 
or  to  grow  larger  crops.  It  is  shown  in  rural  improvement  clubs,  in  home 
economic  organizations,  in  the  consolidation  of  rural  schools,  in  labor-saving 
appliances  in  the  home  in  making  the  home  attractive,  and  in  a general  belief 
that  farmers  are  entitled  to  as  pleasant  surroundings  as  anyone  else,  and 


1464 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


that  a richer,  fuller  life  may  be  better  developed  in  the  country  than  in  any 
other  place  in  the  world.  In  Murray  township,  Greene  county,  one  sees 
evidences  of  progressiveness  on  every  hand,  well-kept  farms,  modernly  ap- 
pointed homes  and  prosperous  contented  people.  One  of  these  careful  farm- 
ers who  owns  a valuable  place  and  a comfortable  home  is  Walter  Haun,  a 
representative  of  an  old  and  well-known  family  in  this  locality. 

Mr.  Haun  was  born  in  the  above  named  township  and  county,  Novem- 
ber 24,  1875.  He  is  a son  of  Newton  Wright  and  Nellie  (Beal)  Haun. 
Newton  W.  Haun  was  born  in  Monroe  county,  eastern  Tennessee,  September 
8,  1822.  He  is  a son  of  Abraham  and  Jane  (Wright)  Haun.  Newton 
W.  Haun  was  twice  married,  first,  in  eastern  Tennessee,  May  2,  1854,  to 
Martha  I.  Heiskell,  a native  of  Tennessee,  who  died  April  21,  1861.  He  was 
engaged  in  the  general  merchandise  business  at  Sweetwater,  Tennessee,  for 
a number  of  years,  finally  selling  out  and  removing  to  Lawrence  county, 
Missouri,  where  he  engaged  in  general  farming  until  1867,  when  he  sold 
out  and  came  to  Murray  township,  Greene  county,  where  he  purchased 
two  hundred  and  thirty-six  acres  of  good  land,  which  he  farmed  success- 
fully until  his  death,  December  13,  1887.  He  was  a man  of  great  industry 
and  sound  judgment  and  was  rated  among  the  most  progressive  farmers  of 
the  county.  He  was  a good  citizen  in  every  respect  and  was  well  liked. 
Politically,  he  was  a Democrat  and  was  active  in  party  affairs,  and  before 
leaving  Monroe  county,  Tennessee,  he  held  the  office  of  surveyor  one  term, 
but  would  never  accept  office  in  Missouri,  preferring  to  give  his  sole  atten- 
tion to  his  large  farming  and  stock-raising  industries.  He  was  a faithful 
member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church,  was  a charter  member  of 
the  church  of  this  denomination  at  Walnut  Spring  and  a ruling  elder  in  the 
same  from  its  organization  until  his  death.  His  family  consisted  of  nine 
children  by  his  second  marriage,  namely:  Daniel  F.,  Mrs.  Martha  R.  Blan- 

kenship, who  lives  in  this  township,  just  east  of  Willard;  William  E.  lives 
in  Cass  township,  Greene  county;  Mrs.  May  Emmerson,  of  Springfield; 
Walter,  of  this  review;  Mrs.  Ella  Tatum,  of  Center  township;  George  lives 
in  Wilson  township;  and  two  who  died  in  infancy. 

Newton  Haun  married  Nellie  Beal  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  for  his 
second  wife.  She  was  a daughter  of  Daniel  and  Nancy  (Gibson)  Beal. 
Daniel  Beal  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  May  19,  1799.  He  spent  his  boy- 
hood in  his  native  state  and  learned  the  cabinet  maker's  trade.  When  a young 
man  he  went  to  Giles  county,  Tennessee,  where  he  and  Nancy  Gibson  were 
married.  She  was  a daughter  of  George  Gibson.  Mr.  Beal  remained  in 
Giles  county,  Tennessee,  until  three  of  his  children  were  born,  and,  in  1831, 
he  moved  to  Crawford  county,  Missouri,  and  settled  near  where  Verona 
now  stands.  Judge  fames  White  came  the  same  time,  and  there  Mr.  Beal 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1465 


made  a clearing  and  began  his  home,  he  and  Judge  White  being  in  partner- 
ship in  the  land,  and,  deciding  that  the  tract  of  land  was  not  large  enough 
for  both  of  them  to  operate  he  sold  out  to  the  judge  and  removed  to  Greene 
county,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  1833  Mr.  Beal  settled  in  Campbell  town- 
ship, on  Wilson  creek,  four  miles  west  of  Springfield.  He  owned  two 
hundred  and  eighty-eight  acres  which  he  cleared  up  and  improved  and  on 
which  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  When  he  first  came  to  Missouri 
the  southwestern  part  of  the  state  was  still  the  home  of  different  tribes 
of  Indians,  among  whom  he  did  considerable  trading,  and,  finding  him 
honest  and  kind-hearted,  they  were  very  friendly  with  him.  In  politics, 
he  was  a Democrat  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Baptist 
church.  Eight  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beal,  all  now  deceased 
but  one,  Allen  Beal,  who  lives  in  Texas.  The  death  of  Daniel  Beal  oc- 
curred in  the  prime  of  life.  December  7,  1847.  Nancy  Gibson,  his  wife,  was 
a native  of  Tennessee,  born  near  Madisonville,  and  she  died  in  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  on  the  home  farm  in  the  western  part  of  the  county. 

The  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  died,  January,  1915, 
was  born,  April  7,  1839,  near  Springfield  and  here  she  grew  to  womanhood 
and  was  educated  in  the  old-time  subscription  schools.  Although  she  at- 
tained her  seventy-fifth  year  she  was  active  and  had  a good  memory  up 
until  the  time  of  her  death.  She  was  well  known  to  the  older  citizens  and 
led  a life  fraught  with  good  deeds. 

Abraham  and  Jane  (Wright)  Haun,  grandparents  of  our  subject,  were 
natives  of  Tennessee,  the  former  born  in  1790  and  he  died  in  1848.  He  had 
devoted  his  life  to  general  farming  in  Tennessee,  where  he  and  his  wife 
both  lived  and  died. 

Walter  Haun  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Murray  township,  and 
he  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools.  On  October  20,  1904,  he 
married  Clara  Middlemas,  a native  of  New  Zealand.  She  is  the  daughter 
of  Thomas  J.  and  Elizabeth  (Dickey)  Middlemas.  The  father  is  deceased, 
but  the  mother  is  still  living. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haun  one  child  has  been  born,  Doris  Virginia  Haun. 

After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Haun  moved  to  his  present  farm  of  eighty 
acres,  which  is  one  of  the  finest  farms  of  its  size  in  Murray  township,  is 
productive  and  well-improved,  and  he  built  a modern  home  in  1904,  also 
an  up-to-date  barn  and  a large  cement  silo,  all  his  buildings  commanding 
an  ideal  view  from  the  roadside  and  for  some  distance  around,  and  his 
is  one  of  the  most  desirable  places  in  the  township.  He  also  owns  seven 
acres  of  timbered  land.  He  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising, 
keeping  a good  grade  of  various  kinds  of  livestock.  He  is  one  of  the 
hustling  young  farmers  of  Greene  county  and  is  rapidly  coming  to  the 


1466 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


front.  He  takes  a just  pride  in  his  farm  and  set  of  buildings.  Politically, 
he  is  a Democrat,  but  no  public  man,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  at  Willard,  and  are  faithful  in  their  attendance  and 
support  of  the  same.  They  are  popular  with  the  best  circles  of  this  part 
of  the  country,  well  liked  by  all  who  know  them. 


CHARLES  E.  WADLOW. 

Human  life  is  made  up  of  two  elements,  power  and  form,  and  the  pro- 
portion must  be  invariably  kept  if  we  would  have  it  sweet  and  sound.  Each 
of  these  elements  in  excess  makes  a mischief  as  hurtful  as  would 
be  its  deficiency.  Everything  turns  to  excess;  every  good  quality  is  noxious 
if  unmixed,  and  to  carry  the  danger  to  the  edge  of  ruin  nature  causes  each 
man's  peculiarity  to  superabound.  One  speaking  from  the  standpoint  of  a 
farmer  would  adduce  the  learned  professions  as  an  example  of  this  treach- 
ery. The  farmer  has  a much  better  chance  to  observe  and  enjoy  art  as  it 
is  found  in  nature,  and,  therefore,  ought  to  be  a man  of  the  highest  ideals 
and  cleanest  characteristics.  One  of  the  well-known  citizens  of  the  north- 
ern part  of  Greene  county  who  has  been  contented  with  life  in  the  rural 
districts  and  has  been  a close  observer  of  the  uplifting  things  about  him 
is  Charles  E.  Wadlow,  who  is  not  only  an  excellent  agriculturist,  but  a good 
citizen  in  the  fullest  sense  of  the  term. 

Mr.  Wadlow  was  born  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Murray  township, 
Greene  county,  March  3,  1864.  He  is  a son  of  John  Wesley  and  Mary 
Ann  (Lethco)  Wadlow.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  on  Decem- 
ber 17,  1797,  in  Washington  county,  Virginia,  now  a part  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, and  there  he  spent  his  earlier  years,  removing  first  to  Tennessee, 
where  he  remained  until  about  1835,  when  he  made  the  rough  overland 
journey  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  settled  about  twelve  miles  north- 
west of  Springfield.  On  July  24,  1837,  he  married  Mary  Hastings,  and 
to  them  seven  children  were  born,  namely:  Alzirah  Jane,  deceased;  Mary 

Louisa  is  living;  Sarah  Ann,  Margaret  Elizabeth,  Martha  Agnes,  Matilda 
Caroline  and  John  W.  are  all  deceased.  Mary  Hastings  was  born  on  Jan- 
uary 27,  1820,  and  her  death  occurred  on  December  12,  1854.  John  W. 
Wadlow  married,  on  November  29,  1858,  Mary  Ann  Lethco.  To  this  sec- 
ond union  were  also  born  seven  children,  namely:  Joanna,  Susan  Arbell, 

Charles  E.,  George  W.  and  Dora  Emma  were  twins;  Laura  May  is  deceased; 
and  Lillie  D.  The  death  of  the  mother  of  these  children  occurred  on  March 
13,  1909.  Cyrus  Cunningham,  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  John  Wesley  Wadlow  was  one  of 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1467 


the  early-day  leaders  in  the  Southern  Methodist  church  in  Greene  county. 

He  gave  a tract  of  land  on  which  was  built  the  Wesley  chapel,  of  Murray 

township,  and  close  by  he  donated  ground  for  a cemetery,  in  which  he  him- 
self was  finally  laid  to  rest,  when  he  had  finished  his  useful,  industrious 

and  honorable  life  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  ninety-two  years.  In  his  early  days 

he  taught  school,  and  was  a justice  of  the  peace  in  Greene  county  for  many 
years.  He  was  a successful  farmer  and  accumulated  a comfortable  fortune 
by  his  thrift  and  honest  dealings.  He  was  a well-informed  man,  was  a 
loyal  Democrat  and  an  influential  citizen.  His  wife,  Mary  Ann  Lethco, 
was  born  on  March  28,  1829,  in  Richland  county,  North  Carolina,  and 
when  twelve  years  of  age  she  emigrated  from  that  state  to  Illinois,  later 
to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  the  family  locating  near  Ebenezer,  in  Robber- 
son  township.  Her  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years;  she 
had  been  a member  of  the  Southern  Methodist  church  for  over  sixty  years. 

Charles  E.  Wadlow  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  the  old  homestead, 
where  he  assisted  with  the  general  work,  remaining  there  until  he  was 
twenty-seven  years  of  age.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools, 
mostly  at  the  Waterloo  school-house,  later  was  a student  in  the  preparatory 
branches  of  Morrisville  College,  in  Polk  county.  Later  he  attended  a busi- 
ness college  in  Springfield.  After  his  marriage  he  located  near  where  his 
present  farm  is  located.  He  has  spent  all  his  life  in  Murray  township,  his 
native  county.  He  has  been  very  successful  as  a general  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser  and  is  owner  of  a finely  improved  and  productive  farm  of  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty  acres,  all  in  Murray  township.  They  have  a pleasant  home 
in  the  midst  of  attractive  surroundings.  Mr.  Wadlow  formerly  handled 
large  numbers  of  cattle  and  hogs,  and  at  present  he  feeds  a great  many 
mules  from  year  to  year.  He  built  his  present  commodious  residence  in 
1898,  but  for  seven  years  previous  he  had  lived  in  a small  house  on  his  farm. 

Mr.  Wadlow  was  married,  November  26,  1890,  to  Jerena  Boston,  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  Y.  and  Nannie  (Killingsworth)  Boston.  Mrs.  Wad- 
low was  born  in  Greene  county,  here  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  edu- 
cated. Her  family  is  well  known  in  the  northern  part  of  this  county,  where 
they  have  long  been  well  established  on  farms. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wadlow  five  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Ma- 
bel L.,  Thomas  Wesley,  Jerena,  Mary  Charlotte  and  Josephine.  They  are 
all  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Wadlow  is  a Democrat,  and  while  he  has  never  been 
an  office-holder,  he  has  been  more  or  less  active  in  party  affairs.  Frater- 
nally, he  belongs  to  the  Royal  Arch  Masons,  at  Springfield,  and  the  Blue 
Lodge  at  Willard,  being  chaplain  of  the  latter.  He  is  also  a member  of  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America  at  Willard.  Religiously,  he  belongs  to  the 
Southern  Methodist  church  at  Willard  and  is  on  the  official  'board  of  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1468 


same.  His  wife  also  holds  membership  with  this  congregation  and  they 
are  both  active  in  church  and  Sunday  school  work.  As  a representative 
of  one  of  the  leading  families  of  Greene  county  Mr.  Wadlow  is  widely  and 
favorably  known,  having  the  reputation  of  being  a good  neighbor,  and 
helpful,  public-spirited  citizen,  always  ready  to  assist  in  any  laudable  move- 
ment having  for  its  aim  the  betterment  of  his  community  in  any  way. 


WILLIAM  H.  RATHBONE. 

If  the  husbandman  is  fortunate  enough  to  have  the  true  vision  of 
farming,  and  starts  out  to  make  it  a reality,  he  will  certainly  find  the  busi- 
ness of  farming  a most  profitable  one.  He  will  urge  the  backward  acres  of 
his  farm  into  activity  that  will  make  them  produce  an  hundred-fold.  The 
highest  grades  of  live  stock  will  be  found  about  his  barns.  He  will  ac- 
quire labor-saving  and  pleasure-giving  machinery  and  equipment  of  va- 
rious kinds.  Lie  will  make  his  surroundings  attractive  and  he  will  ex- 
perience the  full  joy  of  living.  William  H.  Rathbone  is  one  of  Greene 
county’s  farmers  who  seems  to  have  the  right  idea  about  agricultural  matters, 
and  although  he  does  not  farm  on  so  large  a scale  as  some,  he  does  it 
rightly  and  makes  a comfortable  living. 

Mr.  Rathbone  was  born,  June  5,  1857,  in  Rochester,  New  York.  He 
is  a son  of  Thomas  Henry  and  Sarah  Ann  (Warr)  Rathbone.  The  father 
of  our  subject  was  born  in  Warwickshire,  England,  July  19,  1827,  a son  of 
John  and  Sarah  (Taylor)  Rathbone,  both  natives  of  England,  and  who 
have  been  long  deceased.  Thomas  Henry  Rathbone  grew  to  manhood  in 
his  native  land  and  married  there,  finally  emigrating,  with  his  wife  and 
two  children,  to  New  York,  where  he  spent  seven  years.  Leaving  that 
state,  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri.  He  was  a tinner  by  trade,  which 
he  had  learned  in  England,  was  quite  expert,  and  he  continued  to  follow 
his  trade  in  the  United  States,  working  at  it  for  some  time  in  Springfield, 
Missouri,  or  from  the  year  1858  to  i860,  then  bought  a farm  in  North 
Campbell  township,  consisting  of  eighty  acres,  mostly  undeveloped,  but  by 
dint  of  hard  toil  he  made  a good  farm  here  and  remained  on  the  place 
five  years,  then  took  up  the  tinning  business  again,  leaving  the  farm  in  the 
hands  of  his  sons.  Five  years  later  he  sold  his  farm  and  entered  the  hard- 
ware business  in  what  was  then  known  as  North  Springfield,  maintaining 
the  business  for  a number  of  years,  then  sold  out  and  retired  from  active 
life.  He  built  a comfortable  home  on  North  Jefferson  street  where  he  now 
resides,  having  reached  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-eight  years.  He  is  a 
find  old  gentleman,  greatlv  beloved  by  his  many  friends,  for  he  has  lived 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1469 


an  honorable  life  and  his  business  career  was  fraught  with  much  good  to 
those  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  He  always  tried  to  follow  the 
Golden  Rule  explicitly.  He  is  a great  lover  of  flowers  and  enjoys  the  sim- 
ple life.  He  has  been  twice  married.  His  second  wife  was  a Mrs.  Wright, 
a widow,  and  a native  of  England.  To  this  union  five  children  were  born, 
all  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  By  his  first  wife,  Sarah  Ann  Warr,  four 
children  were  born,  namely:  John,  deceased;  Bernard  F.  is  engaged  in 

the  hardware  business  in  Springfield,  on  the  north  side;  Mrs.  Teresa  Mas- 
sev  lives  in  Springfield ; and  William  Henry,  who  also  makes  his  home  in 
this  city. 

Mr.  Rathbone  often  recalls  the  trying  voyage  to  America,  spending- 
three  months  on  the  ocean,  the  captain  of  the  vessel  being  drunk  most  of 
the  time  and  incapable  of  handling  his  ship.  Drinking  water  gave  out  and 
the  passengers  were  almost  starved  and  famished  when  they  reached  New 
York.  During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Rathbone  was  a member  of  the  Home 
Guards  of  Greene  county  and  fought  at  the  battle  of  Springfield,  January 
8,  1863,  when  General  Marmaduke  made  his  raid  on  the  place.  He  was 
in  the  thickest  of  the  fight  and  men  were  killed  on  each  side  of  him.  He 
had  narrow  escapes  from  death.  His  first  wife  was  a native  of  the  same 
locality  in  England  where  he  was  born  and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood. 
She  has  been  deceased  many  years. 

Politically,  Mr.  Rathbone  is  a Republican.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  and  belongs  to  the  Second  Presbyterian  church  in 
Springfield.  He  is  a man  of  strict  Christian  character  and  has  always 
taken  much  interest  in  church  affairs. 

William  H.  Rathbone  spent  his  boyhood  days  in  Greene  county,  whither 
he  was  brought  by  his  parents  when  only  a year  old.  He  grew  to 
manhood  on  his  father’s  farm  in  North  Campbell  township,  and  when 
nineteen  years  of  age  started  out  in  life  for  himself.  He  received  a com- 
mon-school education.  He  has  been  living  on  his  present  farm  of  eighty- 
three  acres  for  a period  of  fifteen  years,  during  which  he  has  made  many 
improvements,  and  lie  is  very  successful  as  a general  farmer  and  truck 
raiser.  However,  after  spending  seven  years  on  this  place,  he  went  to 
Springfield,  where  he  became  foreman  of  the  casting  department  of  the 
Crescent  Iron  Works  for  awhile,  but  preferring  the  country,  moved  back 
to  his  farm. 

Mr.  Rathbone  was  married  twice,  first  to  Margaret  Potter,  a daugh- 
ter of  Henry  Potter,  a native  of  Kentucky,  who  came  to  Greene  county, 
Missouri,  where  he  located  and  where  Mrs.  Rathbone  was  born  and  reared. 
She  has  been  deceased  for  some  time.  To  this  union  one  child  was  born, 
Mrs.  Lou  Lamson,  who  lives  near  Strafford,  Greene  county.  Mr.  Rath- 
bone's  second  wife  was  Emma  Fielder,  a daughter  of  Thomas  Fielder,  and 


14/0 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


to  this  union  one  child  also  was  born,  Mrs.  Rosa  Potter,  who  lives  at  Ebe- 
nezer,  Greene  county. 

Politically,  Mr.  Rathbone  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Knights 
of  Pythias,  and  his  wife  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  church  in 
Springfield. 


HOMER  GLENN  FRAME,  M.  D. 

A farmer  may  take  good  care  of  all  his  crops  and  animals  and  conduct 
his  business  at  a profit,  but  he  will  find  an  added  enjoyment  and  an  increased 
profit  by  giving  especial  attention  to  some  one  crop1  or  animal.  Suppose 
a farmer’s  specialty  is  corn.  If  he  does  his  duty  by  his  pet  crop  he  will 
raise  some  of  the  best,  if  not  the  best,  corn  in  the  neighborhood.  He  will 
not  only  have  greater  profits  in  the  ordinary  use  of  the  crop,  but  the  demand 
for  his  seed-corn  will  enable  him  to  dispose  of  a large  amount  of  it  at  bet- 
ter than  the  average  price  of  seed-corn.  The  necessity  of  using  only  the 
best  seed  is  yearly  becoming  more  appreciated,  and  the  man  who  has  the 
reputation  of  growing  the  best  corn  is  the  one  that  seed  buyers  will  seek. 
The  reputation  is  the  reward  for  building  up  a specialty.  It  is  well  known 
that  the  specialty  of  Dr.  Homer  Glenn  Frame,  of  Cave  Spring,  Cass  town- 
ship, Greene  county,  is  alfalfa.  Many  of  the  farmers  of  this  locality  have 
doubted  the  practicability  of  attempting  to  grow  alfalfa,  but  he  is  proving 
that  our  land  will  produce  good  crops  of  it,  and  showing  wherein  it  would 
be  to  an  advantage  of  many  of  his  fellow  tillers  of  the  soil  to  let  up  awhile 
on  planting  their  land  to  corn,  wheat  and  other  grains  until  the  soil  is  ex- 
hausted and  build  it  up  with  alfalfa,  which  is  not  only  an  excellent  soil 
restorer  but  is  a very  profitable  crop  from  a financial  standpoint.  The  re- 
sults he  has  obtained  have  been  plainly  visible.  He  is  one  of  our  progres- 
sive citizens  who  believe  in  scientific,  intense  farming,  who  is  setting  a splen- 
did example,  for  his  methods  are  advanced  and  in  time  will  have  to  be 
adopted  by  most  husbandmen  of  this  section  of  the  state.  Doctor  Frame 
is  also  one  of  the  leading  physicians  of  the  county  and  is  widely  known. 
He  is  active  in  the  practice,  farming  being  only  a hobby  or  avocation. 

Doctor  Frame  was  born  in  Center  township,  near  Bois  D’Arc,  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  June  26,  1877.  He  is  a son  of  J.  William  and  Delilah 
Edna  (Jones)  Frame,  a highly  respected  family  of  this  county,  mention  of 
whom  is  made  in  a separate  sketch  in  this  volume,  hence  their  life  records 
will  not  be  repeated  here. 

Dr.  Homer  G.  Frame  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  his  father’s  farm, 
where  he  worked  hard,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools 
of  his  township,  also  attended  high  school  at  Marionville,  Lawrence  county. 
His  father  also  owned  a store  in  Bois  D’Arc,  in  which  our  subject  clerked 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1471 

for  some  time.  Deciding  to  enter  the  medical  profession,  he  went  to  St. 
Louis,  when  twenty  years  of  age,  and  took  the  course  at  Washington  Uni- 
versity, where  he  made  an  excellent  record  and  from  which  institution  he 
was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1902,  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medi- 
cine. He  further  prepared  himself  for  the  successful  practice  of  his  chosen 
calling  by  spending  one  year  as  interne  in  the  City  Hospital,  of  St.  Louis, 
and  was  also  house  surgeon  for  six  months  in  the  Missouri  Pacific  Railroad 
Hospital,  in  St.  Louis,  and  he  was  also  connected  with  the  Frisco  system 
for  a year  as  surgeon  in  the  company’s  hospital  at  Cape  Girardeau,  Mis- 
souri, after  which  he  came  to  Bois  D’Arc,  his  boyhood  home,  where  he 
practiced  successfully  for  three  years,  and  on  August  10,  1909,  located  at 
Cave  Spring,  where  he  has  remained  to  the  present  time,  and  has  built 
up  a lucrative  practice,  which  extends  over  a wide  locality,  and  has  been 
very  successful  as  a general  practitioner.  He  also  holds  a pharmaceutical 
degree,  issued  by  Missouri  state  commissioners.  He  has  remained  a close 
student  of  all  that  pertains  to  his  profession,  and  has,  therefore,  kept  fully 
abreast  of  the  times,  and  he  ranks  in  the  fore-front  of  medical  men  in  a 
county  long  noted  for  the  high  order  of  its  medical  talent.  Although  very 
busy  with  his  professional  duties,  he  is  deeply  interested  in  farming,  es- 
pecially in  the  culture  of  alfalfa,  as  before  stated,  and  he  is  experimenting 
with  twenty  acres  of  alfalfa  on  his  neat  and  tastily-kept  little  farm  at  Cave 
Spring,  where  he  has  a comfortable  home  and  attractive  surroundings. 

Doctor  Frame  is  a public-spirited  man,  being  an  advocate  of  good 
roads  and  general  public  improvements,  and  stands  ready  to  aid  any  move- 
ment having  as  its  object  the  betterment  of  his  community  and  county  in 
any  way. 

Doctor  Frame  was  married,  December  30,  1903,  to  Olive  Baker,  a 
native  of  Bois  D'Arc,  Greene  county,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and 
was  educated.  She  is  a daughter  of  Thomas  J.  and  Susan  J.  (Johnson) 
Baker,  the  father  a native  of  Tennessee  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Greene 
county,  Missouri.  The  Bakers  are  well  known  and  highly  respected  in 
Center  township,  this  county,  and  vicinity. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Doctor  Frame  and  wife,  namely: 
Mary,  the  youngest  child,  died  in  infancy;  Evelyn,  Edna  and  Dorothy. 

Politically,  Doctor  Frame  is  a Republican.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Greene  County  Medical  Society  and  the  Southwest  Missouri  Medical 
Society.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of  Masonic  Lodge  No.  624  at  Wil- 
lard, Missouri,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  church  at 
Cave  Spring,  the  doctor  being  a deacon  in  the  same.  Personally  he  is  a 
genial,  kind,  neighborly  gentleman,  who  bears  an  excellent  reputation  for 
integrity,  honesty  and  kindness,  and  is  very  popular  throughout  his  com- 
munity. 


H72 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


THOMAS  TOLIVER  BROWN. 

When  Thomas  T.  Brown,  one  of  Greene  county's  honored  citizens  of  a 
past  generation,  passed  away,  there  was  added  to  the  list  of  lamented  dead 
whose  earthly  records  closed  like  the  “good  and  faithful  servant”  spoken 
of  in  Holy  Writ,  and  as  long  as  memory  remains  to  those  who  knew  him 
the  influence  of  his  noble  life  will  remain  as  a source  of  encouragement 
and  inspiration.  “Our  echoes  roll  from  soul  to  soul  and  grow  forever  and 
forever,”  according  to  the  poet  Tennyson,  and  the  good  we  do  lives  after 
us  through  all  the  ages,  handed  down  from  generation  to  generation.  Who, 
then,  can  measure  the  results  of  a life  work?  Not  to  condemn,  but  to  aid, 
Mr.  Brown  made  the  practice  of  his  life,  and  many  of  his  friends  and 
acquaintances  are  better  and  happier  for  his  having  lived,  for  though  the 
voice  is  stilled  in  death,  the  spirit  of  his  work  remains  as  the  deep  under- 
current of  a mighty  stream,  noiseless  but  irresistible.  His  influence  was 
as  the  delicate  fragrance  of  a flower  to  those  who  had  the  pleasure  of  his 
friendship.  His  sympathies  were  broad  and  ennobling,  and  his  life  was 
beautiful  in  its  purity  and  virtues. 

Mr.  Brown  was  born  May  20,  1856,  in  Newton  county,  Missouri.  He 
was  a son  of  Smith  W.  and  Mary  (Goodman)  Brown.  The  mother  had 
been  previously  married  to  a Mr.  Brock.  The  father  came  from  Tennessee 
to  Missouri  in  1856,  and  the  mother  of  our  subject  also  came  from  that 
state.  Smith  W.  Brown  was  a man  of  fairly  good  education.  He  studied 
law  in  his  youth,  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  practiced  his  profession  in 
Greene  county  for  several  years.  During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany F,  Eighth  Missouri  Volunteer  Infantry  and  served  three  years  in  the 
Union  army,  taking  part  in  several  battles  and  a number  of  skirmishes.  He 
was  also  recruiting  officer  for  a time.  After  the  war  he  returned  to  Greene 
county  and  took  up  masonry,  also  continued  practicing  law.  He  drew  a 
pension  from  the  government  in  later  years,  having  been  wounded  in  one  of 
the  battles  of  the  war.  He  continued  the  practice  of  his  profession  until 
his  death  in  1 910,  but  spent  many  years  on  the  farm,  and  he  was  active  in 
the  affairs  of  the  Masonic  Order.  Thomas  T.  Brown  was  one  of  two 
children  by  his  father's  first  marriage,  he  having  been  the  eldest.  The  other 
child,  a girl,  died  in  infancy,  the  mother  dying  about  the  same  time.  His 
father  married  a second  time  but  did  not  live  long  with  this  wife,  separating 
when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  two  and  one-half  years  of  age.  The 
elder  Brown  hired  a family  named  Bailies  in  Bois  D’Arc,  this  county,  to 
take  care  of  Thomas  T.,  and  the  latter  remained  in  that  home  three  years 
then  went  to  live  with  his  grandfather,  with  whom  he  remained  until  he 
was  about  seven  years  of  age,  when  Smith  W.  Brown  married  a third  time, 


MR.  AND  MRS.  THOMAS  T.  BROWN. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1473 


moved  to  Greene  county  after  the  war  and  here  spent  the  rest  of  his  life. 
Upon  his  last  marriage  he  took  our  subject  into  his  home  and  there  he 
remained  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age  when  he  left  home.  In  the 
meantime  he  had  been  attending  school  and  obtained  a meager  education. 
When  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age  he  was  married  to  Nancy  Owens,  Sep- 
tember 16,  1875.  She  is  a daughter  of  Richard  and  Nancy  (Garoutte) 
Owens,  natives  of  Tennessee  and  Indiana,  respectively.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Owens  eleven  children  were  born,  namely:  James  was  a soldier  in  the  Civil 
war  and  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  Arkansas ; Isabelle  married 
Andy  Chaisteen,  of  Greene  county,  is  deceased;  Andrew  J.  lives  in  Okla- 
homa; Charlotte  married  Martin  Marias  and  is  now  deceased;  Richard  W., 
deceased;  Bernice  is  the  wife  of  William  Brakebill  and  they  live  in  Greene 
county,  Missouri ; Mary  married  George  Likens  and  they  live  in  Greene 
county;  Napoleon  B.  lives  in  Douglas  county,  Missouri;  Nancy  Elizabeth 
is  the  widow  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Sampson  B.,  and  Jeremiah  both 
live  in  Lawrence  county,  this  state.  All  the  above  named  children  lived  to 
be  grown,  and  the  youngest  one  living  was  fifty  years  old  in  April,  1914. 

To  the  union  of  Thomas  T.  Brown  and  wife  the  following  children 
were  born:  Effie  is  the  wife  of  Robert  Nelson  and  they  live  in  Barry 
•county,  Missouri,  and  have  ten  children;  May,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of 
Ferd  Jackson,  and  left  five  children;  Dollie  F.  is  deceased;  Lulu,  deceased; 
Sam  R.  lives  in  Pond  Creek  township,  this  county,  and  has  four  children ; 
Katherine  is  the  wife  of  Roy  Browning  and  they  live  in  Greene  county  and 
have  five  children ; Richard,  and  Smith,  both  live  in  this  county  also ; Martha 
W.  is  the  wife  of  Chris  Bielier  and  they  live  in  Greene  county,  and  have 
one  child;  Mary  V.  is  the  wife  of  Dal  Davis  of  this  county  and  have  one 
child ; the  two  youngest  children  were  twins  and  died  in  infancy.  Mrs. 
Nancy  E.  Brown  has  twenty-nine  living  grandchildren  and  one  great  grand- 
child, all  of  this  generation,  and  all  but  one  live  in  Greene  county.  Mrs. 
Brown  owns  an  eighty-acre  farm  of  rich  bottom  land,  one  of  the  desirable 
small  farms  of  this  part  of  the  county.  It  is  operated  by  her  youngest  son 
who  has  remained  at  home.  He  is  married  and  has  one  child. 

Thomas  T.  Brown  devoted  his  active  life  principally  to  agricultural 
pursuits;  however,  he  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  other  occupations. 
Soon  after  his  marriage  he  wept  into  the  drug  business  which  he  followed 
about  two  years,  then  sold  out  and  started  a nursery  business  on  his  farm, 
which  he  managed  in  connection  with  farming  for  six  years.  Later  he 
took  stock  in  the  corporation  known  as  Owen  & Cahill,  which  manufactured 
fence  building  machines,  and  was  connected  with  this  concern  for  four  vears, 
then  secured  employment  with  the  L.  E.  Lines  music  house  of  Springfield, 
r93) 


1474 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


with  which  he  remained  for  a period  of  seven  years,  or  until  his  health 
failed,  causing  him  to  give  up  active  business  and  retiring  to  his  farm  in 
Ponk  Creek  township,  where  he  remained  until  his  death  about  six  years 
later,  on  September  4,  1909.  He  was  very  successful  as  a business  man 
and  gave  entire  satisfaction  to  his  employers.  He  was  broad-minded,  far- 
sighted and  was  a good  mixer,  and,  dealing  honestly  with  the  business  world, 
always  bad  the  confidence  of  those  with  whom  he  came  in  contact. 

Fraternally  he  was  a member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen.  Politically 
he  was  not  a party  man,  voting  for  the  man  rather  than  the  party.  He  was 
a man  of  upright  character  and  loyal  in  his  friendships,  and  his  death  was 
a loss  to  the  community. 


AMBROSE  POTTER,  M.  D. 

If  we  would  stop  trying  to  get  the  money  that  the  other  fellow  earned, 
without  giving  something  in  exchange,  the  biggest  problem  of  life  would 
be  solved.  We  quite  often  want  more  than  our  share.  Dr.  Ambrose  Pot- 
ter, a popular  and  efficient  young  physician  of  Ebenezer,  Robberson  town- 
ship, Greene  county,  is  one  of  those  who  take  a delight  in  bringing  succor 
to  suffering  humanity — who  delights  in  giving  more  in  this  world  of  ours 
than  he  receives.  Such  a man  is  always  admired  in  whatever  community 
he  may  cast  his  lot,  and  his  record  is  most  commendable  and  should  be  emu- 
lated by  others. 

Doctor  Potter  was  born  in  Christian  county,  Missouri,  February  11, 
1886.  He  is  a son  of  Christopher  Columbus  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Fon- 
dren)  Potter.  The  father  was  born  in  Greene  county,  near  Strafford,  on 
November  27,  1858,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood,  received  a common 
school  education,  and  remained  on  his  father’s  farm  until  his  marriage,  in 
1878,  later  removing  to  Christian  county,  where  he  bought  one  hundred 
and  forty-four  acres  of  land.  Prospering  by  hard  work  and  good  manage- 
ment he  added  to  this  until  he  is  now  owner  of  a fine  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  sixty  acres,  where  he  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and 
is  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  that  county.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat, 
but  has  never  sought  political  leadership.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America  at  Ozark;  the  Court  of  Honor  at  Kenton, 
Missouri ; and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Ozark.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  church  at  Sparta.  His  family  consists  of  five 
children,  namely:  Laura,  deceased;  Ambrose,  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Alta 

Lawson ; Agnes  and  Angie,  twins.  The  mother  of  these  children  was  born 
in  Greene  county  and  here  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  a common- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1475 


school  education.  She  is  a daughter  of  Ambrose  and  Nancy  (Yeary) 
Fondren. 

Doctor  Potter  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Christian  county 
and  there  worked  in  the  summer  months,  attending  the  public  schools  dur- 
ing the  winter,  later  the  high  school  at  Ozark.  He  taught  one  term  of 
school  in  Christian  county.  Later  he  took  the  prescribed  course  in  the 
St.  Louis  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  which  he  entered  in  Septem- 
ber, 1907,  and  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  May,  1911, 
with  an  excellent  record. 

After  leaving  college  Doctor  Potter  returned  to  Christian  county,  and 
successfully  passed  the  state  board  examination  in  June,  1911,  at  Santa  Fe, 
New  Mexico,  and  he  practiced  his  profession  at  Las  Vegas,  that  state,  one 
year,  and  although  he  was  building  up  a good  patronage,  he  preferred  his 
own  state,  and,  returning  to  Missouri,  took  the  state  board  examination 
in  St.  Louis  in  June,  1912.  Soon  thereafter  he  located  at  Ebenezer,  Greene 
county,  where  he  has  since  resided,  enjoying  a successful  and  growing 
practice,  and,  judging  from  his  past  record,  the  future  must  find  him  one 
of  the  leading  general  practitioners  in  a community  long  noted  for  the  high 
order  of  its  medical  talent. 

Doctor  Potter  was  married,  October  5,  1912,  to  Rosa  Rathbone,  a 
daughter  of  William  Henry  and  Emma  (Fielder)  Rathbone,  a sketch  of 
whom  appears  on  another  page  of  this  volume.  Mrs.  Potter  received  good 
educational  advantages  and  is  a young  lady  of  commendable  domestic  and 
social  qualities.  The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  been  without  issue. 

Doctor  Potter  is  the  official  registrar  of  births  and  deaths  of  Robber- 
son  township.  He  and  his  wife  are  genial  and  neighborly  and  have  made 
many  friends  since  locating  at  Ebenezer. 


WILLIAM  W.  GRANT. 

The  people  who  constitute  the  bone  and  sinew  of  this  country  are 
not  those  who  are  unstable  and  unsettled;  who  are  always  moving  from 
one  locality  to  another ; who  fly , from  this  occupation  to  that ; who  do  not 
know  how  to  exercise  the  proper  duties  of  citizenship,  and  who  take  no 
active  and  intelligent  interest  in  affairs  affecting  schools,  churches  and  public 
institutions.  The  backbone  of  this  country  is  made  up  of  the  families  that 
have  made  their  homes  ; who  are  alive  to  the  best  interests  of  the  community 
in  which  they  reside ; who  are  so  honest  that  it  is  no  trouble  for  their  neigh- 
bors to  know  it ; who  attend  to  their  own  business  and  are  too  busy  to  at- 
tend to  that  of  others;  who  work  on  steadily  from  day  to  day,  taking 


1476 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


the  sunshine  with  the  storm  and  who  rear  a fine  family  to  a comfortable 
home  and  an  honest  life.  Such  people  are  always  esteemed  in  any  com- 
munity and  any  country.  They  are  wealth  producers,  and  Greene  county 
is  blessed  with  many  of  them,  among  which  is  the  Grant  family,  of  Murray 
township. 

William  W.  Grant,  one  of  the  agriculturists  and  influential  citizens  of 
Murray  township,  Greene  county,  was  born  in  the  vicinity  where  he  now  lives 
February  12,  1863,  and  here  he  has  been  content  to  spend  his  life,  all  his 
active  years  being  spent  in  one  vocation.  He  is  a son  of  Henry  and  Eliza 
(Williams-East)  Grant.  Henry  Grant  was  born  November  8,  1825,  in 
Tennessee,  and  was  a son  of  John  and  Catherine  Grant,  both  natives  of 
Tennessee,  where  they  grew  up,  married  and  spent  their  lives,  never  leaving 
the  state.  Henry  Grant  grew  to  manhood  in  Tennessee,  received  such 
educational  advantages  as  the  early-day  subscription  schools  afforded  and 
there  he  was  married  in  1848,  and  subsequently  removed  with  his  family 
to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  settling  in  Murray  township.  Early  in  life 
he  learned  the  blacksmith’s  trade  and  followed  this  in  connection  with  farming 
here  the  rest  of  his  days,  being  known  as  a very  skilled  mechanic  and  his 
shop  drew  customers  from  all  over  this  part  of  the  county.  Here  his  first 
wife  died  in  1859  and  he  married,  in  i860,  Mrs.  Eliza  East,  a daughter  of 
Abner  and  Mary  (Folden)  Williams,  and  the  widow  of  Sidney  East,  who 
had  died  previously.  Mention  of  her  parents  is  made  in  the  sketch  of  Howard 
B.  East  on  another  page  of  this  work.  Henry  Grant  was  a successful 
farmer  and  at  one  time  owned  over  eleven  hundred  acres  of  good  land.  He 
is  deserving  of  a great  deal  of  credit  for  what  he  accomplished,  having 
begun  life  here  on  a small  capital,  renting  land  at  first,  in  Cass  township, 
then  bought  a farm  which  he  later  sold,  and  in  1870  bought  two  hundred 
acres  in  Murray  township.  He  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising 
on  an  extensive  scale  and  ranked  among  the  leading  farmers  of  the  county, 
was  an  exceptionally  good  judge  of  live  stock.  In  the  fall  of  1871  he  went 
south  with  twenty  head  of  mules,  which  he  sold  to  Southern  planters. 
He  was  a man  of  influence  and  did  much  for  the  permanent  good  of  his 
locality,  throughout  which  he  was  highly  respected.  Flere  his  death  oc- 
curred on  February  12,  1882.  His  widow  has  survived  him  thirty-two  years, 
being  now  eighty-three  years  of  age,  and  is  still  hale  and  hearty  and  capable 
of  doing  a good  day’s  work.  Her  mind  is  keen  and  she  is  in  possession  of  all 
her  faculties,  and  she  talks  most  interestingly  of  pioneer  days  in  Greene 
county.  She  is  greatly  beloved  by  all  who  know  her,  and  is  a woman  of 
fine  Christian  sentiment. 

To  Henry  Grant  and  wife  five  children  were  born,  namely:  John 

Abner,  of  Murray  township;  William  W.,  of  this  sketch;  Henry  Folden,  of 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1477 


Springfield;-  one  died  in  infancy;  and  Mary  Eliza,  who  also  died  young. 
By  her  union  with  Sidney  East  our  subject's  mother  had  three  children, 
namely:  Alvin  Monroe  is  deceased;  Howard  Bentley,  president  of  the  Bank 
of  Willard,  a sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work;  and  Tabitha 
Clementine,  who  died  in  infancy. 

William  W.  Grant  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  his  father's  farm  in 
Murray  township,  where  he  gained  a thorough  knowledge  of  the  various 
phases  of  husbandry.  He  was  nineteen  years  of  age  when  his  father  died. 
He  received  a good  practical  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  dis- 
trict, which  has  later  been  supplemented  by  wide  home  reading  and  by 
contact  with  the  world. 

Mr.  Grant  was  married  February  24,  1S84,  to  Dora  E.  Wadlow,  who 
was  born  in  Greene  county,  February  20,  1867,  and  here  she  grew  to  woman- 
hood and  was  educated.  She  represents  a prominent  old  family  here,  and 
is  a daughter  of  John  Wesley  Wadlow  and  Mary  Ann  (Lethco)  Wadlow, 
an  extended  mention  of  whom  is  made  on  another  page  of  this  volume  in  the 
sketch  of  Albert  Sidney  McLinn,  to  which  the  reader  is  respectfully  di- 
rected. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Grant  rented  a farm  near  his  mother's  home 
and  there  got  a good  start.  He  moved  to  his  present  farm  in  the  fall  of 
1890,  where  he  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  finely  improved,  well- 
cultivated  and  productive  land  on  which  he  has  made  a pronounced  success 
as  a general  farmer  and  stock  raiser.  He  has  a commodious  home  in  the 
midst  of  attractive  surroundings  and  large  and  substantial  outbuildings. 
Everything  about  the  place  denotes  thrift,  prosperity  and  good  management. 
An  excellent  grade  of  well-kept  live  stock  is  always  to  be  found  at  his  place. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grant  eight  children  have  been  born,  namely:  George 

Herman,  who  died  in  1899  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years;  William  Errick 
married  Edna  Jones,  a native  of  Greene  county,  and  they  have  three  chil- 
dren. Manota,  Irene  and  Lonzo ; Clara  married  Ike  Jennings,  of  Cave 
Spring  and  they  have  one  child,  Dora  Margaret;  Ralph,  Emma  Jane,  Floyd 
died  in  1912  at  the  age  of  eight  years;  the  seventh  child,  a twin  of  Floyd, 
died  in  infancy,  unnamed;  and  Arthur,  who  is  the  youngest. 

Politically,  Mr.  Grant  is  a Republican  and  while  he  has  taken  an 
abiding  interest  in  local  public  affairs,  has  never  cared  for  public  office, 
preferring  to  devote  his  attention  to  his  farm  and  home.  He  is  a member 
of  the  Masonic  Order  at  Willard,  also  the  Eastern  Star  and  the  Court  of 
Honor  of  that  town.  He  was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Baptist  church. 
Mrs.  Grant  belongs  to  the  Methodist  church.  They  are  popular  in  Murray 
township  and  are  regarded  as  good  neighbors  and  worthy  of  every  con- 
sideration. 


1478 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


JOHN  POLK  CAMPBELL. 

Agriculture  is  the  greatest  among  all  the  arts  of  man,  as  it  is  the 
first  in  supplying  his  necessities.  It  favors  and  strengthens  population; 
it  creates  and  maintains  manufactures;  gives  employment  to  navigation 
and  transportation,  furnishing  materials  for  commerce.  It  animates  every 
species  of  industry,  and  opens  to  nations  the  safest  channels  of  wealth.  It 
is  the  strongest  bond  of  well-regulated  society,  the  surest  basis  of  internal 
peace,  and  the  natural  associate  of  correct  morals.  Among  all  the  occu- 
pations and  professions  of  life,  there  is  none  more  honorable,  none  more 
independent,  and  none  more  conducive  to  health  and  happiness.  One  of  the 
successful  farmers  of  the  pioneer  period  of  Greene  county,  Missouri,  was 
John  P.  Campbell,  a native  of  this  locality,  having  been  among  the  early 
white  children  born  here,  and,  here,  amid  the  wilderness  scenes  of  the 
early  times,  he  spent  his  life,  dying  many  years  ago  when  still  a young  man. 

Mr.  Campbell  was  born  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  January  2,  1835.  He 
was  a son  of  Junius  T.  and  Mary  (Blackwell)  Campbell,  who  came  to 
Greene  county,  this  state,  from  Tennessee  in  the  earliest  frontier  days 
and  located  their  permanent  home  on  a farm,  and  here  our  subject  grew 
to  manhood,  and  assisted  his  father  clear  and  develop  the  place.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  early  schools  of  Springfield ; later  attended  school 
in  Fayetteville,  Missouri,  for  some  time.  Then  young  Campbell,  after 
leaving  his  paternal  roof-tree,  began  farming  for  himself,  and  became  owner 
of  a good  farm  five  miles  from  Springfield,  where  he  engaged  successfully 
in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on 
October  18,  1878. 

Mr.  Campbell  was  married  on  January  20,  1857,  to  Sue  E.  Gray,  a 
daughter  of  Elijah  and  Anna  (Brooks)  Gray.  These  parents  were  natives 
of  Virginia,  where  they  grew  to  maturity,  were  educated  in  the  early 

schools,  and  there  were  married  and  began  housekeeping,  later  removing 

to  the  state  of  Tennessee,  where  they  remained  some  time,  then  came  to 
Springfield,  Missouri,  when  their  daughter,  Sue,  was  but  two  years  of 
age  and'  here  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  attended  the  common  schools. 

Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  P.  Campbell,  three 
of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing,  namely:  Mary  Frances,  who  married 
Charles  W.  Doling,  formerly  a merchant  of  Springfield  and  a well-known 
citizen  here,  now  deceased,  his  death  having  occurred  on  May  27,  1892, 

leaving  four  children,  James  Francis,  Rafe  Campbell,  Charles  Lee  and 

Lillian  Elizabeth.  Mrs.  Doling  is  at  this  writing  principal  of  Berry  ward 
school  in  Springfield  and  is  one  of  the  popular  educators  of  the  county. 
She  and  her  daughter,  Lillian  Elizabeth  Doling,  are  both  members  of  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


H79 


Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution.  The  other  children  of  J.  P. 
Campbell  and  wife  were  James  Madison  and  Richard  Huntly,  both 
deceased;  John  Polk  is  farming  in  Greene  county,  this  state;  James  is 
deceased;  Robert  Bruce  is  living  on  the  old  home  place  near  Springfield, 
which  he  operates;  Russell  Vinton  is  deceased. 

Politically  Mr.  Campbell  was  a Democrat,  and  he  was  a member  of  the 
Christian  church. 

Mrs.  Campbell,  now  advanced  in  years,  is  living  on  South  Jefferson 
street,  Springfield. 


NICHOLAS  POTTER. 

Everybody  in  Brookline  township,  Greene  county,  knows  Nicholas 
Potter,  now  living  in  retirement,  after  a long  career  at  the  forge,  during 
which  there  was  no  more  highly  skilled  blacksmith  in  the  county.  He  is 
a pioneer  here,  for  it  was  fifty-four  years  ago  that  he  first  cast  his  lot  with  us, 
at  the  time  the  ominous  clouds  of  rebellion  were  gathering,  and,  although 
born  under  an  alien  flag  many  thousand  miles  away  from  here,  he  enlisted 
his  services  in  behalf  of  his  adopted  country  during  that  great  struggle.  He 
has  seen  the  locality  develop  from  a comparatively  wild  state  to  one  of  the 
foremost  farming  communities  in  the  state,  and  he  has  always  taken  just 
pride  in  the  same. 

Mr.  Potter  was  born  in  Uerceg,  Prussia,  September  29,  1834.  He 
is  a son  of  Nicholas  and  Katerine  Potter,  both  natives  of  that  country 
also,  where  they  grew  up  and  were  married,  established  their  home  and 
spent  their  lives.  Both  the  father  and  grandfather  of  our  subject  were 
blacksmiths  by  trade.  Neither  of  them  ever  came  to  America. 

Nicholas  Potter,  of  this  sketch,  who  was  one  of  seven  sons,  spent  his 
boyhood  in  his  native  land  and  there  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools.  In  1853,  when  nineteen  years  of  age,  he  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  as  did  so  many  of  his  countrymen  at  that  period.  His  first  four 
years  in  the  New  World  were  spent  in  New  York  and  New  Jersey.  In 
1857  he  came  on  to  the  interior,  locating  at  Jefferson  City,  Missouri,  where 
he  finished  learning  the  blacksmith's  trade,  a rudimentary  knowledge  of  which 
he  had  gained  under  his  father  in  the  old  country.  After  remaining  there 
some  time  he  went  to  Glasgow,  this  state,  for  about  a year  and  a half,  and 
in  i860  came  to  Little  York,  near  Springfield,  Greene  county,  and  began 
working  at  his  trade.  When  the  war  broke  out  he  enlisted  in  the  Home 
Guards,  June  11,  1861,  and  fought  in  the  great  battle  of  Wilson’s  Creek, 
August  ioth  of  that  year,  after  which  he  was  honorably  discharged,  but  he 


1480 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


continued  with  the  Union  army,  following  his  trade  of  farrier,  until  July 
1,  1865.  After  the  war  he  returned  to  Greene  county  and  worked  at  his 
trade  in  Springfield  a few  years,  locating  in  Little  York  in  1867,  and  in 
1873  located  in  Brookline  Station,  upon  the  completion  of  the  Frisco  rail- 
road to  that  point,  and  here  he  has  since  resided,  maintaining  a blacksmith 
shop  up  to  a few  years  ago,  when  the  infirmities  of  old  age  made  it  neces- 
sary for  him  to  give  up  active  life.  He  is  now  eighty  years  old,  but  is 
comparatively  hale  and  hearty.  Flis  shop  was  always  a popular  one,  and. 
his  patrons  came  from  all  over  this  section  of  the  country.  Mr.  Potter  also 
owns  eighty  acres  of  good  land  in  Brookline  township. 

Mr.  Potter  was  married,  March  26,  1866,  to  Louisa  Philips,  a daughter 
of  William  Philips,  a prosperous  farmer  near  Brookline,  Greene  county,, 
where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  a common  school  education.. 
She  is  one  of  eleven  children. 

A son  was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Potter,  John,  whose  birth  occurred 
in  1867.  He  is  now  in  the  employ  of  the  Frisco  railroad,  with  which  he 
has  been  connected  since  1891 ; he  married  Jane  Stuldley,  of  Brookline, 
and  they  have  three  children,  two  sons  and  a daughter'.  A daughter  was. 
also  born  to  Nicholas  Potter  and  wife,  Mary  Ellen,  whose  death  occurred 
at  the  age  of  nineteen  years. 

Politically  Mr.  Potter  is  a Republican,  and  religiously  he  and  his  wife 
belong  to  the  Baptist  church. 


WILLIAM  C.  MURPHY. 

There  was  a valuable  acquisition  to  the  Greene  county  bar  when  Will- 
iam C.  Murphy  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Springfield. 
Although  young  in  years,  he  has  had  the  proper  preliminary  training  for 
a lawyer  and  also  possesses  the  required  natural  characteristics.  He  is 
deserving  of  the  highest  degree  of  success  in  his  chosen  vocation,  for  his. 
ambition  is  a laudable  one  and  he  has  fought  his  way  upward  from  an 
early  environment  that  was  none  too  auspicious. 

Mr.  Murphy  was  born  at  Festus,  Jefferson  county,  Missouri,  July 
11,  1879.  Hu  is  the  son  of  John  J.  and  Delia  Iola  (Bradfield)  Murphy. 
The  father  was  born  in  New  Albany,  Indiana,  of  Irish  parents.  Fie  grew 
to  manhood  at  New  Albany  and  there  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  and  learned  the  glass  workers’  trade.  In  1876,  when  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  he  went  to  Crystal  City,  Missouri,  where  he  met  and  married 
the  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  She  is  a daughter  of  Charles 
R.  Bradfield  and  wife,  whose  family  consisted  of  five  children.  To  John 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


148] 


j.  Murphy  and  wife  ten  children  were  born,  namely:  William  C,  of  this, 
sketch,  and  John  Patrick,  twins;  Elizabeth  married  Albert  Welch,  a mer- 
chant, farmer  and  stockman  of  De  Soto,  Missouri,  and  they  have  one 
child,  Lynn;  James  C.,  who  lives  in  Festus,  this  state,  married  a woman 
from  Tennessee  and  they  have  three  children;  Daniel  L.  is  a stenographer 
and  lives  at  Festus;  Nellie  died  in  infancy;  Thomas  Lee  was  accidentally 
killed  at  the  age  of  seventeen;  Francis  H.  is  farming  on  the  old  home- 
stead m Jefferson  county;  Dennis,  born  on  February  22,  1899,  lives  at 
Festus  and  is  by  nature  an  artist  of  ability;  Edgar  W.  was  born  in  1905. 

William  C.  Murphy  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  there  did  his 
share  of  the  work  when  of  proper  age,  and  in  the  winter  he  attended  the 
public  schools  at  Festus,  Missouri,  and  was  graduated  from  the  high  school 
there,  also  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  at  Crystal  City,  this  state, 
after  which  he  entered  the  State  Normal  at  Kirksville,  borrowing  money 
in  order  to  do  so,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1905.  He  sub- 
sequently entered  the  law  department  of  Vanderbilt  University,  Nashville, 
Tennessee,  also  took  other  studies,  such  as  political  economy,  and  was  grad- 
uated from  that  institution  in  1907  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws. 
Returning  home  he  took  the  state  bar  examination  in  1907,  which  he  suc- 
cessfully passed.  But  instead  of  beginning  at  once  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession he  taught  school  two  years  with  success.  In  1909  he  went  to  Mal- 
vern, Arkansas,  where  he  became  superintendent  of  city  schools,  after  which 
he  went  to  Stuttgart,  that  state,  and  taught  a year.  In  1910  he  came  to 
Springfield,  Missouri,  opened  an  office  in  the  Woodruff  building  in  part- 
nership with  his  twin  brother,  J.  Patrick  Murphy,  and  here  they  have  been 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  their  profession  with  ever-increasing  success,  and 
are  regarded  as  among  our  most  promising  young  lawyers. 

William  C.  Murphy  was  married  on  May  23,  1908,  to  Elizabeth  Hed- 
dell,  a native  of  Festus,  Missouri,  where  her  family  has  long  been  well 
known  and  highly  respected,  and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood  and 
received  a good  education.  To  this  union  three  children  have  been  born, 
namely:  Ruth  Elizabeth,  born  on  March  1,  1909:  Esther  Heddell,  born  on 

December  9,  1910,  and  Major  Wilson,  born  on  November  4,  1913,  was 
named  after  .the  governor  of  Missouri  and  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

Politically  Mr.  Murphy  is  an  ardent  Democrat  and  is  active  in  political 
affairs.  He  was  appointed  city  tax  attorney  of  Springfield  in  1912  and  he 
made  such  a commendable  record  that  he  was  re-appointed  to  the  same  office 
in  1914,  and  is  now  serving  his  second  term  in  a manner  that  reflects  much 
credit  upon  himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  Fraternally 
he  is  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Ancient  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons.  Religiously  he  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 


1482 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mr.  Murphy  and  his  twin  brother  have  been  very  closely  associated 
vvith  each  other  all  their  lives,  and  doubtless  the  friendly  rivalry  that  has 
always  existed  between  them  has  been  in  no  small  manner  instrumental  in 
their  success.  They  are  deserving  of  a great  deal  of  credit  for  what  they 
have  made  of  themselves,  possessing  the  characteristic  thrift,  wit,  keen 
discernment,  broad-mindedness  and  high  sense  of  honor  of  the  Celtic  race, 
from  which  they  descended. 


THOMAS  YEAKLEY. 

This  biographical  memoir  has  to  do  with  a character  of  unusual  force 
and  eminence,  for  the  late  Thomas  Yeakley,  whose  life  chapter  has  been 
closed  by  the  fate  that  awaits  us  all,  was  for  a long  lapse  of  years  one 
of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Greene  county,  having  come  to  this  section 
in  pioneer  times,  and  he  assisted  in  every  way  possible  in  bringing  about 
the  transformation  of  the  country  from  the  wild  condition  found  by  the 
first  settlers  to  its  latter-day  progress  and  improvement.  Whiie  he  carried 
on  a special  line  of  work  in  such  a manner  as  to  gain  a handsome  compe- 
tence for  himself,  ranking  for  decades  among  the  most  extensive  and  pro- 
gressive agriculturists  and  stock  men  of  this  section  of  the  state,  he  also 
belonged  to  that  class  of  representative  citizens  who  promote  the  public 
welfare  while  advancing  individual  success.  There  were  in  him  sterling 
traits  which  commanded  uniform  confidence  and  regard,  and  his  memory 
is  today  honored  by  all  who  knew  him  and  is  enshrined  in  the  hearts  of 
his  many  friends. 

Mr.  Yeakley  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Tennessee,  November  25, 
1829.  He  was  a son  of  John  and  Matilda  (Grills)  Yeakley.  John- Yeakley 
was  also  a native  of  Greene  county,  Tennessee,  his  birth  occurring-  there 
on  November  15,  1809.  He  was  a son  of  Henry  Yeakley,  of  Pennsylvania 
Dutch  stock.  The  latter  married  Susanna  McNeece,  who  was  a daughter  of 
Isaac  McNeece,  a native  of  Scotland,  and  a weaver  by  trade.  As  early 
as  1804  the  Yeakley  family  located  in  Greene  county,  Tennessee,  and  there 
to  Henry  Yeakley  and  wife  the  following  children  were  born:  Samuel, 

who  was  a soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  was  at  the  battle  of  Horse- 
shoe, fought  by  Gen.  Andrew  Jackson;  Mary,  Henry,  Isaiah,  Elizabeth, 
Lydia,  Ann,  George,  John,  Joseph,  Malachi,  Jacob  and  Betsey,  all  of  whom 
lived  to  reach  manhood  and  womanhood.  Henry  Yeakley,  father  of  the 
above  named  children,  owned  and  operated  a farm,  but  he  was  by  trade  a 
gunsmith.  ETe  had  obtained  a practical  education  in  the  German  language, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1483 


but  also  spoke  intelligent  English  and  was  a well-informed  man  in  every 
respect.  He  died  at  an  advanced  age  and  was  buried  in  the  old  Quaker 
church  cemetery  in  Greene  county,  Tennessee.  His  wife  was  a little  girl 
when  the  battle  of  Brandywine  was  fought,  in  Revolutionary  times,  was 
near  the  field  and  saw  the  battle,  about  which  she  frequently  related  stirring- 
incidents  to  her  children  in  after  years.  She  was  a Quaker,  while  Mr. 
Yeakley  was  a Lutheran,  and  both  were  deeply  religious. 

John  Yeakley,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  was  reared  on  the 
old  homestead  in  Tennessee  and  when  a young  man,  learned  the  blacksmith's 
trade,  which  he  followed  as  his  main  vocation  throughout  the  subsequent 
years  of  his  active  life.  He  retained  until  his  death  an  old  anvil  which 
his  father  took  with  him  from  Pennsylvania  to  Tennessee,  now  one  hundred 
and  ten  years  ago.  John  Yeakley  was  well  acquainted  with  Azariah  Doty, 
who  lived  to  be  over  one  hundred  and  four  years  old  and  who  was  one 
of  General  Marion’s  men  during  the  war  for  independence.  When  twenty 
years  of  age  Mr.  Yeakley  married  Matilda  Grills,  in  1829.  She,  too,  was 
a resident  of  Greene  county,  Tennessee.  To  this  union  six  children  were 
born,  namely:  Thomas,  Henry,  Rhoda,  Betsey  A.,  Jane  and  Benjamin, 
who  died  when  a child.  In  the  fall  of  1839  he  removed  with  his  family 
to  Missouri  and  after  passing  the  winter  in  Polk  county,  came  to  Greene 
county  in  the  spring  and  settled  on  eighty  acres  on  which  he  spent  the  rest 
of  his  life,  in  west  Center  township.  The  journey  from  Tennessee  was 
made  in  a small  two-horse  wagon.  The  Ozark  region  was  at  that  time 
a wild  and  sparsely  settled  country,  a great  portion  of  which  was  covered 
with  great  forests  in  which  there  was  an  abundance  of  wild  game.  Henry 
Yeakley’s  farm  lay  along  Big  Sac  river.  This  he  cleared  and  improved 
into  a valuable  farm,  through  much  industry,  and  prospered  with  advancing 
years,  becoming  an  extensive  land  owner,  and  he  gave  each  of  his  sons  a 
good  start  in  life.  His  first  wife  died  and  he  subsequently  married  Eliza 
Allen,  who  also  died,  and  he  took  for  his  third  wife  Margaret  L.  Cochran, 
to  whom  he  was  married  on  November  4,  1880. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Yeakley  voted  the  Whig  ticket,  having  cast  his 
first  vote  for  Andrew  Jackson  and  his  last  on  that  ticket  for  Peter  Cooper. 
In  later  life  he  was  a Republican.  In  his  religious  views  he  was  always  a 
Methodist,  and  assisted  to  build  the  first  Methodist  church  in  west  Center 
township,  called  Yeakley  Chapel,  and  when  it  burned  he  gave  the  land  for 
a new  church  which  he  assisted  to  build  and  which  also  took  the  name  of 
Yeakley  Chapel,  and  he  served  as  steward  in  this  church  for  a number 
of  years.  His  last  wife  also  attended  this  church  and  was  one  of  the  prin- 
cipal teachers  in  the  Sunday  school,  although  she  held  membership  in  the 
Presbyterian  church  in  Lawrence  county.  During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Yeak- 


i4§4 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ley  remained  neutral,  and,  contrary  to  the  usual  custom,  was  left  unmolested,, 
having  only  two  stands  of  bees  stolen,  one  by  the  Federal  and  one  by  the 
Confederate  soldiers.  But  both  armies  took  heavy  toll  from  his  neighbors. 

Thomas  Yeakley,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  ten  years 
of  age  when  he  accompanied  the  family  from  Tennessee  to  Missouri,  and 
he  grew  to  manhood  in  Greene  county  and  here  spent  the  rest  of  his  life. 
A complete  biographical  sketch  of  this  unusual  man’s  life  would  be  a his- 
tory of  the  development  and  growth  of  the  county.  He  often  recalled  the 
incidents  of  the  journey  across  the  rough  country  from  his  native  county 
to  this,  the  trip  requiring  several  weeks.  In  the  wagon  were  his  father,  mother, 
and  brothers,  Henry  and  Benjamin,  and  sister,  Rhoda,  besides  himself.  In 
the  party  were  Henry,  Nathan,  Ann  and  Bettie  Paulsell,  also  Daniel  Delaney 
and  family,  Jonathan  Pickering  and  family.  School  opportunities  in 
Greene  county  three-quarters  of  a century  ago  were  meager  and  not  much 
in  the  way  of  “book  learning”  could  be  had,  but  while  young  Yeakley  did 
not  learn  much  from  text-books  he  learned  how  to  work  in  a pioneer  environ- 
ment, and  was  naturally  intelligent  and  investigating  and  he  not  only  pros- 
pered with  advancing  years,  but  became  a well-informed  man  on  current 
topics.  On  July  17,  1851,  he  married  Elizabeth  M.  Young,  a daughter  of 
George  B.  and  Margaret  (Deeper)  Young.  She  was  born  on  August  17, 
1834,  in  Lafayette  county,  Missouri,  and  was  brought  to  Greene  county 
when  one  year  old,  the  family  locating  in  Republic  township,  where  her 
father  entered  land  from  the  government  and  he  and  his  wife  died  here. 
He  was  a prosperous  farmer  and  when  he  died  owned  several  hundred  acres, 
of  Greene  county  land. 

Thomas  Yeakley  devoted  his  life  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  was  unusu- 
ally successful,  having  been  a man  of  great  industry,  sound  judgment  and 
wise  foresight.  In  1854  he  settled  on  the  land  where  his  widow  now  resides. 
The  place  then  consisted  of  but  forty  acres  on  the  edge  of  Grand  Prairie, 
and  by  industry  and  thrift  he  added  to  it  until  he  became  owner  of  about 
twelve  hundred  acres  of  as  fine  land  as  the  county  affords.  Through  it 
runs  Pond  creek  and  Big  Sac  river.  It  is  very  productive  and  has  been 
brought  up  to  a high  state  of  cultivation  in  improvement,  all  of  which 
improvements  our  subject  himself  made  and  planned,  and  which  do  much 
credit  to  his  intelligence  and  progressiveness.  Pie  carried  on  general  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising  on  an  extensive  scale  and  was  a leader  in  his  line 
of  endeavor. 

Politically,  Mr.  Yeakley  was  a Democrat,  but  never  sought  to  become  a 
public  man.  He  was  always  interested  in  the  cause  of  education  and  assisted 
to  build  up  fully  one-half  of  the  first  school  houses  in  his  district,  in  fact,  no 
man  ever  did  more  for  the  locality  in  which  our  subject  spent  the  major 
portion  of  his  long,  useful  and  honored  life. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1485 


To  Thomas  Yeakley  and  wife  six  children  were  born,  namely:  John, 

who  died  in  early  life;  James  also  died  young;  George,  who  is  a successful 
and  widely  known  farmer  and  stock  man  of  the  vicinity  of  Republic,  mar- 
ried Celestia  J.  Redfern,  and  a full  sketch  of  them  is  to  be  found  on  another 
page  of  this  work;  Henry  is  deceased;  Margaret  M.  (known  to  her  friends 
as  Maggie),  was  married  on  March  22,  1887,  to  Dr.  Edwin  B.  Robinson, 
of  Bois  D'Arc,  this  county,  who  died  several  months  after  their  marriage ; 
he  was  a graduate  of  the  Missouri  Medical  College  of  St.  Louis,  of  the 
class  of  1879,  and  in  1882  was  graduated  from  Bellevue  Hospital,  New 
York  City,  after  which  he  practiced  in  that  institution  for  three  months  and 
then  at  Bois  D'Arc,  where  he  built  up  a good  practice;  Mrs.  Robinson  subse- 
quently became  the  wife  of  W.  E.  Drum,  for  many  years  a successful  mer- 
chant of  Bois  D'Arc,  where  he  died  several  years  ago  and  his  widow  is 
a resident  of  Springfield.  Rebecca,  youngest  child  of  our  subject,  is 
deceased. 

The  mother  of  these  children  is  a devout  member  of  the  Methodist 
church  and  is  a broad-minded,  neighborly  and  charitably  inclined  lady  who 
numbers  her  friends  only  by  the  limits  of  her  acquaintance. 

During  the  Civil  war  Thomas  Yeakley  had  several  narrow  escapes 
from  death.  He  did  not  take  active  part  in  the  strife,  remaining  at  home 
as  a secret  service  agent  in  the  employ  of  the  government.  He  was  on  sev- 
eral occasions  attacked  at  night  and  in  one  encounter  was  slightly  wounded 
•by  a bullet  which  passed  through  the  house  in  which  he  was  living.  Upon 
being  called  to  the  door  one  night  and  commanded  to  light  a match,  Mr. 
Yeakley  responded  by  firing  at  his  unwelcome  visitors.  They  retreated, 
bearing  away  a badly  wounded  companion,  their  trail  being  marked  with 
blood.  That  he  had  frustrated  an  attempt  at  murder  was  shown  in  sub- 
sequent developments.  On  the  day  of  the  battle  of  Wilson’s  Creek,  August 
10,  1861,  he  visited  the  battlefield  with  some  of  his  neighbors,  mixed  with 
the  soldiers  and  saw  the  dead  and  wounded  the  next  day. 

Mr.  Yeakley,  who  was  reputed  to  be  one  of  southwest  Missouri's 
wealthiest  and  most  influential  men  and  who  had  lived  on  the  same  farm 
for  the  unusual  period  of  sixty  years,  was  summoned  to  his  eternal  rest  on 
May  11,  1914,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years.  Rev.  J.  B.  Ellis, 
formerly  president  of  Morrisville  College,  now  living  retired  at  his  home 
in  the  suburbs  of  Springfield  and  for  many  years  a presiding  elder  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  South,  in  this  state,  conducted  the  funeral  at 
\ eakley  Chapel,  and  he  had  the  following  to  say  concerning  Mr.  Yeakley's 
religious  life  and  church  relations,  in  part: 

“Thomas  Yeakley  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  South, 
:some  years  after  the  Civil  War,  at  a small  church  a few  miles  northwest 


i486 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


of  Republic.  About  1875  he  set  about  a parcel  of  ground  four  miles  south 
of  Bois  D’Arc  for  church  and  cemetery  purposes.  A substantial  building 
was  erected  and  he  became  a charter  member  of  this  class.  He  was  a 
liberal  supporter  of  his  own  church,  and  likewise  of  other  churches,  having- 
assisted  in  the  erection  of  many  churches  in  Greene  and  other  counties. 
He  was  interested  in  the  general  welfare  and  contributed  to  various  enter- 
prises and  benevolences.” 


JOHN  SJOBERG. 

Wherever  one  is  located  or  whatever  his  circumstances  may  be,  there  is 
almost  always  some  way  out  of  difficulties,  some  way  to  rise  above  untoward 
circumstances  and  environment  if  sufficient  thought  is  given.  Many  people 
complain  that  they  cannot  find  a position  suitable  for  their  qualifications; 
it  is  a good  rule  to  do  what  you  find  at  hand  to  do  and  do  it  well;  by  and 
by  something  better  is  very  likely  to  present  itself ; do  this  also  well,  and 
eventually  still  better  things  will  be  offered  until  one’s  ambition  is  better 
satisfied.  John  Sjoberg,  proprietor  of  the  Central  Shoe  & Leather  Company, 
of  Springfield,  is  one  of  our  best  examples  of  a successful  self-made  man, 
who,  by  honest,  earnest  effort,  has  advanced  from  a modest  beginning 
through  his  individual  efforts  to  a position  of  importance  and  influence  in  the 
industrial  circles  of  Greene  county.  He  believed  from  the  start  that  the  goal 
of  his  aims  would  be  reached  in  due  course  of  time  if  he  made  the  most  of 
his  immediate  opportunities  and  planned  wisely  for  the  future.  His  example 
might  well  be  emulated  by  other  young  foreign-born  citizens  who  come  to 
this  country  and  to  whom  the  outlook  at  the  start  is  discouraging. 

Mr.  Sjoberg  was  born  in  Sweden,  November  22,  1866.  He  is  a rep- 
resentative of  an  industrious  old  Swedish  family,  his  father  having  devoted 
his  active  life  to  farming.  He  is  one  of  a family  of  five  children,  two  of 
whom  are  now  deceased. 

Mr.  Sjoberg  was  left  an  orphan  in  early  life,  his  father  dying  when 
lie  was  nine  years  old  and  his  mother  passed  away  when  he  was  twelve  years 
of  age.  His  early  education,  obtained  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
land,  was  limited,  but  this  lack  has  been  made  up  in  later  life  by  contact 
with  the  world  and  by  persistent  home  reading  along  general  lines,  until 
he  is  today  a well-informed  man  and  an  intelligent  conversationalist.  He 
remained  with  his  family  while  learning  the  trade  of  shoemaker,  for  which 
instruction  he  paid  fifty  crowns  a year  for  two  years.  He  applied  himself 
diligently  and  became  an  expert.  He  worked  as  a journeyman  until  he 
was  twenty  years  of  age,  then  served  his  required  time  in  the  Swedish  army, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I487 


after  which  he  started  a shoe  shop  of  his  own.  The  future  of  such  a busi- 
ness at  that  time  and  in  that  place  did  not  present  a very  rosy  aspect  to 
him,  so,  obtaining  permission  from  the  government  to  leave  his  native  land, 
he  set  sail  for  the  United  States,  and  located  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  in 
1888,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  not  only  had  to  start  life  here  with- 
out capital,  but  was  in  debt  for  about  half  of  his  fare  from  the  old  country. 
But  nothing  daunted,  he  set  to  work  with  energy  and  ambition,  soon  adjusted 
himself  to  new  conditions,  manners  and  language  and  for  a year  and  a 
half  worked  for  wages  in  a local  shop  at  his  trade,  then  bought  a small  shop 
of  Ins  own,  having  the  meanwhile  saved  his  earnings  and  also  paid  his 
living  expenses  and  his  debts.  He  did  general  repairing  for  four  years  in 
his  own  shop,  then  began  to  branch  out  into  a larger  business  by  carrying 
in  stock  a few  half-soles  and  other  minor  materials  in  his  line,  increasing 
the  same  as  his  meager  capital  permitted.  His  little  shop  was  only  nine  by 
fifteen  feet.  After  five  years  his  business  had  increased  to  such  an  extent 
that  he  was  obliged  to  seek  larger  quarters,  in  which  he  spent  five  years 
also;  this  was  on  Boonville  street,  near  the  Central  hotel,  and  while  there  he 
added  a considerable  stock  of  leather  goods  and  shoes,  his  business  rapidly 
increasing  and  he  employed  a number  of  assistants.  In  1910  he  moved 
into  the  retail  district  and  has  since  occupied  commodious  quarters  at 
325-327  East  Walnut  street,  where  he  maintains  an  attractive,  well-arranged, 
convenient  and  well-stocked  store  and  manufacturing  plant  known  as  the 
Central  Shoe  and  Leather  Company.  He  does  an  extensive  wholesale 
leather  and  shoe  findings  business’,  keeping  a capable  salesman  on  the  road 
continuously.  Aside  from  his  wholesale  department  he  operates  a large 
retail  shoe  store  and  shoe  shop,  employing  a number  of  experienced  assist- 
ants and  he  does  a large  business  in  all  departments.  Four  men  are  kept 
at  work  in  his  shop  in  which  modern  machinery  of  all  kinds  has  been 
installed,  and  high-grade  work  is  promptly  done.  He  is  at  this  writing 
making  plans  to  increase  his  wholesale  department,  the  business  of  which 
already  extends  over  a wide  territory  in  the  Southwest.  He  has  been  very 
successful  in  a business  way  during  his  career  in  Springfield  of  over  a quar- 
ter of  a century,  and  he  is  owner  of  a good  Greene  county  farm  and  a 
fine  home  which  he  built  in  1909. 

Mr.  Sjoberg  was  married  in  1892  to  Hulda  Ohrn,  a native  of  Sweden, 
in  which  country  their  romance  began  when  young,  and  after  prosperity 
attended  his  efforts  in  the  new  world  he  induced  her  to  come  here  and  they 
were  joined  for  life’s  serious  journey.  Their  union  has  been  blessed  by  the 
birth  of  three  children,  namely:  Florence  is  a graduate  of  the  Springfield 

high  school  ; Arthur  will  graduate  from  high  school  with  the  class  of  19 1 L 
and  Dorothy,  who  is  attending  ward  school. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1488 

Politically  Mr.  Sjoberg  is  a Republican.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which  he  is  past  grand;  he  also 
holds  membership  in  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  Personally  he 
is  a sociable,  companionable  and  obliging  gentleman,  whose  word  is  regarded 
as  good  as  the  bond  of  most  men  by  those  with  whom  he  transacts  busi- 
ness and  his  personal  habits  have  ever  been  above  criticism. 


JOHN  T.  McNABB. 

We  are  told  that  civilization  follows  the  flag.  Would  it  not  be  more 
appropriate  to  say  that  it  follows  the  ax?  Civilization  never  found  its 
headquarters  in  the  woods.  The  mighty  ax  must  first  clear  the  land  and 
hew  out  the  logs  for  the  pioneer's  cabin.  Without  it  our  ancestors  could 
not  have  subdued  the  wilderness  and  made  smooth  the  way  for  American 
civilization.  Therefore  the  little  insignificant  ax  is  civilization's  fore- 
runner. Its  ring  through  the  forest  is  the  trumpet  call,  directing  the  onward 
march  of  the  army  of  progress.  The  flying  chips  mark  the  fotosteps  of 
those  who  fight  in  the  army’s  van.  Let  us  then  not  forget  to  render  due 
homage  to  the  ax.  Among  those  who  blazed  the  way  with  this  instrument 
for  present-day  progress  and  prosperity  is  John  T.  McNabb,  a farmer  and 
respected  citizen  of  Republic  township,  Greene  county,  who  came  to  the 
Ozark  region  when  it  was  still  mostly  undeveloped,  so  he  did  his  full  share 
of  the  work  of  clearing  the  wild  land  and  bringing  it  up  to  its  present  state 
of  cultivation. 

Mr.  McNabb  was  born  in  Polk  county,  Tennessee,  September  23,  1859. 
He  is  a son  of  Taylor  and  Margaret  D.  (Whaley)  McNabb.  Grandfather 
McNabb  wras  a native  of  Scotland,  from  which  country  he  emigrated  to 
-America  before  the  Revolutionary  war  and  he  was  a soldier  in  that  war. 
Taylor  McNabb  was  a native  of  South  Carolina  and  Margaret  D.  Whaley 
was  born  in  Georgia.  They  spent  their  early  lives  in  Georgia  and  Tennessee, 
received  such  meager  educational  advantages  as  the  schools  of  those  early 
times  afforded  and  were  married  in  Dixie  land.  Taylor  McNabb  was  twice 
married,  the  mother  of  our  subject  having  been  his  second  wife.  Fie  became 
the  father  of  a large  family.  Five  of  his  children  were  born  to  his  first  union, 
-namely:  Lucretia,  deceased;  Vovaline,  deceased;  Ann  is  the  wife  of  Sam 
Hocksett  and  lives  in  Oklahoma;  the  fourth  child  is  deceased:  Virgil  lives 
in  Georgia,  The  following  children  were  by  Taylor  McNabb  and  his  sec- 
•ond  wife:  Mrs.  Louisa  Nicholson,  a widow,  lives  in  Georgia;  L.  T.,  deceased; 
-Mary,  wife  of  Lon  Bates,  lives  in  Tennessee;  Bettie,  wife  of  Frank  Jack, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I489 


lives  in  Tennessee;  William  T.  and  a twin  brother  are  both  deceased; 
Rachael,  deceased;  Victoria,  deceased;  Clementine,  deceased;  John  T.  of 
this  sketch  is  the  youngest. 

John  T.  McNabb  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  He 
was  fifteen  years  old  when  his  father  died.  He  remained  on  the  home  farm 
in  Tennessee  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  then  emigrated  to 
Greene  county,  Missouri  in  December,  1881,  landing  here  with  but  a wife, 
a horse  and  eighteen  dollars  in  money.  He  located  in  Republic  township. 
He  is  deserving  of  a great  deal  of  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished. 
Although  starting  out  in  life  with  nothing  he  has  worked  hard  and  managed 
well,  and  today  is  owner  of  one  of  the  choice  farms  of  his  township.  He 
first  rented  land  here  and  raised  a crop  in  partnership  with  Hugh  Boyd, 
then  moved  on  a farm  on  the  James  river,  near  Nelson's  mill,  but  the  fol- 
lowing fall  moved  across  the  line  into  Christian  county,  remaining  there 
twenty-three  years.  Having  prospered,  he  purchased  a farm  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres,  and  twelve  years  ago  he  returned  to  Republic  township, 
buying  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  more,  place  now  known  as  the  Oak 
Grove  Stock  Farm.  All  of  his  land  is  under  cultivation  but  fourteen  acres. 
He  also  owns  sixty  acres  in  Section  29,  Republic  township,  having  an  aggre- 
gate of  three  hundred  acres  on  which  he  carries  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising  on  an  extensive  scale.  His  land  is  well  improved  and  he  has 
an  attractive  home  and  large,  convenient  outbuildings,  and  an  excellent 
grade  of  live  stock  is  always  to  be  seen  about  his  place. 

Mr.  McNabb  was  married  on  October  19,  1879,  to  Sarah  Adaline  Land, 
a daughter  of  Hester  and  Lucindy  (Baker)  Land,  natives  of  Tennessee, 
where  they  spent  their  earlier  years,  finally  emigrating  to  Greene  county, 
Missouri.  Mrs.  McNabb  was  born  in  1864  and  was  one  of  nine  children, 
namely:  Mrs.  Ann  Couch  lives  in  Republic  township;  Jane,  Maggie,  William, 
Thomas  are  all  deceased;  John  lives  in  Ash  Grove;  Ellen,  deceased;  Yankey 
is  deceased;  and  Sarah  A.,  wife  of  our  subject,  is  the  youngest.  She  grew 
to  womanhood  on  the  home  farm  and  received  a common  school  education. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McNabb  eleven  children  were  born,  eight  of  whom 
are  still  living,  namely:  Margaret  is  the  wife  of  John  Gray,  of  Stone  coun- 
ty; Taylor  lives  in  Republic  engaged  in  automobile  business;  Walter, 
deceased;  Mrs.  Delilah  Richardson  lives  in  Republic  township;  Benjamin 
lives  in  Christian  county;  Dave  lives  in  Oklahoma;  Earthy,  wife  of  E.  Clark, 
lives  in  Greene  county;  Bertha,  wife  of  E.  M.  Mullikin,  lives  in  Springfield; 
Virgil  lives  at  home;  the  two  youngest  children  died  in  infancy,  unnamed. 

Politically  Mr.  McNabb  is  a Progressive.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  Mrs.  McNabb  is  a member  of  the 
Royal  Neighbors,  and  they  both  hold  membership  in  the  Baptist  church. 

(94) 


1490 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Personally  Mr.  McNabb  has  inherited  many  of  the  winning  character- 
istics of  his  sterling  Scotch  ancestors,  such  as  determination,  courage,  indus- 
try, fortitude  and  unswerving  honesty,  and  these  together  with  other  equally 
admirable  traits  have  combined  to  make  him  a successful  man  and  a good 
citizen. 


H.  A.  LOWE,  M.  D. 

There  is  no  positive  rule  for  achieving  success,  and  yet  in  the  life  of 
the  successful  man  there  are  always  lessons  which  might  well  be  followed. 
The  man  who  gains  prosperity  in  any  vocation  is  he  who  can  see  and  utilize 
the  opportunity  that  comes  in  his  path.  The  essential  conditions  of  human 
life  are  ever  the  same,  the  surroundings  of  individuals  differ  but  slightly, 
and  when  one  man  passes  another  on  the  highway  of  life  to  reach  the 
goal  of  prosperity  before  others  who  perhaps  started  out  in  life  before  him, 
it  is  because  he  has  the  power  to  use  advantages  which  probably  encompass, 
the  whole  human  race.  Although  yet  young  in  years,  Dr.  H.  A.  Lowe, 
president  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Southwest  hospital,  of  Spring- 
field,  stands  among  the  progressive,  prominent  and  successful  physicians 
and  surgeons  in  a locality  long  noted  for  the  high  order  of  its  medical 
talent.  The  qualities  of  keen  discernment,  sound  judgment  and  quick  per- 
ception have  entered  very  largely  into  his  makeup  and  have  been  contrib- 
uting elments  to  the  professional  success  which  has  come  to  him. 

Doctor  Lowe  was  born  in  Berwick.  Newton  county,  Missouri,  Sep- 
tember 21,  1884.  He  is  a son  of  F.  M.  and  Flora  (Roberts)  Lowe.  The 
father  was  born  in  Tennessee  and  when  a child  his  parents  removed  with 
him  from  that  state  to  Newton  county,  Missouri,  where  the  grandfather 
of  our  subject  established  the  future  home  of  the  family  on  a farm  and 
there  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  prior  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil 
war ; and  there  the  father,  F.  M.  Lowe,  grew  to  manhood,  received  such 
education  as  the  old-time  schools  afforded  and  there  married  Flora  Rob- 
erts, a native  of  Newton  county,  Missouri,  and  whose  parents  were  natives 
of  Tennessee. 

To  F.  M.  Lowe  and  wife  eight  children  were  born,  four  sons  and 
four  daughters,  namely:  H.  A.  Lowe,  our  subject;  Kirk  C.,  who  lives  in 
Butterfield,  Missouri ; Charles,  deceased ; Vida  Belle  married  a Mr.  Pennel 
and  they  live  near  Butterfield,  Missouri ; Bessie,  Bruce,  Blanche  and  Britt 
are  all  living  at  home.  When  a young  man,  the  doctor’s  father  began  life 
as  a general  farmer  and  stock  raiser  which  he  continues  to  follow  with 
gratifying  results.  Both  parents  are  still  living  near  Butterfield,  Missouri. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I49I 


Dr.  H.  A.  Lowe  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  Newton  county  and 
mere  made  himself  generally  useful  when  ot  proper  age,  and  m the  winter 
months  he  attended  the  puonc  schools  ot  his  community,  later  spent  two 
years  in  the  rierce  City  baptist  College,  then  studied  three  years  at  Drury 
College,  Springheid.  in  due  course  of  time  he  entered  the  medical  depart- 
ment of  the  St.  Louis  University,  where  he  made  a splendid  record,  and 
from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1909,  alter  four 
years’  study.  He  also  had  a year's  hospital  training  at  Alexian  Brothers’ 
Hospital  m St.  .Louis.  He  came  to  Springfield  in  1910  and  began  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession,  and  for  two  years  was  associated  with  the  late  Doc- 
tor Terry,  one  of  the  leading  surgeons  of  Greene  county  of  a past  genera- 
tion. The  association  continued  until  the  death  of  Doctor  Terry,  111  1912. 

Doctor  Lowe  is  president  of  a board  of  directors,  composed  of  five 
leading  Springfield  physicians,  that  built  the  Southwest  Hospital  here, 
which  was  designed  for  the  general  public  and  is  open  to  the  patients  of 
all  reputable  physicians.  It  has  been  a pronounced  success  from  the  first, 
is  modernly  equipped  in  every  respect  and  pleasantly  and  conveniently 
located,  and  an  efficient  corps  of  trained  nurses  are  constantly  in  attendance. 
It  is  managed  under  a superb  system  and  is  rapidly  growing  in  public  favor. 
The  other  members  of  the  board  of  directors  are  Dr.  T.  O.  Klingner,  vice- 
president;  Dr.  D.  U.  Sherman,  secretary  and  treasurer;  Dr.  AI.  C.  Stone 
and  Dr.  E.  F.  James. 

Doctor  Lowe  confines  his  practice  strictly  to  surgical  work  and  has 
become  one  of  the  leading  men  of  his  profession. 

Politically  Doctor  Lowe  is  a Democrat,  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to 
the  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  the  Scottish  Rite  Masons,  and  has 
attained  the  thirty-second  degree  and  Alystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a member 
of  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 


GEORGE  YEAKLEY. 

Crop  management  is  a scheme,  not  a lot  of  practices.  An  important 
part  of  it  is  the  rotating  or  alternating  of  crops  on  given  areas.  In  other 
words,  pre-arranged,  permanent  plans  must  be  carried  out  in  order  to  obtain 
the  best  possible  results.  The  properly  managed  farm  not  only  becomes  an 
annual  income  producer,  but  leads  on  to  what  is  tantamount  of  an  endow- 
ment policy  or  an  annuity  during  the  declining  years  of  the  farmer,  and, 
finally,  resolves  itself  into  a provision  for  the  family  of  those  the  farmer 
leaves  behind  at  the  close  of  life.  One  of  the  most  successful  general  farm- 


1492 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ers  of  Republic  township  is  George  Yeakley,  a representative  of  one  of  the 
old  and  prominent  families  of  the  western  part  of  Greene  county. 

Mr.  Yeakley  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  in  Republic  township,  this 
county,  March  31,  1856.  He  is  a son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  M.  (Young) 
Yeakley,  whose  family  consisted  of  six  children,  four  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters, all  now  deceased  except  the  subject  of  this  sketch  and  a sister,  Mrs. 
Margaret  Drum,  widow  of  W.  E.  Drum.  Those  deceased  are  John,  James, 
Henry  and  Rebecca. 

The  Yeakley  family  emigrated  from  Tennessee  to  Missouri  in  1840. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  ten  years  old  when  he  removed  from  has 
native  locality,  Greene  county,  Tennessee,  to  Polk  county,  this  state.  After 
living  there  about  a year  the  family  moved  to  Greene  county,  settling  in 
what  was  then  known  as  Center  township,  and  not  long  thereafter  the 
father,  Thomas  Yeakley,  entered  and  purchased  from  the  government  a 
large  tract  of  land.  This  he  improved  and  carried  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising  here  the  rest  of  his  life,  adding  to  his  holdings  from  time 
to  time  until  he  finally  owned  fourteen  hundred  acres  of  valuable  land  and 
was  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  extensive  and  successful  general  agricul- 
turists in  the  western  part  of  the  county,  and  was  a progressive  and  public- 
spirited  citizen,  a man  of  fine  character,  and  he  did  much  for  the  general 
improvement  of  his  neighborhood-.  His  death  occurred  on  May  11,  1914, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years,  leaving  behind  him  a host  of 
warm  friends  and  a record  of  a well-spent  and  honorable  life.  The  mother 
of  our  subject  was  born  in  Lafayette  county,  Missouri,  in  the  year  1834. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  George  Young  and  wife.  Mr.  Young  was  a 
native  of  Hawkins  county,  Tennessee,  whose  family  consisted  of  four 
children.  He  came  to  Missouri  in  pioneer  days  and  located  in  Lafayette 
county.  The  mother  of  our  subject  is  living  at  an  advanced  age. 

George  Yeakley  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Republic 
township  and  there  assisted  with  the  general  work  when  a boy.  He  received 
his  education  in  the  local  schools  and  when  young  in  years  took  up  farming 
and  stock  raising  for  his  life  work  and  this  has  engaged  his  close  attention 
to  the  present  time,  and  he  has  met  with  very  gratifying  results  all  along 
the  line,  having  inherited  much  of  his  father’s  thrift  and  foresight.  He 
owns  a well-improved  and  productive  farm  of  eight  hundred  and  sixty-five 
acres  in  Republic  township,  which  is  adorned  with  a pleasant  home  and 
numerous  substantial  outbuildings.  One  may  see  about  the  place  at  all 
seasons  large  numbers  of  sleek,  well-bred  live  stock  which  form  no  small 
portion  of  his  annual  income. 

Mr.  Yeakley  was  married  on  December  27,  1877,  to  Celestia  J.  Red- 
fern.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Joseph  Redfern,  a native  of  Tennessee,  from 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1493 


which  state  the  family  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  an  early  day 
and  established  their  future  home.  Ten  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Redfern,  an  equal  number  of  sons  and  daughters;  three  sons  and 
three  daughters  survive. 

Six  children  have  been  born  to  George  Yeakley  and  wife,  namely: 
Minnie,  who  married  Ed.  Shook,  now  engaged  in  the  implement  business 
in  Springfield,  has  one  child,  Edwin;  Lucile  is  the  wife  of  Robert  E.  Mans- 
field, a railroad  man,  and  they  have  one  child,  Robert  Y. ; Bessie  is  the  wife 
of  Take  Frame,  a farmer;  Hattie  is  at  home  with  her  parents;  Thomas 
Pauline  is  the  youngest;  the  second  oldest  of  the  children  died  in  infancy. 

Politically  Mr.  Yeakley  is  a Democrat,  but  has  never  cared  for  public 
office,  preferring  to  devote  his  attention  to  his  large  farming  and  live  stock 
interests  and  to  his  home.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church,  and  the  family  stands  high  in  the  community. 


EGMONT  RAUM. 

To  a great  extent  the  prosperity  of  the  argicultural  sections  of  our 
country  is  due  to  the  honest  industry,  the  sturdy  perseverance  and  the 
wise  economy  which  so  prominently  characterizes  the  foreign  element,  both 
those  who  have  come  direct  from  European  nations  and  their  American- 
born  children.  All  will  agree,  after  so  much  as  a mere  cursory  glance  over 
our  forty-eight  states,  that  they  have  entered  very  largely  into  our  popu- 
lation. By  comparison  with  their  “old  country"  surroundings  these  people 
have  readily  recognized  the  fact  that  in  the  ETnited  States  are  to  be  found 
the  greatest  opportunities  for  the  man  of  ambition  and  energy.  And  be- 
cause of  this  many  have  broken  the  ties  of  home  and  native  land  and 
have  entered  earnestly  upon  the  task  of  gaining  in  the  new  world  a home 
and  a competence.  Egmont.  Raum,  one  of  Greene  county's  hard-working 
farmers,  is  one  of  this  class. 

Air.  Raum  was  born  on  August  9,  1849,  in  Eeutzen,  Province  of 
Saxony,  now  a part  of  the  German  Empire.  He  is  a son  of  John  William 
and  Emelie  (Grosse)  Raum,  the  father  having  been  born  in  Altenhof  near 
Dueben-on-the-Mulde.  He  grew  up  and  was  educated  in  his  native  locality 
and  became  a minister  in  the  Lutheran  church.  He  was  the  father  of  two 
sons,  Egmont,  our  subject,  being  the  eldest,  and  Fred,  who  is  living  in 
Florida.  The  father  served  his  required  time  in  the  German  army  when 
a young  man.  His  death  occurred  in  1890  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  his 
wife  having  died  in  1880  at  the  age  of  fifty-three  years. 


1494 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Egmont  Raum  grew  to  manhood  in  Erfurt,  in  the  Province  of  Saxony, 
and  there  received  his  education  and  remained  until  1865,  when  sixteen  years 
of  age',  when  he  left  the  Fatherland  and  set  sail  for  America,  and  after  a 
tedious  voyage  of  sixteen  months,  in  which  time  he  rounded  Cape  Horn, 
landed  on  our  shores  on  Christmas  day,  1866,  at  New  York  City.  He  soon 
became  a sailor  and  followed  the  sea  until  1875.  His  work  was  satisfac- 
tory and  he  was  gradually  promoted  and  was  first  mate  for  years,  when 
he  was  given  a master's  certificate,  but  never  served.  In  1875  he  came  to 
Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  purchased  forty  acres  of  land  from  the  Atlantic 
& Pacific  Railroad  Company,  now  the  Frisco.  On  this  small  tract  he  went 
to  work  earnestly  and,  managing  well,  prospered.  From  time  to  time  he 
added  to  his  original  purchase  until  he  became  one  of  our  large  land  owners 
and  prosperous  farmers,  his  place  now  containing  two  hundred  and  eighteen 
acres  of  valuable  and  well-improved  land,  well  located  in  Campbell  township 
on  the  Mt.  Vernon  street  road,  near  Springfield.  He  carried  on  general 
farming  and  stock  raising  on  an  extensive  scale  and  also  maintained  a dairy. 
Formerly  he  made  a specialty  of  raising  mules,  but  is  now  practically 
retired,  engaged  principally  in  raising  various  grains,  following  a five-year 
system  of  crop  rotation,  and  therefore  he  not  only  reaps  abundant  harvests, 
but  keeps  his  land  in  first-class  fertility.  He  has  a large  and  neatly  fur- 
nished home  and  substantial  outbuildings,  everything  about  his  place  indi- 
cating that  a master  hand  is  at  the  helm. 

Just  before  he  quit  his  seafaring  life  Mr.  Raum  made  a visit  to  his 
boyhood  home  in  Erfurt,  in  the  Province  of  Saxony,  and  married  there 
Eleonore  Berndt,  a native  of  Erfurt,  and  a daughter  of  Henry  Berndt  and 
wife  of  that  place,  and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated. 
Her  father  was  a wholesale  and  retail  leather  merchant.  His  wife  was 
known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Mary  Otto,  and  she  was  a daughter  of  a car- 
penter and  contractor.  Mrs.  Raum  has  one  sister,  Anna,  who  lives  in 
Europe  and  is  the  wife  of  a minister. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Raum  three  children*  have  been  born,  who  survive 
at  this  writing,  namely:  Egmont,  Jr.,  born  on  July  6,  1888,  who  is  engaged 
in  farming;  William,  born  on  July  20,  1891,  also  a farmer,  and  Emelie  D., 
born  on  September  18,  1882,  who  is  at  home  with  her  parents.  The  sons 
were  given  sixty-five  acres  each  of  good  land  by  their  father,  and  they  live 
on  places  adjoining  that  of  our  subject  and  are  each  good  farmers.  One 
daughter,  Anna,  died  at  the  age  of  five  years. 

Politically  Mr.  Raum  is  a Democrat,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Lutheran 
church.  He  has  long  been  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  Masonic  order. 
He  is  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Masonic  building  in  Springfield.  He 
is  past  master  of  the  Blue  Royal  Arch  lodge,  and  was  excellent  high  priest 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1495 


for  two  years  of  Springfield  Royal  Arch  chapter,  No.  15,  and  worthy  patron 
of  the  Order  of  Eastern  Star  for  four  years,  Crescent  chapter,  No.  20.  He 
is  well  known  and  has  made  a host  of  warm  friends  during  his  residence 
here  of  forty  years.  He  is  held  in  high  esteem  as  a result  of  his  upright 
character  and  many  good  personal  qualities. 


STEPHEN  HENRY  COLE. 

A well-known  and  successful  north  side  groceryman  is  Stephen  Henry 
Cole,  who  belongs  to  that  class  of  American  citizens  who  are  enterprising, 
thorough-going  and  industrious,  and  who  rise  in  a few  years  by  their  own 
-efforts  from  a condition  of  dependence  to  one  of  stability  and  independ- 
ence. In  fact,  he  is  a self-made  man  in  all  which  that  much-abused  term 
implies,  and  the  property  he  has  accumulated  is  the  result  of  his  own  honest 
industry. 

Mr.  Cole  was  born  in  Pemiscott  county,  Missouri,  July  29,  1856.  He 
is  a son  of  Mexico  Cole,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1811,  where  he  spent 
his  boyhood,  removing  from  there  to  Pemiscott  county,  this  state,  in  1832, 
among  the  early  settlers,  and  bought  a farm  at  Cottonwood  Point,  which 
he  developed  and  on  which  he  established  his  future  home.  This  land 
is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  Coles.  Although  much  of  his  attention  was 
given  to  his  farm,  he  practiced  medicine  a great  deal,  having  been  a physi- 
cian of  the  old  school.  In  1831  he  married  Julia  Chilcutt,  in  Henry  county, 
Tennessee,  and  to  this  union  sixteen  children  were  born,  and  in  addition 
they  reared  two  orphan  boys.  Of  this  large  family  only  two  are  living 
at  this  writing,  Stephen  Henry,  of  this  sketch,  and  Mrs.  Nancy  Patrick. 
Several  of  the  sons  served  in  the  Confederate  army,  one  under  Gen.  Sterl- 
ing Price.  The  death  of  Dr.  Mexico  Cole  was  a tragic  one,  he  having  been 
killed  in  a cyclone  in  1869,  a tree  having  fallen  on  him  while  riding  through 
the  woods  on  horseback. 

Stephen  H.  Cole  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  where  he  worked 
when  a boy  and  in  the  winter  he  attended  the  rural  schools  in  his  com- 
munity. On  December  11,  1880,  he  left  home  and  came  to  Seymour,  Web- 
ster county,  and  there  ran  a transfer  line  for  a period  of  eight  years,  then 
began  his  career  as  groceryman  in  that  town,  where  he  remained  seven  years 
and  enjoyed  a good  business  with  the  town  and  community,  then  removed 
to  Springfield,  where  he  followed  the  grocery  business  at  various  stands 
for  a period  of  seventeen  years,  with  the  exception  of  eight  months  spent 
in  Oklahoma  in  a grocery  store.  He  now  operates  a modern  and  neatly 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1496 

kept  grocery  at  1000  East  Commercial  street,  where  he  carries  a large  stock 
of  staple  and  fancy  groceries  and,  dealing  courteously  and  honestly  with 
his  scores  of  customers,  has  built  up  an  extensive  trade. 

Mr.  Cole  was  married,  August  6,  1876,  to  Nancy  L.  Cunningham,  a 
daughter  of  Green  and  Nancy  (Martin)  Cunningham,  natives  of  Ten- 
nessee  and  North  Carolina,  respectively.  Mr.  Cunningham  has  devoted  his 
active  life  to  farming,  having  removed  from  his  native  state  to  Pemiscott 
county,  Missouri,  about  the  year  1863,  in  the  winter.  His  family  consisted 
of  nine  children,  only  two  living  at  this  writing,  our  subject's  wife  and 
Belle  Randolph,  who  lives  in  Senatobia,  Mississippi. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cole  six  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Mrs. 

Etta  Gentry  is  the  wife  of  a merchant  at  Canyon  City,  Colorado;  Frank  is 
engaged  in  the. transfer  business  at  Shawnee,  Oklahoma;  Mrs.  Carrie  Moore 
is  the  wife  of  a-coach  builder  and  thev  live  in  Springfield;  Mrs.  Iva  Carter 
is  the  wife  of  Harry  A.  Carter,  the  storekeeper  at  Villa  Grove,  Illinois, 
for  the  Chicago  & Eastern  Illinois  railway;  Earl  is  engaged  in  the  transfer 
business  with  his  brother  at  Shawnee,  Oklahoma;  Charlie  died  when  twenty- 
three  years  of  age;  he  was  next  to  the  youngest  in  order  of  birth. 

Politically  Mr.  Cole  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  First  Con- 
gregational church,  Springfield.  Fraternally  he  is  a member  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  with  which  he  united  twenty-nine  years 
ago,  having  joined  at  Seymour,  Missouri,  Lodge  No.  363,  and  he  has 
never  transferred  his  membership.  He  has  been  given  a twenty-five-year 
badge  by  this  order.  Fie  is  one  of  the  best  known  grocerymen  in  Spring- 
field  and  enjoys  a wide  friendship  among  his  erstwhile  patrons  and  his  pres- 
ent customers  as  a result  of  his  excellent  personal  characteristics. 


ANDREW  JACKSON  BODENHAMER. 

The  faculty  with  which  the  American  soldier  laid  down  the  implements 
of  war,  at  the  close  of  the  great  conflict  between  the  Northern  and  Southern 
states,  and  adapted  himself  to  the  pursuits  of  civil  life,  has  been  the  wonder 
of  all  nations,  and  scarcely  less  surprising  than  gratifying  to  the  American 
people  themselves.  While  not  a few  very  profound  citizens  of  the  Republic 
were  speculating  as  to  what  was  to  become  of  the  thousands  of  men  mus- 
tered out  of  the  armies,  the  question  was  solved  by  the  ex-soldiers  them- 
selves, who  quietly  stepped  into  the  ordinary  walks  of  life,  bent  the  force 
of  circumstances  to  their  will,  and  became  the  chief  promoters  of  a national 
progress  which  is  without  parallel  in  history.  One  of  these  honored  veter- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1497 


ans  is  Andrew  Jackson  Bodenhamer,  a venerable  farmer  of  Campbell  town- 
ship, and  one  of  the  oldest  native-born  citizens  of  Greene  county.  He  has 
spent  his  life,  which  embraces  three-quarters  of  a century,  in  this  locality 
and  has  seen  many  vast  changes  in  that  time.  He  has  lived  on  the  same 
farm  over  half  a century. 

Mr.  Bodenhamer  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  September  13, 
1839.  He  is  a son  of  Jacob  and  Nettie  (Goss)  Bodenhamer,  one  of  the 
pioneer  families  of  this  county.  The  reader  will  find  adequate  mention  of 
them  in  the  sketch  of  Louis  F.  Bodenhamer  on  another  page  of  this  volume. 

Andrew  J.  Bodenhamer  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  wnere 
he  worked  hard  on  the  raw  land  and  with  the  primitive  agricultural  imple- 
ments of  those  frontier  days.  He  received  a limited  education  in  the  old- 
time  rural  schools  and  when  a young  man  took  up  farming  for  himself, 
which  he  has  made  his  life  work,  now  owning  a good  farm  of  one  hundred 
acres  in  Campbell  township,  where  he  has  resided  since  the  war,  his  wife 
having  purchased  the  place  in  1863.  He  has  paid  a great  deal  of  atten- 
tion to  the  raising  of  live  stock  in  connection  with  general  farming. 

On  July  29,  1862,  Mr.  Bodenhamer  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Federal 
army,  in  Company  A,  Eighth  Missouri  Cavalry,  and  saw  much  hard  service, 
taking  part  in  many  battles  and  skirmishes,  serving  until  the  close  of  the 
conflict  under  General  Herron  and  General  Davidson.  Much  of  his  time 
as  a soldier  was  spent  in  Arkansas  and  he  fought  at  Fort  Smith,  Van  Buren, 
Little  Rock  and  Prairie  Grove,  and  was  taken  prisoner  during  the  last  named 
engagement.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  honorably  discharged  and 
returned  home,  resuming  farming  in  Greene  county. 

On  September  6,  i860,  Mr.  Bodenhamer  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Elizabeth  Charlotte  Wharton,  a daughter  of  Emsley  and  Sarah  (Crow) 
Wharton,  who  were  among  the  old  families  of  this  locality.  Mr.  Wharton 
served  in  the  Civil  war  in  the  same  company  and  regiment  in  which  our 
subject  served,  but  it  became  necessary  to  discharge  him  before  the  close 
of  the  war  owing  to  disability,  sickness  having  overtaken  him  while  at  the 
front.  He  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  September  22,  1821,  and  his  death 
occurred  on  September  28,  1898,  in  this  county.  His  wife  was  born  in 
Tennessee,  February  2,  1825,  and  her  death  occurred  in  this  county,  Feb- 
ruary 8,  1899.  They  were  both  buried  at  Danforth  cemetery.  Thev  were 
the  parents  of  eight  children,  namely:  Elizabeth  C.,  wife  of  our  subject, 
was  born  February  1,  1843;  John  William,  born  on  October  20,  1844,  lives 
on  a farm  in  Greene  county;  Martha  J.,  born  on  January  6,  1849.  lives  O 
Tulare.  California;  Mrs.  Eliza  Green,  born  on  December  11.  1850.  also 
makes  her  home  in  Tulare,  California;  Sarah  C.,  born  on  December  22, 
1852,  lives  in  Portland,  Oregon;  Emsley  Lee,  born  on  January  13,  1833,  died 


GRF.ENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1498 

when  nineteen  years  of  age;  Mary  Lucinda,  born  on  January  12,  1858,  lives 
in  Rogersville,  Missouri;  Mandy  Tissie,  born  on  February  6,  1861,  lives 
m California.  The  father  of  these  children  devoted  his  life  to  general  farm- 
ing. Politically  he  was  a Democrat,  and  he  belonged  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  South. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bodenhamer  the  following  children  were  born,  namely: 
Sarah  Alice,  born  in  1861,  is  a graduate  of  the  high  school  at  Henderson, 
Missouri,  she  married  j.  A.  M.  Lanier,  and  they  live  on  a farm  in  Greene 
county;  Martha  T.,  married  J.  E.  Dennis,  and  they  live  near  Rogersville, 
this  state;  Nettie  J.,  who  was  educated  at  Mountain  Home,  Arkansas,  is 
the  wife  of  G.  F.  Dennis,  and  they  live  on  a farm  near  the  home  of  our 
subject;  Emsley  Lee,  who  is  employed  as  salesman  for  the  Diffenderffer 
Implement  company,  of  Springfield,  has  an  individual  sketch  of  himself  and 
family  on  another  page  of  this  work;  Ira  G.  is  engaged  in  farming  in 
California. 

Politically  Mr.  Bodenhamer  is  a Democrat,  but  he  has  never  been  active 
in  political  affairs.  He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in 
which  he  has  been  an  active  worker  for  many  years. 


LOUIS  F.  BODENHAMER. 

Much  worthy  effort  is  expended  in  producing  good  crops,  but  often- 
times a gain  in  the  best  of  crops  is  lost  by  feeding  to  inefficient  live  stock, 
d here  is  no  surer  way  of  losing  money  than  by  feeding  crops  to  animals, 
the  products  or  gain  from  which  do  not  pay  the  cost  of  feeding.  Some 
men  attribute  their  success  to  the  particular  kind  of  crops  they  grow  or  the 
particular  way  of  feeding  live  stock.  More  likely  their  success  is  due  to  a 
good-sized  farm  business,  good  or  average  crops  and  a superior  quality 
of  live  stock.  One  of  the  young  farmers  of  Greene  county  who,  judging 
from  his  success,  understands  the  proper  handling  of  his  grains  and  live 
stock  so  as  to  get  the  best  results  is  Louis  F.  Bodenhamer  of  Campbell  town- 
ship, who  lives  on  the  old  homestead  just  east  of  the  outskirts  of  Springfield. 

Mr.  Bodenhamer  was  born  on  the  place  where  he  now  lives,  June  16, 
1878.  He  is  a son  of  Joseph  J.  and  Laura  (Farris)  Bodenhamer,  and  a 
grandson  of  Jacob  and  Nettie  (Goss)  Bodenhamer.  The  father  of  Nettie 
Goss  was  a major  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Jacob  Bodenhamer  was  born 
in  North  Carolina,  where  he  spent  his  boyhood,  and  in  a very  early  day 
immigrated  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1842,  settling  in  what  is  now  a 
part  of  Webster  county.  He  was  a prosperous  farmer  and  at  one  time  owned 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


r499 


seven  hundred  acres  of  land.  After  spending  eight  years  on  the  first  place 
he  settled  here,  he  removed  to  the  place  now  occupied  by  our  subject,  which 
he  improved  and  on  which  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  erected  the 
first  frame  house  ever  seen  in  this  part  of  Greene  county.  He  became  promi- 
nent in  public  affairs,  and  was  for  some  time  presiding  judge  of  the  county 
court,  serving  for  one  dollar  per  day,  riding  daily  from  his  home  to  the 
court  house  when  there  was  business  to  transact.  He  was-  a Thomas  H. 
Benton  Democrat.  His  death  occurred  in  i860  and  he  was  buried  in  the 
family  cemetery  near  his  home.  His  wife  was  a native  of  North  Carolina 
and  they  were  married  there.  To  them  eighteen  children  were  born,  only 
five  of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing,  namely:  Joseph  J.  and  Jacob  E., 
twins,  the  latter  living  in  California;  Martin  Van  Buren  lives  at  Mountain 
Home,  Arkansas  ; Andrew  Jackson  lives  in  Greene  county,  and  Thomas  H. 
Benton  lives  at  Rogersville,  Missouri. 

Joseph  J.  Bodenhamer  was  born  on  November  20,  1834,  in  North 
Carolina  and  there  he  spent  his  early  childhood,  being  eight  years  of  age 
when  his  parents  brought  him  to  Missouri  and  here  he  grew  up  on  the 
farm,  working  hard  in  helping  clear  and  improve  the  wild  land  and  he 
received  a meager  education  in  the  early-day  schools.  He  has  devoted  his 
life  to  general  farming  and  is  still  active,  living  on  the  homestead  east  of 
Springfield.  He  has  managed  well  and  has  made  a success.  During  the 
Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  the  state  militia,  and  served  in  the  Federal  ranks 
under  General  Holland,  being  in  the  same  regiment  with  his  twin  brother, 
but  the  rest  of  his  living  brothers  were  in  the  regular  Union  army.  After 
the  war  he  returned  to  his  farm  and  has  since  lived  a quiet  uneventful  life. 
On  January  6,  1859,  he  married  Elizabeth  W.  Steele,  of  this  county,  and 
to  them  three  children  were  born,  namely,  John  A.,  James  E.,  of  Eldorado, 
Oklahoma,  and  Elizabeth  E.  The  wife  and  mother  died  on  December  10, 
1870,  and  on  November  13,  1871,  he  chose  for  his  second  wife  Laura  Farris. 
This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  only  one  child,  Louis  F.,  subject  of  this 
sketch.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Laura  Bodenhamer  occurred  on  January  19, 
1898.  Joseph  J.  Bodenhamer  was  in  his  earlier  life  a Democrat,  but  is 
now  a Socialist.  He  is  a member  of  the  Christian  church.  He  is  a well- 
read  man  and  an  intelligent  conversationalist.  He  is  widely  known  and 
has  friends  all  over  the  county,  having  lived  here  over  three-score  and 
ten  years,  and  during  this  long  period  saw  many  important  changes  in  the 
county  and  city. 

Louis  F.  Bodenhamer  was  reared  011  the  home  farm  and  he  received  his 
education  in  the  country  schools,  later  taking  a two-year  academy  course. 
On  October  3,  1909,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Iva  Gerhardt,  a daugh- 
ter of  Fred  J.  and  Mattie  (Molderj  Gerhardt.  She  was  born  in  Camden 


i5°° 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


county,  Missouri,  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  Her  father 
is  a prominent  man  in  that  county  and  holds  the  position  of  judge  of  the 
first  district  there.  His  wife  is  a native  of  Tennessee. 

Louis  F.  Bodenhamer  has  remained  on  the  home  farm  and  is  success- 
fully engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  is  a Democrat, 
and  fraternally  he  belongs  to  Mum  ford  lodge  No.  738,  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,  in  which  he  is  past  grand  knight.  Fie  also  belongs  to  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


THOMAS  FOGARTY. 

Special  adaptability  to  any  particular  calling  in  life  is  the  one  necessary 
adjunct  to  permanent  success.  No  matter  what  be  the  amount  of  vim  and 
determination  which  characterizes  a man’s  start  in  business,  unless  he  is 
to  the  manor  born  he  will  ultimately  find  to  his  sorrow  that  his  line  has 
been  falsely  cast,  and  the  quicker  he  draws  aside  and  takes  up  another  call- 
ing the  better  it  will  be  for  him,  and  perhaps  for  others  as  well.  That 
young  man  is  indeed  fortunate  who  knows  what  he  is  fitted  for  by  nature 
and  starts  out  in  his  career  along  the  line  which  he  can  successfully  follow 
to  the  end;  but  few  do  this,  as  the  records  show.  That  Thomas  Fogarty, 
organizer  and  proprietor  of  the  Sanitary  Plumbing  and  Pleating  Company, 
of  Springfield,  is  especially  fitted  for  the  calling  that  now  occupies  his  at- 
tention can  not  be  doubted,  for  he  has  built  up  a large  and  rapidly  grow- 
ing business,  and  his  scores  of  patrons  are  always  well  satisfied  with  his 
work. 

Mr.  Fogarty  was  born  in  County  Clare,  Ireland,  January  20,  1872. 
He  is  a son  of  Michael  and  Bridget  (Keating)  Fogarty,  and  a grandson  of 
James  and  Mary  (Linnane)  Fogarty.  James  Fogarty  was  a native  of  the 
Emerald  Isle,  and  there  he  devoted  his  life  to  farming  and  died  in  his  native 
land  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years.  His  wife  died  suddenly  of  cholera 
during  the  epidemic  of  1847.  They  were  Catholics.  To  them  seven  chil- 
dren were  born,  four  sons  and  three  daughters ; three  of  the  former  and  one 
of  the  latter  came  to  America.  Michael  Fogarty  was  reared  in  Ireland, 
where  he  was  married,  and  spent  his  life  as  a farmer,  dying  there  at  the 
age  of  sixty-two  years.  His  widow  is  still  living  in  Ireland,  being  now 
seventy-two  years  of  age.  fames,  one  of  their  sons,  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  a few  years  prior  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war,  and  during 
the  latter  part  of  that  conflict  he  was  drafted  into  the  Union  army  and 
served  a short  time.  To  Michael  Fogarty  and  wife  eleven  children  were 
born,  four  sons  and  seven  daughters,  namely:  Patrick  came  to  Spring- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I SOI 


field,  Missouri,  when  nineteen  years  of  age,  about  1878,  and  was  yardmas- 
ter  here  for  the  Frisco  Railroad  for  a period  of  twenty-five  years,  being 
finally  killed  by  accident  while  on  duty;  John  S.  has  remained  in  Ireland; 
Mrs.  L.  G.  Schab  lives  in  Quincy,  Illinois;  Katie  is  teaching  school  in  Ire- 
land; Thomas,  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  James  Bayner  lives  at  Castle  Bar,  Ire- 
land; Michael  died  when  twenty-one  years  of  age;  Mrs.  John  Waters  is 
teaching  school  in  Ireland;  Mrs.  Thomas  Fogarty,  who  married  a man  of 
her  own  name,  but  no  relation,  lives  in  Ireland;  Nora  is  single  and  lives  in 
Springfield,  Missouri;  Nellie  S.  is  teaching  school  in  Ireland. 

Thomas  Fogarty,  of  this  review,  grew  to  manhood  in  Erin's  Green 
Isle  and  there  he  received  a good  education,  attending  college  until  he  was 
nineteen  years  of  age,  when,  in  the  year  1891,  he  emigrated  to  America  and 
came  direct  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  has  resided  ever  since,  hav- 
ing liked  the  town  and  country  from  the  first.  Soon  after  his  arrival  here 
he  secured  a position  as  fireman  with  the  Frisco  and  continued  to  work  in 
this  capacity  for,  a period  of  six  years,  then  was  promoted  to  engineer  and 
worked  as  such  for  two  years.  Finally  tiring  of  the  road,  he  turned  his 
attention  to  the  plumbing  business,  associating  himself  with  the  Standard 
Plumbing  company  here,  which  maintained  offices  on  the  south  side.  He 
seemed  to  have  natural  ability  in  this  line  of  endeavor  and  soon  mastered 
its  various  details.  In  1908  he  organized  the  Sanitary  Plumbing  and  Heat- 
ing company,  the  present  place  of  business  of  which  is  on  East  Commercial 
street.  Under  his  able  management  this  concern  has  grown  to  large  pro- 
portions and  is  doing  an  ever-growing  and  lucrative  business  in  general 
plumbing  and  heating.  The  firm  is  well  ecpiipped  in  every  respect  for  prompt 
and  high-grade  service,  keeping  all  modern  apparatus  and  equipment  and 
a full  stock  of  well-selected  material  of  all  kinds,  and  a number  of  skilled 
artisans  are  constantly  employed. 

Mr.  Fogarty  was  married  on  April  30,  1902,  in  Springfield  to  Laura 
O'Hara,  a daughter  of  Jerome  and  Isabell  (Mudd)  O’Hara,  a well-known 
family  here,  Mr.  O'Hara  being  president  of  the  Citizens  Bank  of  Spring- 
field  for  years,  but  is  now  retired.  He  was  a native  of  Illinois.  His  family 
consists  of  seven  children,  namely:  Frank  J.  is  a traveling  salesman  and 
lives  in  San  Antonio,  Texas;  L.  J.  is  in  partnership  with  our  subject  in 
the  plumbing  business;  John  is  deceased;  Mrs.  P.  J.  Turley  lives  in  Spring- 
field;  Laura,  wife  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch:  Mrs.  J.  J.  Lawler  lives  in 
Springfield;  Airs.  Mamie  O'PIara  lives  in  this  city. 

Jerome  O'Hara,  mentioned  above,  came  to  Springfield  in  1895  and 
for  many  years  was  proprietor  of  the  firm  of  O'Hara  & Son,  who  were 
engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  on  East  Commercial  street,  but  later 
he  went  into  the  banking  business.  He  has  been  highly  successful  as  a 
business  man  and  is  a highly  respected  citizen. 


1502 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Six  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fogarty,  namely:  Harry 
is  deceased;  Francis  Thomas,  Clarence  J.,  John  A.,  Isabell  and  Margaret. 

Politically  Mr.  Fogarty  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Catholic 
church.  Fie  is  a prominent  member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  having 
been  financial  secretary  of  the  local  lodge  for  a period  of  eight  years.  In 
1913,  at  the  state  convention  of  this  order  which  was  held  at  Joplin,  he 
was  elected  supreme  delegate  to  the  convention  at  Boston,  Massachusetts.  He 
went  from  there  back  to  Ireland  to  visit  his  mother,  brother  and  sisters. 
He  is  also  a member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  Mod- 
ern Woodmen  of  America,  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men  and  the  Eagles. 
He  is  a jovial,  obliging  and  open-hearted  gentleman  whom  it  is  a pleasure 
to  meet,  and  he  has  a host  of  friends  in  Springfield  and  over  this  part  of 
the  state. 


NELSON  GARRETT  BUTLER. 

The  farmers  of  this  generation  are  learning  that  with  the  change  of 
climate  and  general  conditions  in  the  Ozark  region  they  must  employ  some- 
what different  methods  in  tilling  the  soil,  learning,  among  other  things,  that 
continued  cropping  exposes  the -land  to  various  weaknesses  of  the  particular 
crop  that  is  grown,  and  as  no  two  crops  extract  the  same  proportion  of 
plant  food,  the  continually  grown  crop  is  bound  to  lessen  the  available  fer- 
tility of  one  or  more  of  the  principal  soil  constituents.  Rotation  has  the 
effect  of  making  available  all  of  the  plant  food  element,  and  as  the  average 
soil  is  generally  well  supplied  with  fertile  material,  depletion  will  come  that 
much  sooner  unless  proper  steps  are  taken  to  maintain  the  principal  soil 
ingredients.  These  and  many  other  problems  of  modern  farming  are  well 
understood  by  Nelson  Garrett  Butler,  a farmer  of  Republic  township,  Greene 
county. 

Mr.  Butler  was  born  near  Ozark,  Christian  county,  on  a farm,  October 
24,  1857.  He  is  a son  of  Benjamin  and  Emily  (Morland)  Butler,  both 
of  whom  came  from  Michigan  to  Christian  county,  Missouri,  in  an  early 
day  or  during  the  Civil  war  period,  and  shortly  after  locating  here  Mr. 
Butler  joined  the  Lhiion  army,  and  was  in  a number  of  battles,  serving  sev- 
eral years,  during  which  he  contracted  a disease  which  disabled  him,  resulting 
in  his  discharge  from  the  service.  He  returned  home,  but  soon  contracted 
smallpox,  which  caused  his  death  in  March,  1862,  and  about  a month  later  his 
widow  also  died.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  namely:  Frank  is 
living  but  his  whereabouts  are  unknown;  Will  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Ore- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1503 


gon;  Norman  lives  in  Oklahoma;  Fernando  is  deceased;  Benjamin  lives  in 
.Republic,  township ; Nelson  G.,  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Mary  Myers  lives 
in  Oklahoma;  the  youngest  child  died  in  infancy..  The  parents  of  the  above 
named  children  were  living  on  our  subject's  grandfather's  farm  at  the  time 
of  their  deaths,  and  Nelson  G.  Butler  continued  to  live  with  his  grandfather 
for  some  time,  then  went  to  make  his  home  with  an  uncle  when  about  seven 
years  of  age,  with  whom  he  remained  until  he  was  ten  years  of  age,  when 
he  went  to  live  with  an  older  brother,  remaining  with  him  about  a year,  after 
which  he  went  to  live  at  the  home  of  Matt  Martin  and  there  he  remained  about 
six  years,  then  came  to  Greene  county  and  hired  out  to  James  Decker,  but  after 
a short  time  hired  to  Thomas  Rose,  for  whom  he  worked  two  years,  also 
worked  for  G.  W.  O'Neal  two  years,  then  went  to  California  and  lived  in 
that  state  four  years,  working  on  a farm.  Returning  to  Missouri  he  located 
in  Cedar  county,  and  a year  later  came  back  to  Greene  county  and  once  more 
took  up  his  abode  at  the  O’Neal  home.  Mr.  O'Neal  moved  to  Republic  to 
look  after  his  lumber  yard  there,  and  left  our  subject  in  charge  of  his  farm. 
Later  Mr.  Butler  rented  Mr.  O'Neal’s  farm  and  operated  it  for  five  years, 
and  while  there  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  section  13,  Republic  town- 
ship, built  a comfortable  home  thereon  and  moved  into  it.  He  has  managed 
his  affairs  in  a successful  manner  and  is  now  owner  of  a productive  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  seventy-six  acres,  on  which  he  carries  on  general  farming 
and  stock  raising. 

Mr.  Butler  was  married  on  September  12,  1886,  to  Martha  Britain,  a 
daughter  of  James  and  Eliza  (Wade)  Britain.  The  father  was  born  in  this 
county,  but  the  mother's  birth  occurred  in  the  state  of  Georgia,  and  from 
there  she  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  when  she  was  a child.  She  is  one 
of  nine  children,  named  as  follows:  George,  deceased;  Nancy,  deceased; 
Thomas,  deceased;  James  lives  in  Republic;  Martha,  wife  of  our  subject; 
Eliza  is  the  wife  of  Albert  White,  of  Republic;  Harvey  is  deceased;  Harry 
and  Laura,  twins,  the  former  lives  in  Pond  Creek  township,  this  county,  and 
the  latter  is  deceased.  Mrs.  Butler  received  her  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  Pond  Creek  township,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood.  Our  sub- 
ject received  his  education  in  Christian  and  Webster  counties. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Butler,  namely:  Elsie  is 
the  wife  of  Sam  Brown,  of  Pond  Creek  township;  Nadie  is  the  wife  of 
George  O'Neal,  of  Republic;  Maude  is  the  wife  of  Ed.  Mooneyham,  of  Pond 
Creek  township;  Frank  lives  with  his  parents  and  helps  work  the  home  farm. 

Politically  Mr.  Butler  is  a Republican,  and  has  always  voted  this  ticket  in 
national  affairs  since  reaching  manhood.  He  and  his  wife  and  daughters  are 
members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  church  at  Hopewell. 


I5°4 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


JOHN  PARKER  TROGDON. 

Farming  has  been  considered  a game  of  chance  too  long  and  the  uncer- 
tainties of  the  elements  have  been  overcome  to  such  an  extent  by  intelligent 
study  and  use  of  fertilizers,  irrigation  and  drainage,  and  intensive  cultiva- 
tion that  day  by  day  agriculture  is  becoming  more  and  more  an  exact  science 
and  the  best-and  brightest  minds  of  the  country  have  not  thought  it  beneath 
their  dignity  or  effort  to  give  it  the  best  of  their  genius.  John  Parker 
Trogdon,  of  Brookline  township,  Greene  county,  is  a type  of  our  better  class 
of  farmers,  a man  who  uses  more  brain  than  brawn  in  operating  his  place. 
He  has  been  successful  both  as  farmer  and  merchant  and  also  as  a dealer 
in  live  stock.  The  reason  that  he  has  been  able  to  succeed  in  whatever  he 
has  turned  his  attention  to  is  because  he  plans  well,  is  energetic  in  their 
execution,  “preparedness”  being  his  motto,  in  other  words,  he  first  decides 
that  he  is  right,  then  goes  ahead. 

Mr.  Trogdon  was  born  near  Ash  Grove,  Missouri,  March  26,  1872. 
He  is  a son  of  Reuben  and  Phoebe  (McDorman)  Trogdon,  the  father  of 
English  descent,  a native  of  North  Carolina,  the  mother  a native  of  Tenn- 
essee. 

Seven  children  were  born  to  Reuben  Trogdon  and  wife,  four  sons  and 
three  daughters,  namely:  W.  Clinton,  Henry  F.,  Loran  E.,  all  three  live  near 
Ash  Grove,  this  county;  John  P.,  of  this  sketch;  Lottie  married  F.  H.  Moo- 
maw,  of  Brookline  township,  Greene  county;  Effie  married  D.  G.  Hendrix, 
also  of  Brookline  township;  Laura  married  Jay  Mason,  of  near  Bois  D’Arc, 
Missouri. 

John  P.  Trogdon  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  where  he  worked 
during  the  summer  months,  and  in  the  winter  attended  the  district  schools, 
remaining  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  or  until  his  marriage,  then  started  farming  for  himself,  renting  a farm 
near  Ash  Grove,  where  he  remained  nine  years,  then  moved  to  that  city  and 
engaged  in  general  merchandising  turn  years,  after  which  he  bought  his 
present  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres  near  Brookline.  His  place 
is  well  improved  in  every  respect  and  he  keeps  it  under  a high  state  of  culti- 
vation. In  connection  with  general  farming  he  devotes  considerable  time 
to  the  breeding  of  Jersey  cattle,  and  he  is  very  successful  with  his  fine  stock, 
He  has  a modernly  appointed,  nine-room  residence  of  the  bungalow  type, 
only  a fourth  of  a mile  from  Brookline  on  the  main  highway  between  that 
place  and  the  village  of  Battlefield.  His  spacious  yard  is  sown  with  Ken- 
tucky blue  grass,  which  has  given  the  place  the  appropriate  name  of  “Green 
Lawn,”  by  which  it  is  known  throughout  the  neighborhood.  Mr.  Trogdon 
has  numerous  substantial  outbuildings,  including  two  large  barns,  one  of 


TROGDON  AND  FAMILY. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1505 


which  is  especially  equipped  for  the  care  of  his  milk  cows  and  is  kept  sani- 
tary in  all  seasons.  He  has  a concrete  silo  with  a capacity  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  tons,  a wagon  and  buggy-shed,  a water-tank  with  a capacity  of 
three  hundred  and  fifty  barrels,  also  a garage  large  enough  for  two  cars. 

Mr.  Trogdon  was  married  on  March  6,  1894,  to  Dilla  A.  Johnson,  a 
daughter  of  George  A.  and  Jane  Johnson,  of  near  Halltown,  and  a native 
of  Greene  county,  Missouri,  where  the  family  settled  in  the  early  thirties, 
having  emigrated  from  Tennessee.  Mrs.  Trogdon  grew  to  womanhood  and 
was  educated  in  her  native  community.  The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife 
has  resulted  in  the  birth  of  two  children,  namely:  Alta,  born  July  2,  1895, 
lives  at  home;  Mabel,  born  December  24,  1901,  is  also  with  her  parents. 

Politically  Mr.  Trogdon  is  a Republican  and  is  influential  in  the  affairs 
of  his  party.  He  has  served  several  years  as  township  committeeman  and 
has  done  much  toward  the  success  of  the  party  in  the  county  in  years  past. 
Fraternally  he  belongs  to  Brookline  Lodge,  No.  328,  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows;  also  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  of  Springfield, 
and  the  Anti  Horse  Thief  Association,  of  Nichols. 

Mr.  Trogdon  is  one  of  the  progressive  and  useful  citizens  of  his  town- 
ship and  is  ever  ready  to  lend  his  support  and  encourage  any  movement 
having  for  its  object  the  general  good. 


CECIL  ALVIN  BRIGGS. 

By  his  close  observance  of  fundamental  rules  of  business,  based  upon 
honesty,  rectitude  and  fidelity  to  trusts  and  confidences  reposed  in  him, 
Cecil  Alvin  Briggs,  secretary  and  general  manager  of  the  George-Briggs 
Lumber  Company,  of  Springfield,  has  achieved  success  while  yet  young- 
in  years,  won  the  public  esteem  and  fixed  his  star  in  the  ascendant.  In  all 
relations  of  life  he  is  courteous  and  cordial  in  his  friendships,  cautious, 
temperate,  ambitious,  zealous,  consistent,  moral  and  circumspect  in  his  daily 
existence,  and  punctuality  is  one  of  his  maxims. 

Mr.  Briggs  was  born  July  19,  1887,  at  Verona,  Lawrence  county,  Mis- 
souri. He  is  a son  of  Sylvester  A.  Briggs,  who  was  born  September  26, 
1847,  in  Fountain  county,  Indiana,  and  was  of  French-English  descent.  He 
grew  to  manhood  in  Illinois  and  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  near  the  city  of  Danville.  He  began  life  for  himself  as  a school 
teacher  and  followed  this  profession  for  a period  of  upwards  of  fifteen 
years,  in  Douglas  county,  Illinois,  where  his  services  were  in  large  demand 
and  he  became  known  as  one  of  the  leading  educators  of  the  county.  Leav- 
(95) 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1505 

ing  the  Prairie  State  in  1885,  he  located  at  Verona,  Missouri,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  iumuer  business  until  1910,  also  maintained  his  home  for 
a time  during  that  period  at  Siloam  Springs,  Benton  county,  Arkansas, 
where  he  has  retail  lumber  interests.  About  live  years  ago  he  retired  from 
active  life,  having  accumulated  a competency  for  his  old  age,  and  is  now 
living  quietly  with  his  son,  our  subject,  in  the  Briggs  residence  on  West 
Commercial  street,  Springfield.  The  firm  of  Briggs  & Wilks,  with  which 
he  was  connected  in  southern  Missouri  so  long,  became  well  known.  Pie 
is  now  in  his  seventy-seventh  year.  Politically  he  is  a Republican,  aiways 
took  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs,  was  justice  of  the  peace  for  a period 
of  eight  years,  and  was  also  secretary  of  the  school  board  at  Verona  for  a 
period  of  eleven  years,  filling  these  offices  in  a manner  that  reflected  credit 
upon  himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  public.  He  is  a devout  member 
of  the  Christian  church  and  for  many  years  was  an  elder  in  the  same  at 
Veiona.  The  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  known  in  her 
maidenhood  as  P'rances  Cannon,  a daughter  of  G.  N.  and  Elizabeth  Can- 
non. She  was  a woman  of  many  praiseworthy  characteristics.  Her  death 
occurred  October  2,  1909,  at  Siloam  Springs,  Arkansas.  To  these  parents 
seven  children  were  born,  only  two  of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing, 
namely:  Cecil  A.,  of  this  sketch;  and  Floyd  E.,  who  lives  at  Pittsburg,  Kan- 
sas, is  a brakeman  on  the  Kansas  City  Southern  Railroad,  and  is  unmarried. 
Our  subject's  paternal  grandparents  were  Augustus  and  Ruth  (West)  Briggs, 
natives  of  New  York  and  Kentucky,  respectively. 

Cecil  A.  Briggs  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  graduated  from 
the  Verona  high  school,  took  a course  in  a St.  Louis  business  college,  and 
he  began  his  business  career  in  1907,  in  the  lumber  firm  of  his  father  at 
Verona,  where  he  remained  until  1910,  as  office  manager  for  the  firm  of 
Briggs  & Wilks.  He  then  came  to  Springfield  as  bookkeeper  for  the  D.  J. 
Landis  Lumber  Company,  with  which  he  remained  until  1912,  then  went 
to  Lamar,  Oklahoma,  as  assistant  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Lamar,  remaining 
there  until  March  4,  1914,  when  he  returned  to  Springfield  and  assumed 
his  present  connection  with  the  George-Briggs  Lumber  Company,  his  pre- 
vious experience  having  made  him  familiar  with  every  phase  of  the  lumber 
business  and  rendering  him  entirely  capable  of  assuming  the  responsible 
position  he  now  occupies. 

The  George-Briggs  Lumber  Company  is  located  at  425  West  Com- 
mercial street.  It  was  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  Missouri,  February 
4,  1914,  with  a capital  stock  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars,  and  the  business 
was  started  on  that  date,  with  J.  H.  George,  president;  B.  H.  George, 
treasurer ; and  Cecil  A.  Briggs,  manager  and  secretary.  Their  yard  is  three 
hundred  by  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  feet  and  they  have  a neat  office. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I5°7 


rV  iuil  stock  ol  weli-selectecl  lumDer  of  all  kinds,  such  as  is  to  be  found  m 
any  up-to-date  lumDer  yard  in  this  part  ot  the  country,  is  carried,  and  the 
business  lias  uecn  n success  trom  the  start.  1 heir  Dusiness  is  conhned 
inostiy  to  Urreenc  county,  hour  assistants  are  required  in  the  yards,  lie- 
sides  lumber  they  handle  sashes,  doors,  cement,  plaster,  sand,  brick,  etc. 

ronticahy  ivir.  rsriggs  is  a tvepuohcan.  hie  is  a member  of  the  Chris- 
tian churcn,  and  was  iormeriy  a member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America. 

Mr.  Briggs  was  married,  first,  in  1909,  to  Elsie  Browning,  a daugh- 
ter of  George  VV,  and  Jane  Browning.  Her  death  occurred  August  28, 
1913,  leaving  two  children,  Genevieve  and  jane.  Our  subject  was  married 
again  in  1914  to  Flossie  May  Warden,  a daughter  of  James  L.  and  Dora 
(.blackmail.)  Warden. 


AUGUST  F.  PRUGGER. 

it  was  the  great  philosopher  Bacon  who  admonished  us  thus : “Read 
not  to  contradict  and  confute,  nor  to  believe  and  take  for  granted,  nor  to 
find  talk  and  discourse,  but  to  weigh  and  consider.’’  Whether  August  F. 
Nrugger,  foreman  of  the  motor  car  room  in  the  North  Side  Frisco  shops, 
Springfield,  was  made  acquainted  with  the  above  advice  when  a boy  or  not, 
he  has  always  followed  the  proper  course  in  his  wide  miscellaneous  reading, 
believing  with  our  own  Benjamin  Franklin  that  "reading  makes  a wise  man," 
although  our  subject  does  not  claim  to  be  such.  However,  those  who  know 
him  well  have  observed  that  he  is  well  informed  and  is  a close  observer 
of  everything  that  is  going  on  about  him.  His  honored  father  before  him 
was  such  a man  and  evidently  transmitted  to  his  son  many  of  his  com- 
mendable characteristics. 

Mr.  Prugger  was  born  August  18,  1863,  at  Whitewater,  Wisconsin. 
He  is  a son  of  Joseph  Prugger.  who  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  where 
he  grew  to  manhood,  received  a good  education  and  there  learned  the  trade 
of  cabinet  maker  under  his  father,  becoming  an  expert  in  the  same.  He 
remained  in  the  Fatherland  until  he  was  twenty-nine  years  of  age,  then, 
about  1859,  came  to  America  in  an  old-fashioned  sailing  vessel,  which 
required  many  weeks  to  make  the  long  voyage.  He  landed  in  New  York, 
and  from  there  made  a tour  of  the  Southern  states,  finally  locating  in  Wal- 
worth county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  continued  his  trade  of  cabinet  maker, 
also  worked  at  the  Esterlv  Reaper  Works,  and  later  removed  to  Indian- 
apolis, Indiana,  where  he  worked  at  cabinet  making  for  sixteen  years.  He 
then  went  to  Illinois  and  worked  at  his  trade  in  Mattoon  and  Marshall.  We 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1508 

next  find  him  in  West  Superior,  Wisconsin,  where  he  lived  retired,  later 
removing  to  Milwaukee  and  made  his  home  with  one  of  his  sons,  dying 
there  in  1910,  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years,  and  was  buried  in  that  city. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Mary 
Anna  Ostermeyer.  She  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  where  she  spent 
her  girlhood  and  attended  school,  emigrating  to  America  with  her  parents 
when  fifteen  years  of  age.  The  family  located  first  in  Milwaukee,  later 
removing  to  Jefferson,  Wisconsin,  and  there  she  resided  until  her  marriage, 
at  the  age  of  eighteen.  She  is  now  living  -with  her  daughter,  Theresa 
Prugger,  and  is  now  about  seventy-six  years  of  age. 

Four  children  were  born  to  Joseph  Prugger  and  wife,  three  sons  and 
one  daughter,  namely:  Albert  G.  is  employed  by  the  Pawling  & Harnish- 
feger  Electric  Crane  Works  at  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin;  Frank,  a contractor 
and  builder  of  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  was  for  some  time  vice-president  of 
the  Milwaukee  Construction  Company;  August  F.,  of  this  sketch;  and 
Theresa,  who  has  remained  single  and  lives  in  Milwaukee,  was  connected 
with  the  knitting  industries  of  Illinois,  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota,  and  was 
long  head  forelady  and  very  expert  in  her  line ; she  is  now  connected  with 
a large  wholesale  fur  house. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a well-to-do  factory  owner 
in  Bavaria,  Germany,  making  cabinets,  furniture,  etc;  He  spent  his  life  in 
his  native  land. 

August  F.  Prugger  grew  to  manhood  in  Wisconsin  and  received  a 
common  school  education,  leaving  school  when  sixteen  years  of  age  and 
began  working  at  the  Esterly  Coffin  Works,  but  not  taking  to  this  line  of 
business  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  manufacture  of  furniture  and  then 
to  machine  work  for  the  Esterly  Harvester  Works  as  machinist  apprentice, 
at  Whitewater,  Wisconsin.  After  serving  his  apprenticeship  he  worked  as 
journeyman  for  six  years,  then  went  to  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  with  the  Williams 
Engine  Works,  building  stationary  engines.  He  worked  in  the  Berlin 
Machine  Works  at  Beloit,  assembling  sand  paper  machinery.  On  January 
28.  1891,  he  went  to  work  for  the  St.  Louis  & Frisco  Railroad  Company 
at  Springfield.  Missouri,  and  has  been  in  constant  service  with  this  com- 
pany ever  since.  He  first  worked  as  machinist,  keeping  machinery  in  repair, 
also  worked  in  the  pump  department  in  the  north  side  shops.  He  had 
become  familiar  with  millwright  work  while  at  Whitewater,  Wisconsin.  At 
Beloit  he  helped  install  the  machinery  and  worked  there  as  millwright,  and 
he  has  been  working  at  this  line  for  the  Frisco  here  many  years.  He  has 
installed  machinery  in  many  places  over  the  Frisco  System,  such  as  Ft. 
Scott,  Memphis,  Birmingham  and  other  points.  He  was  appointed  foreman 
of  the  north  side  shops  about  1904,  under  Michael  Carney,  and  he  is  now 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1509 


foreman  of  the  motor  car  shops  there,  having  about  fourteen  hands  under 
his  direction.  Nearly  all  of  the  millwright  work  over  the  entire  system  is 
under  his  direction.  He  is  an  expert  in  his  line  and  faithful  in  the  discharge 
of  his  every  duty. 

Mr.  Prugger  was  married  in  1896  to  Eva  Sprohs,  a daughter  of  John 
Sprohs,  a native  of  Germany,  but  now  living  in  Springfield. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  four  children  have  been  born,  namely:  John 
Joseph  is  a student  in  Conception  College  at  Conception,  Missouri ; Clara, 
Theresa,  and  Henry  are  all  at  home,  the  Prugger  residence  being  on  Sum- 
mit avenue. 

Mr.  Prugger  is  independent  in  his  political  views.  He  is  a member  of 
the  Catholic  church,  and  fraternally  belongs  to  the  Knights  and  Ladies  of 
Security  and  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men. 


EDWARD  P.  DINGELDEIN. 

The  German  element  in  Springfield  is  not  as  large  as  in  many  American 
cities  of  this  size,  but  those  who  have  cast  their  lot  here  have  proved  to  be 
industrious  and  loyal  citizens,  become  property  owners  and  have  not  hesi- 
tated to  support  such  measures  as  have  made  for  the  general  growth  of  the 
city.  Of  this  class  is  Edward  P.  Dingeldein,  one  of  our  enterprising  young 
Germans  of  the  second  generation  in  this  country,  but  who  seems  to  have 
the  characteristic  thrift  of  the  true  Teutons. 

Mr.  Dingeldein  was  born  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  December  25,  1873. 
He  is  a son  of  Sebastian  and  Dorothea  (Studt)  Dingeldein,  both  parents 
natives  of  Germany,  where  they  grew  to  maturity,  received  their  educa- 
tions, which  were  limited,  and  there  made  their  home  until  the  year  1867, 
when  they  left  the  Fatherland  and  emigrated  to  the  Lhiited  States,  each 
locating  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  where  they  were  married  in  1869  and  there 
established  the  family  home.  There  the  father  engaged  in  the  malt  busi- 
ness for  five  years.  The  mother  was  one  of  eleven  children,  six  sons  and 
five  daughters,  four  of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing,  one  remaining  in 
Germany. 

To  Sebastian  Dingeldein  and  wife  four  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Julius  W.,  who  is  associated  in  business  with  our  subject  in  Springfield: 
Edward  P.,  of  this  review;  Emelie  M.  is  single  and  is  living  in  Springfield; 
William  S.  is  deceased. 

From  St.  Louis  the  Dingeldein  family  moved  to  Springfield  in  1876, 
when  our  subject  was  two  years  of  age,  and  here  the  father  established  him- 


! 


I s JO 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


self  in  business  and  became  comfortably  situated.  Politically  he  was  a 
Democrat.  His  death  occurred  on  March  2 4,  1894.  His  widow  is  still 
living,  making  her  home  in  Springfield. 

Edward  P.  Dingeldein  grew  to  manhood  in  Springfield  and  here  received 
his  education,  attending  the  common  school  up  to  1889,  then  took  a business 
course  in  the  Southwestern  Business  College,  including  bookkeeping  and 
business  forms,  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1891.  He  began 
his  career  as  a railroader,  working  for  some  time  with  the  old  Kansas  City, 
Fort  Scott  & Memphis  Railroad  Company,  and  later  was  in  the  employ  of 
the  St.  Louis  & San  Francisco  Railroad  Company,  and  in  December,  1897, 
he  started  in  the  retail  liquor  business  with  his  brother,  Julius  W.,  which 
they  have  conducted  to  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Dingeldein  was  married  in  1894  to  Ida  Stone,  a daughter  of  C. 
M.  and  Elizabeth  Stone,  she  being  one  of  four  children.  Her  mother  and 
father  are  still  living  in  Springfield.  Three  children  have  been  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dingeldein,  namely:  Edna  L.,  William  J.  and  Edward  S.  The 
two  oldest  are  attending  school. 

Politically  our  subject  is  a Democrat  and  has  remained  with  the  party 
in  both  victory  and  defeat,  as  did  his  father  before  him.  Religiously  he  is 
a member  of  St.  John’s  German  Evangelical  church,  having  been  confirmed 
at  the  age  of  fifteen  years.  He  attended  the  church  primary  school  of  this 
denomination  in  1889.  He  has  always  sought  the  companionship  of  per- 
sons older  than  himself,  and  has  tried  to  profit  by  their  examples.  Frater- 
nally he  is  a member  of  the  Eagles,  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men  and 
the  German  Brotherhood.  He  has  always  been  a law-abiding  citizen,  and 
has  kept  within  the  bounds  of  good  citizenship.  . 


ANDREW  THOMAS  HART. 

The  attitude  of  the  general  public  toward  the  farmer  of  today  is  some- 
what different  to  that  during  the  century  preceding  the  present.  All  now 
realize  the  fact  that  with  the  advanced  methods  of  scientific  farming  it 
requires  more  brains  than  brawn  to  make  a success  as  an  argiculturist  and 
stock  man.  The  tiller  of  the  soil  can  no  longer  follow  the  methods  employed 
by  his  grandfather  when  he  worked  the  virgin  soil,  when  the  climate  was 
different,  the  land  different,  in  fact,  most  everything  different.  One  must 
not  only  “be  up  and  doing,  and  learn  to  labor  and  to  wait,”  as  the  poet,  Long- 
fellow, admonished,  but  one  must  be  a close  student  of  literature  bearing 
on  agricultural  and  horticultural  and  live  stock  subjects,  but  also  a keen 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


*5^ 

observer  and  a logical  thinker.  Nature  has  given  most  men  sufficient  natural 
ability  to  succeed  in  farming,  but  so  many  are  indifferent,  apathetic  and 
unwilling  to  put  forth  the  proper  amount  of  physical  and  mental  exertion 
to  reap  large  rewards  in  this  greatest  of  all  callings. 

Andrew  Thomas  Hart,  of  Wilson  township,  Greene  county,  is  a good 
example  of  the  thoughtful,  energetic  and  successful  twentieth  century  farmer. 
He  was  born  in  this  vicinity  on  April  4,  1867.  He  is  a son  of  Maj.  R. 
K.  and  Mary  Jane  (Beal)  Hart.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina 
and  when  nineteen  years  old  emigrated  to  Christian  county,  Missouri,  set- 
tling on  a farm  near  the  town  of  Clever,  with  his  parents,  with  whom 
he  remained  until  he  was  about  twenty-eight  years  of  age,  and  assisted  with 
the  general  work  on  the  farm.  After  his  marriage  he  bought  a farm  near 
the  present  village  of  Battlefield  and  there  devoted  himself  to  general  farm- 
ing. During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  and  proved  to 
be  such  a gallant  and  efficient  soldier  that  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  major,  and  was  honorably  discharged  at  the  close  of  his  term  of  enlist- 
ment. He  devoted  his  active  life  to  general  farming  and  is  now  living 
in  retirement  on  South  Market  street,  Springfield,  Missouri.  His  family 
consisted  of  seven  children,  namely:  Alvoree,  Samuel  K.,  Mrs.  Nannie  C. 
Hendrix,  Mrs.  Hollie  A.  Alexander,  Andrew  Thomas,  of  this  review ; Will- 
iam H.,  and  the  youngest  child  died  in  infancy. 

Andrew  T.  Hart  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  he  received  a 
somewhat  limited  education  in  the  district  schools,  later  taking  a course  in 
a business  college,  also  attended  the  old  Ash  Grove  College,  and  finally  secured 
a very  good  text-book  training.  He  has  devoted  his  life  principally  to 
general  farming,  but  during  the  year  1913  and  1914  he  was  for  some  time 
engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  with  J.  E.  Walton  on  South  street. 
Springfield.  However,  farming  appealed  to  him  most  and  he  returned  to 
rural  life.  He  is  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  well-kept  and 
well-tilled  land  in  Wilson  township,  and  in  connection  with  general  farm- 
ing he  carries  on  stock  raising  and  buying  and  shipping  live  stock  on  a 
large  scale,  and  is  one  of  the  successful  and  well-known  stockmen  of  the 
western  part  of  the  county.  He  has  made  all  the  present  improvements  on 
his  place.  He  has  a good  home  and  good  buildings  in  general. 

Mr.  Hart  was  married  on  October  31,  1888,  to  Nannie  C.  Putman,  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  E.  and  Mary  Jane  (Moore)  Putman,  both  natives  of 
Greene  county,  this  state,  and  here  Mrs.  Hart  was  also  born,  grew  to 
womanhood  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools.  She  had  no  brothers 
or  sisters. 

To.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hart  two  children  have  been  born,  Herman  E.,  and 
Roy  P.  The  latter  is  a civil  engineer.  He  was  graduated  from  the  Colum- 


1512 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


bia  University,  and  is  at  present  employed  in  the  engineering  department  of 
the  Missouri  Pacific  Railroad,  with  headquarters  at  St.  Louis.  Herman  E., 
who  received  a good  high  school  education,  is  a traveling  salesman  for  the 
McDaniel  Milling  Company,  his  territory  being  in  Arkansas,  Oklahoma 
and  Texas. 

Politically  Mr.  Hart  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic 
Order  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  religiously  he  belongs  to  the  Bap- 
tist church. 


WILLIAM  A.  FRY. 

To  hear  the  average  city  man  unburden  himself,  often  in  none  too 
graceful  language,  about  high  prices  and  the  cost  of  living,  one  would 
imagine  that  he  alone  is  affected  and  that  the  farmer  is  rolling  in  the  fat 
of  the  land.  As  a matter  of  fact,  the  farmer  is  feeling  the  high  cost  of 
living  the  same  as  everyone  else.  He  is  paying  more  for  his  labor  (when 
he  can  get  it  at  all);  more  for  his  land;  more  for  his  implements,  and 
more  for  everything  that  enters,  into  his  daily  life,  while  the  prices  he 
receives  for  his  products  have  not  given  him  a fair  return  for  his  time 
and  his  labor.  But  notwithstanding  these  facts,  many  of  the  farmers  of 
Greene  county  have  accumulated  competencies  and  are  making  a comfort- 
able living,  among  whom  may  be  mentioned  William  A.  Fry,  owner  of 
“Shady  Oak  Farm,”  in  Wilson  township. 

Mr.  Fry  was  born  in  the  above  named  township  and  county,  August 
5,  1870.  He  is  a son  of  Marion  S.  and  Sarah  Jane  (Payne)  Fry.  The 
father  removed  from  Kentucky  in  an  earl}'-  day  to  northern  Missouri.  The 
mother  was  born  and  reared  in  Greene  county,  this  state,  and  here  received 
a common  school  education.  Marion  S.  Fry  was  a boy  when  he  came  to 
Missouri,  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood  and  attended  the  public  schools, 
after  which  he  devoted  his  attention  to  general  farming.  He  came  to 
Greene  county  when  about  twenty-four  years  of  age,  settling  on  a farm  of 
two  hundred  acres,  and  a year  later  he  and  Sarah  Jane  Payne  were  mar- 
ried, and  to  this  union  four  children  were  born,  namely:  William  A.,  of 
this  review;  Oscar  E.  lives  in  Oregon;  Walter  F.  resides  in  Wilson  town- 
ship, this  county;  and  the  youngest  child  died  in  infancy,  unnamed.  The 
parents  of  these  children  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  on  the  farm  here, 
the  father  dying  October  3,  1898,  and  the  death  of  the  mother  occurred  in 
September,  1903. 

William  A.  Fry  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  there  assisted 
with  the  general  work  when  a boy.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1513 


district  schools  of  Wilson  township;  he  remained  under  his  parental  roof- 
tree  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age,  when  he  married  and  established 
a home  of  his  own,  the  date  of  his  wedding  being  July  28,  1895,  an<i  *ie 
selected  for  his  life  companion  Pearl  Ward,  a daughter  of  Arch  W.  and 
Allie  (Edwards)  Ward,  who  were  residents  of  Greene  county  for  many 
years,  and  the  mother  still  resides  on  the  old  homestead  in  Wilson  town- 
ship, the  death  of  Arch  W.  Ward  having  occurred  in  September,  1912. 

Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fry,  namely:  Clorline  is 
the  eldest;  the  second  child  died  in  infancy  unnamed;  and  Marie,  who  is 
the  youngest. 

Mr.  Fry  has  devoted  his  active  life  to  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing. He  is  at  present  operating  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  acres,  which 
is  a part  of  the  old  homestead,  and  which  he  has  named  very  appropriately 
“Shady  Oak  Farm."  He  recently  built  an  attractive  new  home,  surrounded 
by  a fine  grove  of  oaks  in  a splendid  location.  The  place  is  productive 
and  well  kept  in  every  respect.  Until  recently  Mr.  Fry  dealt  quite  extensively 
in  live  stock,  raising,  buying  and  selling,  but  in  later  years  he  has  devoted  his 
attention  to  general  farming. 

Politically  Mr.  Fry  has  always  been  a Democrat.  In  September,  1901, 
he  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of  his  faithful  helpmeet,  and  he  has 
never  remarried. 


WILLIAM  FRY  ROPER. 

One  expression  of  the  discontent  of  the  people  of  the  twentieth  cen- 
tury is  the  back-to-the-farm  movement.  While  the  wages  of  workmen 
have  increased  and  the  hours  of  labor  have  decreased,  the  desire  for  the 
better  things  of  life  and  the  luxuries  have  grown  proportionately.  That 
which  satisfied  the  laboring  man  of  forty  years  ago  would  be  regarded  with 
disdain  by  the  workers  of  today.  The  increased  cost  of  living  in  the  city 
undoubtedly  has  much  to  do  with  the  discontent  of  the  people,  and  the 
imperfect  marketing  system  which  raises  the  cost  to  the  consumer  and  mini- 
mizes the  profits  of  the  producer,  is  another  fertile  source  of  discontent. 
Whether  conditions  will  adjust  themselves  under  the  present  economic  ar- 
rangement and  our  imperfect  system  of  distribution  is  a question.  It  will 
require  more  than  an  ordinary  prophet  to  rise  in  his  place  and  foretell  what 
the  answer  will  be  to  the  rising  tide  of  discontent  of  the  people  of  the  cities. 
Having  spent  his  life  close  to  Nature,  engaged  in  peaceful  agricultural  pur- 
suits and  dealing  honestly  with  his  fellow  men,  thereby  keeping  his  con- 
science clear,  William  Fry  Roper,  a well-known  citizen  of  Republic  town- 
ship, Greene  county,  has  never  been  seized  with  the  spirit  of  discontent  that 


I5I4 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


is  so  apparent  over  the  land ; in  other  words,  he  has  had  the  tact  to  live  his 
life  along  well-regulated  and  proper  channels. 

Mr.  Roper  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  February  17,  1853. 
He  is  a son  of  Wylie  B.  and  Minerva  (Fry)  Roper.  The  father  of  our 
subject  emigrated  from  middle  Tennessee  to  Greene  county,  this  state,  in 
1851,  and  rented  land  nine  miles  northeast  of  Springfield,  but  in  a short 
time  settled  north  of  Nichols,  on  a tract  of  about  two  hundred  acres.  He 
was  a native  of  Tennessee,  as  was  also  his  wife,  and  there  they  grew  to 
maturity  and  received  limited  educations  and  were  married.  Our  subject 
was  then  about  one  year  old,  and  it  was  on  this  place  that  he  spent  his 
boyhood,  and  attended  subscription  school  at  old  Antioch.  His  parents 
rented  their  farm  and  moved  to  Springfield,  where  Wylie  Roper  was  selling- 
goods  when  the  Civil  war  began.  Later  the  elder  Roper  moved  with  his 
family  to  Texas  and  bought  a large  farm,  of  which  he  placed  two  hundred 
acres  under  cultivation.  To  Wylie  Roper  and  wife  ten  children  were  born, 
namely:  DeWitt  C.  is  the  eldest;  Maggie  L.  is  the  wife  of  Frank  White  and 
they  live  near  Nichols,  in  Greene  county;  Russell,  deceased;  John  W.  lives 
in  California;  William  F.,  subject  of  this  sketch;  George  lives  in  Lawrence 
county,  Missouri;  Wylie  B.  likes  in  Oregon;  Mrs.  Lulu  Martin  lives  in 
Springfield ; Mary  and  Myrtie,  the  two  youngest,  both  died  in  infancy. 

William  F.  Roper  was  married  August  2,  1877,  to  Minerva  Sparkman, 
a daughter  of  W.  D.  and  Jane  (Rainey)  Sparkman,  both  natives  of  Ten- 
nessee, where  they  grew  up,  were  educated  and  married,  and  from  that 
state  immigrated  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1854.  Their  family  con- 
sisted of  eight  children,  named  as  follows:  Dr.  Allen  G. ; Orren  lives  near 
Bois  D’Arc,  Greene  county;  Jefferson  lives  in  California;  Lizzie  is  deceased; 
Minerva,  who  married  Mr.  Roper  of  this  sketch;  James  lives  in  Seattle. 
Washington;  John  lives  in  Republic  township,  this  county;  Alice,  who  mar- 
ried J.  M.  Short,  is  deceased. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roper  nine  children  have  been  born,  namely  : Ada 
is  the  wife  of  Edward  Roop,  of  Independence,  Missouri;  James  lives  in 
Seattle,  Washington;  Ollie  is  engaged  in  the  furniture  and  carpet  business 
in  Republic,  and,  being  an  ardent  lover  of  horses,  owns  and  trades  in  them; 
Alice  is  the  wife  of  Oscar  Roop,  of  Republic;  Janie  is  the  wife  of  George 
Burris,  of  Seattle,  Washington:  Charlie  lives  in  Republic;  Bruce  lives  in  St. 
Louis ; Leon  lives  in  Republic ; Thomas  also  resides  in  Republic. 

Mr.  Roper  owns  fifty-nine  acres  of  valuable  land  on  the  outskirts  of 
the  city  of  Republic,  which  land  he  keeps  rented,  and  he  lives  quietly  in  his 
attractive  home  here,  having  been  retired  from  the  active  duties  of  life 
during  the  past  two  years. 

Politically  he  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Christian  church, 
to  which  his  wife  and  children  also  belong. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I SI  5 


HUGH  McCLERNON. 

The  career  of  Hugh  McClernon,  a retired  farmer  of  Springfield,  is  a 
splendid  example  of  what  many  of  the  thrifty  sons  of  Erin’s  Green  Isle 
have  accomplished  in  this  great  western  republic,  after  landing  within  our 
borders  with  little  capital  and  being  compelled  to  start  out  in  a strange  en- 
vironment without  sympathetic  and  helpful  friends.  There  have  been  many 
such  during  the  past  century  or  more,  and  we  have  always  welcomed  them, 
knowing  that  most  of  them  would  turn  out  to  be  good  citizens  and  be  bene- 
ficial to  us  in  a general  way. 

Mr.  McClernon  was  born  in  County  Dary,  Ireland,  March  12,  1850. 
He  is  a son  of  Hugh  and  Margaret  (McElwee)  McClernon,  both  natives  of 
Ireland,  where  they  grew  up,  received  meager  educations  and  were  married 
and  established  their  home.  The  father  was  a stone  mason  by  trade,  also 
engaged  in  farming.  His  family  consisted  of  nine  children,  two  of  whom 
are  still  living,  Hugh,  of  this  sketch,  and  a sister  who  has  remained  in  Ire- 
land. A brother  of  our  subject  came  to  America  in  an  early  day,  but  the 
rest  of  the  family  remained  in  the  old  country. 

Hugh  McClernon  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  land,  and,  when  a 
boy,  assisted  his  father  with  his  work.  He  received  a common  school  edu- 
cation, and  there,  when  about  twenty  years  of  age,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Margaret  McElhone,  a daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  (McKen- 
na) McElhone.  Soon  thereafter  he  brought  his  bride  to  the  United  States, 
about  1870.  They  landed  in  New  York,  lint  came  on  west  to  St.  Louis, 
where  they  lived  three  years,  where  our  subject  worked  as  a stone  mason, 
which  trade  he  had  learned  under  his  father  when  a boy.  He  then  came 
to  Springfield  and  purchased  a farm  in  Campbell  township,  then  about  two 
miles  northeast  of  Springfield,  but  now  only  about  one  mile  northeast  of 
here.  He  went  to  work  with  a will,  and  from  a small  beginning  forged 
to  the  front  as  a general  farmer,  later  being  able  to  add  to  his  original  pur- 
chase. It  was  his  custom  to  buy  land,  improve  it,  and  when  the  price  raised 
on  land  in  his  community,  sell  out  at  a profit.  In  this  way  he  became  a 
man  of  comfortable  financial  circumstances.  After  living  here  several  years 
he  engaged  in  the  dairy  business,  selling  his  products  in  Springfield,  and 
became  known  as  one  of  the  successful  dairymen  of  Greene  county.  Linder 
his  able  training  his  sons  all  took  up  this  line  of  business  and  have  done 
well  with  it.  He  also  became  a successful  dealer  in  live  stock,  trading  ex- 
tensively in  horses  and  mules.  He  still  owns  his  productive,  well  improved 
and  most  desirable  farm,  but  in  the  autumn  of  1914  he  retired  from  active 
life,  having  accumulated  a handsome  competency  through  his  good  manage- 
ment and  close  application  to  details,  and  purchased  a fine  residence  on 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1516 

Cherry  street,  Springfield,  where  he  now  resides,  surrounded  by  all  the  com- 
forts of  life.  He  also  owns  considerable  other  real  estate  in  this  city. 

To  Mr.  McClernon  and  wife  nine  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Hugh,  Jr.,  the  eldest,  is  deceased;  Henry  is  a retired  stockman;  Mrs.  Mag- 
gie Boll  is  the  wife  of  a brick  manufacturer;  Patrick  J.  is  engaged  in  the 
dairy  business;  Sarah  married  Con  Shay,  who  died  in  1913,  she  lives  with 
her  father  and  has  one  child,  Nora  Marie,  five  years  of  age;  Jane  and  Mary 
are  living  at  home;  John  is  engaged  in  the  dairy  business,  living  on  his 
father's  farm;  Annie  is  at  home.  These  children  were  given  excellent  edu- 
cational advantages;  the  girls  have  all  been  trained  in  music. 

Politically,  Mr.  McClernon  is  a Democrat.  He  was  a member  of  the 
county  school  board  for  a period  of  nine  years;  he  was  road  overseer  for 
four  years  in  his  district,  and  also  served  four  years  as  road  commissioner. 
He  proved  to  be  a most  faithful,  able  and  conscientious  public  servant,  al- 
ways looking  closely  to  the  interests  of  his  locality  and  county.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  church  and  is  a charter  member  of  the  local  lodge 
of  the  Knights  of  Columbus. 


FLEMIN  T.  JARED. 

Success  is  only  achieved  by  the  exercise  of  certain  distinguishing  quali- 
ties and  it  cannot  be  retained  without  effort.  Those  by  whom  great  epoch 
changes  have  been  made  in  the  political  and  industrial  world  began  early  in 
life  to  prepare  themselves  for  their  peculiar  duties  and  responsibilities,  and 
it  was  only  by  the  most  persevering  and  continuous  endeavor  that  they  suc- 
ceeded in  rising  superior  to  the  obstacles  in  their  way  and  reaching  the  goal 
of  their  ambition.  The  life  of  any  successful  man,  whether  he  be  prominent  in 
the  world’s  affairs  or  not  is  an  inspiration  to  others  who  are  less  courageous 
and  more  prone  to  give  up  the  fight  before  their  ideal  is  reached  or  definite 
success  in  any  chosen  field  has  been  attained.  Flemin  T.  Jared,  of  the  firm  of 
Jared  Brothers,  well-known  merchants  of  West  Commercial  street,  Spring- 
field,  is  a man  whose  example  has  made  for  the  good  of  his  associates  and 
acquaintances,  for  his  career  has  been  an  industrious  and  useful  one. 

Mr.  Jared  was  born  in  Buffalo  Valley,  Tennessee,  March  17,  1877.  He 
is  a son  of  Moses  A.  Jared,  also  born  in  that  vicinity,  where  he  was  reared, 
attended  school  and  engaged  in  farming  until  in  1896,  when  he  removed  to 
Missouri,  locating  in  Howell  county,  where  he  continued  farming  until  his 
death,  in  September,  1903,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  In  his  younger 
days  he  taught  school  for  some  time  in  his  native  state,  and  during  the  Civil 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1517 


war  he  taught  school  in  Ripley  county,  Missouri,  from  i860  to  1864,  then 
went  to  Illinois  and  taught  school  in  the  southern  part  of  that  state  for  a year. 
He  was  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  his  locality  in  Tennessee  and  held  a num- 
ber of  offices,  including  that  of  judge  of  the  County  Court,  and  he  was  a 
justice  of  the  peace  for  a period  of  twenty-seven  years.  He  was  a Demo- 
crat, belonged  to  the  Grange  and  the  Wheelers ; also  belonged  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  South.  His  father,  Alexander  Jared,  was  one  of  the  early 
pioneers  in  Buffalo  Valley,  Tennessee,  where  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  was 
also  a carpenter  by  trade.  Moses  A.  Jared  was  twice  married,  first  to  Amanda 
Price,  who  died  many  years  ago.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Sarah  A. 
Thompson,  who  died  May  1,  1906,  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years,  and  was 
buried  at  Pottersville,  Howell  county,  Missouri.  To  the  first  marriage  thirteen 
children  were  born,  and  seven  children  were  horn  to  the  second  union,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  being  the  eldest  of  the  children  by  the  last  marriage. 
This  large  family  of  twenty  children  were  named  in  order  of  birth  as  follows : 
Yateman  died  when  fifteen  years  of  age;  Wade  W.,  horn  July  1,  1849,  was 
a minister  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  South,  and  one  time  was  pastor 
of  a church  in  Springfield,  and  was  pastor  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
at  Malta  Bend,  Missouri,  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  December  10,  1891  ; 
Brice,  who  was  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  died  in 
1912,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years;  John  W.  died  in  early  life;  Mary  F.  also 
died  when  young;  Martha  J.,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  W.  A.  Holliday,  a 
farmer  of  Gentry,  Putnam  county,  Tennesse;  Samuel  is  connected  with  the 
Dixie  College  in  Putnam  county,  Tennessee;  Tennie,  deceased,  was  the  wife 
of  E.  Holliday,  a minister  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South,  of  Put- 
nam county,  Tennessee;  James  A.  is  pastor  of  a Southern  Methodist  church 
at  Warrensburg,  Missouri;  Peter  is  circuit  clerk  of  the  court  in  Cookville, 
Tennessee;  Simon,  deceased,  was  a school  teacher  and  farmer  of  Putnam 
county,  Tennessee;  Augusta  is  farming  in  Grayson  county,  Texas;  Robert 
died  when  fifteen  years  of  age;  Flemin  T.  of  this  review;  Mary  is  the  wife  of 
H.  L.  Taylor,  of  Thayer,  Missouri;  Alice  is  the  wife  of  J.  W.  Cox,  of  the 
firm  of  Cox  Brothers,  of  Commercial  street,  Springfield,  Missouri ; Anthony, 
born  December  12,  1881,  who  is  a member  of  the  firm  of  Jared  Brothers, 
merchants  of  Springfield,  married  Elizabeth  Heindrich,  which  union  has  been 
blessed  with  one  child;  Bettie,  familiarly  known  as  Betsey,  is  the  wife  of  C. 
A.  Cox,  who  is  engaged  in  the  furniture  business  with  his  brother  in  Spring- 
field ; Newton,  horn  May  8,  1887,  has  remained  single  and  is  a member  of  the 
firm  of  Jared  Brothers  of  Springfield;  Taylor  died  when  fifteen  years  of  age. 

Flemin  T.  Jared  received  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools,  then 
attended  the  Normal  school  at  Gainesville,  Ozark  county,  Missouri,  after 
which  he  taught  for  five  years  very  successfully  in  the  rural  schools  of  Ozark, 
Howell  and  Saline  counties,  Missouri.  After  his  marriage,  June  1,  1902,  he 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1518 

began  farming,  which  he  followed  one  year  in  Howell  county  on  rented  land, 
then  taught  another  term  of  school  in  that  county,  after  which  he  moved  to 
Springfield,  November  17,  1903,  and  bought  out  C.  W.  Smith,  who  was 
engaged  in  the  second-hand  furniture  business  at  212  West  Commercial 
street,  where  our  subject  has  remained  to  the  present  time,  and  today  he 
does  a good  business  and  carries  a large  stock  of  furniture,  carpets,  stoves, 
bicycles,  rugs,  linoleum,  matting,  portieres,  lace  curtains,  granite  ware,  pic- 
tures, lamps,  watches,  clocks,  jewelry,  bicycle  repairs,  etc.  He  first  started 
in  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Sumner  & Jared,  then  for  one  year  the 
name  of  the  firm  was  Jared  & Endecott.  It  was  Jared  Brothers  from  1905 
to  1906.  During  the  latter  year  he  bought  out  his  brothers’  interest,  since 
which  time  he  has  been  sole  proprietor,  but  has  retained  the  firm  name,  but 
two  of  his  brothers  work  in  the  store  with  him. 

Mir.  Jared  married  on  June  1,  1902,  R.  Isabell  Endecott,  a daughter 
of  Gabriel  C.  and  Lucinda  (Grissom)  Endecott,  and  to  this  union  four 
children  have  been  born,  namely:  Froebel  T.  died  at  the  age  of  four  years; 
Emerson  S.,  Mabel  V.  and  Brice  Ernest. 

Politically  Mr.  Jared  is  a Democrat,  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
Gate  of  the  Temple  Lodge,  Masonic  Order;  Springfield  Lodge  No.  218, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  Lodge  No.  768,  Modern  Brotherhood; 
also  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  Royal  Neighbors.  He  is  an 
active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South,  Campbell  Street 
church,  of  which  he  has  been  a member  of  the  board  of  stewards  for  the 
past  eight  years  and  he  is  assistant  Sunday  school  superintendent,  in  fact, 
is  one  of  the  pillars  of  this  well-known  church. 


JAMES  A.  MOON. 

It  has  been  said  that  it  is  difficult  for  lawyers  to  be  men  of  wholesome 
character  in  view  of  the  fact  that  they  have  to  deal  so  much  with  criminals, 
see  so  much  of  crimes  and  immoralities  of  every  grade,  have  their  atten- 
tion called  to  fraud  and  rascality  in  every  form,  perpetrated  by  all  classes  of 
society,  and  which  familiarity  is  said  to  in  a measure  induce  vice  and  crime, 
yet  observation  by  a fair-minded  person  invariably  leads  to  the  conclusion 
that  lawyers  stand,  as  a class  of  men,  as  high  for  right  living,  honesty  and 
fair  dealing,  as  any  other  engaged  in  active  business  life.  This  is  no  doubt, 
in  some  measure  accounted  for  by  their  general  intelligence,  for  ignorance 
is  said  to  be,  and  is,  the  mother  of  vice.  James  A.  Moon  and  his  son, 
Fred  A.  Moon,  who  are  engaged  together  in  the  practice  of  law  in  Spring- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1519 


field,  Greene  county,  are  two  attorneys  whose  lives  have  been  above  idle 
cavil  and  who  lend  dignity  to  their  profession. 

James  A.  Moon  was  born  in  Iowa  City,  Iowa,  December  22,  1859.  He 
is  a son  of  William  E.  and  Sarah  (McCollister ) Moon,  the  father  a native 
of  the  state  of  New  York,  but  when  a young  man  he  removed  to  Iowa, 
where  he  established  the  permanent  home  of  the  family  and  became  a suc- 
cessful farmer  and  stock  raiser  and  an  influential  man  in  his  community, 
and  there  his  death  occurred  August  23,  1909,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
three  years.  These  parents  were  married  in  1854.  The  mother,  a woman 
of  old-time  Christian  attributes  and  hospitality,  is  living  with  her  son,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch.  This  family  is  of  Scotch-English  ancestry. 

James  A.  Moon  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Iowa,  and  there 
assisted  his  father  with  the  general  work  during  the  crop  seasons  and  in 
the  winter  time  attended  the  neighboring  public  schools,  later  entered  the 
University  of  Iowa,  and  was  graduated  from  the  literary  and  law  depart- 
ments. He  commenced  his  professional  practice  at  Miller,  South  Dakota, 
in  1882,  and  remained  there  enjoying  a good  practice  until  1888,  when  he 
came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  has  been  constantly  engaged  in  the 
practice  to  the  present  time,  and  during  his  residence  here  of  a quarter  of  a 
century  his  reputation  as  an  able,  conscientious  and  successful  lawyer  has 
gradually  increased.  He  formed  a partnership  about  six  years  ago  with 
his  son,  Fred  A.  Moon,  under  the  firm  name  of  James  A.  Moon  & Son,  and 
they  are  doing  a good  business. 

James  A.  Moon  was  married  March  2,  1886,  to  Sarah  E.  Adderly,  a 
daughter  of  William  Adderly,  a well-known  dealer  in  general  merchandise 
at  Mt.  Morris,  Michigan,  who  died  many  years  ago.  Mrs.  Moon's  mother 
was  Mary  Hughes,  whose  father,  Christopher  Hughes,  was  one  of  the  early 
pioneers  of  Michigan.  He  lived  to  the  unusual  age  of  ninety-three  years. 
He  came  to  this  country  from  Ireland  when  a boy,  located  on  a farm  and 
spent  the  rest  of  his  life  on  the  same  place,  dying  there.  His  early  life 
record  goes  back  to  the  Indian  times,  when  his  only  neighbors  were  the  red 
men  and  wild  beasts.  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Moon’s  great-great-grandfather  was 
Lord  Mayor  0+  London,  England.  Her  mother  died  in  1911,  leaving  two 
daughters,  Mrs.  Moon  and  Mary  Adderly,  who  lives  in  Miller,  South 
Dakota. 

Politically  James  A.  Moon  is  a Democrat  and  has  always  been  loyal 
in  the  support  of  the  party.  He  belongs  to  the  Episcopal  church,  and 
fraternally  he  is  a member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  and  the  Eagles. 

Two  children,  a son  and  a daughter,  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and 
wife,  namely:  Edith,  who  is  the  younger  of  the  two,  was  born  April  7,  1889, 
was  educated  in  the  Springfield  ward  and  high  schools,  being  graduated 


1 5 20 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


from  the  latter;  she  lives  at  home  and  is  a stenographer  in  her  father’s 
law  office.  The  son,  Fred  A.  Moon,  was  born  in  South  Dakota,  January  4, 
1887,  and  was  about  a year  old  when  his  parents  removed  to  Springfield, 
where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  early  education  in  the  ward  and 
high  schools,  being  graduated  from  the  latter,  after  which  he  entered  the 
Missouri  State  University  at  Columbia,  where  he  took  both  the  literary  and 
law  courses,  making  a good  record  there.  After  his  graduation  he  returned 
nome  and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  in 
partnership  with  his  father,  and  he  has  made  a splendid  record  for  one  his 
age  at  the  local  bar,  ranking  among  the  most  promising  of  the  younger 
generation  of  lawyers  in  Greene  county.  He  has  held  the  office  of  assistant 
city  attorney  since  1912,  the  duties  of  which  he  has  discharged  in  an  able 
and  satisfactory  manner,  and  in  1914  he  was  a popular  candidate  for  the 
office  of  city  attorney.  He  married  Clara  Parker,  November  19,  1908,  and 
to  this  union  four  sons  have  been  born,  namely : Charles  Arnold,  born  Feb- 
ruary 4,  1910;  Robert  James,  born  February  14,  1911;  William  Adderly, 
born  April  8,  1912:  and  Parker  Fred,  born  November  12,  1913. 


JAMES  D.  HOOD. 

Although  many  believe  to  the  contrary,  luck  plays  a very  unimportant 
part  in  the  average  man’s  career.  We  generally  like  to  excuse  our  own 
shortcomings  and  account  for  the  success  of  other  men  on  the  grounds  of 
luck.  A fertilized  soil,  rotation  of  crops,  well  fenced  land,  intelligently 
tilled  fields,  well  kept  machinery,  painted  houses  and  convenient  outbuildings 
and  blooded  live  stock  are  not  the  result  of  luck,  unless  hard  work  persist- 
ently and  intelligently  directed  can  be  characterized  as  luck.  One  of  the 
farmers  of  western  Greene  county  who  evidently  put  greater  stress  on  indus- 
try and  vigilance  than  on  the  vicissitudes  of  luck  is  James  D.  Hood,  who  has 
been  content  to  spend  his  life  in  his  native  locality  which  he  has  helped  to 
develop  into  what  it  is  to  today — a prosperous  and  desirable  farming  country. 

Mr.  Hood  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  December  31,  1848. 
He  is  a son  of  Duncan  and  Nancy  (Blades)  Hood.  The  father  was  a 
native  of  Germany,  where  he  spent  his  boyhood,  finally  emigrating  to  the 
United  States,  and  after  spending  some  time  in  the  state  of  Tennessee  came 
on  to  Missouri  and  located  on  a farm  in  Greene  county,  where  he  spent  the 
rest  of  his  life,  dying  when  a young  man,  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight  years, 
in  1849,  when  our  subject  was  an  infant. 

James  D.  Hood  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  his  native  community 
and  he  worked  hard  when  a boy  helping  support  the  family.  His  education 


. HOOD  AND  FAMILY. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1521 


was  limited  to  the  rural  schools,  which  he  attended  a few  months  each  winter 
for  a few  years.  He  had  always  followed  general  farming  and  stock  raising- 
pursuits  and  he  has  met  with  very  gratifying  results  all  along  the  line.  He 
was  twenty-nine  years  of  age  when  he  purchased  his  first  farm  in  Pond 
Creek  township.  He  has  bought,  occupied  and  sold  a number  of  farms 
since,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a valuable  and  well  improved  place  consisting 
of  three  hundred  and  fifty-nine  acres,  known  as  “The  Sunrise  Stock  Farm,” 
on  which  he  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  on  a large  scale, 
and  is  deserving  of  ranking  with  our  best  farmers  in  every  respect.  He 
keeps  an  excellent  grade  of  live  stock,  has  a pleasant  home  and  numerous 


RESIDENCE  OF  J.  D.  HOOD. 


outbuildings  for  the  proper  housing  of  his  stock,  grains,  grasses  and 
machinery. 

Mr.  Hood  was  married,  October  24,  1872,  to  Mary  E.  Clack.  She 
received  a common  school  education.  She  is  a daughter  of  Robert  Clack,  a 
carpenter  and  builder,  who,  when  the  war  between  the  states  began,  enlisted 
in  the  Confederate  army  and  fought  in  the  great  battle  of  Wilson’s  Creek. 
He  was  a native  of  Tennessee  and  married  Racheal  Bonham,  who  was  born 
in  Blount  county,  East  Tennesssee,  September  10,  1835.  She  grew  up  and 
was  married  in  her  native  state,  and  when  twenty-one  years  of  age,  in  1857, 
came  to  Missouri  to  make  her  future  home.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clack  two 
daughters  were  born,  namely:  Marv  E..  wife  of  our  subject;  and  Tennessee, 
now  deceased. 

(96) 


I522 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Six  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hood,  named  as  follows: 
Maggie,  born  July  31,  1873,  married  Henry  O’Bryant,  who  is  in  postoffice 
service,  and  they  haxe  six  children;  Edward,  born  May  29,  1876,  died  in 
February,  1878;  Eva,  died  in  infancy;  Clyde,  born  March  16,  1883,  is  farm- 
ing near  the  home  place,  married  May  Hughes  and  they  have  two  children; 
Nora,  born  September  25,  1885,  died  in  infancy;  Knox,  born  September 
15,  1888,  travels  for  the  International  Harvester  Company.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hood  also  reared  Mary  Elizabeth  Hicklin,  who  is  living  with  them  now. 
She  was  born  in  Lawrence  county,  May  7,  1882. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hood  is  a Republican.  Fraternally  he  is  a member 
of  the  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  he  attends  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 


REV.  JOHN  T.  BACON. 

Examples  that  impress  force  of  character  on  all  who  study  them  are 
worthy  of  record,  and  the  mission  of  a great  soul  in  this  world  is  one  that 
is  calculated  to  inspire  a multitude  of  others  to  better  and  grander  things; 
so  its  subsequent  influence  cannot  be  measured  in  metes  and  bounds,  for  it 
affects  the  lives  of  those  with  whom  it  comes  in  contact,  broadening  and 
enriching  them  for  all  time  to  come.  By  a few  general  observations  may 
be  conveyed  some  idea  of  'the  useful,  unselfish  and  unpretentious  career  of 
Rev.  John  T.  Bacon,  for  the  past  sixteen  years  pastor  of  the  First  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  church  of  Springfield,  united  in  whose  composition 
are  so  many  elements  of  a solid,  practical  and  altruistic  nature  as  to  bring 
him  into  prominent  notice,  who,  not  content  to  hide  his  talents  amid  life’s 
sequestered  ways,  by  the  force  of  will  and  a laudable  ambition  forged  to  the 
front,  rising  by  his  individual  efforts,  from  an  early  environment  none  too 
auspicious,  and  is  therefore  one  of  Greene  county’s  best  examples  of  a 
successful  self-made  man. 

Reverend  Bacon  was  born  in  Crawford  county,  Missouri,  June  2,  1868. 
He  is  a scion  of  a sterling  old  Southern  family  of  the  Blue  Grass  state, 
and  is  a son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Mary  Ellen  (Chapman)  Bacon.  The  father 
was  born  near  Louisville,  Kentucky,  April  10,  1832,  and  when  nine  years 
of  age  moved  with  the  family  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  where  he  spent  his 
early  youth.  He  was  compelled  to  work  hard  when  a boy  and  his  education 
was  limited  to  thirty-two  days  in  a common  school.  When  twenty-five 
years  of  age  he  moved  to  Crawford  county,  this  state,  where  he  spent  the 
rest  of  his  life  engaged  in  general  farming,  in  which  he  was  fairly  suc- 
cessful. At  the  age  of  twenty-nine  years  he  married  and  soon  thereafter 


r.REENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


moved  on  a farm  adjoining  that  of  his  father,  who  had  also  located  in 
that  county.  His  death  occurred  in  1888.  He  was  an  honest,  hard-working 
and  well-liked  man,  who  was  influential  in  the  general  welfare  of  his  com- 
munity. The  mother  of  our  subject,  a woman  of  strong  Christian  char- 
acter, was  born  April  20,  1839,  in  Crawford  county,  Missouri,  and  there 
grew  to  womanhood  and  received  a common  schood  education.  Her  death 

o 

occurred  April  17,  1885. 

Five  children  were  born  to  Thomas  J.  Bacon  and  wife,  namely:  Mrs. 
Mary  Elizabeth  Caldwell,  who  died  December  5,  1895  ; Emma  died  when 
five  years  of  age;  John  T.,  of  this  review;  Charles  Benjamin,  a resident  of 
Marshall,  Missouri,  is  at  this  writing  postmaster  at  that  place ; and  Reuben 
M.,  who  lives  in  San  Antonio,  Texas. 

John  T.  Bacon  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  his  native 
county  and  there  he  worked  hard  when  he  became  of  proper  age  during 
the  crop  seasons,  and  in  the  winter  time  he  attended  the  rural  schools  of  his 
home  district ; later  was  a student  in  the  Salem  Academy,  Salem,  Missouri, 
for  one  term.  When  twenty-one  years  old  he  entered  Missouri  Valley  Col- 
lege, Marshall,  this  state,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  with  the 
class  of  1896.  His  alma  mater  honored  him  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Divinity.  In  the  autumn  of  1896,  having  fostered  for  some  time  the  laud- 
able ambition  to  become  a minister  of  the  gospel,  he  entered  Cumberland 
University,  Lebanon,  Tennesee,  where  he  made  an  excellent  record  and  was 
graduated  with  the  class  of  1899.  He  came  direct  from  there  to  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  accepting  a call  as  pastor  of  the  First  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian church,  which  is  located  at  Jefferson  and  Olive  streets,  and  here  he 
has  remained  to  the  present  time,  his  long  retention  in  this  important 
church  being  sufficient  criterion  of  his  popularity  with  the  congregation  and 
of  his  ability,  fidelity  to  duty  and  growth  in  power.  Fie  has  remained  a 
close  student  all  the  while  and  has  developed  with  his  church.  During  his 
pastorate  here  the  membership  has  increased  several  hundred,  until  it  is 
today  one  of  the  largest,  most  earnest  and  wealthiest  congregations  in 
Springfield.  Mr.  Bacon  is  a forceful,  logical,  learned  and  not  infrecpiently 
and  eloquent  pulpit  orator,  instructing  and  entertaining  his  audience  at  the 
same  time,  and  he  is  also  a man  of  no  mean  business  ability,  and  has  looked 
well  to  the  material  affairs  of  the 'church,  as  well  as  to  its  spiritual  welfare. 
Although  a man  of  plain  address,  avoiding  the  lime-light  of  publicity,  he 
is  nevertheless  one  of  the  most  widely  known  and  popular  ministers  Spring- 
field  has  ever  had,  and  he  has  been  active  for  years  in  movements  having 
for  their  aim  the  general  moral  upbuilding  of  the  city. 

Mr.  Bacon  was  married  October  6,  1898,  to  Mary  E.  Dysart,  who  was 
born  near  Fayette,  Howard  county,  Missouri,  October  3,  1874.  There  she 


1524 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


grew  to  womanhood  and  received  a common  school  education,  later  was 
a student  in  Howard  Payne  College  at  Fayette,  from  which  she  graduated 
in  1894.  She  has  proven  to  be  a most  faithful  helpmeet  and  the  success  of 
Our  subject  as  a minister  has  been  due  in  no  small  measure  to  her  sympathy, 
encouragement  and  counsel.  She  is  a very  active  church  worker  and  a 
leader  in  the  societies  of  the  church  of  which  Mr.  Bacon  is  pastor.  She  is 
a daughter  of  William  P.  and  Dora  A.  (Brown)  Dysart,  a highly  esteemed 
and  well-known  family  of  Howard  county.  Mr.  Dysart  was  born  in  Ran- 
dolph county,  Missouri,  received  a good  education,  graduating  from  old 
McGee  College  in  the  fifties,  and  later  in  his  early  life  taught  school  for 
awhile,  later  took  up  farming,  which  he  followed  successfully  until  his 
retirement  from  active  life  several  years  ago.  He  is  now  making  his  home 
with  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Mrs.  Dysart  was  born  in  Howard  county, 
there  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  a common  school  education.  She, 
too,  is  still  living,  completing  the  happy  circle  of  Mr.  Bacon’s  household. 

One  child  has  blessed  the  union  of  our  subject  and  wife,  William 
Dysart  Bacon,  whose  birth  occurred  June  20,  1902  ; he  is  at  present  a student 
of  the  State  Normal  here  and  is  making  a fine  record  for  scholarship. 

Politically,  Reverend  Bacon  is  a Democrat.  Personally,  he  is  a man 
of  fine  physique  with  a striking  resemblance  to  William  J.  Bryan,  of  whom 
he  is  a great  admirer.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Order  and 
the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  a broad-minded,  genial,  obliging  gentleman 
of  genteel  and  courteous  address  and  the  number  of  his  friends  is  limited  to 
his  acquaintance. 


WALTER  L.  PURSSELLEY,  M.  D. 

It  is  a pleasure  to  write  the  biography  of  a man  who  has  forced  his 
way  from  the  common  ranks  up  the  ladder  of  professional  success,  having 
overcome  obstacles  that  would  have  downed,  and  does  down,  myriads  of 
men  of  less  sterling  fiber.  But  this  is  just  the  thing  that  Dr.  Walter  L. 
Purssellev,  physician  and  surgeon  of  Springfield,  has  done,  and  he  is  there- 
fore entitled  to  his  success  and  to  the  respect  that  is  accorded  him  by  a wide 
acquaintance  in  Greene  county.  He  infuses  his  personality,  courage  and 
conscience  into  his  work,  is  active  at  his  books  during  every  spare  moment, 
is  determined  and  has  the  strength  of  will  for  achievement.  Habits  of 
systematized  thought,  study  and  reflection  have  invigorated  his  mind,  and 
he  has  clear  discernments  of  his  profession,  comprehensive  of  its  principles, 
and,  to  points  obscure  to  many  of  his  professional  brethren,  the  genius  of 
their  application.  He  is  a good  doctor,  a safe  and  competent  adviser  in 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


T525 


consultation  and  with  a constantly  growing  practice,  to  which  he  applies 
himself  with  faithful  and  conscientious  zeal,  no  oracle,  such  as  the  ancient 
Greeks  applied  to  when  in  doubt  of  the  future,  is  required  to  forecast  his 
professional  success  in  years  to  come. 

Doctor  Pursselley  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  August  30, 
1866.  He  is  a son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Beasley)  Pursselley.  The  father 
devoted  his  life  to  general  farming,  retiring  from  active  work  a few  years 
prior  to  his  death  which  occurred  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years.  During 
the  Civil  war  he  was  a soldier  in  the  Union  Army,  having  enlisted  in  the 
Eighth  Missouri  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Colonel  Lisenby,  and  was  in 
active  service  three  and  one-half  years,  serving  his  country  faithfully. 
Among  the  many  engagements  in  which  he  participated  was  the  battle  of 
Pea  Ridge,  Arkansas.  The  mother  of  our  subject  died  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
three  years.  The  paternal  grandfather,  John  Addison  Pursselley,  belonged 
to  the  band  of  brave,  sterling  frontiersmen  who  pushed  the  borders  of  civili- 
zation westward.  He  emigrated  from  Tennessee  to  Missouri  in  a very  early 
day,  transporting  his  family  and  household  effects  by  wagon  over  rough 
roads  and  unbridged  streams.  Inheriting  the  same  elements  of  the  pioneer 
adventurer,  his  son.  William  Pursselley,  father  of  the  Doctor,  joined  the 
famous  band  of  “forty-niners”  and  crossed  the  great  western  plains  to  the 
gold  fields  of  California.  He  had  many  thrilling  escapes  from  the  hostile 
Indians  of  the  West  while  en  route,  and  he  assisted  in  recovering  a herd  of 
cattle  which  the  red  men  had  stolen  from  white  emigrants.  The  Pursselleys 
are  of  Scotch-Irish  and  German- American  ancestry. 

Dr.  Pursselley  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  he  received  his 
early  education  in  the  district  schools  and  the  Henderson  Academy,  at  Hen- 
derson, Missouri,  lacking  two  months  of  graduating  when  he  quit  to  take 
up  teaching.  Ambitious  to  enter  the  medical  profession  when  a young  man, 
he  taught  school  six  years  in  order  to  obtain  funds  to  defray  the  expense  of 
a medical  course.  He  entered  the  Missouri  Medical  College  at  St.  Louis  in 
1894,  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1897.  Soon  thereafter  he 
came  to  Springfield  and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession,  remaining  here 
ever  since,  and  enjoying  a constantly  growing  practice  as  a general  practi- 
tioner, however,  he  has  of  late  years  devoted  special  attention  to  surgery  in 
which  he  seems  to  be  especially  gifted.  He  is  generally  known  to  his  friends 
as  “the  busy  doctor,"  which  may  be  interpreted  to  mean  that  he  does  a large 
business. 

Doctor  Pursselley  is  one  of  seven  children,  five  boys  and  two  girls,  both 
girls  being  deceased,  and  subject  being  the  eldest  of  family;  William  T.  W., 
John  W.,  Clay  W.  and  James  W.,  all  living  in  Polk  county,  farming,  except 
one,  John  W.,  who  is  in  the  milling  business  at  Brighton,  Missouri. 

Doctor  Pursselley  is  a member  of  the  Greene  County  Medical  Society, 


1526 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


the  Southwest  Missouri  Medical  Society,  the  Missouri  State  Medical  Asso- 
ciation and  the  American  Medical  Association.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to 
the  Masonic  Order,  the  Woodmen,  Order  of  the  Maccabees,  Royal  Neigh- 
bors and  many  others.  Politically,  he  is  a Republican,  and  religiously,  is  a 
member  of  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Doctor  Pursselley  was  married,  December  26,  1898,  to  Nora  M.  Potter, 
of  Palmetto,  Greene  county,  Missouri.  She  was  born  there  in  November, 
1876,  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  the  Pfenderson  Academy.  She 
is  a daughter  of  Judge  W.  H.  F.  and  Amanda  (Pickle)  Potter.  The  father 
is  a prominent  citizen  of  Greene  county,  where  he  has  long  been  active  and 
influential  in  political  affairs,  and  is  an  earnest  worker  in  the  Masonic  Order, 
of  which  he  is  now  chancellor.  He  held  one  term  as  county  judge  of  Greene 
county.  He  has  devoted  his  life  successfully  to  general  farming,  but  is  now 
living  in  retirement.  Mrs.  Pursselley  has  the  following  brothers  and  sisters: 
Mrs.  Monnie  Burris,  of  Bolivar,  Polk  county,  Missouri;  Jefferson  Potter, 
of  Pleasant  Hope,  Polk  county;  George  Potter,  who  lives  seven  miles  east 
of  Springfield;  Ople  Potter,  unmarried,  of  Palmetto,  Missouri,  and  Willie 
Dennis  Potter,  also  living  at  Palmetto. 

To  Doctor  Pursselley  and  wife  one  child  has  been  born,  Mary  Pursselley, 
whose  birth  occurred  in  Springfield,  April  6,  1900.  She  is  making  an  ex- 
cellent record  in  school,  being  in  the  eighth  grade,  and  has  nearly  finished 
the  third  grade  in  music  in  which  she  has  decided  talent. 


DR.  THOMAS  MONTGOMERY  KING. 

The  science  of  osteopathy  is  now  well  established  throughout  the 
civilized  world,  and  it  has  had  a rapid  growth  during  the  past  decade.  Its 
merits  were  recognized  from  the  first  by  many  people,  who  had  become 
skeptical  in  the  use  of  drugs,  but,  like  all  sciences,  whether  good  or  bad. 
it  had  to  be  thoroughly  demonstrated  in  all  communities  and  prove  the  test 
of  time.  This  it  seems  to  have  done,  for  we  find  today  advocates  of 
osteopathy  everywhere,  who  claim  beneficial  results  from  it,  and  considering 
the  short  time  it  has  been  known,  comparatively  short  at  least  to  that  of 
medical  science,  it  has  gained  a wonderful  foothold,  one  that  is  now  assured 
and  that  no  doubt  will  never  be  eradicated  no  matter  how  much  opposition 
is  met  with.  Any  new  science,  creed,  doctrine  or  philosophy  meets  with 
various  kinds  of  antagonism,  and  it  is  only  the  worthy  that  survive. 

One  of  the  leading,  capable  and  best  known  exponents  of  osteopathy 
in  Springfield  and  Greene  county  is  Dr.  Thomas  Montgomery  King,  who 
was  born  at  College  Springs,  Iowa.  He  is  a son  of  George  Adam  King, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I527 


a native  of  Pennsylvania,  in  which  state  the  latter  grew  to  manhood  and 
received  his  education.  He  devoted  his  active  life  to  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  and  finally  removed  to  College  Springs,  Iowa,  where  he  spent 
the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  there  on  July  24,  1887,  having  dropped  dead  while 
at  work  in  his  fields.  He  married  Caroline  Simpson,  a daughter  of  James 
McBride  Simpson,  a native  of  Pennsylvania.  Her  death  occurred  in  1897. 
The  paternal  grandfather,  Solomon  King,  was  a native  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  devoted  his  life  to  farming.  His  wife  was  Esther  Schotz  prior  to  her 
marriage. 

Dr.  King  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Iowa  and  there 
worked  when  a boy.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
and  at  Amity  College,  College  Springs,  Iowa.  He  subsequently  entered  the 
American  School  of  Osteopathy  at  Kirksville,  Missouri,  where  he  made  an 
^excellent  record  and  from  which  he  graduated  in  1899.  He  also  took  a 
post-graduate  course  in  the  Los  Angeles  College  of  Osteopathy,  which  he 
completed  in  1910.  He  located  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  February,  1899, 
opened  an  office  for  the  practice  of  his  profession  and  has  been  here  to  the 
present  time,  his  practice  during  the  sixteen  years  having  steadily  grown 
until  it  has  now  reached  very  large  proportions  and  he  is  kept  very  busy. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  osteopaths  to  establish  himself  in  the  practice  of 
this  profession  in  Springfield.  He  is  one  of  the  best  known  osteopaths  in 
southern  Missouri.  He  is  a member  of  the  Ozark  Osteopathic  Association, 
of  which  he  was  the  first  president,  and  is  very  active  in  the  work  of  the 
same.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Missouri  State  Osteopathic  Associa- 
tion, and  was  president  of  the  same  for  one  year.  He  is  also  a member  of 
the  American  Osteopathic  Association,  of  which  he  was  assistant  secretary 
for  two  years.  He  has  filled  these  responsible  positions  in  a most  faithful, 
able  and  highly  acceptable  manner.  Politically  he  votes  independently,  and 
religiously  he  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  His  offices  are  in 
the  Landers  building. 

Dr.  King  married  Fannie  B.  Clark,  November  21,  1900.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Robert  A.  Clark,  formerly  a prominent  business  man  of 
Springfield,  who  died  many  years  ago.  His  widow,  who  was  Julia  A. 
Withrow  prior  to  her  marriage,  was  born  in  Virginia,  and  is  making  her 
home  with  Dr.  and  Mrs.  King  in  Springfield. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Dr.  King  and  wife,  namely:  Julia  Mar- 
garet King,  born  January  17,  1902,  is  now  attending  high  school;  and 
Robert  Montgomery  King,  born  April  4,  1905,  is  in  the  fifth  grade  in  the 
ward  schools. 

Personally  Dr.  King  is  a pleasant,  well-informed  and  courteous  gen- 
tleman, who  has  made  a host  of  friends  since  coming  to  Springfield. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1528 

WILLIAM  C.  TROGDON. 

When  the  farmer  matures  his  plans  and  operates  his  farm  on  the  basis 
of  a real  purpose  for  the  future,  just  as  the  business  man,  the  railroad,  or 
the  corporation,  then  will  he  have  the  ability  to  get  the  long-time  mortgage 
loans  at  the  lower  rates  and  with  the  many  privileges  that  business  organiza- 
tions now  enjoy.  Lie  must  figure  out  a certain  definite  annual  expense  on 
the  basis  of  a certain  gross  income  which  must  be  sufficiently  in  excess  of  the 
expense  to  provide  funds  for  proper  maintenance  of  the  farm  and  its  equip- 
ment  and  its  soil  fertility,  as  well  as  an  ample  sum  to  take  care  of  the  an- 
nual payments  on  principle;  he  must  provide  for  the  usual  accidents  and 
failures  and  then  an  additional  net  sum  or  dividend  of  profit,  at  a proper 
rate,  based  on  the  market  and  increasing  value  of  the  farm  which  he  is 
operating.  In  short,  the  successful  farmer  of  this  day  and  age  must  look 
well  to  the  financial  side  of  his  business.  William  C.  Trogdon,  of  Boone 
township,  is  one  of  our  Greene  county  farmers  who  does  this  and  conse- 
quently he  is  living  very  comfortably  and  setting  a good  example  before 
his  neighbors. 

Mr.  Trogdon  was  born  in  Lawrence  county,  Missouri,  July  15,  1875. 
He  is  a son  of  Reuben  F.  Trogdon,  who  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  from 
which  state  he  removed  to  Indiana  in  an  early  day,  settling  near  Moores- 
ville,  subsequently  removing  to  Missouri,  prior  to  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Civil  war.  He  settled  at  the  head  of  Clear  creek,  Greene  county,  where  he 
resided  ten  years,  then  moved  to  Lawrence  county.  He  finally  returned 
to  Greene  county  and  bought  a farm  of  two  hundred  and  six  acres  in  Boone 
township,  which  he  has  brought  up  to  a good  state  of  cultivation  and  gen- 
eral development  and  on  which  he  is  still  residing.  As  he  prospered  he  later 
added  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  acres  to  his  holdings,  the  latter  excellent 
tract  lying  at  Brookline.  He  is  one  of  the  best  known  citizens  of  this  part 
of  the  county,  and  has  an  attractive  home.  He  married  Phoebe  Ann  Mc- 
Dorman,  daughter  of  William  McDorman,  a farmer,  who  spent  many  years 
on  a farm  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  where  lie  became  well  established. 

William  C.  Trogdon  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  where  he 
assisted  with  the  general  work  when  a boy,  and  he  acquired  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools  of  Greene  county.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years  he  began  farming  for  himself,  which  he  continued  with  gratifying 
results  until  1904,  when  he  engaged  in  merchandising  at  the  village  of 
Miller,  Lawrence  county,  until  1910,  having  enjoyed  a satisfactory  trade 
with  the  people  of  that  locality.  Deciding  to  return  to  farming,  he  pur- 
chased one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  1911,  two  and  one-half  miles  south- 
east of  Ash  Grove,  where  he  still  resides,  engaged  in  general  farming  and 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 529 


stock  raising,  experimenting  with  alfalfa.  He  is  a man  who  gives  his  affairs 
the  closest  attention,  using  his  brain  as  well  as  his  brawn.  His  land  is  well 
tilled. 

Mr.  Trogdon  was  married  in  1896  to  Ollie  Burney,  a daughter  of 
James  Burney,  a fanner  and  miller  of  Greene  county.  He  originally  came 
from  Tennessee. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Trogdon,  namely:  R. 

Lail,  born  December  14,  1899,  and  Velta,  born  December  1,  1901,  both  at- 
tending public  school  in  their  neighborhood. 

Politically,  our  subject  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  Order,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Woodmen 
of  the  World.  Mrs.  Trogdon  is  a member  of  the  Rebekahs,  Royal  Neigh- 
bors and  the  Order  of  Eastern  Star. 


WALTON  EUGENE  EDMONSON. 

One  of  the  best  remembered  and  most  highly  respected  citizens  of 
Walnut  Grove  and  vicinity  in  a past  generation  was  the  late  Walton  Eugene 
Edmonson,  who,  after  a successful  and  honorable  career  as  farmer,  educator 
and  merchant,  took  his  journey  to  that  mystic  clime,  Shakespeare’s  “undis- 
covered bourne  from  whence  no  traveler  e'er  returns.’’  when  in  the  prime 
of  life  and  usefulness;  but  he  left  behind  him  a heritage  of  which  his  descen- 
dants may  well  be  proud — an  untarnished  name.  He  was  the  creditable  de- 
scendant of  one  of  the  earliest  pioneer  families  of  this  section  of  Greene  county, 
the  Edmonsons  having  assisted  in  redeeming  the  rich  soil  from  the  primor- 
dial state,  and  here  played  well  their  roles  in  the  drama  of  civilization  and 
no  family  has  been  better  known  here  for  several  generations. 

Mr.  Edmonson  was  born  on  a farm  near  Walnut  Grove,  August  12, 
1866.  He  was  a son  of  Fide  and  Martha  (Potter)  Edmonson.  The  father 
was  born  in  this  vicinity  also,  in  November,  1840,  and  is  therefore  approach- 
ing his  seventy-fifth  birthday.  He  is  a son  of  Allen  and  Polly  (Julian) 
Edmonson,  who  were  very  early  settlers  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  clearing 
and  developing  a farm  here  when  the  country  was  sparsely  settled,  and  here 
Fide  Edmonson  grew  to  manhood, on  the  homestead  and  early  in  life  began 
farming  for  himself  in  this  locality  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  a 
few  years  ago  when  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Polk  county,  and  has 
continued  agricultural  pursuits ; however,  is  now  practically  retired.  His 
wife  was  also  born  and  reared  in  Greene  county.  To  them  the  following 
children  have  been  born  : Alonzo,  who  was  formerly  in  the  banking  business 
in  Walnut  Grove;  Walton  E.,  subject  of  this  memoir;  Dudley,  who  lives  in 


153° 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Colorado;  Edward,  who  is  farming  in  Polk  county;  Dollie  and  Bettie,  who 
are  at  home  with  their  parents,  and  Rufus,  also  at  home. 

Walton  E.  Edmonson,  commonly  known  as  “Walter,”  grew  to  man- 
hood on  the  farm  and  assisted  his  father  with  the  general  work  when  he 
became  of  proper  age.  Being  of  a studious  disposition  he  obtained  a good 
education  in  the  local  schools  and  by  constant  home  study.  For  many  years 
he  taught  school  in  Walnut  Grove  township  and  did  much  to  improve  the 
school  system,  raising  the  local  schools  from  common  to  graded  schools,  and 
in  many  ways  advanced  the  cause  of  education  in  this  locality,  and  he  was 
regarded  as  one  of  the  most  efficient  teachers  in  the  county,  and  was  popular 
with  both  pupils  and  patrons.  In  1891  he  gave  up  educational  work  and 
turned  his  attention  to  merchandising  in  Aldrich,  Polk  county,  and  remained 
there  two  years,  then  came  to  Walnut  Grove  and  continued  general  merchan- 
dising. He  built  up  a good  trade  by  his  honest  and  courteous  dealings  with 
his  many  customers  and  he  continued  in  this  line  of  endeavor  the  rest  of  his 
life. 

Mr.  Edmonson  was  married  on  December  31,  1890,  to  Flora  V.  Tar- 
rant, who  was  born  in  Dade  county,  Missouri,  June  17,  1870,  and  there 
grew  to  womanhood  and  received  a good  education  in  the  public  schools. 
She  is  a daughter  of  William  M.  and  Josie  (King)  Tarrant.  Mr.  Tarrant 
was  born  in  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky,  August  20,  1843,  and  he  was  brought 
to  Dade  county,  Missouri,  when  a small  boy  by  his  parents,  and  there  grew 
to  manhood,  and  when  the  Civil  war  began  be  enlisted  in  the  Sixth  Regi- 
ment, Missouri  Volunteer  Cavalry,  Union  army,  and  he  served  gallantly  and 
faithfully  until  the  close  of  the  struggle,  at  the  termination  of  which  he  re- 
ceived an  honorable  discharge.  He  returned  to  Dade  county,  where  he  fol- 
lowed general  agricultural  pursuits  with  success  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  April,  1904.  His  widow  died  July  21,  1914,  being  well  advanced 
in  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children : Flora  V.,  who 

married  Mr.  Edmonson  of  this  review;  Albert  B.,  Fannie  and  Eva. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edmonson  the  following  children  were  born : Mamie 
E.,  born  in  October,  1891,  is  the  wife  of  J.  A.  Poindexter,  a farmer  of  Dade 
county;  Lucy  E.,  born  in  November,  1893,  is  the  wife  of  Chester  A.  Holder, 
a farmer  in  Walnut  Grove  township;  Cliff  E.,  born  December  12,  1895, 
the  wife  of  R.  B.  McDonald,  of  Walnut  Grove,  and  Travis  E.,  born  October 
24,  1896,  lives  in  Walnut  Grove. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Edmonson  occurred  on  December  8,  1896,  when  only 
a few  months  past  his  thirtieth  birthday,  his  untimely  death  being  lamented 
by  his  wide  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances.  Politically,  he  was  a Demo- 
crat. He  was  a worthy  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  fraternally, 
was  a member  of  the  Masonic  Order  and  was  very  active  in  the  work  of 
the  same. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1531 


After  the  death  of  our  subject,  Mrs.  Edmonson  opened  a millinery 
store  in  Walnut  Grove,  which  she  conducted  with  much  success,  enjoying 
a large  patronage  and  soon  won  a reputation  for  a skilled  and  tasty  trimmer. 
On  May  12,  1913,  she  was  appointed  postmistress  at  Walnut  Grove  and  is 
now  incumbent  of  the  same.  She  has  discharged  her  duties  in  this  connec- 
tion in  a faithful  and  highly  acceptable  manner  to  both  the  department  and 
the  people. 


LOUIS  P.  ERNST. 

In  treating  of  men  and  characters,  the  biographer  contemplates  them 
as  he  finds  them,  and  not  according  to  conceptions  of  his  own.  He  is  not 
supposed  to  entertain  any  favoritism,  to  have  any  likes  or  dislikes,  or 
caprices  of  any  kind  to  gratify,  or  to  not  have  any  special  standards  of  ex- 
cellence, “according  to  an  exact  scale”  of  Gunteror  Aristotle,  or  fall  out 
with  the  life  of  a great  subject,  because  “not  one  of  the  angles  of  the  four 
corners  was  a right  one.”  He  will  not  attempt  to  prove  himself  always  in 
the  right.  Where  a long  contact  with  the  personage  exists,  the  labor  of 
arrangement,  synopsis  and  production  becomes  more  simple,  and  this  is 
quite  equally  true  as  applied  to  those  who  have  been  performers,  whether  in 
front  of  the  curtain  or  otherwise,  through  the  shorter  or  longer  years.  And, 
yet,  in  the  business,  financial  and  professional  avenues,  we  discover  “age 
lagging  superfluously  on  the  state,”  side  by  side  with  the  thrifty  fruitage  of 
actors  in  their  spring,  or  zenith-time  of  endeavor.  While  Louis  P.  Ernst, 
well-known  ex-mayor  of  the  city  of  Springfield,  has  passed  the  nadir  of  hi$ 
professional  life,  yet  has  many  years  of  profitable  activity  before  him.  He 
is  a man  of  thought  and  study  and  finds  essential  nutriment  in  feasting  at 
the  boards  of  the  legal  masters  of  the  past.  Having  depended  a great  deal 
upon  these  authorities  he  has  ever  kept  well  prepared  for  his  daily  tasks. 
Under  the  teachings  of  an  intelligent  mother  he  early  acquired  those  habits 
of  industry  and  self-reliance,  which,  linked  with  upright  principles,  have  uni- 
formly characterized  his  manhood-life.  He  commands  the  unqualified  con- 
fidence of  the  people  of  Greene  county,  and  deserves  it.  Since  locating  in 
our  midst  less  than  a decade  ago  he  has  shown  himself  to  be  an  earnest  man, 
and  in  that  sense  applies  himself,  to  business,  an  honest  man  in  dealings  with 
his  clients  and  all  others,  a simple  man  in  his  tastes — simplicity  emphasizing 
every  phase  of  his  life. 

Mr.  Ernst  was  born,  July  9,  1853,  in  Lorain  county,  Ohio.  He  is  a son 
of  George  Ernst,  who  was  born  in  the  year  1801,  in  Hanover,  Germany, 
where  he.  grew  to  manhood,  received  an  excellent  education  and  spent  his 
earlier  years.  Learning  the  tailor’s  trade  when  young  he  spent  seven  years 


U32 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


as  military  tailor  in  the  German  army,  making  officers’  uniforms.  He  emi- 
grated to  American  in  1831,  locating  in  Lorain  county,  Ohio,  when  that  sec- 
tion was  a part  of  what  was  still  known  as  the  Western  Reserve,  and  there 
he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  1856.  He  married  Elizabeth  E.  Ernst, 
(no  relation),  in  1821.  She  was  born  in  Hesse,  Germany,  in  1803.  Her 
father,  Conrad  Ernst,  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  an  early  day  and 
settled  near  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania.  Philip,  Casper  and  Jacob  Ernst, 
brothers  of  his  father,  are  all  now  deceased. 

Louis  P.  Ernst  is  a fine  example  of  a self-educated  and  self-made  man. 
He  spent  his  boyhood  in  Lorain  county,  Ohio,  and  there  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  and  worked  hard  on  the  farm  during  the  summer  months,  later 
taking  a classic  course  in  Oberlin  College  in  that  state,  then  entered  the 
University  of  Michigan,  at  Ann  Arbor,  where  he  took  part  of  the  law  course. 
When  twenty-three  years  of  age  he  began  teaching  school,  also  practicing 
law  in  Ottawa  county,  Michigan,  where  he  resided  for  a period  of  twenty- 
five  years,  during  which  he  became  well  known  as  an  attorney  and  educator, 
being  superintendent  of  county  schools  for  several  years.  In  fact,  his  first 
life  work  was  teaching,  having  begun  that  work  in  Illinois  prior  to  entering 
Oberlin  College,  and  although  young  in  years,  he  won  quite  a reputation 
for  correct  pronunciation  of  English  words,  and  he  was  always  selected  to 
lead  the  spelling  bees  for  miles  around.  He  has  always  been  known  as  hav- 
ing an  exceptional  memory  for  remembering  names  and  faces,  never  for- 
getting people  he  has  met,  no  matter  how  long  ago. 

Mr.  Ernst  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  January  8,  1906,  and  at  once 
began  the  practice  of  law.  It  was  not  long  until  he  took  his  place  among 
the  leaders  of  the  Greene  county  bar  and  was  a familiar  figure  in  the  local 
courts.  He  took  an  interest  in  public  affairs  and  in  1908  was  elected  mayor 
of  Springfield,  performing  the  duties  of  this  important  office  for  two  years 
in  a manner  that  reflected  much  credit  upon  himself  and  to  the  entire  satis- 
faction of  his  constituents  and  all  concerned,  doing  much  during  that  period 
for  the  general  upbuilding  of  the  city.  After  his  term  of  office  had  expired, 
having  become  tired  of  official  and  professional  life,  Mr.  Ernst  purchased 
a half  section  of  good  land  two  miles  north  of  the  village  of  Ebenezer,  in 
Robberson  township,  this  county  and  engaged  extensively  in  stock  rasing, 
although  still  making  Springfield  his  home. 

Mr.  Ernst  married  on  August  20,  1881,  Minnie  E.  Treloar,  who  was 
given  a good  education  in  the  schools  of  Ottawa  county,  Michigan,  where 
she  taught  successfully  several  years  prior  to  her  marriage,  and  later  con- 
tinued to  teach  private  classes  for  some  time.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Samuel 
J.  and  Martha  J.  (Kearney)  Treloar.  The  father  was  born  in  Plymouth, 
England,  in  1839,  and  died  in  Springfield,  March  22,  1910.  The  mother 
was  born  in  New  Brunswick,  Ottawa,  Canada,  May  12,  1842,  and  is  making 


GREENE  COUNTY^  MISSOURI. 


1533 


her  home  with  subject  and  wife.  No  children  have  been  born  to  the  union 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ernst. 

Mr.  Ernst  became  alderman  in  Springfield  one  year  after  coming  here. 
Before  his  term  as  alderman  had  expired  he  was  elected  mayor,  although  he 
had  lived  but  a short  time  in  our  midst.  He  did  much  to  encourage  public 
improvements  while  in  office  and  looked  well  to  the  city’s  finances,  using  his 
influence  to  secure  very  low  contracts  for  work  for  the  city.  He  also  created 
a widespread  sentiment  toward  general  public  improvement. 

Mr.  Ernst  was  formerly  a member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows.  Politically,  he  is  a stanch  Republican  and  has  long  been  active 
in  the  affairs  of  his  party.  He  and  his  wife  are  affiliated  with  the  Second 
Presbyterian  chu’rch  of  Springfield. 


PAUL  E.  ANDREW. 

The  life  of  the  professional  man  seldom  exhibits  any  of  those  striking  in- 
cidents that  seize  upon  public  feeling  and  attract  attention  to  himself.  His 
character  is  generally  made  up  of  the  aggregate  qualities  and  qualifications 
he  may  possess,  as  these  may  be  elicited  by  the  exercise  of  the  duties  of  his 
vocation  or  the  particular  profession  to  which  he  belongs.  But  when  such 
a man  has  so  impressed  his  individuality  upon  his  fellow  men  as  to  gain  their 
confidence  and  through  that  confidence  rises  to  important  public  trust  he  at 
once  becomes  a conspicuous  figure  in  the  body  politic  of  the  community. 
Paul  E.  Andrew,  superintendent  of  the  schools  of  Walnut  Grove,  is  one  of 
the  deserving  young  men  of  Greene  county,  who,  not  content  to  hide  his 
talents  in  life’s  sequestered  ways,  has  by  the  force  of  will  and  a laudable 
ambition  forged  to  the  front  in  a responsible  and  exacting  calling  and  earned 
an  honorable  reputation  in  one  of  the  most  important  branches  of  public 
service.  His  life  has  been  one  of  hard  study  and  research,  and  the  position 
to  which  he  has  attained  while  so  young  a man  is  evidence  that  the  qualities 
he  possesses  afford  the  means  of  distinction  under  a system  of  government 
in  which  places  of  usefulness  and  honor  are  open  to  all  who  may  be  found 
worthy  of  them. 

Mr.  Andrew  was  born,  September  28,  1887,  seven  miles  southwest  of 
Springfield,  Missouri.  He  is  a son  of  O.  L.  and  Laura  (Shinpaugh)  x\n- 
drew,  the  latter  a daughter  of  H.  H.  and  Maggie  Shinpaugh,  her  people 
removing  from  Tennessee  to  this  section  of  Missouri  in  an  early  day.  O.  L. 
Andrew  was  born  in  Macoupin  county,  Illinois,  and  there  he  grew  to  man- 
hood and  received  a common  school  education,  including  a business  course 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


*534 

at  Carlinville,  that  state.  He  came  to  Missouri  when  a young  man  and  be- 
gan his  career  as  farmer  seven  miles  southwest  of  Springfield,  where  he  con- 
tinued to  reside  engaged  in  general  farming  until  1913,  when  he  removed  to 
Exeter,  California,  where  he  now  resides.  He  owns  forty  acres  there,  four 
acres  of  which  include  peaches  and  apricots,  the  rest  of  the  farm  being  in 
alfalfa,  six  and  eight  crops  being  harvested  each  year.  Politically,  he  is  a 
Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  there.  He 
is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Paul  E.  Andrew  ,only  child  of  his  parents,  grew  to  manhood  on  the 
home  farm  in  Greene  county  and  assisted  his  father  with  the  general  farm 
duties  when  he  became  of  proper  age.  He  received  his  early  education  in 
the  rural  schools,  then  came  to  Springfield  and  entered  the  high  school,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1907,  then  entered  Drury  College, 
and  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science  from  that  institution  in  1911. 
He  attended  three  summer  sessions  at  the  Springfield  State  Normal,  from 
which  lie  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Philosophy  in  1914.  He  made 
a splendid  record  for  scholarship  in  all  three  of  these  institutions  and  thus 
became  well  equipped  for  his  chosen  life  work — that  of  educator.  He  was 
principal  of  the  high  school  at  Miller  for  two  years,  then  was  chosen  superin- 
tendent of  the  Walnut  Grove  schools,  the  important  duties  of  which  position 
he  has  discharged  during  the  past  two  years  in  a manner  that  has  reflected 
much  credit  upon  himself  and  to  the  eminent  satisfaction  of  the  board  and 
patrons  and  he  has  been  popular  with  his  pupils.  He  has  done  much  to  give 
Walnut  Grove  a better,  stronger  and  more  modern  school  system,  being  a 
man  of  progressive  methods  and  advanced  ideas,  quick  to  adopt  the  new 
when  he  deems  it  best,  but  using  due  discretion  in  laying  aside  the  old. 

On  December  27,  1909,  Mr.  Andrew  was  united  in  marriage  with  Edna 
Suavely,  a young  lady  of  education  and  refinement,  and  a daughter  of  J. 
Edward  and  Ida  Suavely,  a well-known  family  of  Springfield.  After  gradu- 
ating from  the  Aurora  high  school,  Mrs.  Andrew  attended  Drury  College, 
later  the  Normal  in  Springfield,  from  which  she  was  graduated  in  1910, 
after  which  she  taught  one  year  in  the  Marshfield  high  school,  at  Marshfield, 
Webster  county.  She  is  now  teaching  English  and  Latin  in  the  Walnut 
Grove  high  school,  and  is  regarded  as  an  efficient  and  successful  instructor. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Andrew  has  resulted  in  the  birth  of  one 
child.  Jewel  Cyrene,  born  March  24,  1912. 

Politically,  Mr.  Andrew  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Miller,  also  to  Lodge  No.  569, 
Masonic  Order,  at  that  town.  Fie  is  a member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
church  at  Springfield.  He  and  Mrs.  Andrew  have  made  a host  of  friends 
since  coming  to  Walnut  Grove. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 535 


C.  W.  EARNEST. 

Nature’s  remedies  and  methods  for  curing  the  ills  of  man,  beast  or  soil 
are  always  the  best  and  most  economical.  So  we  must  learn  the  simple 
lesson  that  wherever  the  necessary  mineral  elements  of  plant  food  are  de- 
ficient, whether  it  is  because  they  never  were  deposited  in  sufficient  quantity 
by  nature  or  whether  they  have  been  exhausted  by  erosion  or  repeated  crop- 
ping, we  must  not  only  return  them  in  their  natural  form,  but  we  must  make 
them  available  for  plant  food  by  supplying  organic  matter  in  abundance.  No 
considerable  increased  crop  yields  will  be  realized  until  these  facts  are 
thoroughly  understood  and  methods  involving  their  application  adopted.  C. 
W.  Earnest,  a farmer  of  Cass  township,  Greene  county,  has  long  been  aware 
of  these  facts  and  has  governed  his  methods  of  agriculture  accordingly,  and 
that  is  the  reason  that  he  has  prospered. 

Mr.  Earnest  was  born,  December  3,  1839,  in  Blount  county,  eastern 
Tennessee.  He  is  a son  of  Wesley  Earnest,  who  was  born  in  Greene  county, 
Tennessee,  September  10,  1796.  His  parents  located  in  that  state  among 
the  early  settlers  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood,  attended  the  early-day 
schools,  taught  in  log  cabins,  later  studying  at  a college  for  awhile.  His 
active  life  was  devoted  to  general  farming.  He  remained  in  his  native  state 
until  1851,  when  he  removed  to  Missouri.  He  married,  in  his  native  state, 
Nancy  Ramsey,  a daughter  of  John  Ramsey.  She  was  born  in  Tennessee, 
August  20,  1800.  To  their  union  nine  children  were  born,  two  of  whom 
died  when  young,  namely:  John  R.,  deceased,  came  to  Greene  county,  Mis- 

souri, where  he  became  one  of  the  judges  of  the  County  Court;  William  was 
drowned  when  a boy;  James  C.,  born  May  11,  1828,  died  in  1905;  Malinda 
died  a few  years  ago;  Susan  died  when  young;  Polly  Ann  died  in  girlhood; 
Nancy  Ann  died  many  years  ago;  C.  W.  of  this  sketch;  Elizabeth  is  the 
widow  of  George  Biggs,  he  being  deceased.  A half  sister  to  these  children 
was  Eliza  Blackburn,  who  married  Charles  Plughes. 

C.  W.  Earnest  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm  where  he  worked 
when  a boy.  He  was  twelve  years  of  age  when  he  removed  with  his  family 
to  Greene  county,  Missouri.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools.  After  spending  nineteen  years  on  his  father’s  farm  in  this  county, 
he  removed  in  1871  to  the  farm  which  he  now  owns,  thus  he  has  lived  on  one 
place  forty-four  years,  during  which  he  has  developed  one  of  the  best  farms 
in  Lass  township,  bringing  it  up  to  a high  state  of  improvement  and  fertility. 
His  farm  consists  of  two  hundred  and  five  acres.  He  carries  on  general 
farming  and  stock  raising,  having  formerly  devoted  much  of  his  attention 
to  raising  mules. 

During  the  Civil  War  he  served  two  years  in  the  militia,  on  the  Federal 
side,  however,  he  did  not  have  occasion  to  do  any  active  fighting. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I536 

Mr.  Earnest  was  married  in  1891,  to  Elizabeth  Murray,  to  which  union 
three  children  were  born,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy;  Jessie  is  living  at 
home.  The  death  of  the  wife  and  mother  occurred  June  28,  1903.  On 
November  18,  1906,  our  subject  married  Tennie  Sneed.  1 his  union  has 
been  without  issue. 

Politically,  Mr.  Earnest  is  a Democrat,  and  while  he  is  in  no  sense  a 
politician,  he  has  always  been  loyal  in  his  support  of  all  movements  looking 
to  the  betterment  of  his  township  and  county  in  any  way.  He  is  a member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Cave  Spring.  Having  lived  so  long  in  the 
northern  part  of  Greene  county  he  is  one  of  the  best  known  men  in  this 
locality,  and  his  reputation  for  right  living  is  all  that  could  be  desired. 


JOHN  H.  GARTON. 

It  is  a pleasure  to  any  one,  whether  farmer  or  not,  to  look  over  a well 
improved  and  finely  kept  landed  estate  like  that  of  John  H.  Garton,  of 
Brookline  township,  who  has  lived  on  the  same  place  for  a period  of  over 
a half  century.  He  is  a man  who  believes  in  keeping  abreast  of  the  times, 
in  adopting,  so  far  as  practicable,  the  most  approved  twentieth-century 
methods  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  As  a result  of  his  long- 
years  of  husbandry  he  has  about  solved  the  cpiestion  of  scientific  farming  as 
the  people  of  this  section  of  the  Ozark  country  know  and  understand  it 
today.  He  has  always  stood  for  progress,  not  only  in  material  things  but 
in  political,  educational  and  moral  matters,  an  advocate  of  right  living  and 
honesty  among  public  officials,  and  while  laboring  for  his  own  welfare  he 
has  never  been  neglectful  of  the  good  of  his  neighbors  and  the  general  public. 

Mr.  Garton  was  born  in  Maury  county,  Tennessee,  February  8,  1854. 
He  is  a son  of  Philip  and  Christiana  (Hoffman)  Garton,  who  spent  their 
early  lives  in  Tennessee,  where  the  father  was  born  and  where  his  father 
settled  in  a very  early  day,  coming  to  that  state  from  the  Carolinas.  The 
Garton  family  is  of  Scotch  descent.  Philip  Garton  grew  up  on  a farm  and 
he  began  life  for  himself  as  a general  farmer  in  Tennessee,  where  he  resided 
until  1861,  when  he  emigrated  with  his  family  to  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
and  located  on  a large  tract  of  land  in  Brookline  township,  which  place  is 
now  occupied  by  his  son,  our  subject.  Here  the  father  developed  a valuable 
farm  through  his  industry  and  good  management,  and  became  a good  citizen. 
He  was  one  of  a family  of  ten  boys,  three  of  whom  were  triplets.  Seven 
of  the  ten  served  during  the  war  between  the  states  in  ’the  Confederacy. 
The  other  three,  including  Philip,  went  into  the  Northland,  but  on  account 
of  physical  disabilities  none  of  them  served  in  the  army.  The  mother  of  the 


PHILIP  GARTOX. 


HOME  OF 


•T.  H.  GARTOX. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 537 


subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  the  Province  of  Saxony,  Germany,  and 
when  a young  girl  she  was  brought  to  the  United  States  by  her  parents,  the 
family  locating  in  Tennessee,  and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  mar- 
ried Mr.  Garton,  and  to  them  three  children  were  born,  a son  and  two  daugh- 
ters, namely : John^T,  of  this  review;  Alice,  who  married  G.  Lemp,  of  St. 
Louis,  and  they  have  three  children;  Florence  married  Joseph  Adams,  a 
farmer  of  Brookline  township,  and  they  have  four  children,  all  daughters. 

The  death  of  Philip  Garton  occurred  in  the  spring  of  1895,  and  his 
wife  preceded  him  to  the  grave  in  1894. 

John  H.  Garton  grew7  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  he  having  been 
seven  years  of  age  when  he  removed  here  with  his  parents  from  Tennessee. 
Pie  assisted  his  father  in  the  general  wrork  of  the  place  and  here  he  has  lived 
-continuously  and  now  owns  the  farm  which  consists  of  three  hundred  acres 
of  well  improved  and  highly  cultivated  land,  one  of  the  choicest  farms,  in 
fact,  in  the  township.  He  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  on 
an  extensive  scale,  handling  an  excellent  grade  of  live  stock.  He  has  a 
good  home  and  good  outbuildings  and  up-to-date  farming  implements,  the 
Garton  Place  Stock  Farm  being  equal  to  any  in  the  community. 

Mr.  Garton  was  married  April  4,  1900,  to  Nora  Rose,  of  Greene  county, 
where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  as 
was  Mr.  Garton.  She  is  a daughter  of  Reuben  Rose,  a successful  farmer 
•of  the  western  part  of  the  county.  To  Mr.  Rose  and  wife  eleven  children 
w^ere  born. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Garton  three  children  were  born,  one  of  whom  died 
in  infancy;  Francis  Marion,  born  in  June,  1903;  and  Christiana,  born  in 
August,  1906. 

Politically  Mr.  Garton  is  a Democrat,  and  religiously  he  belongs  to  the 
Presbyterian  church.  He  has  never  been  ambitious  to  be  an  office  holder,  but 
he  is  deeply  interested  in  public  matters. 


DR.  ANSON  HARVEY  GIFFORD. 

The  homeopathic  -science  of  the  treatment  of  multiform  ills  of  the  flesh 
Las  an  able  representative  in  Greene  county  in  the  person  of  Dr.  Anson 
Harvey  Gifford,  of  Springfield,  formerly  an  instructor  of  music  in  Drury 
College,  a man  with  talents  sufficient  to  become  well  known  in  more  than 
-one  avenue  of  endeavor,  in  this  respect  being  unlike  most  men,  for  few  there 
be  who  are  able  to  rise  above  the  mediocre  even  in  one  line  of  effort.  Those 
who  know  Doctor  Gifford  well  say  that  he  has  been  the  architect  of  his  owm 
(97) 


1538 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


character,  is  a distinct  personality;  a man  of  independent  mind  and  thought, 
diffident,  but  self-reliant,  reserved  but  self-assertive,  self-disciplined  and 
highly  intellectual.  He  has  ever  been  a student,  reader  and  thinker,  and  for 
his  opportunities,  a scholarly,  effective  professional  man.  None  is  more 
faithful  than  he  in  the  performance  of  his  every-day  duties.  Method,  sys- 
tem, order — -“Heaven’s  first  law” — are  rigidly  observed  by  him. 

Doctor  Gifford  was  born  at  Owego,  New  York,  May  i'i,  1854.  He  is  a 
son  of  Harvey  B.  and  Marietta  (Corbin)  Gifford.  The  father  was  born  at 
Owego,  New  York,  and  the  mother  at  Salem,  Massachusetts.  The  paternal 
grandfather  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  New  York  state,  where  he 
devoted  his  life  to  farming.  The  maternal  great-grandfather,  Mr.  Corbin, 
was  born  in  England,  from  which  country  he  emigrated  to  America  in 
colonial  times,  and  became  an  American  officer  in  the  Revolutionary  war  in 
which  he  fought  gallantly  until  taken  prisoner.  He  was  returned  to  England 
by  the  British  and  kept  in  irons  for  some  time,  the  chains  on  his  ankles  wear- 
ing the  flesh  to  the  bone.  He  was  finally  exchanged,  but  on  his  way  back 
to  America  he  died  as  a result  of  the  exposure  and  inhuman  treatment  to 
which  his  captors  had  compelled  him  to  submit  so  long.  The  father  of 
Doctor  Gifford  spent  his  early  life  as  a farmer  in  his  native  state,  later  re- 
moving to  Chicago,  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  the  music  business,  and 
had  a well-patronized  store  which  was  wiped  out  in  the  great  conflagration 
which  destroyed  that  city  in  the  autumn  of  1871,  Mr.  Gifford  being  a heavy 
loser.  He  then  removed  with  his  family  to  Sedalia,  Missouri,  and  resumed 
farming  in  that  vicinity  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  1888. 
The  mother  of  Doctor  Gifford  was  born,  February  22,  1824,  and  her  death 
occurred  in  1911  at  an  advanced  age,  being  ninety  years  old.  She  was  buried 
at  Bois  D’Arc,  Missouri. 

Dr.  Anson  H.  Gifford  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  later  attended 
Wheaton  College  in  Illinois,  also  took  a course  at  Drury  College,  Springfield, 
Missouri.  Aside  from  a small  start  in  life  he  has  been  self-supporting  since 
he  was  about  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  worked  his  way  through  college, 
doing  whatever  he  could  get  to  do  to  make  an  honest  dollar,  but  followed 
teaching  for  the  most  part.  In  1875-76  he  taught  music  in  Drury  College. 
He  has  a pronounced  natural  talent  as  a musician  and  has  made  himself 
proficient  in  the  same.  In  1885  he  entered  the  Homeopathic  Medical  College 
in  Chicago,  in  which  he  made  an  excellent  record  and  from  which  institution 
he  was  graduated  in  the  spring  of  1889.  Soon  thereafter  he  came  to  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  where  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  and  has  re- 
mained here  to  the  present  time,  all  the  while  enjoying  a large  and  growing 
business  and  ranking  among  the  leading  men  of  his  science  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  state. 

Doctor  Gifford  is  a member  of  the  Missouri  Institute  of  Homeopathy, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1539 


and  the  American  Institute  of  Homeopathy.  He  is  a member  of  the  Wood- 
men lodge,  in  politics  he  votes  independently,  and  in  religious  matters  he  is 
a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Doctor  Gifford  was  married  in  1883  to  Alice  PI.  Tucker,  of  Sedalia, 
Missouri.  She  was  born  in  Lebanon,  Kentucky,  in  1862,  and  is  a daughter 
of  C.  H.  Rosanna  (Riffe)  Tucker.  The  father,  who  was  a liveryman  in 
Sedalia,  died  in  1903,  and  the  mother  is  living  in  Boston,  Massachusetts. 
Mr.  Tucker  was  left  an  orphan  when  he  was  quite  young  and  was  compelled 
to  carve  out  his  own  fortune  unaided,  but  by  his  sturdy  manhood,  persever- 
ance and  indomitable  courage  became  a man  of  importance  and  prominence. 
Mrs.  Gifford’s  maternal  grandfather  was  Peter  B.  Riffe,  who  was  a colonel 
in  the  Confederate  army  during  the  Civil  war.  He  lived  to  an  advanced 
age,  dying  about  1893.  His  father  was  a general  in  the  Indian  wars  in  the 
early  history  of  the  state  of  Kentucky,  where  he  commanded  state  troops, 
and  he  was  well  acquainted  with  Daniel  Boone,  the  renowned  hunter,  pioneer 
and  trapper. 

To  Doctor  Gifford  and  wife  one  child  has  been  born,  Riffe  Tucker 
Gifford,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Sedalia,  Missouri,  January  31,  1885;  he 
was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Springfield,  and  is  unmarried.  He  is  a 
young  man  of  much  promise. 


DANIEL  E.  CLOUD. 

Much  depends  on  the  kind  of  start  one  gets  in  this  world,  just  as  it 
does  in  a race.  The  horse  that  gets  the  best  start,  all  other  things  being 
equal,  will  almost  invariably  win  the  race.  So  in  the  race  of  life;  if  you 
are  properly  started,  with  suitable  grooming,  such  as  good  educational  and 
home  training,  you  will  lead  in  the  race  in  after  years  and  enjoy  your  exist- 
ence, at  the  same  time  accomplish  something  worth  while  and  be  of  service 
to  your  associates.  Such  home  influences  were  thrown  around  Daniel  E. 
Cloud,  one  of  the  best  known  citizens  in  the  northern  part  of  Greene  county. 
Both  father  and  mother  were  people  of  sound  principles  and  exemplary 
habits  and  at  their  deaths,  many  years  ago,  there  was  no  word  of  reproach 
spoken  by  any  one,  and  they  left  a name  revered  by  their  many  friends. 

Mr.  Cloud  was  born  on  December  8,  1857,  in  Pike  county,  Arkansas. 
He  is  a son  of  John  B.  and  Amanda  (Kelley)  Cloud,  the  latter  having  been 
a daughter  of  Elijah  and  Elizabeth  Kelley.  Mr.  Kelley  was  for  many  years 
a prominent  citizen  of  Arkansas  in  the  days  of  the  early  settlers.  He  was 
a minister  in  the  Christian  church,  and  had  the  distinction  of  being  a mem- 
ber of  the  first  Legislature  of  Arkansas.  John  B.  Cloud  was  born  in  Logan 


1540 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


county,  Kentucky,  in  November,  1836.  There  he  grew  to  manhood,  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools  and  there  resided  until  1854,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Clark  county,  Arkansas.  He  became  owner  of  a good  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  which  he  operated  and  he  also  dealt  extensively  in 
live  stock.  During  the  Civil  war  he  served  four  years  as  a member  of  Com- 
pany H,  Sixth  Arkansas  Volunteer  Infantry,  of  the  Confederate  army.  He 
enlisted  early  in  the  conflict,  proved  to  be  a gallant  and  efficient  soldier,  and 
for  meritorious  conduct  was  promoted  to  captain  of  his  company  in  April, 
1862,  and  continued  as  such  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  saw  much  hard 
service  and  participated  in  many  battles  and  skirmishes,  including  Pea  Ridge, 
Corinth,  Farmington,  Iuka  and  Port  Hudson.  He  was  captured  during  the 
last  named  engagement  and  was  held  prisoner  nine  months  at  Johnson 
Island,  Ohio,  being  exchanged  in  March,  1864.  Soon  thereafter  he  returned 
home  and  joined  the  army  of  the  Trans-Mississippi,  his  operations  being 
confined  to  Arkansas  during  the  rest  of  the  war.  After  the  close  of  hostili- 
ties he  went  to  Okolona,  Clark  county,  Arkansas,  where  he  engaged  in  rais- 
ing blooded  stock.  He  and  Amanda  Kelley  were  married  in  1856,  in  Ar- 
kansas, and  to  them  seven  children  were  born,  named  as  follows:  Daniel 

E.,  of  this  sketch;  Elizabeth,  of  Chickasha,  Oklahoma,  is  the  widow  of 
Adolphus  Cothan.  he  being  deceased;  John  S.  died  when  fourteen  years  of 
age;  Hettie,  of  El  Centro,  California,  is  the  widow  of  Charles  Kemp,  he 
being  deceased;  Nannie  died  in  1895;  William  T.,  who  is  treasurer  and  col- 
lector of  Washita  county,  Oklahoma,  lives  at  the  town  of  Chickasha;  Beulah 
is  the  wife  of  Thomas  Hayes  and  they  reside  in  Arkansas.  Politically,  J.  B. 
Cloud  was  a Democrat.  He  was  a member  of  the  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  also  belonged  to  the  Christian  church,  in  which  he  was  an  elder 
for  many  years.  His  death  occurred  in  1894,  his  wife  having  preceded  him 
to  the  grave  on  May  10,  1885. 

Daniel  E.  Cloud  grew  to  manhood  in  Arkansas  and  there  attended  the 
common  schools,  and  after  working  in  a store  for  two  years  he  came  to  Mis- 
souri and  attended  Morrisville  College  in  Polk  county  for  two  years,  then 
returned  to  Arkansas  and  engaged  in  the  live  stock  business  for  two  years. 
Returning  to  Missouri  he  located  in  Greene  county,  where  he  has  since  re- 
sided, engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  also  merchandising. 
He  operated  his  farm  in  Cass  township  until  1898,  and  still  owns  two  hun- 
dred and  twenty-five  acres  there.  In  the  last  mentioned  year  he  engaged  in 
the  general  merchandise  business  at  Cave  Spring,  continuing  for  five  years, 
then  came  to  Willard  and  continued  in  the  same  line  of  endeavor  until  1914 
when  he  traded  his  stock  of  goods  for  a farm  in  Murray  township,  which  he 
is  now  superintending,  keeping  his  Cass  township  farm  rented.  He  owns 
in  all  four  hundred  acres  of  valuable,  well-improved  and  productive  land 
and  is  successfully  carrying  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  on  a large 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1541 

scale.  While  a merchant  he  enjoyed  a large  patronage,  both  at  Cave  Spring 
and  Willard,  always  carrying  a large  and  well-selected  stock  of  general 
merchandise  and  dealing  courteously  and  honestly  with  his  many  customers. 

Mr.  Cloud  was  married  on  July  11,  1882,  to  Ida  B.  Appleby,  a daughter 
of  Samuel  G.  and  Martha  Appleby,  one  of  the  oldest  and  best-known  fam- 
ilies of  northern  Greene  county.  Mrs.  Cloud  grew  to  womanhood  on  the 
farm  here  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  finished  her  schooling 
in  Morrisville,  Missouri.  Five  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and 
wife,  namely:  Gertrude  is  the  wife  of  A.  F.  Logan,  a traveling  salesman 
for  the  firm  of  Keet  & Rountree,  of  Springfield;  Horace  E.  died  February 
22,  1904;  Beulah  is  the  wife  of  Guy  Murray,  a farmer  of  Greene  county.; 
John  S.  lives  at  home  and  is  engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  business  at 
Willard;  William  Clay  is  attending  school,  he  completed  the  eighth  grade 
this  term,  while  only  twelve  years  of  age. 

Politically,  Mr.  Cloud  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
Order,  Blue  Lodge,  Royal  Arch  and  Council;  also  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  the  Modern  Woodmen  and  the  Court  of  Honor,  all  of  Wiliam. 
Mrs.  Cloud  is  also  a member  of  the  last  named  order.  They  belong  to  the 
Christian  church  at  Cave  Spring,  in  which  Mr.  Cloud  was  an  elder  during 
the  period  of  his  residence  at  that  place. 


CARVER  O.  MERCER. 

To  ambitious,  struggling  youths,  with  only  the  broad,  perhaps  cheerless 
highway  of  the  future  before  them,  this  narrative  of  a self-made  man — a 
successful  life — presents  an  example  worthy  of  consideration  and  earnest 
emulation,  and  might  even  fill  a faltering  heart  with  strong  zeal,  or  a youth- 
ful mind  with  greater  determination  and  a fuller  recognition  of  those  at- 
tributes which  constitute  true  manhood — nature's  patent  of  nobility — indus- 
try, integrity,  temperance  and  right  living  along  all  lines  Carver  O.  Mercei, 
who  has  been  an  enterprising  resident  of  Springfield  for  over  thirty  years, 
is  a well-known  contractor  and  has  long  been  identified  with  the  affairs  of 
the  city,  consequently  is  well  known  here  and  over  Greene  county. 

Mr.  Mercer  was  born  in  Poughkeepsie,  Dutchess  county,  New  York, 
November  22,  1852.  He  is  a son  of  Thomas  C.  Mercer,  a successful  pioneer 
physician,  who  was  born  in  Louisville,  Kentucky,  in  1817.  He  was  the  son 
of  a brick  manufacturer  who  furnished  the  brick  for  many  of  the  first  houses 
built  of  this  material  in  Louisville.  There  Doctor  Mercer  grew  to  manhood 
and,  after  receiving  a common  school  education,  entered  the  Louisville 
Medical  College  from  which  he  was  graduated,  and  soon  thereafter  began 


1542 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


the  practice  of  his  profession  in  that  city.  He  seemed  to  specialize  in  surg- 
ery for  which  he  had  much  native  ability.  He  served  nine  years  in  the 
United  States  army,  part  of  the  time  as  regular  physician  and  part  of  the 
time  as  contract  surgeon.  After  leaving  the  service' of  the  government  he 
located  in  Utica,  Indiana,  where  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession 
for  some  time,  later  removing  to  Jeffersonville,  that  state,  where  he  con- 
tinued practice  with  his  usual  large  success  until  his  death  in  1884.  His 
wife,  who  was  Katherine  Orvis  before  her  marriage,  was  a native  of  the 
state  of  New  York.  To  Dr.  Mercer's  father  and  mother  five  sons  and  two 
daughters  were  born,  named  as  follows : Thomas  C.,  father  of  the  subject 

of  this  sketch;  Henry,  who  was  a printer  in  Louisville,  Kentucky,  is  de- 
ceased; James  met  death  in  a hotel  in  Texas  when  it  was  destroyed  by  fire; 
Pope  met  death  by  being  accidentally  shot;  Levi,  deceased,  was  among  the 
early  settlers  near  St.  Louis,  Missouri;  Julia,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of 
Claudius  Devaull,  a carpet  merchant  of  Louisville,  Kentucky;  the  name  of 
the  youngest  daughter  could  not  be  learned  by  the  writer. 

To  Dr.  Thomas  C.  Mercer  and  wife  two  sons  and  two  daughters  were 
born,  namely:  Carver  O.,  of  this  sketch;  Elizabeth  married  Louis  Girdler, 

superintendent  of  the  Fall  City  Cement  Company,  and  they  have  four  sons 
and  two  daughters;  Henrietta  is  the  wife  of  Philip  Arnold,  who  is  engaged 
in  educational  work  in  Joplin.  Missouri,  and  to  them  three  sons,  one  of 
whom  is  deceased,  and  two  daughters,  have  been  born;  Neville,  who  became 
a deputy  clerk  to  the  probate  judge  of  Jasper  county,  Missouri,  and  was  well 
known  in  public  affairs  in  his  vicinity,  is  deceased,  having  died  in  Greene 
county. 

Carver  O.  Mercer  spent  his  earlier  years  in  his  native  city  and  in  Utica, 
Indiana,  being  educated  in  the  common  school  in  the  latter  place.  At  an 
early  age  he  began  life  for  himself  by  launching  out  in  the  teaming  and 
transfer  business.  He  remained  in  Indiana  until  1873,  when  he  came  to 
Missouri  and  located  in  the  city  of  Joplin,  in  which  he  spent  ten  years,  then, 
in  1883,  came  to  Springfield.  He  has  continued  the  business  in  which  he 
was  first  engaged  since  leaving  Indiana,  his  business  gradually  increasing 
until  it  reached  large  proportions  many  years  ago,  although  it  had  a modest 
beginning.  He  has  long  been  one  of  the  best  known  transfer  men  in  Spring- 
field  and  is  quite  well  equipped  in  every  respect  for  this  line  of  work,  always 
keeping  good  teams,  wagons  and  general  equipment,  and  keeps  a number  of 
trustworthy  hands  employed  all  the  while.  He  has  had  the  contract  for 
sprinkling  the  streets  of  Springfield  since  1904,  and  has  also'  had  the  con- 
tract for  hauling  coal  for  the  pumping  station  of  this  city  since  1906.  That 
he  has  retained  these  contracts  so  long  would  indicate  that  he  has  given  the 
best  of  service  and  highest  satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  He  has  been  very 
successful  in  a financial  way  and  owns  considerable  property  here,  including 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1543 


a commodious  residence.  His  office  and  barns  are  located  at  Chase  and 
Camp  streets. 

Mr.  Mercer  was  married  on  February  29,  1880,  in  Newton  county, 
Missouri,  to  Amanda  J.  Wolf.  She  is  a daughter  of  George  Wolf,  a farmer 
of  Fremont  county,  Iowa,  who  is  now  deceased.  In  that  county  the  birth 
of  Mrs.  Mercer  occurred,  March  19,  1854,  and  there  she  grew  to  woman- 
hood and  received  her  education  in  the  common  schools.  She  proved  to  be 
a faithful  and  sympathetic  helpmeet.  She  was  called  to  her  eternal  rest  on 
December  16,  1913. 

Our  subject  and  wife  had  no  children  of  their  own,  but  they  adopted 
a son,  Leo  Mercer,  who  was  born  March  4,  1888.  He  was  given  a common 
school  education'  in  Greene  county,  and  in  early  life  he  enlisted  in  the  United 
States  army  in  which  he  served  seven  years,  during  two  of  which  he  was 
stationed  at  Alcatraz  Island,  near  San  Francisco,  California,  and  later  spent 
several  years  in  the  Philippine  Islands.  His  record  as  a soldier  was  an 
honorable  and  excellent  one.  He  worked  a year  for  the  New  York  Con- 
tinental Jewell  Filteration  Company,  his  work  being  in  Springfield.  After 
this  he  secured  employment  with  the  Jarrett  & Richardson  Construction  Com- 
pany of  Springfield  and  is  still  connected  with  this  firm,  which,  for  two 
years  has  been  engaged  on  a large  viaduct  in  St.  Louis. 

In  19 1 1 Leo  Mercer  and  Mary  Owen  were  carried  in  Greene  county. 
She  is  a daughter  of  Bill  Owen,  a farmer  living  near  Springfield.  She  was 
educated  in  the  schools  of  this  city.  To  Leo  Mercer  and  wife,  two  children 
have  been  born,  a son  and  a daughter,  namely : Orvis  Leo  and  Mary. 

Politically,  Carver  O.  Mercer  is  a Democrat,  but  he  has  never  been  an 
office  seeker. 


WELDON  E.  STALEY. 

The  country  has  many  advantages  over  the  city.  Likewise,  it  has  its 
disadvantages,  and  one  of  the  greatest  of  its  disadvantages  is  the  lack  of 
opportunity  to  gain  a competence  within  a reasonable  period  of  time.  Many 
farmers  have  grown  rich  through  increased  valuation  of  their  land;  others 
have  become  well-to-do  through  carefully  husbanding  their  resources,  rigid 
and  economical  living  and  good  business  ability,  ofttimes  combined  with 
favorable  seasons  for  their  principal  product.  It  seems  something  of  a pity 
that  the  farmer  is  not  responsible  for  considerable  of  the  increase  in  the 
high  cost  of  living.  He  should  be  getting  more  of  the  high  prices  which  the 
city  people  are  paying  for  their  produce  than  he  is,  because  he  is  justly  en- 
titled to  it.  It  costs  too  much  for  the  farmer  to  market  his  stuff.  Transpor- 
tation charges  are  too  high.  The  middleman’s  profits  are  excessive  and 


1544 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


there  is  not  sufficient  security  for  the  farmer  to  insure  him  a just  and  honest 
return  from  all  commission  dealers.  Nevertheless  to  the  honest,  pushing,, 
hard-working  and  enterprising  farmer  is  due  the  prosperity,  wealth  and  ad- 
vancement of  any  community,  and  to  their  zeal,  energy  and  integrity  will  its. 
future  prosperity  be  indebted,  as  it  has  been  in  the  past.  Among  the  names, 
that  have  long  been  prominent  in  agricultural  circles  in  the  northern  part 
of  Greene  county  is  that  of  Weldon  E.  Staley,  of  Cass  township. 

Mr.  Staley  hails  from  below  the  Mason  and  Dixon  line,  being  a repre- 
sentative of  a sterling  old  Southern  family,  and  his  birth  occurred  near 
Raleigh,  North  Carolina,  July  9,  1840.  He  is  therefore  nearly  to  the  mile- 
post marking  three-quarters  of  a century.  He  is  a son  of  Alfred  Staley,, 
who  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  June  2,  1811,  in  which  state  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  received  a good  education  for  those  early  days.  He  devoted 
his  active  life  to  general  farming  in  which  he  met  with  more  than  ordinary 
success.  In  an  early  day  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Clinton  county,  Mis- 
souri, making  the  long,  tedious  overland  journey  in  wagons,  in  typical 
pioneer  fashion.  After  spending  two  years  in  that  county  he  came  to  Cave 
Spring,  Greene  county,  this  state  and  established  the  future  home  of  the 
family,  and  there  also  established  a general  merchandise  store.  He  built  up 
a large  trade  among  the  early  settlers,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the 
country  round  about  was  sparsely  settled,  but  many  of  his  customers  came 
long  distances  from  settlements  in  the  northern  part  of  this  and  the  southern, 
part  of  Polk  county.  He  remained  a merchant  there  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  on  December  16,  1853.  His  wife,  Lucina  Brower,  was  born  in 
North  Carolina,  in  which  state  she  was  reared,  educated  in  the  subscription 
schools,  and  there  they  were  married  on  February  12,  1835.  To  their  union 
nine  children  were  born,  three  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  the  others  being 
named  as  follows:  Caroline  married  James  Van  Bibber,  of  Greene  county, 

Missouri;  William  B.  is  a retired  farmer,  living  in  Texas;  Weldon  E.  of  this 
sketch;  John  C.  died  at  Cave  Spring  many  years  ago;  Sanders,  who  was  at 
one  time  a judge  of  the  Greene  County  Court,  lives  in  Springfield;  Lula,  who 
married  Doctor  Coltrane,  is  living  in  Springfield. 

Weldon  E.  Staley  was  young  in  years  when  his  parents  brought  him 
from  North  Carolina  to  Missouri.  He  received  a common  school  education- 
in  Greene  county,  and  assisted  his  father  in  the  store  at  Cave  Spring  until 
he  was  about  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  and  his  brother  operated  the 
store  for  many  years  after  which  he  removed  to  the  farm,  although  he  had 
been  very  successful  in  the  merchandise  business.  In  i860  he  purchased 
his  present  fine  farm  in  Cass  township,  and  in  1861  removed  to  it,  thus  he 
has  been  a resident  on  one  farm  for  the  unusual  period  of  fifty-four  years. 
Doubtless  very  few  farmers  of  this  county  have  lived  on  their  farms  during 
a period  of  such  a length  of  time.  His  place  consists  of  two  hundred  and 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1545 


sixty  acres,  which  he  has  developed  very  largely  from  a wild  state,  bringing 
it  up  to  a high  standard  of  improvement  and  cultivation  through  close  ap- 
plication and  good  management.  He  has  carried  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising  on  an  extensive  scale  and  has  a good  home  in  the  midst  of 
pleasant  surroundings.  During  the  Civil  war  he  was  a member  of  a militia 
regiment,  but  did  not  see  much  active  service. 

Mr.  Staley  married  Angeline  Evans,  January  23,  1861.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  Evans,  one  of  the  old  settlers  in  this  pari  of  Greene 
county,  the  Evanses  having  been  among  the  best  known  and  most  highly 
respected  families  of  this  locality  for  several  generations.  Here  Mrs.  Staley 
spent  her  girlhood  and  attended  school.  Mrs.  Staley  died,  December  20, 
1903- 

Ten  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Staley,  one  of  whom  died  in 
infancy;  the  others  were  named  as  follows:  William  Walter,  Molly  is  the 

wife  of  Tom  Watkins,  and  they  reside  in  Springfield;  Mrs.  Dolly  Roberts 
lives  in  Greene  county;  Fannie  is  the  wife  of  W.  E.  Thompson  and  they  live 
in  Cass  township:  Horace  lives  in  Carthage,  Missouri;  Joe  lives  on  the  farm 
with  his  father;  Kate  is  living  at  home;  Bunch  is  engaged  in  farming  a short 
distance  west  of  the  homestead;  Juanita  is  the  wife  of  George  Haun,  and 
they  live  on  a farm  south  of  Springfield. 

Politically,  Mr.  Staley  is  a Democrat,  and  while  he  has  ever  been  loyal 
in  his  support  of  the  party  and  a public-spirited  man,  he  has  never  sought 
public  office  or  political  leadership,  being  content  to  devote  his  attention  ex- 
clusively to  his  home  and  his  farm.  Like  the  rest  of  the  Staleys,  his  reputa- 
tion in  all  the  relations  of  life  has  been  that  of  a plain,  honest  and  helpful 
citizen,  deserving  of  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  wide  acquaintance. 


CALVIN  POLLACK. 

Of  the  second  generation  of  those  of  foreign  blood  in  Greene  county,, 
the  name  of  Calvin  Pollack,  a merchant  of  Cave  Spring,  Cass  township, 
should  receive  special  setting  in  a biographical  work  of  the  nature  of  the  one 
in  hand,  for  in  him  are  outcroppings  of  many  of  the  characteristic  traits  that 
have  made  the  French  people  successful  and  leading  citizens  wherever  they 
have  dispersed.  He  has  tried  to  keep  before  him  the  aphorism,  expounded 
by  one  of  the  greatest  writers  of  the  present  age,  “That  the  wise  make  of 
their  failures  a ladder,  the  foolish  a grave,”  and  he  has  refused  to  recall  the 
doings  of  the  past  except  their  lessons,  which  he  has  used  as  guides  for 
present-day  actions,  refusing  to  permit  obstacles  to  thwart  him  in  his  race 
tor  a given  goal.  In  thus  advocating  sound  and  wholesome  principles  of 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


154^ 

life  for  himself,  he  has  inadvertently  had  a palliative  influence  on  the  lives 
of  those  with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact,  the  people  of  this  locality  know- 
ing him  as  an  honest,  earnest,  energetic  and  public-spirited  citizen,  worthy 
of  their  confidence  and  respect. 

Mr.  Pollack  was  born  in  Cass  township,  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
September  6,  1874.  He  is  a son  of  Joseph  Pollack,  who  was  born  in  1842 
111  Alsace-Lorraine,  which  was  a part  of  France  up  to  1871,  but  since  the 
Franco-Prussian  War  it  has  been  a province  of  Germany.  Reidseltz  is  the 
name  of  the  village  111  which  he  first  saw  the  light  of  day  and  where  he  spent 
his  boyhood  and  attended  school.  Leaving  there  at  the  age  of  seventeen 
years  he  immigrated  to  America,  landing  in  New  York  City.  He  came  on 
west  to  Day  ton,  Ohio,  where  an  elder  brother  had  previously  located.  From 
there  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  attended  a commercial  college.  After 
remaining  there  two  years  he  came  to  Springfield,  and  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business,  working  for  the  firm  of  Frieberg  & Ivlotz,  which  established 
a branch  store  at  Walnut  Grove,  this  county,  of  which  Mr.  Pollack  was 
placed  111  charge.  On  March  1,  1866,  he  married  Martha  Elizabeth  Skeen, 
a daughter  of  Hope  Skeen.  She  was  born  on  October  11,  1845,  at  Fair 
Grove,  this  county,  and  removed  to  Cass  township  when  eight  years  old  and 
grew  to  womanhood  and  received  her  education.  She  is  a member  of  one 
of  the  prominent  old  families  of  this  locality,  and  she  has  spent  her  life  in 
Greene  county,  living  now  at  Cave  Spring.  After  his  marriage  Joseph 
Pollack  purchased  a farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Cass  township 
and  here  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  as  a general  farmer.  He  developed  his 
place  from  the  wilderness,  establishing  a good  home  by  hard  work  and 
perseverance,  and  he  became  a useful  citizen  here  and  was  highly  respected 
by  all  who  knew  him.  His  death  occurred  December  13,  1905. 

Twelve  children  were  born  to  Joseph  Pollack  and  wife,  four  of  whom 
died  when  young,  namely:  Guy  died  at  the  age  of  twenty  years;  Delinda  is 

the  wife  of  George  Rock  and  they  make  their  home  in  Colorado;  Calvin,  of 
this  sketch ; Adele  is  the  wife  of  C.  Denby,  and  they  reside  at  Pearl,  this 
county;  Marvin  is  living  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Cass  township;  Harry  is 
married  and  is  clerking  in  the  store  of  his  brother,  our  subject;  Mrs.  Katie 
Short  lives  in  Tennessee  where  her  husband  is  engaged  in  the  real  estate 
business;  Helen  is  at  home  with  her  mother. 

Calvin  Pollack  grew  to  manhood  on  the  homestead  and  assisted  with 
the  general  work  about  the  farm  when  a boy.  He  received  his  education  in 
the  common  schools  here  and  he  began  life  for  himself  as  a farmer,  continu- 
ing in  this  line  of  endeavor  successfully  for  a period  of  twenty-five  years. 
Leaving  the  farm  he  began  clerking  in  the  general  merchandise  store  of  D. 
E.  Cloud  at  Cave  Spring,  remaining  in  his  employ  four  years,  during  which 
time  he  learned  the  ins  and  outs  of  this  line  of  business,  but  continued  to 


GREENE  COUNTY^  MISSOURI. 


1547 


work  four  years  more  in  the  same  store  for  W.  S.  Click,  who  purchased, 
the  store  from  Mr.  Cloud.  After  spending  eight  years  as  clerk  and  be- 
coming well  acquainted  with  the  business  and  the  people  of  this  locality,  he 
bought  out  his  employer  and  has  since  managed  the  store  on  his  own  accord, 
enjoying  a large  and  constantly  growing  business,  and  keeping  at  all  seasons 
an  extensive  and  well-selected  stock  of  general  merchandise.  Having  always 
dealt  courteously  and  honestly  with  the  scores  of  regular  patrons  of  the 
store,  he  has  enjoyed  the  confidence  and  good  will  of  the  people  of  this 
community. 

Mr..  Pollack  married  Nellie  Darraugh,  March  18,  1900.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Whitfield  Darraugh,  and  was  reared  and  educated  in  Greene 
county.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely: 
Florence,  now  ten  years  old,  is  attending  school  at  Cave  Spring;  and  Jose- 
phine, seven  years  old,  is  also  in  school. 

Politically,  Mr.  Pollock  is  a Democrat,  and  is  a supporter  of  every 
measure,  which  makes  for  the  general  upbuilding  of  his  community. 
Fraternally  he  is  a member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  lodge  at  Cave  Spring. 
He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Christian  church  of  his  home  community, 
being  a deacon  in  the  same. 


WILLIAM  E.  THOMPSON. 

It  used  to  be  if  there  was  a bright  boy  in  the  farmer's  family  he  must 
needs  forsake  the  farm  to  become  a lawyer,  or  a doctor,  or  some  sort  of  a 
professional  man,  but  those  whose  wits  were  seen  to  be  dull,  would  do  very 
well  on  the  farm.  On  the  surface  it  would  seem  that  the  farms  lost  and  the 
professions  gained.  But  it  was  not  always  so  and  more  often  the  farmer 
lad  who  chose  to  remain  on  the  farm  outstripped  his  apparently  brighter 
brother.  Yet  because  he  dealt  with  things  earthly  his  occupation  and  he 
himself,  likewise,  were  very  frequently  “looked  down  upon."  As  years 
went  by,  however,  it  became  more  and  more  apparent  that  to  succeed  in  crop 
producing  required  knowledge  no  less  exacting  in  its  requirements  and 
covering  a vastly  wider  range  of  subjects  than  the  knowledge  which  brought 
success  in  other  walks  of  life.  For  many,  many  years,  however,  it  was  true 
that  our  practice  as  applied  to  crop  raising  far  outran  our  knowledge  of  the 
principles  involved.  While  it  is  true  that  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  and  the 
handling  of  crops  will  never  become  an  exact  science,  yet  the  knowledge 
which  we  now  apply  to  the  work  in  which  we  are  interested  and  which  any 
tiller  of  the  soil  must  have  at  his  command,  has  increased  manifold  within 
very  recent  years.  And  it  is  because  of  this  gain  in  knowledge,  both  theore- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 548 

tical  and  practical,  that  the  attitude  of  every  one  toward  the  farmer  and  his 
occupation  has  changed.  Today  farming  in  its  several  more  or  less  spec- 
ialized branches  of  vegetable  growing,  fruit  growing,  berry  raising,  poultry 
raising,  and  held  crop  production  is  regarded  as  a worthy  calling  for  the 
brightest  and  best  minds  in  the  land.  One  of  the  most  progressive  general 
agriculturists  of  the  northern  part  of  Greene  county  is  William  E.  lhomp- 
son,  of  Cass  township,  who  owns  a large  acreage  of  valuable  land  and  who 
applies  twentieth  century  methods  to  his  business. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  born  in  the  above  named  township  and  county  on 
January  14,  1867.  He  is  a son  of  William  E.  Thompson,  who  was  born  on 
April  28,  1827,  in  Tennessee,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father’s 
farm  and  received  a common  school  education.  Remaining  in  his  native 
state  until  1851,  he  emigrated  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  established 
the  future  home  of  the  family  in  Cass  township.  During  the  Civil  war  he 
served  in  the  Federal  army,  in  a home  militia  regiment,  and  was  stationed 
in  Springfield  during  the  latter  part  of  the  conflict,  however,  he  saw  little 
actual  fighting.  After  being  discharged  from  the  service  he  located  on  a 
farm  of  his  own  in  Cass  township  and  developed  a good  place  through  his 
good  management  and  hard  work.  He  married  Malinda  Earnest,  May  23, 
1850.  She  was  born,  June  11,  1830,  and  was  a daughter  of  Wesley  Earnest, 
one  of  the  early  settlers  in  the  vicinity  of  Cave  Spring,  this  county.  To 
their  marriage  ten  children  were  born,  six  of  whom  died  when  young;  those 
who  survived  were  named  as  follows : Sarah  married  Doctor  Delzell,  of 

Rogersville,  Webster  county,  Missouri,  where  they  still  reside;  Alice  is  the 
wife  of  W.  S.  Julian  and  they  make  their  home  near  Gravel  Springs,  Okla- 
homa; William  E.,  of  this  sketch;  Ethel  is  the  wife  of  W.  E.  Haun,  and 
they  live  on  a farm  in  Cass  township. 

The  father  of  the  above  children  was  a Democrat.  He  was  an  active 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  gave  liberally  of  his  time  and  means 
in  building  the  church  of  this  denomination  at  Cave  Spring,  which  struc- 
ture has  been  used  as  a high  school  for  a number  of  years.  He  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  Order  and  was  active  in  the  work  of  the  same  in  this 
county.  The  death  of  Mr.  Thompson  occurred  on  February  3,  1908,  his 
wife  having  preceded  him  to  the  grave  on  June  14,  1906.  They  were  held 
in  high  esteem  by  their  neighbors  and  friends,  being  noted  for  their  honesty, 
charity  and  hospitality. 

William  E.  Thompson,  of  this  sketch,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home- 
stead farm  in  Cass  township  and  there  worked  hard  when  a boy  during  the 
crop  season.  During  the  winter  he  attended  the  common  schools  and  the 
high  school  at  Cave  Spring,  later  spending  one  term  in  Morrisville  College 
and  one  term  in  Drury  College,  after  which  he  worked  with  his  father  on 
the  home  farm  for  two  years,  then  purchased  a farm  of  his  own.  Ten  years 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


x549 


after  leaving  school  he  purchased  his  present  excellent  home  farm  of  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres.  He  has  managed  well  and  applied  himself  closely 
to  his  work  as  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser  and,  prospering  with  advanc- 
ing years,  has  added  to  his  original  purchase  other  tracts  until  today  he  owns 
in  all  four  hundred  and  five  acres  of  valuable  and  well-improved  land.  He 
makes  a specialty  of  raising  large  numbers  of  mules  for  the  market.  He  is 
an  excellent  judge  of  live  stock,  especially  of  mules.  He  has  a commodious 
home  and  substantial  and  convenient  outbuildings  where  his  stock,  which  he 
tries  to  keep  up  to  a good  grade,  is  properly  cared  for  at  all  seasons.  Every- 
thing about  his  place  denotes  thrift  and  that  a man  of  modern  ideas  is  at  the 
helm. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  married  on  February  12,  1890,  to  Fanny  Staley, 
who  was  born  in  Cass  township,  Greene  county,  and  there  reared  and  edu- 
cated. She  is  a daughter  of  Weldon  E.  and  Angeline*  (Evans)  Staley,  a 
complete  sketch  of  whom  will  be  found  on  another  page  of  this  volume.  To 
our  subject  and  wife  one  child  was  born,  which  died  in  infancy. 

Politically,  Mr.  Thompson  is  a Democrat,  and  he  has  been  more  or 
less  active  and  influential  in  local  party  affairs  for  some  time,  having  been 
township  committeeman  for  twelve  years. 


WILLIAM  M.  MORTON. 

One  of  the  famous  lines  of  “The  Old  Homestead,"  a popular  play  a 
generation  ago,  was  “Young  blood  tells."  This  expression  applies  not 
alone  to  a man's  social  advancement,  but  in  business  life  particularly,  where 
the  old  men  are  dropping  out  and  the  younger  generation  stepping  into 
their  shoes.  In  Springfield  it  would  seem  that  the  young  men  are  in  the 
lead  in  almost  ever}'  calling  or  vocation,  especially  in  the  trades.  In  looking- 
over  the  list  of  engineers  at  the  various  industrial  plants  of  the  city  one 
finds  many  of  them  mere  youths,  in  which  list  occurs  the  name  of  William 
M.  Morton,  engineer  at  the  Marblehead  Lime  Works.  But  although  young 
according  to  the  calendar,  they  have  studied  and  wrought  faithfully  to 
become  proficient  in  their  line  and  are  doing  their  work  satisfactorily. 

Mr.  Morton  was  born  August  20,  1880,  in  Knoxville,  Tennesee.  He 
is  a son  of  Frank  and  Tenie  (Shield)  Morton,  natives  of  Tennesee.  The 
father  received  a common  school  education  and  when  a young  man  learned 
the  blacksmith’s  trade,  which  he  made  his  chief  life  work,  and  was  regarded 
as  an  expert.  He  and  his  wife  grew  up  in  their  native  state  and  were  mar- 
ried there,  and  established  their  home  in  that  country.  After  following  his 
trade  there  many  years  Frank  Morton  removed  with  his  family  to  Wright 


155° 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


county,  Missouri,  where  he  continued  his  trade.  His  family  consists  of 
five  children,  names  as  follows : Minnie  married  G.  H.  Morton  and  they  live 
in  Aurora,  Missouri;  William  M.  of  this  sketch;  Fred  lives  in  Springfield; 
W alter  has  remained  in  W right  county,  this  state ; Charles  is  deceased. 

William  M.  Morton  assisted  his  father  with  his  work  when  a boy,  and 
during  the  winter  months  he  attended  the  common  schools  in  Wright 
county,  and  when  he  began  life  for  himself  it  was  as  a farmer,  which 
he  followed  with  success  for  eight  or  ten  years.  However,  he  was  more 
or  less  a rover  in  his  youth  and  did  not  stay  in  one  place  long  at  a time, 
but  this  traveling  around  was  beneficial  to  him  in  an  educational  way,  for 
he  learned  by  coming  in  actual  contact  with  the  world,  having  been  by 
nature  a close  observer.  He  always  had  a liking  for  stationary  engineer- 
ing, and,  upon  coming  to  Springfield  a number  of  years  ago  he  secured  em- 
ployment as  engineer  at  the  Marblehead  Lime  Works,  which  position  he  has 
filled  ever  since.  This  would  indicate  that  he  is  not  only  a capable  man 
in  his  line  of  endeavor  but  that  he  is  entirely  trustworthy  and  reliable. 

Mr.  Morton  was  married  in  Springfield  December  24,  1910,  to  Mary 
Cheatham,  who  was  born  in  the  year  1892,  in  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
and  she  received  a common  school  education.  She  is  a daughter  of  James 
and  Maggie  (Reynolds)  Cheatham,  of  Springfield.  The  father  is  dead  and 
the  mother  is  still  living  here. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morton  one  child  has  been  born,  Harvey  Morton, 
whose  birth  occurred  September  19,  1911. 

Politically  our  subject  is  a Republican. 


DR.  J.  LEROY  ATHERTON. 

As  we  stand  amidst  the  wonders  of  modern  achievements  and  take  a 
cursory  glance  over  the  factors  that  make  up  the  sum  total  of  the  highest 
civilization  the  world  has  known  since  the  age  of  Pericles,  one  factor  looms 
forth  conspicuously — the  art  of  healing.  Some  even  in  their  enthusiasm 
claim  that  it  is  above  all  the  rest.  This  may  not  seem  plausible  to  many  in 
view  of  the  fact  that  such  great  progress  has  been  made  in  the  mechanical 
sciences,  which  is  more  closely  allied  with  our  every-day  life  and  is  there- 
fore more  generally  understood  and  appreciated.  , Whereas  the  study  of  the 
ills  of  the  flesh  is  restricted  to  a proportionately  small  number  of  students. 
However,  the  progress  in  the  art  of  healing  has  been  somewhat  remarkable 
during  the  past  half  century.  One  of  the  younger  generation  of  physicians 
of  Greene  county  is  Dr.  J.  LeRoy  Atherton,  who  has  been  unusually  success- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I55I 


ful  in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and  that  he  deserves  the  good  fortune 
that  has  attended  his  efforts  is  indisputable. 

Doctor  Atherton  was  born  in  Illinois,  February  13,  1879.  He  is  a son 
of  Aaron  S.  Atherton,  a native  of  Ohio,  a minister  in  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church,  who  followed  his  profession  until  his  health  began  to  fail  in 
1883  when  he  located  on  a farm  in  Vernon  county,  Missouri,  later  removing 
to  Nevada,  this  state,  where  he  resumed  preaching  and  continued  at  this 
work  for  about  five  years,  practically  doing  charity  work,  filling  various 
pulpits  without  recompense.  His  death  occurred  in  the  city  of  Nevada  about 
1902  after  a long  and  useful  life.  He  was  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew 
him  for  his  many  fine  characteristics  and  he  ranked  high  as  a preacher. 
His  wife,  mother  of  our  subject,  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Mary 
Sanders,  and  she  traces  her  ancestry  back  to  Holland.  She  is  still  living  in 
Nevada.  Milton  Atherton,  paternal  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  born  in  Ohio.  In  his  later  life  he  removed  with  his  family  to 
Vernon  county,  Missouri,  where  his  death  occurred  when  about  seventy- 
eight  years  of  age.  His  progenitors  were  very  early  settlers  in  New  Eng- 
land from  which  country  they  came  to  Ohio  in  pioneer  days.  From  Ohio 
the  family  removed  to  Illinois  when  that  state  was  still  a wild  unimproved 
prairie.  The  older  members  of  this  sterling  old  family  were  typical  pioneers 
and  liked  the  wild  frontier  life  best  of  all. 

To  Rev.  Aaron  S.  Atherton  and  wife  the  following  children  were  born: 
S.  M.  Atherton,  Waldron  Arkansas;  Mary  E.  Atherton,  deceased;  Ruth  E. 
Pheils,  Nevada,  Missouri;  Aaron  E.  Atherton,  Dover,  Oklahoma;  Joseph 
R.  Atherton,  Nevada,  Missouri;  Gilbert  FI.  Atherton,  Girard,  Kansas;  J. 
LeRoy  Atherton,  Springfield,  and  Agnes  S.  Johnson,  Nevada,  Missouri. 

Dr.  J.  LeRoy  Atherton  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
and  later  studied  at  Baker  University  in  Kansas,  after  which  he  began  the 
study  of  medicine  at  the  Bennett  Medical  College,  Chicago,  Illinois,  where 
he  made  a good  record,  and  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1912.  Soon 
thereafter  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Chicago  where  he  got 
a good  start  and  remained  in  that  city  until  January  1,  1915,  when  he  came 
to  Springfield,  Missouri,  opening  an  office  with  a view  of  remaining  here 
permanently.  He  has  started  out  well  in  his  new  location,  his  patients 
gradually  increasing  all  the  while.  He  is  a member  of  the  Greene  County 
Medical  Society,  the  Missouri  State  Medical  Association  and  the  American 
Medical  Association.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order,  includ- 
ing the  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons  and  Council. 

On  December  18,  1909,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Dr.  Mary  Jean 
McLaggan,  who  was  born  in  Chesley,  Ontario,  Canada.  She  grew  to  wom- 
anhood in  her  native  province  and  received  her  early  education  at  Toronto, 
later  taking  the  course  at  the  Bennett  Medical  College  in  Chicago,  from 


!552 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


which  she  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1912,  and  a few  months  later 
began  practicing  in  that  city  with  her  husband,  and  since  coming  to  Spring- 
held  she  has  continued  the  practice  of  her  profession  with  gratifying  results. 
A separate  and  complete  sketch  will  be  found  of  her  on  another  page  of  this 
volume. 

The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  been  without  issue.  Doctor 
Atherton  is  deserving  of  a great  deal  of  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished 
in  the  face  of  obstacles.  He  is  a self-educated  and  self-made  man.  He  has 
earned  his  own  living  since  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age.  He  worked  hard 
during  vacations  to  get  money  to  defray  the  expenses  of  a higher  education. 
Learning  something  of  civil  engineering  he  followed  that  for  the  most  part 
between  terms  of  school,  but  was  not  above  doing  any  kind  of  work  to  earn 
an  honest  dollar. 


MELVILLE  E.  DARK. 

One  of  the  enterprising  young  business  men  of  Springfield  is  Melville 
E.  Dark.  What  he  has  achieved  in  life  proves  the  force  of  his  character 
and  illustrates  its  steadfastness  of  purpose,  and  his  advancement  to  a posi- 
tion of  credit  and  honor  in  the  business  circles  of  Greene  county  is  the  direct 
•outcome  of  his  own  persistent  and  worthy  labors,  and  he  is  a congenial  and 
popular  gentleman  with  bright  prospects  for  the  future. 

Mr.  Dark,  who  is  district  manager  of  the  Illinois  Life  Insurance  Com- 
pany, with  offices  in  the  Holland  building,  was  born  at  Lewisburg,  Marshall 
county,  Tennessee,  September  ^9,  1879.  He  is  a son  of  Harris  E.  and 
Martha  E.  (Dyer)  Dark,  the  father  born  in  Lewisburg,  Tennessee,  Febru- 
ary 5,  1844,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Franklin,  that  state,  November  5, 
1853.  They  grew  to  maturity  in  Tennessee,  received  their  educations  in 
the  public  schools,  and  were  married  there  and  established  their  home  at 
Lewisburg,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming. 

Melville  E.  Dark  spent  his  boyhood  days  in  his  native  locality  and  there 
he  received  a practical  education.  He  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in 
the  year  1901  and  has  since  made  this  his  home,  finally  becoming  district 
manager  for  the  Illinois  Life  Insurance  Company,  the  duties  of  which  re- 
sponsible position  he  is  discharging  in  a manner  that  reflects  much  credit 
upon  himself  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  company,  and  is  rapidly 
extending  the  interests  of  the  same  in  this  territory  where  he  has  built  up  a 
large  business.  He  understands  every  phase  of  the  life  insurance  field  and 
keeps  well  abreast  of  the  times  in  the  same. 

Mr.  Dark  was  married  on  November  14,  1911,  to  Katherine  O'Dowd, 


M.  E.  DARK, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 553 


a daughter  of  Mike  and  Amelia  (Engleman)  O'Dowd,  a highly  respected 
family  of  Springfield,  Missouri. 

Mrs.  Dark  was  born  at  Richmond,  Missouri,  October  5,  1887.  She 
moved  with  her  parents  from  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  to  Springfield  in  1906, 
at  which  time  her  father  accepted  a position  as  chief  tie  and  timber  inspector 
for  the  Frisco  railroad. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dark  one  child  has  been  born,  Winifred  Dark,  whose 
birth  occurred  on  September  15,  1912. 


MOSES  M.  RENSHAW. 

A man  who  has  spent  his  life  as  a farmer  can  not  move  into  town  and 
make  himself  indispensable  in  an  art  studio,  nor  can  the  artist,  the  machinist, 
the  dry  goods  clerk,  those  from  the  professional  offices,  become  prosperous 
in  any  early  time  as  hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of  water,  tillers  of  the 
soil,  or  salesmen  of  its  products.  No  greater  disaster  could  come  to  the 
masses  in  cities  than  to  thrust  them  unprepared  into  the  strange  situations 
they  would  encounter  in  attempted  farm  life.  Their  story  would  be  one  of 
tragedy.  There  are  a great  many  people  in  the  cities  now-a-days  who  desire 
to  heed  the  “back-to-the-land”  slogan,  who  have  very  little  conception  of 
what  is  to  be  done  to  success  after  they  are  located  on  a farm.  All  such 
should  have  some  capital  to  start  with  and  go  slow  until  they  can  learn  what 
they  should  know  of  the  thousand  and  one  things  regarding  life  as  an  agri- 
culturist. On  the  other  hand,  those  who  have  spent  their  lives  as  farmers 
should  stay  away  from  town  unless  they  have  laid  by  enough  money  to  live 
comfortably  without  an  income.  Moses  M.  Renshaw,  a farmer  of  Cass 
township,  near  Cave  Spring,  Greene  county,  has  lived  on  a farm  many  years, 
and  being  contented  and  successful,  has  no  desire  for  city  life. 

Mr.  Renshaw  has  spent  practically  all  of  his  life  of  three  score  and  ten 
years  in  the  vicinity  where  he  now  resides,  having  been  born  there  December 
15,  1844.  He  is  a son  of  Joseph  A.  and  Sarah  (Griffis)  Renshaw,  a pioneer 
family  of  the  northern  part  of  this  county.  The  father  was  born  in  Ten- 
nessee, in  1813,  and  the  mother  was  also  a native  of  that  state.  There  they 
hoth  spent  their  childhood  years,  received  limited  educations  in  the  old-time 
subscription  schools,  and  when  young,  removed  with  their  parents  to  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  the  mother  coming  here  in  1842.  Here  the  parents  of  our 
subject  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  the  father  dying  in  the  year  1863  and 
the  mother  died  May  9,  1914.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children, 
namely:  Robert,  who  is  making  his  home  on  the  farm  with  our  subject; 

" (98) 


1554 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Moses  M.  of  this  review;  the  next  child  died  in  infancy;  Sarah  J.  married 
Gilbert  Hughes  and  they  live  in  Murray  township,  Greene  county;  Howard 
A.  died  in  1900;  William  C.  lives  on  a farm  near  the  home  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch;  Mary  is  the  wife  of  J.  B.  Easly,  who  is  engaged  in  the  real 
estate  business  in  Springfield;  Francis  A.  is  living  with  our  subject. 

Moses  M.  Renshaw  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  his  native  locality, 
and  he  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Greene  county,  and 
here  he  began  life  for  himself  as  a farmer.  In  1877  he  removed  to  Ar- 
kansas, where  he  engaged  in  the  livery  business  in  Pine  Bluff,  Jefferson 
county,  remaining  there  until  1900,  enjoying  a large  and  successful  business 
all  the  while,  and  became  well  known  throughout  the  county.  Pie  then 
went  to  Wyoming,  where  he  remained  only  a short  time,  after  which  he 
returned  to  his  native  vicinity  in  Cass  township,  Greene  county,  locating  on 
his  present  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  of  well-improved  and  productive 
land,  his  well-kept  place  bearing  the  name  of  “Locust  Lawn  Farm.”  He 
carries  on  general  farming,  keeping  tenants  on  his  place  to  assist  him.  He 
is  also  owner  of  valuable  land  on  the  prairie  south  of  his  home  district,  his 
holdings  in  all  amounting  to  nearly  six  hundred  acres.  He  farms  on  an 
extensive  scale,  is  careful  of  details,  always  exercising  proper  system  and 
adopting  advanced  methods.  He  handles  large  numbers  of  live  stock 
from  year  to  year. 

Politically,  Mr.  Renshaw  is  a Republican,  but  he  has  never  been  espe- 
cially active  in  public  affairs.  He  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,, 
in  which  he  has  been  a director. 

Our  subject  has  remained  unmarried. 


WILLIAM  A.  DELZELL,  M.  D. 

In  a comprehensive  work  of  this  kind,  dealing  with  industrial  pursuits,, 
sciences,  arts  and  professions,  it  is  only  fit  and  right  that  that  profession  on 
which,  in  some  period  or  other  in  our  lives  (the  medical  profession)  we  are 
all  more  or  less  dependent,  should  be  noticed.  It  is  the  prerogative  of  the 
physician  to  relieve  or  alleviate  the  ailments  to  which  suffering  humanity  is 
heir,  and  as  such  he  deserves  the  most  grateful  consideration  of  all.  One  of 
the  most  promising  of  the  younger  physicians  and  surgeons  of  Greene 
county,  who,  by  his  own  ability,  has  attained  a good  foothold  in  his  profes- 
sion, is  Dr.  William  A.  Delzell,  of  Springfield. 

Dr.  Delzell  was  born  at  Henderson,  Missouri,  June  4,  1885.  He  is  a 
son  of  Dr.  William  David  Delzell,  who  was  born  near  Rogersville,  this  state, 
July  4,  1844,  his  parents  having  located  there  in  pioneer  days.  There  he 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  1 5 5 5 

grew  to  maturity,  assisted  with  the  general  work  on  the  farm  and  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Webster  and  Greene  counties.  After 
finishing  his  primary  education  he  entered  the  St.  Louis  Medical  College 
from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1876.  Soon 
thereafter  he  returned  to  his  native  vicinity  where  he  engaged  successfully 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession  until  about  1896,  when  he  retired  from  prac- 
tice and  removed  to  his  large  stock  farm  near  Rogersville,  Missouri,  and 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  on  an  extensive  scale.  He  has 
long  been  a prominent  man  in  that  locality  in  public  affairs,  and  in  1899  he 
was  elected  representative  to  the  state  Legislature,  serving  his  constituents 
in  such  an  able  and  satisfactory  manner  that  he  was  elected  for  a second 
term  in  1901  and  again  distinguished  himself  as  a member  of  the  lower 
house.  He  was  given  by  nature  many  strong  attributes,  and  he  became  a 
splendid  example  of  a successful  and  influential  self-made  man,  having 
forged  his  way  to  the  front  up  from  the  station  of  a poor  farmer  boy.  His 
habits  were  above  all  idle  cavil  and  he  has  always  been  highly  esteemed  by  all 
who  know  him.  On  January  27,  1875,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Sarah  E.  Thompson,  a daughter  of  William  E.  Thompson,  a native  of 
Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  one  of  the  early  settlers  here.  His  death 
occurred  some  twelve  years  ago.  A.  D.  Delzell,  the  paternal  grandfather 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a minister  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  hav- 
ing commenced  preaching  when  eighteen  years  of  age  and  followed  the  same 
the  rest  of  his  life.  His  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years. 

Dr.  William  A.  Delzell  grew  up  in  his  native  locality  and  he  received 
his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  and  Morrisville  College,  in  Polk 
county.  Desiring  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father  in  a professional 
way  he  entered  the  university  of  St.  Louis,  where  he  completed  his  literary 
course,  then  was  a student  in  the  medical  department  of  that  institution, 
making  an  excellent  record  and  was  graduated  therefrom  in  1912,  taking 
the  full  four  years’  course.  He  then  served  a year  as  interne  in  the  St. 
Francis  Hospital  in  Colorado  Springs,  Colorado,  and  thereby  gained  much 
valuable  experience,  especially  in  surgery.  He  then  came  to  Springfield  and 
opened  an  office  and  he  has  succeeded  in  establishing  an  excellent  general 
practice  and  does  a great  deal  of  surgical  work,  in  which  he  is  specializing 
and  for  which  he  seems  to  be  well  fitted  by  both  nature  and  training. 

Doctor  Delzell  was  married,  January  27,  1914,  to  Myrtle  Bearden,  a 
daughter  of  R.  R.  Bearden  and  wife,  of  Springfield,  where  she  was  reared 
and  educated. 

Doctor  Delzell  is  a member  of  the  Greene  County  Medical  Society,  the 
Southwest  Missouri  Medical  Society  and  the  Missouri  State  Meidcal 
Association.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  Lodge  No.  5,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons.  He  is  a Democrat  and  a member  of  the  Methodist  church.  He  is 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1556 

a man  of  industry,  worked  hard  for  his  professional  education  and  is  still 
working  hard  in  order  to  further  equip  himself  for  life's  duties.  His  per- 
sonal habits  are  above  criticism.  His  offices  are  on  the  sixth  floor  of  the 
Landers  building. 


DR.  MARY  JEAN  McLAGGAN  ATHERTON. 

If  one  cares  to  take  the  time  to  examine  works  on  the  early  races  of 
mankind  he  will  be  surprised  to  learn  how  profound^  ignorant  those  early 
peoples  were  regarding  the  anatomy  of  the  human  organism  and  how  very 
little  they  knew  of  the  art  of  healing,  in  fact,  they  believed  that  the  sick  were 
possessed  of  evil  spirits  and  that  they  could  not  be  dispersed  by  any  means 
except  incantations.  Many  centuries  elapsed  before  the  thinking  Greeks 
established  something  of  a science  in  the  treatment  of  diseases  and  began 
studying  plants,  advocating  the  theory  that  certain  ones  possessed  medicinal 
properties.  This  placed  the  study  of  the  human  organism  upon  a scientific 
basis,  and  since  that  remote  age  many  theories  have  been  advanced,  little 
actual  progress  being  made,  however,  up  to  a century  or  two  ago.  The  last 
two  decades  have  witnessed  remarkable  strides  and  new  discoveries  are 
daily  being  made.  It  seems  that  there  remains  yet  a very  great  deal  to  be 
discovered  if  humanity  is  to  cease  suffering  by  reason  of  the  “ills  to  which 
flesh  is  heir."  Many  women  have  of  late  years  been  studying  and  practicing 
medicine  in  its  various  branches,  with  success  equal  to  the  men.  One  of 
these  is  Mrs.  Mary  Jean  McLaggan  Atherton,  of  Springfield,  whose  record 
is  that  of  a skilled,  sympathetic  practitioner,  cheerful  in  the  sick  room,  and 
possessing  the  happy  faculty  of  winning  the  confidence  of  her  patients, 
which  has  much  to  do  with  their  restoration  to  health. 

She  was  born  on  May  28,  1882,  in  the  Province  of  Ontario,  Canada. 
She  is  a daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  (Munn)  McLaggan,  both  natives 
of  Scotland,  from  which  country  they  came  to  Ontario  when  young  and 
were  married  there  and  established  their  home  on  a farm  near  the  town  of 
Peterborough.  It  was  in  1852  that  he  left  his  native  land  and  settled  in 
Canada.  When  old  age  came  on  he  retired  from  active  work  on  his  farm. 
He  had  accumulated  a comfortable  competency  by  his  industry,  and  he  and 
his  wife  are  living  at  this  writing  in  Chesley,  Ontario.  To  these  parents  the 
following  children  were  born:  Florence  Able,  Chicago;  Isabel  Ashelford, 

Toronto,  Ontario;  Alexander  McLaggan,  Saskatchewan,  Canada;  Catherine 
Broughton,  Toronto,  Ontario;  Peter  McLaggan,  Vancouver,  British  Colum- 
bia; John  McLaggan,  Metiskow,  Alberta;  Mary  Jean  Atherton,  Springfield, 
Mo. ; Elizabeth  McLaggan,  Chesley,  Ontario,  and  Martha  McIntyre,  Chicago. 

Peter  McLaggan,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  born  in 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 557 


Scotland  where  he  grew  up  and  married  Isabella  Fisher,  also  a native  o f 
that  country,  and  there  they  resided  until  1852  when  they  emigrated  to  Can- 
ada and  established  their  home  at  Peterborough,  Ontario,  where  they  both 
died  a year  later  of  Asiatic  cholera. 

Mrs.  Dr.  Atherton  grew  to  womanhood  in  her  native  locality  and 
received  her  early  education  in  the  common  schools  and  at  Harbord  Collegi- 
ate Institute,  at  Toronto,  Canada,  from  which  she  was  graduated  with  the 
class  of  1899;  she  attended  the  Toronto  Normal  College  for  Teachers  in 
[900,  and  was  a teacher  in  the  Chicago  Public  School  until  1908.  In  1908 
she  entered  the  Bennett  Medical  College,  at  Chicago,  Illinois,  making  an 
excellent  record  and  graduating  therefrom  in  the  spring  of  1912. 

On  December  18,  1909,  our  subject  was  united  in  marriage  with  Dr.  J. 
Leroy  Atherton,  who  was  a native  of  Illinois  who  attended  the  above  men- 
tioned medical  college  at  the  time  our  subject  was  a student  there  and  they 
were  graduates  of  the  same  class.  They  both  began  practicing  in  Chicago, 
she  in  the  fall  of  1913  and  there  continued  with  success  until  their  removal 
to  Springfield,  Missouri,  January  1,  1915,  where  she  has  continued  the  prac- 
tice of  her  profession,  building  up  a large  practice  which  is  rapidly  growing. 
A complete  sketch  of  her  husband  will  be  found  in  another  part  of  this 
volume. 

Mrs.  Dr.  Atherton  is  a member  of  the  Chicago  Medical  Society  and  is 
a member  of  the  Calvary  Presbyterian  church  of  Springfield. 


EDWARD  F.  KOHLER. 

To  the  man  in  the  habit  of  superficial  thinking  it  would  seem  that  the 
place  of  one’s  birth  could  not  matter  very  much;  that  it  could  have  no  special 
bearing  in  shaping  his  earthly  career,  but  proof  to  the  contrary  is  over- 
whelming. The  principal  reason  for  the  difference  in  degree  of  industry, 
intelligence  and  standards  of  civilization  in  the  various  nations  of  the  world 
is  due  very  largely  to  latitude  and  topography.  For  an  example  it  is  not 
hard  to  “figure  out"  why  the  people  of  Belgium  are  progressive,  energetic, 
courageous  and  in  the  main,  intelligent,  and  why  the  inhabitants  of  the 
islands  of  the  South  Seas  are  languid,  lazy,  ignorant  and  primitive  in  their 
modes  of  living.  The  former  have  to  hustle  for  a livelihood  on  account  of 
a somewhat  resisting  nature,  while  those  of  the  latter  live  off  of  nature’s 
bounty  without  exerting  themselves  winter  or  summer.  People,  like  the 
Swiss,  who  live  in  a temperate,  mountainous,  inland  country  are  hardy, 
independent,  liberty  loving  and  seekers  after  knowledge,  consequently  they 
make  good  citizens  and  are  welcomed  in  all  countries  to  which  they  may 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1558 

immigrate.  Among  those  who  have  cast  their  lot  with  the  residents  of 
Greene  county  is  Edward  F.  Kohler,  a merchant  of  Springfield. 

Mr.  Kohler  was  born  in  Switzerland,  January  16,  1866.  He  is  a son  of 
Edward  and  Margaret  (Funk)  Kohler,  both  natives  of  Switzerland,  the 
father  born  in  1835  and  the  mother  in  1836.  There  they  grew  to  maturity, 
were  educated,  married  and  spent  their  lives,  the  father  dying  in  1882  and 
the  mother  passing  away  in  1886.  The  elder  Kohler  was  a banker,  in  busi- 
ness in  the  city  of  Nidaw  and  was  a successful  and  prominent  man  there 
during  the  latter  years  of  his  life.  His  family  consisted  of  eight  children, 
five  of  whom  are  living,  namely:  Arthur  lives  in  Springfield,  Missouri; 

Carl  lives  in  Argentine  Republic,  South  America,  where  he  is  engaged  in 
contracting;  Edward  F.  of  this  sketch;  Marie  lives  in  Arbon,  Switzerland; 
Rosa  also  lives  there. 

Edward  F.  Kohler  grew  to  manhood  in  Switzerland  and  after  passing 
through  the  public  schools  spent  three  years  in  college.  After  serving  an 
apprenticeship  in  the  mercantile  business  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States 
in  1884,  locating  first  in  Monticello,  Iowa,  and  worked  on  a farm  near  that 
town,  until  he  could  master  the  English  language,  which  he  studied  during 
spare  time.  Later  he  secured  employment  in  a store  where  he  remained 
until  1891,  during  which  time  he  not  only  became  proficient  in  our  language 
but  learned  our  methods  of  commercial  life.  He  then  came  to  Springfield, 
Missouri,  and  secured  a position  as  mechanic  in  the  north  side  Frisco  shops. 
His  natural  ability  in  this  direction  and  his  faithfulness  and  energy  won 
him  promotion  and  he  became  foreman,  being  in  charge  of  a department  in 
these  shops  for  several  years,  giving  eminent  satisfaction.  In  1904  he  began 
the  mercantile  business  for  himself  on  a small  scale,  renting  a little  frame 
building  at  1954  Springfield  avenue,  and  there  he  carried  a line  of  general 
merchandise,  later  purchasing  a fifty-foot  front  frame  building.  His  busi- 
ness steadily  increased  and  in  time  he  was  able  to  erect  a handsome  two- 
story  brick  building  on  his  fifty-foot  lot.  In  1914  he  built  to  his  store 
another  brick  building  with  a fifty-foot  front,  making  now  a substantial 
block  with  a one  hundred  foot  frontage,  in  which  he  maintains  a modern, 
well-stocked  and  neat  department  store,  of  four  departments — groceries, 
hardware,  shoes  and  clothing  and  has  a large  force  of  clerks  and  assistants. 
He  has  built  up  a large  and  lucrative  business  by  his  energy,  honesty  and 
courteous  dealings.  He  may  well  be  referred  to  as  one  of  the  leading  busi- 
ness men  of  the  north  side.  He  has  done  much  for  this  section  of  the  city, 
and  was  instrumental  in  securing  the  first  paved  streets  in  his  locality  as 
well  as  electric  lights  and  gas,  and  he  is  now  advocating  the  necessity  of  a 
better  sewage  system  here.  He  is  a man  of  excellent  judgment  and  fore- 
sight, has  his  store  under  a superb  system  and  is  by  nature  the  possessor  of 
rare  executive  ability. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 559 


Mr.  Kohler  was  married  in  1887  in  Monticello,  Iowa,  to  Rosa  Mes- 
-serli,  who  was  born  in  Switzerland.  She  is  a daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mar- 
garet (Glauser)  Messerli.  When  a child  her  parents  brought  her  to  the 
United  States  and  located  in  Iowa  where  the  father  died  some  time  ago 
.and  where  the  mother  still  resides.  Mrs.  Kohler  grew  to  womanhood  in 
that  state  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  one  child  has  been  born,  Freda  Kohler,  whose 
birth  occurred  on  September  1,  1888.  She  received  a good  high  school  edu- 
cation in  Springfield,  and  married  Clem  P.  Horat,  an  enterprising  young 
man  who  is  engaged  in  business  with  Mr.  Kohler. 

Politically,  Mr.  Kohler  is  an  independent  voter.  He  belongs  to  the 
Modern  Woodmen  and  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  and  religiously 
he  is  a member  of  the  German  Congregational  church.  He  is  a pleasant 
.man  to  meet,  impressing  the  stranger  at  once  with  his  sincerity  and  genu- 
ine worth. 


JESSE  MARION  KELLEY. 

In  nearly  every  community  have  lived  individuals  who,  by  innate  ability 
and  sheer  force  of  character,  have  risen  above  the  masses  and  won  for 
themselves  conspicuous  places  in  public  esteem.  Such  a man  was  the  late 
Jesse  Marion  Kelley,  a pioneer  of  Greene  county  and  who  was  intimately 
identified  .with  the  civic  and  industrial  history  of  the  city  of  Springfield  for 
a long  lapse  of  years,  his  career  as  a progressive  man  of  affairs  having  been 
synonymous  with  all  that  was  upright  and  honorable  in  citizenship.  He 
contributed  freely  of  his  time  and  means  to  the  maintenance  of  the  early- 
>day  schools  of  this  locality  and  other  institutions  which  he  deemed  would 
make  for  the  general  good,  using  his  influence  in  every  way  possible  to 
advance  the  general  welfare  of  those  with  whom  he  associated  in  the  various 
walks  of  life.  Mr.  Kelley  was  not  only  a public-spirited  citizen,  but  a whole- 
souled  gentleman,  whom  to  know  was  to  admire  and  respect,  and  he  not 
■only  delighted  in  public  improvements  in  a material  way,  but  liked  to  see 
also  the  promotion  of  such  interests  as  were  conducive  to  the  comfort  and 
happiness  of  his  friends  and  fellow  citizens.  There  was  probably  none  of 
his  contemporaries  in  this  locality  who  was  held  in  higher  esteem  by  the 
population,  during  which  might  be  termed  the  formative  period  of  the 
county,  regardless  of  all  sects,  political  or  professional  creeds.  His  life 
most  happily  illustrated  what  one  may  accomplish  by  faithful  and  persistent 
effort  in  carrying  out  noble  purposes,  even  in  the  face  of  discouraging  cir- 
cumstances. It  is  the  story  of  a life  that  has  made  the  world  better  for  his 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1560 

having  lived,  for  his  actions  sprung  from  a heart  filled  with  love  and  altru- 
ism for  humanity,  and  was  a blessing  to  all  who  were  within  range  of  his 
influence.  Personally,  Mr.  Kelley  was  a high-minded,  right-thinking  man, 
according  to  those  who  knew  him  well,  his  private  character  having  always 
been  unassailable.  Plis  life  may  be  safely  imitated  by  the  young,  and  the 
great  amount  of  good  which  he  did,  while  laboring  for  his  own  advance- 
ment and  that  of  his  family,  will  never  be  fully  known  until  the  last  great  day 
when  the  book  of  life  shall  be  opened  on  high  and  every  man  receive  due 
credit  for  his  works,  Ins  actions  and  his  influence. 

Mr.  Kelley  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Tennessee,  in  1830,  and  he  was 
seven  years  of  age  when  he  settled  near  Walnut  Grove,  Greene  county, 
Missouri,  with  his  parents,  George  and  Sally  (Bouldon)  Kelley.  The 
family  made  the  overland  trip  from  Tennessee  by  wagon,  arriving  in  time 
to  erect  the  log  house  that  was  to  be  their  home,  before  the  rigors  of  winter 
set  in.  It  was  merely  a temporary  shelter,  and  often  during  the  terrible 
winter  that  followed  they  awoke  in  the  morning  to  find  that  their  beds  were 
covered  with  snow  which  had  sifted  in  through  the  cracks  in  the  walls.  But 
despite  the  hardships  and  privations  incident  to  the  lot  of  early  settlers,  the 
wife  found  time  to  give  some  instruction  to  her  children.  To  the  little 
son,  Jesse,  fell  the  task  of  keeping  the  smaller  children  employed,  and  to 
him  many  of  the  younger  as  well  as  the  older  ones  owed  their  knowledge 
of  reading,  spelling  and  the  rudiments  of  arithmetic.  Grammar  was  not 
taught  until  a later  date,  but  as  the  mother  and  father  were  excellent  gram- 
marians the  children  used  good  language  from  hearing  it  constantly  in 
their  home.  When  the  youngest  of  the  children  was  quite  small  the  father, 
after  a lingering  illness,  was  summoned  from  earthly  scenes,  leaving  the 
highly  educated  and’ strong-minded  mother  to  provide  for  the  large  family. 
She  took  up  her  task  with  rare  courage  and  fortitude,  and  succeeded  admi- 
rably although  surrounded  by  a most  discouraging  environment.  Jesse  had 
been  engaged  to  teach  the  country  school  in  that  vicinity  one  season,  and 
although  his  pupils  advanced  as  never  before,  the  community  felt  that 
because  he  had  not  turned  the  class  back  to  the  word  “baker”  (which  was 
a sort  of  land-mark  in  the  old  spelling-books)  he  was  doing  them  an  injus- 
tice, having  taught  them  to  read  and  write  instead.  Plowever,  before  the 
end  of  the  following  summer  the  patrons  of  the  school  came  to  the  boy 
(he  was  still  very  young)  and  importuned  him  to  accept  the  school  for 
another  season,  “because  it  was  so  nice  to  listen  to  their  children  read  after 
their  day's  work  was  done.” 

George  Kelley,  the  father,  had  served  very  creditably  as  a member  of 
the  state  Legislature,  also  as  sheriff  of  Springfield  before  his  untimely  death, 
Jesse  being  his  deputy.  In  Springfield,  then,  seemed  to  exist  the  opportunity 
for  the  son  to  further  his  fortunes,  so  he  decided  to  locate  here,  and  for 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  1561 

many  years  was  employed  as  a dry  goods  clerk.  Here  he  met  and  married 
Sarah  (Taylor)  Worley,  a daughter  of  Hiram  and  Sarah  Worley,  a relative 
of  the  Taylors  of  Tennessee  and  a direct  descendant  of  the  Monroes  and 
Henrys  of  Virginia,  of  whom  the  great  orator,  Patrick  Henry,  was  one. 
To  the  union  of  Jesse  M.  Kelley  and  wife  three  sons  and  one  daughter  were 
born;  Charles,  the  eldest,  died  during  the  Civil  war;  Richard,  a promising 
young  railroad  man,  died  as  a result  of  exposure  while  attending  to  his 
regular  duties  for  his  company  at  Grand  River,  Indian  Territory;  Mary 
Lizzie,  who  lived  to  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  graduated  from  the  Ward 
Seminary  of  Nashville,  Tennessee,  being  a brilliant  musician  and  one  of  a 
strong,  peaceful  mind;  after  graduating  she  returned  to  her  home  and  lived 
for  a short  time  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  her  education;  Edwin  H.  Kelley, 
who  is  later  mentioned  in  this  sketch,  is  the  other  son.  Shortly  after  their 
marriage  the  wife  prevailed  upon  her  husband  to  purchase  a small  house 
and  lot  near  the  corner  of  Walnut  and  South  streets.  They  pooled  their 
ready  money  and  contracted  to  pay  the  balance  in  monthly  payments.  Long 
before  the  expiration  of  the  stipulated  time  they  were  given  in  which  to 
make  the  final  payment  settlement  was  made  in  full,  and  they  improved 
the  place  by  adding  several  rooms  and  in  making  other  important  changes. 
Before  and  during  the  first  years  of  the  war  between  the  states  a great  many 
strangers  passed  through  this  section  of  the  state,  many  of  them  finding- 
true  hospitality  and  pleasant  surroundings  at  the  Kelley  home.  From  this 
modest  beginning  sprang  the  name  and  fame  of  their  hotel.  About  1879 
Jesse  M.  Kelley’s  name  began  to  be  mentioned  with  favor  as  a worthy  public 
official,  and  he  became  a candidate  for  recorder  of  deeds  on  the  Republican 
ticket,  and  he  was  duly  elected,  serving  the  county  well,  inaugurating  many 
improvements.  At  the  close  of  his  term  of  office  he  began  work  on  one 
of  the  first  sets  of  abstracting  books  in  this  county,  and  he  remained  identi- 
fied with  this  business  in  Springfield  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Jan- 
uary, 1914,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- four  years. 

Mr.  Kelley  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  present  splendid  public 
school  system  of  Greene  count}'-.  He  posted  the  announcements,  calling 
the  citizens  in  mass  meeting,  which  resulted  in  much  heated  discussion, 
because  some  believed  that  the  colored  population  would  be  sent  to  the  same 
schools  established  for  the  whites..-  One  fanatic  even  threatened  the  life  of 
our  subject,  and  rode  many  miles  to  shoot  him,  “for  callin’  his  children 
no  better’ll  niggers.” 

At  the  opening  of  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Kelley  joined  the  Home  Guards 
and  helped  build  the  forts  and  rifle  pits  south  and  west  of  the  city.  During 
these  distressing  times,  coal  was  hauled  from  Greenfield,  each  wagon  train 
having  hairbreadth  escapes  from  the  enemy.  Then  came  news  of  large 


1562 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


armies  marching  on  Springfield,  and  the  citizens  expected  severe  bombard- 
ments. uater  the  town  was  attacked  and  while  shells  were  falling  around 
their  home  the  Kelleys  took  what  they  could  of  their  household  effects,  jour- 
neying by  stage  to  Kolia,  Khelps  county,  which  was  at  that  time  the  western 
terminal  of  the  railroad.  T here  they  took  the  train  to  St.  Louis  and  on 
into  Illinois.  Upon  returning,  after  quiet  had  been  restored  in  the  Ozark 
region,  our  subject  and  his  wife  found  nothing  but  their  house  remaining, 
nnd  they  again  opened  a small  hotel,  which  up  to  the  year  1881  was  the 
favorite  stopping  place  for  many  of  Springfield’s  most  influential  citizens. 
The  hotel  will  be  remembered  by  many  as  the  Kelley  House.  The  domestic 
life  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kelley  was  ideal,  and  Mrs.  Kelley’s  death  occurred 
only  a few  hours  after  that  of  her  husband,  in  January,  1914. 

Their  son,  Prof.  Edwin  H.  Kelley,  has  long  been  one  of  Springfield’s 
best  known  musicians.  He  was  born  in  this  city  on  October  16,  1865,  and 
here  he  grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  education  in  the  local  ward  and 
high  schools.  By  nature  he  is  both  a musician  and  an  artist,  and  during 
his  school  days  here  he  became  well  known  for  his  fine  drawings.  In  1891 
he  went  to  Leipsic,  Germany,  and  studied  music  under  Hans  Sitt,  a famous 
instructor  of  the  Royal  Conservatory  of  Music  of  that  city,  remaining  there 
several  years,  making  an  excellent  record.  While  abroad,  Prof.  Kelley 
.studied  art  during  the  summer  months  in  the  studio  of  Martin  Laemuel,  a 
distinguished  artist  of  Germany,  who  has  since  remained  a very  warm  friend 
of  Prof.  Kelley.  The  latter  made  many  paintings  in  water  color  while  a 
student  in  Germany.  They  were  all  from  life,  and  each  one  of  them  has  a 
history  in  themselves.  They  show  unmistakable  talent,  and  have  been 
admired  by  all  who  have  had  the  privilege  of  seeing  them.  Returning  to 
America  in  1895,  was  appointed  musical  director  at  the  old  Normal 
school  in  Springfield,  which  position  he  held  two  years.  Since  then  he  has 
been  one  of  the  instructors  in  music  at  Drury  College  at  two  different  peri- 
ods. He  now  devotes  his  attention  exclusively  to  his  studio  in  the  Masonic 
Temple  building  in  this  city  and  has  a large  number  of  pupils  constantly, 
lie  teaches  the  violin,  on  which  instrument  he  is  exceptionally  proficient. 

Prof.  Kelley  was  married  in  Leipsic,  Germany,  February  14,  1895, 
shortly  before  his  return  to  the  United  States,  to  Marguerite  Kneip,  a mem- 
ber of  a prominent  old  family  of  Leipsic,  where  she  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated. This  union  has  been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  two  children,  namely: 
Elizabeth,  born  on  December  13,  1895,  received  a common  school  education 
in  the  local  ward  and  high  schools,  and  is  a member  of  Christ  Episcopal 
church,  in  which  she  was  baptized  when  a child;  Alice  was  born  on  Febru- 
ary 5,  1902,  and  is  now  in  the  eighth  grade  in  the  public  schools  and  has 
made  excellent  records  in  all  her  work. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


i563 


Prof.  Kelley  and  wife  are  members  of  Christ  Episcopal  church,  and 
he  belongs  to  the  Springfield  Musicians’  Union,  also  the  Springfield  Musical 
■Club. 


JAMES  D.  VAN  BIBBER. 

The  late  James  D.  Van  Bibber,  was  a well-known  man  throughout 
Greene  county  during  a past  generation,  having  been  clerk  of  the  county 
court  for  a period  of  twelve  years,  and  long  a successful  merchant  and  agri- 
•culturist  in  the  northern  end  of  the  county.  He  will  long  be  remembered 
in  this  locality  as  a man  of  public-spirit,  comprehensive  ideas  and  as  a man 
of  honest  impulses  and  genial  and  sociable  personality. 

Mr.  Van  Bibber  was  born  on  May  3,  1828,  at  Liberty,  Clay  county, 
Missouri.  He  sprang  from  old  Colonial  stock  of  Holland  Dutch  ancestry — 
three  brothers,  sea  captains — coming  to  America  from  Holland  in  the  early 
part  of  the  seventeenth  century,  and  located  in  New  York  and  Virginia,  and 
were  among  the  early  founders  of  the  country.  Joseph  Van  Bibber,  grand- 
father of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Virginia  from  which  state  he  moved  to 
Missouri  in  1800  with  his  family  and  settled  in  Callaway  county,  in  the 
wilderness.  He  married  a Miss  Irwin,  of  Irish  stock.  He  owned  a large 
tract  of  land  and  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  Callaway  county.  He 
was  the  father  of  seven  children,  namely : Lucinda,  Minerva,  Melissa, 

Joseph,  Irwin,  Frank  and  Daniel.  Joseph  Van  Bibber,  son  of  above  and 
father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Greenbriar  county,  Virginia,  in  1797 
and  was  but  three  years  old  when  brought  by  his  parents  to  Callaway  county, 
Missouri,  and  was,  therefore,  reared  in  this  state,  received  a common  edu- 
cation and  was  a gunsmith  by  trade  and  employed  by  the  United  States 
government  at  Liberty,  Missouri,  when  there  was  an  Indian  agency  at  that 
point.  He  married  in  St.  Charles  county,  Missouri,  Susan  Boone,  a daugh- 
ter of  Nathan  and  Olive  (Van  Bibber)  Boone.  Nathan  Boone  was  the  son 
of  the  most  famous  of  all  pioneers — Daniel  Boone,  of  Kentucky.  It  will 
be  remembered  that  this  noted  hunter  and  Indian  fighter  moved  to  Missouri 
about  1795  and  settled  in  St.  Charles  county,  having  been  preceded  by  his 
son,  Daniel.  Morgan  Boone  came  a few  years  previously.  Nathan,  who 
came  in  1800,  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1781  and  married  there  before  he 
was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  he  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of 
thirteen  children,  twelve  of  whom  lived  to  be  married  men  and  women, 
namely:  James,  Jeremiah,  Delinda,  Susan,  Olive,  Nancy,  Benjamin  H., 
John  C.,  Levica,  Melcena,  Mary,  Sarah  and  Mahala.  Mr.  Boone  resided 
on  his  farm  in  St.  Charles  county  until  1834.  He  was  a captain  in  the 
Dragoon  sendee  of  the  United  States  army  and  stationed  at  Fort  Leaven- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1564 

worth  many  years.  He  was  engaged  in  the  early  Indian  troubles,  and 
resigned  when  he  became  an  aged  man,  being  lieutenant-colonel  at  the  time. 
In  1834  he  moved  to  Greene  county  and  settled  on  land  near  Ash  Grove 
which  he  purchased  from  the  government,  several  hundred  acres,  and  here 
he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days,  an  honored  citizen,  and  reached  the 
age  of  seventy-five  years. 

After  his  marriage  Joseph  Van  Bibber  lived  at  Liberty  until  1832,  when 
he  went  to  Arkansas  and  settled  in  Randolph  county,  in  the  wilderness,  and 
was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  that  county,  and  was  one  of  the  surveyors 
who  laid  out  the  town  of  Pocahontas,  the . county-seat  of  that  county,  and 
there  he  died  at  the  age  of  forty-two  years,  and  his  wife  died  a few  years 
previously.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  children  who  lived  to  grow  up, 
namely : Letitia,  James  D.,  Sarah  and  Emulus  C. 

James  D.  Van  Bibber,  subject  of  this  memoir,  was  left  an  orphan  when 
he  was  thirteen  years  of  age,  after  which  he  lived  with  his  grandfather, 
Col.  Nathan  Boone,  at  Ash  Grove,  until  between  fifteen  and  sixteen  years 
of  age,  when  he  began  to  work  out  for  himself.  He  worked  and  paid  his 
tuition  at  a subscription  school,  and  attended  school  at  Springfield  two  terms 
and  thus  gained  a common  education  and  began  life  in  an  industrial  way 
as  a clerk  at  Cave  Spring,  Greene  county,  later  engaging  in  the  mercantile 
business  there  for  himself  in  which  he  built  up  a good  trade  and  continued 
in  this  line  of  endeavor  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war.  He  then 
exchanged  his  stock  of  goods  for  land  near  Cave  Spring,  and  continued 
purchasing  until  he  owned  about  seven  hundred  acres,  and  lived  on  this 
land  until  1862  when  he  came  to  Springfield  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In  1874  he  was  elected  clerk  of  the 
county  court,  and  held  this  office'  twelve  years,  being  elected  three  times.  He 
discharged  the  duties  of  the  same  in  a manner  that  reflected  much  credit 
upon  himself  and  tp  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  He  owned  a good 
farm  just  north  of  the  city  limits  of  Springfield  which  he  sold  in  1887  and 
bought  two  hundred  and  forty-three  acres  upon  which  he  built  a large 
residence.  He  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  engaged  successfully  in  general 
agricultural  pursuits. 

Mr.  Van  Bibber  was  married  in  1854  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years, 
to  Caroline  Staley,  daughter  of  Alfred  and  Lucinda  (Brower)  Staley. 
Alfred  Staley  was  born  in  North  Carolina  where  he  spent  his  earlier  years 
and  from  that  state  he  emigrated  to  Missouri  in  1846  and  settled  in  Greene 
county.  In  1848  he  went  into  the  mercantile  business  at  Cave  Spring, 
where  he  was  a prominent  merchant  until  his  death  in  1853. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van  Bibber  two  children  were  born,  namely:  Alfred 

H.,  a sketch  of  whom  appears  on  another  page  of  this  volume;  and  Laura 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  1 565 

Belle,  who  has  remained  unmarried  and  is  living  on  the  old  homestead  with 
her  mother,  the  latter  being  now  advanced  in  years. 

Politically,  Mr.  Van  Bibber  was  a Democrat,  and  fraternally  he  belonged 
to  the  Masonic  Order,  being  a member  of  O'Sullivan  Lodge  No.  7.  of  Walnut 
Grove,  and  held  the  office  of  secretary  for  three  years.  He  was  a man  of 
high  Christian  character  and  when  his  death  occurred  in  1909,  sincere  regret 
was  expressed  in  the  community  in  which  he  lived. 


JOHN  LANGSFORD. 

Perhaps  two-thirds  of  the  citizens  of  Springfield  and  Greene  county 
are  of  English  descent,  but  the  percentage  born  in  the  British  Isles  is  com- 
paratively small.  There  is  no  marked  difference — a slight  peculiarity  in 
accent  and  speech,  maybe,  is  about  all,  and  some  words  mean  to  an  English- 
man something  a little  different  to  what  they  may  convey  to  the  American, 
but  they  are  not  very  many;  and  thus  being  so  closely  related  in  so  many 
respects,  so  nearly  resembling  each  other  from  a physical  standpoint  and 
our  aims  being  about  the  same,  it  is  well  that  the  peoples  of  these,  the  two 
greatest  nations  on  the  face  of  the  globe,  should  be  friends  and  mix  freely. 

John  Langsford,  city  sewer  inspector  of  Springfield,  is  one  of  the 
Britons  who  has  cast  his  lot  with  the  people  of  Greene  county.  Pie  was 
born  in  the  western  part  of  England,  June  24,  1862.  He  is  a son  of  William 
and  Mary  Ann  (Oliver)  Langsford,  both  natives  of  England,  the  father’s 
birth  occurring  in  1825.  They  both  grew  to  maturity  and  received  good 
educations  in  their  native  land,  were  married  there  and  there  spent  their 
lives.  The  mother  died  when  our  subject  was  a small  boy,  about  fifty  years 
ago,  after  which  the  father  married  again,  and  he  and  his  last  wife  have  both 
been  deceased  some  time.  William  Langsford  was  for  many  years  con- 
nected with  a great  mining  company  for  which  he  had  charge  of  sinking 
shafts  in  northern  England.  His  family  consisted  of  three  children,  namely: 
Jane  Ann,  deceased:  Charles,  deceased;  and  John,  of  this  review. 

John  Langsford  was  but  a boy  when  he  immigrated  to  the  United 
States,  and  he  received  a meager  schooling  in  the  common  schools  of  both 
countries,  but  educated  himself  ,for  the  most  part.  He  located  in  Calumet, 
Houghton  county,  Michigan,  where  he  worked  for  a copper  mining  com- 
pany for  a period  of  eighteen  years,  having  had  charge  of  the  sinking  of 
shafts,  in  fact,  he  continued  to  reside  in  Calumet  for  a period  of  about  thirty 
years  during  which  he  was  always  engaged  in  the  mining  business,  the 
various  phases  of  which  he  knew  thoroughly  and  was  enabled  thereby  to 
make  a good  livelihood.  In  1902  he  left  the  Wolverine  state  and  came  to 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


T566 

Joplin,  Missouri,  in  the  lead  and  zinc  mining  district,  and  for  some  time- 
had  charge  of  two  mines  there,  however,  the  following  year  he  came  to 
Springfield  and  took  charge  of  the  zinc  mines  near  this  city,  remaining  in 
this  line  of  work  until  three  years  ago.  In  1912  he  was  appointed  sewer 
inspector  of  Springfield,  which  position  he  still  holds,  the  duties  of  which 
he  has  discharged  in  a manner  highly  creditable  to  himself  and  to  the  satis- 
faction of  all  concerned. 

Mr.  Langsford  was  married  on  May  29,  1884,  in  Michigan,  to  Edith 
Harry,  a native  of  England,  from  which  country  she  emigrated  with  her 
parents  to  America  when  eight  years  of  age.  She  is  a daughter  of  Robert 
and  Margaret  (Trewella)  Harry.  The  father  was  a mine  operator.  His 
death  occurred  some  years  ago,  but  Mrs.  Harry  is  living  in  Calumet,  Michi- 
gan. The  wife  of  our  subject  grew  to  womanhood  in  Michigan  and  there 
received  a common  school  education. 

Five  children,  all  living  at  this  writing,  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Langsford,  named  as  follows:  Joshua,  born  October  19,  1886,  lives  in  Iowa 
City,  Kansas,  where  he  is  superintendent  of  the  United  Iron  Works,  is  mar- 
ried to  Nina  Potter  and  they  have  one  child,  Robert;  Clara,  born  on  April 
17,  1888,  lives  at  home;  Margaret,  born  on  May  27,  1891,  is  teaching  school 
and  lives  at  home;  Lester  R.,  born  on  June  2,  1895,  is  a clerk  in  the  Frisco 
offices  in  Springfield,  and  lives  at  home;  John  M.,  born  on  December  22,  1910. 

Politically,  Mr.  Langsford  votes  independently.  Fraternally,  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  Knights  Templars,  and  the  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  of  Nollies  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of 
the  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal  church  on  South  street. 


JOHN  E.  HENSHAW. 

The  success  that  has  been  attained  by  John  E.  Henshaw,  general  super- 
intendent of  the  new  Frisco  shops  in  Springfield,  in  the  mechanical  world  has 
been  well  deserved  and  his  example  is  worthy  of  emulation  by  the  ambitious 
youth  who  would  rise  to  the  top  of  that  vocation,  for  it  indicates  that  merit 
alone,  after  all,  wins  the  prizes  in  this  uncertain  human  existence,  especially 
is  this  true  in  our  great  republic  of  the  West,  where  positions  of  responsi- 
bility and  adequate  financial  reward  are  open  to  all  who  are  worthy  to- 
fill  them,  regardless  of  birth,  rank,  station  or  caste. 

Mr.  Henshaw  is  of  English  descent  and  has  inherited  many  of  the  ster- 
ling traits  of  that  noble  race.  He  was  born  in  Port  Huron,  Michigan,  Janu- 
ary 27,  1867.  He  is  a son  of  John  and  Ann  (Hilton)  Henshaw,  both  natives 
of  Manchester,  England,  the  birth  of  the  father  having  occurred  in  1837, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I567- 


and  the  mother  was  born  in  1839.  There  they  grew  to  maturity,  were  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools  and  were  married  in  i860.  When  only  a little 
over  nine  years  of  age  the  father  of  our  subject  began  working  in  the  mines 
in  his  native  land,  helped  to  shoe  horses,  and  finally  became  an  expert  black- 
smith which  trade  he  followed  until  he  left  England  for  America  in  1861. 
He  and  his  wife  located  first  in  New  York,  and  he  secured  employment  in 
the  Brooklyn  navy  yard,  and  worked  on  the  old  Alabama,  which  warship 
was  brought  there  for  repairs  during  the  Civil  war.  In  1866  he  left  New 
York  for  Michigan,  and  went  to  work  in  a marine  shop,  but  later  worked 
for  George  F.  Pullman  in  the  first  Pullman  car  shops  built  in  that  state.  In 
1870  he  secured  employment  with  the  Chicago  & Grand  Trunk  Railway  in 
Port  Huron,  that  state,  as  hammer  man  and  blacksmith.  In  1881  he  removed 
with  his  family  to  Detroit  where  he  again  secured  employment  with  the 
Pullman  company,  with  which  he  remained  there  for  about  ten  years,  then 
worked  for  the  Detroit,  Grand  Haven  & Milwaukee  Railroad  in  its  shops 
at  Detroit  until  1891.  In  1897  he  moved  to  Topeka,  Kansas,  where  he  went 
to  work  for  the  Atchison,  Topeka  & Santa  Fe  Railroad  Company  as  black- 
smith. In  December,  1900,  he  came  to  Springfield  and  worked  as  spring 
maker  in  the  Frisco  shops,  and  remained  in  charge  of  that  department  in 
the  north  side  shops  until  he  retired  from  active  life  July  1,  1904,  and  is  now 
living  in  cjuiet  in  his  cozy  home  in  this  city.  He  gave  eminent  satisfaction 
in  all  the  positions  he  held,  for  he  was  regarded  by  his  employers  as  an 
expert  in  his  trade  and  a man  that  could  always  be  relied  upon  implicitly, 
who  was  faithful  and  conscientious  in  all  his  work.  He  became  a well-read 
man  and  still  keeps  well  up  with  the  times  on  current  topics.  He  is  one  of 
the  oldest  members  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  in  Missouri, 
if  not  in  the  United  States,'  having  joined  that  order  when  twenty  years  old, 
in  1857,  in  Manchester,  England,  the  lodge  being  known  as  the  Manchester 
Unity.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat,  and  has  long  been  active  in  political 
matters.  His  wife  was  called  to  her  eternal  rest  on  August  3,  1902.  To- 
these  parents  three  children  were  born,  namely:  Jane  is  deceased;  Tilly  is 

also  deceased,  and  John  E.  of  this  review. 

John  E.  Henshaw  received  a common  school  education  in  Port  Huron 
and  Detroit.  Michigan,  also  attended  a business  school  in  Detroit,  known 
as  the  Goldsmith,  Bryant  & Stratton  University,  later  attended  a school  for 
drawing  in  that  city.  Following  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father  he  became  a. 
machinist  by  trade,  and  has  worked  in  many  different  shops,  and,  being  a 
keen  observer,  has  gained  many  new  ideas  in  each  place  he  has  worked  until 
today  he  is  one  of  the  most  highly  skilled  men  in  his  line  in  the  country  and 
is  a man  of  progressive  and  advanced  ideas.  Pie  has  worked  his  way  up 
from  the  bottom  rung  of  the  ladder  until  today  he  stands  at  the  top.  Pie 
came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  1900  as  pit  foreman  in  the  north  side 


1568 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Frisco  shops,  later  was  gang  foreman,  also  erecting  foreman,  and  on  June 
25,  1909,  was  made  general  foreman  of  the  Springfield  shops.  On  October 
7,  1910,  he  became  superintendent  of  the  new  shops  which  position  he  still 
holds,  and  is  discharging  his  duties  in  a manner  that  is  reflecting  much 
credit  upon  himself  and  to  the  eminent  satisfaction  of  all  concerned. 

Our  subject  studied  music  a number  of  years  and  is  a talented  musician. 

Mr.  Henshaw  was  married  on  January  11,  1894,  in  Detroit,  Michigan, 
to  Florence  Breitemeyer,  who  was  born  in  that  city  in  June,  1877,  and  there 
reared  and  educated.  She  is  a daughter  of  Charles  and  Mary  (Aames) 
Breitemeyer.  Fler  grandfather  was  the  oldest  German  florist  in  Detroit 
at  that  time. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henshaw,  namely:  Etta 

L.,  born  on  July  1,  1905;  and  John  H.,  born  on  January  3,  1909. 

Politically,  he  is  a Democrat,  and  fraternally  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
Order,  including  the  Chapter. 


JOHN  AARON  McCONNELL. 

Many  elements  contribute  to  the  development  of  a country,  but  no  one 
thing  plays  so  large  a part  as  sterling  worth  and  character.  It  is  to  the 
rugged,  steadfast  men  and  women  who  come  into  its  domain  that  any  coun- 
try must  look  for  its  progress,  and  it  is  most  often  the  plain,  blunt  men  of 
business  and  every-day  affairs  who  most  affect  a country’s  history.  One 
of  the  most  extensive  farmers  in  the  southwestern  part  of  Greene  county 
is  John  Aaron  McConnell,  who;  grew  up  just  after  the  Civil  war.  Through 
the  years  that  have  pasesd  since  then,  his  life  has  been  a busy  and  fruitful 
one,  and  he  has  played  an  important  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  community 
during  the  most  important  period  of  its  development.  He  is  one  of  our  best 
examples  of  a successful  self-made  man. 

Mr.  McConnell  was  born  on  South  street,  Springfield,  Missouri,  April 
17,  1865.  lie  is  a son  of  Thomas  C.  and  Hannah  B.  (Bledsoe)  McConnell, 
who  emigrated  to  Springfield  from  Tennessee  during  the  Civil  war,  and 
in  this  city  the  father  maintained  a grocery  store  until  1868,  when  he  removed 
to  Granby,  Missouri,  where,  shortly  afterward  he  was  accidentally  killed. 
Our  subject  was  at  that  time  less  than  two  years  old,  and  his  mother  removed 
with  him  to  Christian  county  to  make  their  future  home,  with  Mrs.  McCon- 
nell's parents,  who  resided  on  a farm  in  that  county,  and  there  our  subject 
spent  his  early  boyhood.  When  eight  years  of  age  his  mother  married  again, 
her  last  husband  being  James  Holderby,  a Baptist  minister  at  Wilson  Creek, 
where  our  subject  lived  until  he  was  fifteen  years  old,  leaving  home  at  that 


john  a.  McConnell. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


15^>9 


time  to  work  out  as  a farm  hand.  He  had  little  opportunity  to  obtain  an 
education,  but  this  lack  in  his  early  life  has  been  subsequently  made  up  for 
by  wide  home  reading  until  he  has  become  a well  informed  man  on  current 
topics  and  important  movements  in  the  world's  affairs.  Saving  his  money 
when  a lad  he  was  enabled  to  purchase  his  first  land,  forty  acres,  in  Brook- 
line township,  Greene  county,  when  twenty-four  years  of  age.  He  was  not 
only  a hard  worker,  but  a good  manager  as  well,  and,  prospering  with  advance- 
ing  years,  he  added  to  his  original  purchase  until  he  owned  a fraction  less 
than  nine  hundred  acres  of  valuable  land.  He  has  given  each  of  his  three 
children  forty  acres,  and  the  use  of  eighty  each  out  of  his  ranch,  the  rest 
he  keeps  well  improved  and  well  cultivated  and  engages  in  general  farming 
and  stock  raising  on  a large  scale,  being  regarded  by  his  neighbors  as  one  of 
the  progressive  agriculturists  of  the  county.  He  has  a large  and  well  fur- 
nished home  and  numerous  good  barns  and  outbuildings  in  general,  and  an 
excellent  grade  of  live  stock  of  all  kinds  may  be  seen  on  his  place.  All 
this  is  the  result  of  close  application  and  honest  dealings  with  his  fellow 
men  as  well  as  the  exercise  of  sound  judgment.  About  three  hundred 
acres  of  his  land  embraces  the  Wilson  Creek  battlefield,  a part  of  historic 
“Bloody  Ridge"  where  the  greatest  slaughter  took  place  being  on  his  land, 
and  the  home  that  he  occupies  at  the  present  time  is  the  one  where  the  body 
of  Gen.  Nathaniel  Lyon,  commander-in-chief  of  the  Union  army,  was  laid  out 
soon  after  he  was  killed  about  noon  on  the  day  of  the  battle.  Mr.  McCon- 
nell has  a number  of  relics  picked  up  on  the  battlefield  which  he  takes  a 
pride  in  exhibiting.  Mr.  McConnell  handles  a number  of  car  loads  each 
season  of  cattle,  hogs  and  grain. 

He  raised  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  wheat  in  1914  that  averaged 
over  twenty-three  bushels  to  the  acre.  In  1915  he  had  about  the  same  acre- 
age, with  about  sixty  acres  of  corn.  His  farm  is  second  to  none  in  the 
county. 

Mr.  McConnell  was  married  in  December,  1885,  to  Mollie  Keltner,  a 
daughter  of  George  and  Martha  Keltner,  of  Republic,  this  county.  She 
was  born  in  Greene  county  and  here  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools.  She  proved  to  be  an  excellent  helpmeet  and 
when  her  death  occurred  in  1902  she  was  greatly  missed  by  her  neighbors 
who  knew  her  for  a woman  of  the  finest  character  and  noble  impulses. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  the  following  children  were  born:  Josephus 

married  Minnie  Hagwood.  lives  in  Brookline  township  and  they  have  three 
children,  Earl,  Virgil  and  Elsie ; Bessie  married  William  McElhanv,  of 
Brookline  township,  and  they  have  two  children,  Gladys  and  Glen ; Myrtle 
married  Robert  McClure,  of  Republic  township,  and  they  have  one  child, 
Eva;  a son  died  in  infancy,  unnamed. 

Mr.  McConnell  is  a stanch  Democrat. 

(99) 


157° 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


BENJAMIN  BOWMAN. 

It  requires  men  of  peculiar  temperament  to  be  successful  railroad  con- 
ductors. There  are  many  who  have  spent  several  decades,  perhaps,  in  rail- 
road service  who  are  still  utterly  unfit  to  take  charge  of  a passenger  train, 
although  they  may  be  quite  capable  in  some  other  specific  line  of  railroading. 
Among  other  attributes  essential  to  a successful  conductor  are  fortitude, 
patience,  quickness  of  perception  and  coolness  of  temper,  also  a steady 
nerve;  for  one  is  often  called  upon  without  an  instant’s  warning  to  meet 
trying  and  exacting  situations.  One  of  the  trusted  and  popular  conductors 
on  the  Frisco  lines  is  Benjamin  Bowman,  who  has  been  with  this  company 
for  over  fifteen  years  and  in  the  railroad  service  for  a period  of  thirty-three 
years;  having  had  varied  experience  in  different  parts  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Bowman  was  born  on  February  27,  1865,  in  Shelby  county,  Illi- 
nois. He  is  a son  of  Harrison  and  Sarah  (Yarbrough)  Bowman,  the  father 
born  in  the  old  Keystone  state  of  Pennsylvania  Dutch  stock,  and  the  mother 
was  a native  of  Kentucky.  The  former,  whose  birth  occurred  in  1839,  is 
still  living  in  Shelby  county,  Illinois.  He  was  a successful  farmer  during 
his  active  life,  but  is  now  living  in  retirement  in  the  town  of  Cowden.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  died  when  he  was  about  six  years  of  age.  To  these 
parents  five  children  were  born,  namely:  Mary,  John  W.,  Benjamin,  Joe 

is  deceased;  and  James. 

Benjamin  Bowman  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Illinois 
where  he  worked  hard  when  a bov,  and  there  he  received  a limited  education 
in  the  public  schools.  In  1881  he  began  his  career  as  a railroader  in  the 
Burlington  shops  at  Beardstown,  Illinois,  but  a little  later  he  began  as 
brakeman  for  the  same  road  and  continued  in  this  capacity  until  1885,  when 
he  was  promoted  to  freight  conductor.  In  1887  he  went  to  Temple,  Texas, 
and  went  to  work  as  freight  conductor  for  the  Santa  Fe  road,  about  two 
years  later  he  was  promoted  to  passenger  conductor,  his  run  being  from 
Temple  to  Galveston.  Leaving  the  Santa  Fe  road  in  1895  he  went  to  work 
for  the  Missouri,  Kansas  & Texas  out  of  Houston,  Texas.  About  ten 
months  later  he  went  to  Mexico,  and  ran  a train  for  the  Mexican  Central 
railroad  out  of  San  Luis  Potosi.  Later  he  went  to  Vera  Cruz,  where  he 
remained  nine  or  ten  months,  in  charge  of  a mixed  train  on  the  Inter 
Oceanic  Railroad,  then  went  to  Salatio,  Mexico,  and  worked  on  the  Mexi- 
can National  railroad,  having  a mixed  run.  After  remaining  in  the  land 
of  the  ancient  Montezumas  until  1898  he  gave  up  his  position  there  and 
came  to  Springfield,  Missouri  and  secured  employment  with  the  Frisco  as 
freight  conductor  in  which  capacity  he  worked  a few  years  then  was  given 
a passenger  run  between  Springfield  and  St.  Louis  which  he  has  retained 
for  the  past  eleven  years. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I571 


Mr.  Bowman  was  married  on  January  30,  1889,  in  Sealy,  Texas,  to 
Lillie  Harvey,  who  was  born  on  a plantation  in  the  Lone  Star  state,  and 
there  she  was  reared  and  educated.  Her  death  occurred  on  December  27, 
1909. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bowman  four  children  were  born,  namely:  Bennie, 

the  eldest  daughter,  was  born  on  May  3,  1894;  Gordon,  born  on  September 
13,  1895;  Chester,  born  September  1,  1904;  Virginia,  born  on  October  30, 
1908. 

In  May,  1911,  Mr.  Bowman  was  married  a second  time,  his  last  wife 
being  known  in  her  girlhood  as  Sarah  Willia.  She  was  born  in  Mobile, 
Alabama,  February  27,  1882,  and  is  the  daughter  of  a physician.  She  grew 
up  under  the  environments  of  a Southern  home  and  she  had  excellent  edu- 
cational advantages.  To  this  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  one  child  has 
been  born,  Lois,  whose  birth  occurred  on  January  3,  1912. 

Politically,  Mr.  Bowman  is  a Democrat.  He  is  an  Episcopalian  in  his 
religious  affiliations,  and  fraternally  is  a member  of  the  Benevolent  and 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  also  holds  membership  in  Division  No.  321 
brotherhood  of  Railway  Conductors.  He  lives  in  Denning  Place,  on  the 
north  side  of  the  city. 


JAMES  W.  FITCH. 

James  W.  Fitch  was  born  on  the  22c!  of  March,  1865,  in  St.  Clair 
county,  Illinois.  His  father  was  John  L.  Fitch  and  his  mother  Mary  J. 
(Owen)  Fitch.  Mr.  Fitch,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Wyoming  county,  New  York 
in  1831.  He  was  a graduate  of  Rochester  College  of  Rochester,  New  York, 
and  began  his  life  as  a school  teacher,  following  that  profession  for  about 
five  years.  Later  he  became  a farmer,  locating  in  Wisconsin  for  some  years. 
Afterward  he  moved  to  Illinois,  where  he  met  and  married  his  wife.  Here 
he  was  a flour  miller  for  some  time,  and  then  returned  to  his  native  state 
of  New  York  in  1870. 

The  family  afterward  immigrated  to  Christian  county,  Missouri,  and 
so  settled  near  Billings.  To  this  pair  were  born  five  children:  James  W., 

Clarence  E.,  who  lives  in  Chicago;  Henry  L.,  of  Joplin,  Missouri;  Jennie 
(Davis);  and  Etta  M.  (Norman).  John  L.  Fitch,  the  father,  died  at 
Eureka  Springs,  Arkansas,  in  1882.  His  wife  died  in  Billings  in  1909. 

James  W.  Fitch  got  his  schooling  in  Wyoming  county,  New  York,  and 
there  learned  and  followed  the  trade  of  a plasterer  for  a time.  But  in  1887 
he  found  employment  with  the  Frisco  as  a fireman,  and  began  the  life  that 
he  has  followed  ever  since.  His  first  run  was  on  a freight  train  between 
Springfield  and  Pierce  City.  That  year  he  moved  to  Springfield,  and  has 


1572 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


resided  here  ever  since.  His  present  residence  being  at  508  Nichols  street. 

In  1892  he  became  a freight  engineer,  running  from  Springfield  to  New- 
burg.  He  stuck  to  his  business  and  in  1906  was  promoted  to  a regular 
passenger  run,  between  Springfield  and  Fort  Smith,  Arkansas.  On  this 
responsible  run  he  is  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  trusted  engineers. 

Mr.  Fitch  married  on  October  18,  1888,  Margaret  A.  Popp,  who  was 
born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  November  9,  1868.  She  immigrated  with  her 
parents  to  Monee,  Will  county,  Illinois,  and  afterward  came  to  Billings, 
C hristian  county,  Missouri.  Here  Mr.  Popp  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life 
on  a farm  where  his  wife  still  survives  him. 

Mrs.  Fitch  passed  away  on  April  19,  1912,  leaving  one  daughter,  Edna 
M.,  born  on  August  25,  1891,  and  who  is  her  father's  housekeeper.  The 
mother  was  a member  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  an  active  church  worker. 
Politically,  Mr.  Fitch  is  a Republican  and  fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  is  also  a member  of  the 
Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers. 


ALFRED  H.  VAN  BIBBER. 

Even  though  every  other  condition  may  be  exactly  right,  even  to  the 
weather,  farmers  are  beginning  to  learn  that  the  success  of  any  crop,  what- 
ever the  kind,  depends  upon  the  seed.  An  increasing  proportion  of  farmers 
do  not  think  of  planting  their  corn  without  first  testing  the  seed  thoroughly; 
but  how  about  the  clover,  the  garden  seeds,  and  so  on  through  the  list?  The 
tiller  of  the  soil  is  learning  that  he  can  not  afford  to  run  the  risk  of  poor 
seed  with  them  any  more  than  with  the  corn.  It  is  not  hard  nor  does  it  take 
much  time  to  sprout  one  hundred  or  less  seeds  of  most  kinds.  Then  you 
know  instead  of  guessing.  This  and  many  other  phases  of  advanced  agri- 
culture has  been  learned  by  Alfred  FI.  Van  Bibber,  a farmer  of  Campbell 
township,  Greene  county. 

Mr.  Van  Bibber  was  born  on  May  17,  1858,  at  Cave  Spring,  in  the 
northern  part  of  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  when  a small  boy  moved  to 
Springfield  and  a few  years  later  moved  to  the  old  home  place  where  he 
now  lives.  He  received  a practical  education  in  the  district  schools,  start- 
ing farming  when  twenty-one  years  old.  He  is  a son  of  James  D.  and  Caro- 
line (Staley)  Van  Bibber.  The  father  was  born  in  Clay  county,  Missouri, 
in  1828,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  in  1837.  She  immi- 
grated with  her  parents  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  an  early  day  and 
here  she  has  since  made  her  home,  and  is  still  living  on  the  homestead,  now 
advanced  in  years.  James  D.  Van  Bibber  grew  up  on  the  farm  and  received 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 573 


a limited  education  in  the  old  subscription  schools  in  which  his  wife  was  also 
educated.  His  father,  Joseph  Van  Bibber,  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers 
of  Clay  county,  Missouri,  he  and  his  wife  having  removed  there  from  Vir- 
ginia. James  D.  Van  Bibber  received  sufficient  education  to  enable  him 
to  teach  school  for  some  time  when  a young  man.  He  moved  from  Clay 
county  to  Arkansas  and  later  to  Greene  county,  being  about  sixteen  years 
old  when  coming  here,  and  for  some  time  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits 
in  Springfield.  In  1874  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  county  clerk  of 
Greene  county,  and  the  fact  that  he  was  re-elected  several  times,  serving 
in  all  twelve  years,  would  indicate  that  he  was  a man  of  ability  and  dis- 
charged his  duties  faithfully  and  satisfactorily.  He  was  a merchant  for 
several  years,  and  later  purchased  a farm  near  Cave  Spring,  Iowa,  in  1887, 
established  the  family  home  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  North  Camp- 
bell township.  His  death  occurred  in  1909.  Politically,  he  was  a Democrat 
and  was  influential  in  the  affairs  of  his  party.  Fraternally,  he  was  a member 
of  the  Masonic  Order.  He  was  a man  well  informed  on  current  topics  and 
led  a useful  and  upright  life,  leaving  behind  him  a host  of  friends. 

Only  two  children  were  born  to  James  D.  Van  Bibber  and  wife,  namely: 
Alfred  H.,  of  this  sketch;  and  Laura  Belle,  who  has  remained  single  and 
is  living  at  home  with  her  mother. 

Alfred  H.  Van  Bibber  has  devoted  his  attention  to  general  farming, 
for  the  most  part,  and  is  now  owner  of  a good  farm  on  sixty-six  acres,  a 
part  of  the  homestead,  which  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres. 
The  land  is  all  tillable  and  has  been  kept  well  cultivated  and  the  improve- 
ments are  fairly  good  in  every  respect,  the  father  of  our  subject  making 
most  of  the  improvements  now  seen  on  the  place.  In  connection  with  gen- 
eral farming  Mr.  Van  Bibber  makes  a specialty  of  raising  Jersey  cows  and 
Chester  White  hogs. 

Politically,  he  is  a Democrat,  but  he  has  never  been  as  active  in  public 
affairs  as  his  worthy  father  before  him,  and  has  never  cared  for  office. 


JOHN  W.  HOOVER. 

Many  young  men  nowadays  make  a mistake  by  looking  for  positions 
that  do  not  require  much  physical  exertion,  seemingly  forgetting  that  there 
is  much  work  to  be  done  in  the  world  which  requires  brawn  as  well  as  brain. 
Hard  work  has  never  hurt  very  many  people.  It  is  wrong  living  and  wrong 
thinking  that  play  the  mischief,  but  some  labor  under  the  old  illusion  that 
they  can't  “stand"  certain  kinds  of  work.  John  W.  Hoover,  now  living  in 
honorable  retirement  in  Springfield  after  a busy  life,  is  not  of  that  type. 


1574 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


He  preferred  to  earn  his  living  by  the  “sweat  of  his  brow,”  which  Holy 
Writ  indicates  is  the  most  commendable  way  to  earn  it,  and  having  been  a 
man  of  good  habits,  he  has  lived  already  past  the  Psalmist's  three  score 
and  ten. 

Mr.  Hoover  was  born  on  July  4,  1843,  M Reading,  Pennsylvania.  He 
is  a son  of  David  and  Lydia  (Trump)  Hoover,  both  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  they  grew  to  maturity,  received  a limited  education  and  were 
married  and  spent  their  lives,  both  dying  in  that  state,  both  dying  many 
years  ago.  The  father  was  a stone  contractor  by  profession  and  put  in 
locks  in  canals,  which  were  numerous  in  his  day.  His  family  consisted  of 
four  children,  namely;  Caroline,  Laura  and  Henry,  all  deceased;  John  W., 
of  this  sketch. 

John  W.  Hoover  grew  to  manhood  in  the  old  Keystone  state,  and  he 
received  a limited  education  in  the  schools  of  Reading,  Pennsylvania.  After 
leaving  school  he  learned  the  boilermaker's  trade,  beginning  as  an  apprentice 
in  Philadelphia,  in  1861,  and  served  four  years.  Leaving  the  City  of 
Brotherly  Love  on  October  15,  1866,  he  started  west,  and  stopped  at  Indian- 
apolis, Indiana,  and  worked  at  the  Eagle  Machine  works  there,  as  boiler- 
maker, and  later  for  the  Big  Four  railroad  in  their  shops  there,  the  road 
then  being  known  as  the  Bellefontaine  railroad.  After  working  there  three 
years  he  went  to  Peru,  Indiana,  where  he  secured  a better  position  with 
the  Chicago,  Indianapolis  & Peru  railroad,  and  worked  there  in  their  shops 
twelve  years.  He  was  then  offered  a still  better  position  at  Moberly,  Mis- 
souri, to  take  charge  of  the  boiler  shops  there  of  the  Wabash  railroad,  and 
he  spent  ten  years  there,  then  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  had 
charge  of  the  south  side  shops,  the  old  Gulf  shops,  later  owned  by  the 
Frisco,  from  1890  until  1911,  then  was  transferred  to  Memphis,  Tennessee, 
to  the  Frisco’s  shops  there,  of  which  he  remained  in  charge  until  July,  1913, 
when  he  reached  the  age  limit  of  employees  of  this  system,  and  was  given 
a pension,  and,  although  yet  able  to  work,  did  not  seek  further  employ- 
ment, returning  to  Springfield  and  retiring,  and  is  living  quietly  at  his  home 
at  1004  West  Walnut  street. 

Mr.  Hoover  was  married  in  Reading,  Pennsylvania,  September  22, 
1862,  to  Nancy  Mast,  who  was  born  near  that  city  on  February  22,  1844. 
She  is  a daughter  of  George  and  Mary  ( Smith)  Mast.  Mr.  Mast  was  a 
native  of  Germany,  from  which  country  he  came  to  the  Lhiited  States  when 
ten  years  of  age.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
of  Quaker  parents. 

Seven  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoover,  named  as 
follows:  Henry  J.,  born  on  May  2,  1864.  died  in  1866;  J.  W.,  born  on  Au- 
gust 3,  i8'66,  received  his  education  in  Indiana  and  Columbia  Universities, 
and  is  now  making  his  home  in  Fort  Worth,  Texas;  David,  born  on  March 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 575 


16,  1869,  died  when  three  months  old;  Caroline,  born  on  July  11,  1872,  was 
educated  in  Indiana  and  in  Moberly,  Missouri,  married  Victor  Winnburg, 
who  is  division  foreman  of  the  Missouri  Pacific  shops  in  Sedalia,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  one  child,  a daughter,  Selma,  born  on  June  18,  1899 ; 
Nellie,  born  on  August  4,  1877,  died  on  May  25,  1891 ; Harry,  born  on 
August  26,  1882,  married  Martha  Bohana,  who  is  with  the  Griffen  H. 
Deeves  Lumber  Company,  Railway  Exchange,  Chicago;  Walter,  born  on 
May  5,  1891,  married  Opal  Smith,  of  Kansas  City;  they  live  in  Chicago; 
he  is  a traveling  salesman. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hoover  is  a Republican.  He  cast  his  second  vote  for 
Abraham  Lincoln  for  his  second  term  as  president.  Religiously,  he  belongs 
to  the  Presbyterian  church.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of  the  Masonic 
Order,  including  the  Blue  Lodge,  the  Royal  Arch  Masons,  the  Commandery 
and  the  Ancient  xWabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 


ROBERT  B.  KITE. 

It  is  a well-authenticated  fact  that  success  comes  as  a result  of  legiti- 
mate and  well-applied  energy,  unflagging  determination  and  perseverance 
in  a course  of  action  when  once  decided  upon.  She  is  never  known  to 
bestow  her  largesses  upon  the  indolent  and  ambitionless,  and  only  those  who 
seek  her  untiringly  are  recipients  of  her  blessings.  In  tracing  the  history 
of  Robert  B.  Kite,  now  living  in  retirement  in  Springfield  after  a long- 
career  as  a railroader  and  in  more  recent  years  a farmer,  it  is  plainly  seen 
that  the  prosperity  which  he  enjoys  has  been  won  by  commendable  quali- 
ties, and  it  is  also  his  personal  worth  that  has  gained  for  him  the  high  esteem 
of  those  who  know  him. 

Mr.  Kite  was  born  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  May  8,  1857.  He  is  a son  of 
Hiram  and  Rosanna  (Warren)  Kite,  the  father  a native  of  Pennsylvania 
and  of  Quaker  stock,  while  the  mother  was  a native  of  England,  from 
which  country  she  emigrated  to  America  in  girlhood  and  located  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  the  parents  of  our  subject  were  married,  but  not  long  there- 
after removed  to  Ohio,  and  there  they  lived  until  1S59,  when  they  removed 
to  Marshfield,  Webster  county, ' Missouri,  and  Hiram  Kite  built  one  of  the 
first  houses  in  that  town.  Pie  was  a leather  worker  by  trade  and  was  in 
business  there  when  the  Civil  war  broke  out  and  joined  the  Home  Guards, 
but  did  not  become  a soldier  in  the  regular  Union  army.  He  finally  removed 
to  a farm  near  Strafford,  Missouri,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  but 
his  wife  died  in  Springfield.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  five 
of  whom  are  still  living-,  namelv : Madora  E.,  Mary,  Lottie,  Nettie;  Frances 


1576  GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 

is  deceased;  Robert  B.,  of  this  review;  Emma  and  Ida  are  both  deceased. 

Robert  B.  Kite  received  a limited  education  in  the  public  school  at 
Marshfield,  but  he  is  principally  a self-educated  man.  He  began  his  rail- 
road career  in  1873  as  brakeman  on  the  old  Atlantic  & Pacific  railroad, 
now  the  Frisco  system,  and  he  remained  a brakeman  until  1880,  when  he 
was  promoted  to  freight  conductor,  in  which  capacity  he  worked  until  he  was 
promoted  to  passenger  conductor,  and  ran  as  such  for  a period  of  fifteen 
years,  or  until  1901,  living  at  Monett,  Missouri,  during  that  period.  He 
was  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  capable  and  most  trusted  conductors  on 
the  Frisco,  and  his  continuous  service 'of  twenty-eight  years  would  indicate 
he  was  a'  first-class  railroader.  Finally,  tiring  of  the  exacting  work  as  con- 
ductor. he  moved  to  his  farm  in  1901,  just  south  of  Springfield.  His  fine 
place  there  consisted  of  one  hundred  acres  of  the  old  Crenshaw  homestead. 
This  lie  brought  up  to  a high  state  of  improvement  and  a high  state  of 
cultivation,  all  but  about  ten  acres.  He  made  it  a model  farm  in  every 
respect.  He  installed  the  first  water  system  in  that  part  of  the  county, 
running  hot  and  cold  water  to  both  his  house  and  barn.  He  carried  on  gen- 
eral farming  until  1907,  when  he  sold  out  and  moved  to  the  corner  of  South 
and  Madison  streets,  Springfield,  where  he  owns  two  sets  of  four-apartment 
flats  and  two  fine  residence  properties,  all  modern  and  desirable  in  every 
way,  and  he  now  spends  his  time  looking  after  his  personal  property  here. 

Mr.  Kite  was  married  on  September  17,  1883,  in  Rogers,  Arkansas, 
to  Vitae  A.  Powers,  who  was  born  in  Newton  county,  Missouri,  May  21, 
1867.  She  is  a daughter  of  Eli  and  Angeline  (Wormington)  Powers.  The 
father  was  a native  of  North  Carolina  and  the  mother  of  Tennessee.  They 
came  from  the  South  to  Newton  county,  Missouri,  in  pioneer  days,  and 
there  Mr.  Powers  engaged  in  farming  and  the  milling  business.  His  death 
occurred  in  1875,  his  widow  surviving  thirty-five  years,  dying  in  1910. 
They  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  namely:  Andrew  B.,  deceased; 

Mrs.  Belle  Carnes  died  in  1907;  Mrs.  Addie  Tudor  died  in  1880;  Douglass 
lives  in  Carbonado,  Washington;  and  Mrs.  Vitae  Kite,  wife  of  our  subject. 
She  grew  to  womanhood  in  Newton  county  and  received  her  education  in 
the  common  schools. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kite,  named  as  follow  : 
Olive,  born  on  October  2,  1884,  was  educated  in  Monett,  married  Andrew 
Edmondson,  and  they  live  in  Fort  Smith,  Arkansas;  Rolland,  born  on  Sep- 
tember 10,  1886,  was  educated  in  the  Springfield  high  school  and  later 
attended  Drury  College,  married  May  King,  and  they  are  living  in  Hollis- 
ter, this  state;  Jessie  May,  born  on  August  11,  1888.  was  graduated  from 
the  Normal  school  in  Springfield,  then  attended  Columbia  University,  New 
York  City,  and  is  now  a successful  teacher  in  Stephens  College,  Columbia, 
Missouri;  Warren  P.,  born  on  February  11,  1896,  was  graduated  from  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 577 


high  school  in  Springfield  with  the  class  of  1914.  He  is  a natural  mechanic, 
is  a skilled  taxidermist,  and  he  has  a splendid  collection  of  Indian  relics. 
He  has  mounted  a valuable  collection  of  birds.  He  has  built  various  kinds 
of  boats,  canoes,  power  boats,  etc.,  which  have  been  regarded  by  those  who 
have  seen  them  as  equal  to  any  on  the  market.  The  future  evidently  holds 
much  of  promise  for  this  fine  young  lad,  as  indeed  it  must  for  all  Mr.  Kite’s 
children,  who  are  all  intellectual  and  highly  cultured,  and  well  liked  by 
their  associates  everywhere. 

Politically,  Mr.  Kite  is  a Republican,  and  he  at  one  time  was  candidate 
for  sheriff  of  Greene  county,  but  failed  to  get  the  nomination.  He  was  a 
charter  member  of  North  Side  Division  No.  30,  Order  of  Railway  Con- 
ductors. Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Order,  in  which  he  is 
active  and  prominent,  being  a past  eminent  commander ; he  is  a Knight 
Templar,  and  a member  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
Religiously,  he  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  is  a liberal 
supporter  of  the  same.  Mrs.  Kite  is  a member  of  the  Order  of  Eastern 
Star  and  the  Rebekahs.  The  family  stands  high  in  all  circles  in  which  it 
moves. 


CFIARLES  W.  RULE. 

A man  of  naturally  sound  judgment  and  shrewd  perception,  character- 
istics of  the  Teutonic  race,  of  which  Charles  W.  Rule,  of  Springfield,  is  a 
descendant,  are  dominating  factors  in  his  career,  and  he  has  so  ordered 
his  course  in  the  world’s  affairs  as  to  be  eligible  to  representation  in  a work 
of  this  kind.  He  has  risen  through  close  attention  to  business  and  his  desire 
to  deal  promptly  and  courteously  with  his  fellow  men.  and  his  name  stands 
high  in  all  business  circles  with  which  he  has  come  into  relationship.  His 
domestic  and  social  connections  have  ever  been  of  a pleasant  character,  and 
the  fact  that  his  surroundings  are  such  as  to  make  life  enjoyable  is  due 
solely  to  his  individual  merits. 

Mr.  Rule  was  born  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  May  22,  1871.  He  is  a 
son  of  John  Christopher  Rule,  who  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
April  16,  1844,  and  he  was  a s'on  of  Mundus  Rule,  who  was  a native  of 
Germany,  from  which  country  he  emigrated  to  America  and  located  in 
Maryland,  and  engaged  extensively  in  railroad  contracting  and  building 
in  and  around  the  city  of  Baltimore,  and  there  his  death  occurred  in  1891  at 
the  advanced  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  The  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  grew  to  manhood  in  the  Monument  city  and  was  educated  there, 
and  he  spent  his  early  life  as  a sailor.  During  the  Civil  war  he  entered 


1578  ' GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 

the  service  of  the  Confederacy,  most  of  the  time  of  his  enlistment  being- 
spent  in  the  navy  service.  He  was  captured  by  the  Federal  navy  and  spent 
nine  months  in  the  old  Washington  prison,  then  exchanged  and  released. 
After  the  close  of  the  war,  about  the  latter  part  of  1866,  he  came  to  Spring- 
held,  Missouri,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  first  engaging  in  business 
on  South  street,  later  on  Commercial  street,  and  during  this  period  of  nearly 
a half  century  he  was  one  of  the  best  known  business  men  of  the  city.  He 
lived  to  see  and  take  part  in  the  substantial  and  steady  growth  of  the  city 
from  a mere  village  to  the  metropolis  of  southern  Missouri,  and  always  had 
its  interests  at  heart.  He  married  Celeste  Heffernan,  a native  of  Wabasha, 
Minnesota,  a daughter  of  Steven  and  Margaret  (O’Day)  Heffernan,  both 
natives  of  Ireland,  from  which  country  they  emigrated  to  Minnesota  in  an 
early  day.  The  mother  died  when  comparatively  a young  woman.  Mrs. 
Celeste  Rule  was  a well-educated  woman,  and  of  an  excellent  family,  but 
was  unable  to  definitely  trace  her  ancestry  in  the  Emerald  Isle.  Her  death 
occurred  in  Springfield  on  October  16,  1909.  The  father  of  our  subject 
survived  until  1911. 

Charles  W.  Rule  grew  to  manhood  in  Springfield  and  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  here,  and  when  but  a boy  commenced  his  business  life 
as  a grocery  merchant  on  Commercial  street,  in  which  business  he  met  with 
encouraging  success  and  remained  four  years,  then  took  a position  with  the 
Frisco  railroad  with  the  superintendent  of  motive  power,  the  duties  of 
which  responsible  place  he  discharged  for  a period  of  nine  years  in  a man- 
ner that  was  entirely  satisfactory  to  the  company,  then  went  on  the  road 
for  the  Springfield  Brewing  Company,  doing  much  to  increase  the  prestige 
of  the  same  until  it  closed  down  in  1906,  when  Mr.  Rule  became  manager 
of  the  Springfield  depot  of  the  William  J.  Lemp  Brewing  Company  of  St. 
Louis,  in  which  position  he  is  still  employed  and  is  handling  the  same  in 
his  usual  acceptable  manner.  He  has  been  very  successful  as  a man  of 
affairs  and  is  a stockholder  in  the  Citizens  Bank  of  Springfield. 

Politically,  Mr.  Rule  is  a Democrat.  He  was  reared  in  the  Roman 
Catholic  faith  and  has  proved  faithful  to  his  allegiance  to  the  mother  church. 
Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and 
is  president  of  the  local  aerie  of  Eagles.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  United 
Commercial  Travelers. 

Mr.  Rule  was  married  in  1891  to  Lula  M.  Teague,  a daughter  of  Elihu 
and  Sarah  (Brock)  Teague.  Mr.  Teague  lived  in  western  Colorado,  where 
he  was  interested  in  mining.  His  wife  died  many  years  ago,  and  his  death 
occurred  in  1911.  The  family  formerly  lived  in  Springfield,  where  Mrs. 
Rule  was  educated  in  the  high  school  from  which  she  was  graduated. 

Five  sons  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rule,  namely:  Francis  G., 
born  November  22,  1893,  was  educated  in  the  Springfield  high  school,  and 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1579 


is  now  employed  with  the  Lee  steamboat  line  as  electrician;  Raymond  T., 
horn  on  April  22,  1896,  is  attending  St.  Mary’s  school;  Carl  W.,  born  on 
January  13,  1903,  is  in  school;  John  Christopher,  born  on  October  16,  1905; 
Richard  L.,  born  on  May  2,  1909 


MASON  CLAUDE  WASHBURN. 

Although  Springfield  is  a city  of  considerable  size,  where  the  inhabit- 
ants are  engaged  in  a great  variety  of  pursuits,  yet  a large  number  of  her 
citizens  are  engaged  in  railroading  or  dependent  upon  the  railroads,  one 
way  and  another,  for  their  livelihood ; and  where  there  are  so  many  actively 
engaged  in  as  hazardous  a calling  as  railroading  there  necessarily  occur 
many  fatal  accidents.  One  of  the  most  regrettable  was  the  loss  of  Mason 
Claude  Washburn,  a Frisco  employee,  who  met  his  untimely  death  while  a 
member  of  a train  crew  over  thirteen  years  ago.  He  was  a young  man  of 
much  promise,  only  a quarter  of  a century  having  passed  over  his  head, 
and  he  was  summoned  before  his  Judge  in  the  Great  Beyond  when  it 
seemed  that  he  was  most  needed  here.  He  was  both  a railroader  and  a 
minister  of  the  gospel,  and  no  doubt  would  have  eventually  become  a lead- 
ing preacher  in  the  Christian  church  in  southern  Missouri  had  he  been 
spared. 

Mr.  Washburn,  who  was  familiarly  known  as  “Claude"  Washburn, 
was  born  on  July  19,  1875,  in  the  state  of  Illinois.  He  was  a son  of  Henry 
Harrison  Washburn  and  Molly  E.  (Wilson)  Washburn.  The  father  was 
born  on  September  25,  1849,  and  the  mother's  birth  occurred  June  14th  of  the 
same  year,  both  being  natives  of  Kentucky,  where  they  grew  to  maturity, 
were  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  were  married,  and  from  that 
state  they  immigrated  to  Illinois,  where  they  resided  until  about  1886,  in 
which  year  they  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  established  the  future 
home  of  the  family.  A few  years  ago  the  parents  of  the  subject  of  this 
memoir  removed  to  Cape  Girardeau,  this  state.  Henry  H.  Washburn  has 
followed  railroading  ever  since  he  was  a boy,  has  been  in  the  employ  of 
several  roads,  and  has  been  with  the  Frisco  system  about  thirty-five  years, 
all  told.  He  is  now  a passenger  conductor;  in  fact,  has  been  for  many 
years.  His  family  consisted  of  four  children,  namely : Lutie  lives  in  St. 

Louis;  Mason  C.,  subject  of  this  sketch;  Pearl  lives  in  Cape  Girardeau, 
Missouri;  and  Harry  H.  lives  in  Chaffee,  Missouri.  The  father  of  these 
children  is  a prominent  Mason,  having  attained  the  thirty-second  degree  in 
this  order. 

Mason  C.  Washburn  was  young  in  years  when  his  parents  brought  him 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1580 

to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood  and  received  a good 
education,  including  the  public  and  high  schools,  a business  college  and  the 
old  Normal  school.  He  prepared  himself  for  the  ministry  in  the  Christian 
church,  in  which  he  was  engaged  for  five  or  six  years,  during  which  time 
he  had  a church  on  the  north  side  and  supplied  a number  of  pulpits  in  his 
denomination.  He  was  a successful  minister,  well  versed  in  the  Bible,  and 
was  an  earnest,  forceful  and  convincing  speaker  and  a man  whose  influence 
in  all  the  relations  of  life  made  for  better  living. 

Mr.  Washburn  secured  a position  as  brakeman  on  the  Frisco  railroad 
in  November,  1896,  and  was  assigned  to  a freight  crew  to  run  between 
Monett,  Missouri,  and  Fort  Smith,  Arkansas. 

Mr.  Washburn  was  married  on  June  28,  1898,  to  Lydia  M.  Wilkerson, 
who  was  born  on  April  16,  1875,  in  Polk  county,  Missouri.  She  is  a daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  J.  M.  and  Mary  (Ayers)  Wilkerson.  Doctor  Wilkerson  was 
born  in  Tennessee  on  November  2,  1844,  and  his  wife  was  born  in  Mis- 
souri on  September  8,  1849.  He  received  his  medical  education  in  the  St. 
Louis  Medical  College  and  practiced  for  many  years  in  Humansville,  Polk 
county,  this  state,  finally  removing  to  Springfield,  where  he  and  his  wife 
still  reside.  A complete  sketch  of  them  appears  on  another  page  of  this 
work.  Mrs.  Washburn  grew  to  womanhood  in  the  town  of  Humansville, 
and  she  received  a good  education  in  the  public  schools. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Washburn  one  child  was  born,  Tames  Harrison  Wash- 
burn, whose  birth  occurred  on  June  22,  1899;  he  is  being  educated  in  the 
Springfield  schools.  Mrs.  Washburn  and  son  live  on  North  Jefferson  street. 

Politically,  Mr.  Washburn  was  a Republican. 

The  tragic  death  of  Mr.  W ashburn  occurred  on  November  13,  1900. 
We  quote  the  following  account  of  the  accident  from  the  Springfield  Leader 
of  that  date : 

“Claude  Washburn,  one  of  the  most  popular  trainmen  in  Springfield, 
met  a horrible  death  at  Aurora  this  morning.  He  left  Springfield  this 
morning  as  a brakeman  on  an  extra  run  out  in  charge  of  Conductor  Garvin. 
At  Aurora  the  train  was  heading  in  and  while  taking  the  side  track  Claude 
Washburn  was  riding  the  pilot  of  the  engine.  By  a sudden  jerk  of  the  loco- 
motive the  unfortunate  man  was  thrown  from  the  pilot  directly  in  front 
of  the  track  and  then  the  engine  wheels  crushed  his  life  out.  He  was 
dragged  a short  distance,  there  being  scarcely  room  for  a body  to  pass 
beneath  the  pilot,  but  the  wheels  of  the  engine  passed  over  both  legs  and 
he  was  horribly  mangled.  The  engine  was  stopped  as  quickly  as  possible, 
but  the  brakeman  lived  but  a few  minutes  after  being  taken  from  beneath 
the  engine.  The  remains  were  brought  to  this  city  on  a passenger  train. 

“Claude  Washburn  grew  to  manhood  in  Springfield.  He  came  here 
when  only  a small  boy  with  his  parents.  He  was  about  twenty-five  years 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1581 

of  age  and  leaves  a wife  and  one  child.  He  was  an  extra  conductor  and 
had  been  running  trains  a great  deal  this  fall.  He  would  soon  have  had  a 
regular  run  as  a conductor  if  he  had  lived,  as  he  was  considered  a most 
efficient  man.  His  father,  H.  H.  Washburn,  an  old  Frisco  conductor, 
resigned  his  position  yesterday  and  left  last  night  for  Little  Rock,  Arkan- 
sas. Liis  mother  and  aged  grandfather  are  now  at  the  home  on  Benton  ave- 
nue and  are  heartbroken,  as  Claude  was  the  pride  of  the  family.  Out  on 
Summit  avenue  and  Pacific  street  there  is  also  his  heartbroken  widow, 
almost  prostrated  by  the  untimely  death  of  her  husband.  She  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  J.  M.  Wilkerson. 

“Claude  Washburn  was  a religious  man  and  a member  of  the  Christian 
church  on  Washington  avenue.  Before  he  began  to  work  on  the  railroad 
he  had  a strong  liking  for  the  ministry,  and  had  in  fact  been  a local 
preacher.  He  was  a member  of  the  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian 
Endeavor,  and  attended  the  national  convention  in  Boston  as  a delegate  in 
1895.  He  was  a member  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trainmen.  He  is 
spoken  of  in  the  highest  terms  by  all  who  know  him,  and  there  is  probably 
not  a railroad  man  of  Springfield  whose  death  would  cause  more  general 
sorrow.” 


JAMES  CALEB  SQUIBB. 

“I  didn’t  begin  with  asking,  I took  the  job  and  stuck; 

And  I took  the  chance  they  wouldn’t  and  now  they’re  calling  it  luck.” 

Thus  wrote  Rudyard  Kipling  of  a man  who  pronounced  success  in 
life  by  his  own  efforts,  advancing  himself  from  an  humble  environment, 
refusing  to  permit  discouraging  circumstances  to  down  him,  until  he  won 
the  goal  sought.  The  great  poet  might  just  as  well  have  had  in  mind  James 
Caleb  Squibb,  for  many  years  a successful  druggist  of  Springfield.  He 
came  up  from  the  soil,  won  a large  measure  of  success  unaided  and  also 
made  a good  citizen. 

Mr.  Squibb  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  July  29,  1861.  He 
is  a son  of  Caleb  and  Elizabeth  (Wallace)  Squibb,  both  natives  of  Ten- 
nessee, where  they  grew  to  maturity,  received  such  educational  advantages 
as  the  old-time  schools  offered,  and  were  married  in  their  native  state,  and 
from  there  emigrated  to  Missouri,  locating  in  Greene  county,  where  they 
spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  in  farming.  They  came  here  in  the  days  before 
the  great  Civil  war  and  experienced  the  stirring  times  here  during  the 
struggle.  They  worked  hard  and  had  a good  farm  and  comfortable  home 
and  were  well  and  favorably  known.  The  death  of  Mr.  Squibb  occurred 
in  August,  1861  ; his  widow  is  still  living  in  this  county,  having  thus  sur- 


1582 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


vived  her  husband  fifty-four  years,  and  has  reached  an  advanced  age.  They 
were  the  parents  of  two  children — James  Caleb,  of  this  review;  and  Prior 
Lee,  who  is  living  on  a farm  in  Greene  county. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  the  farm  with  his 
parents,  where  he  worked  hard  and  remained  until  he  was  nineteen  years 
of  age,  when  he  came  to  Springfield  and  attended  the  common  schools, 
later  entered  the  Marionville  Collegiate  Institute,  at  Marionville,  Missouri, 
where  he  took  a general  course.  Leaving  college  at  the  age  of  twenty-two 
years,  he  went  to  St.  Louis  and  took  a course  in  a business  college  and 
afterwards  studied  pharmacy  and  went  into  the  drug  business  in  Springfield, 
and  continued  the  same,  owning  his  own  store  until  1913,  when  he  sold 
out  and  has  since  been  living  practically  retired,  merely  looking  after  his 
private  property.  He  made  a pronounced  success  as  a druggist  and  always 
enjoyed  a good  trade  and  carried  a large  stock  of  drugs  and  drug  sundries, 
and  dealt  fairly  and  courteously  with  his  many  regular  customers  and  tran- 
sients alike.  He  has  a fine  home  on  North  Jefferson  street. 

Mr.  Squibb  was  married  on  November  19,  1883,  to  Nora  Massey,  who 
was  born,  reared  and  educated  in  Greene  county.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Nathaniel  J.  and  Mary  Catherine  (Bass)  Massey,  both  natives  of  Missouri, 
who  located  in  Greene  county  in  an  early  day  and  established  the  permanent 
home  of  the  family.  Mr.  Massey  was  a successful  farmer  and  stock  trader 
and  a public-spirited,  self-made  man.  During  the  Civil  war  he  was  a gov- 
ernment contractor,  furnishing  stock  and  general  supplies  to  the  army.  In 
politics  he  was  a Democrat  and  a Union  man.  His  father,  James  Massey, 
was  probably  born  in  the  green  isle  of  Erin,  but  crossed  the  Atlantic  when 
young  and  settled  in  Tennessee.  Later  he  moved  to  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, and  located  a few  miles  east  of  Springfield,  where  he  became  the 
owner  of  a good  farm.  There  his  death  occurred  during  the  Civil  war. 
He  was  twice  married  and  was  the  father  of  twenty-two  children.  His 
last  wife,  who  died  on  February  15,  1894,  married  Allen  Gentry,  of  Stone 
county.  Theophalus  Bass,  Mrs.  Squibb’s  grandfather,  was  the  first  repre- 
sentative to  the  Legislature  from  Taney  county,  and  died  during  his  incum- 
bency and  was  buried  in  Jefferson  City.  Nathaniel  j.  Bass  was  born  in 
Tennessee,  about  1815,  and  died  in  1868.  His  second  wife,  mother  of  Mrs. 
Squibb,  was  born  in  Taney  county,  Missouri,  and  died  about  forty  years 
ago  in  Springfield.  She  was  born  during  the  later  forties,  was  reared  and 
educated  in  Boone  county,  Missouri,  having  attended  Howard  Female  Col- 
lege. Our  subject’s  wife  was  one  of  two  children,  she  being  the  eldest; 
her  sister,  Effie,  was  born  in  February,  1868,  married  Oscar  Headley,  and 
they  live  in  Los  Angeles,  California.  Mrs.  Squibb’s  great-grandfather, 
John  D.  Shannon,  came  from  Tennessee  and  settled  in  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, in  the  forties.  He  was  the  first  representative  from  Greene  county  to 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1583 


the  Legislature,  and  he  was  the  first  sheriff  that  ever  held  office  in  south- 
western Missouri.  Mrs.  Squibb,  when  young,  went  to  live  with  an  aunt 
in  Troy,  Doniphan  county,  Kansas,  and  there  she  received  her  education, 
in  part,  finishing  in  the  Marionville  Collegiate  Institute.  She  taught  school 
in  Stone  county  for  a while  before  her  marriage. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Squibb  ten  children  were  born,  named  as  follows: 
Lillard,  born  on  December  i,  1885,  died  on  January  16,  1889;  Harry  W., 
born  on  January  10,  1887;  James  Lee,  born  on  July  28,  1889;  Mildred  E., 
born  on  August  27,  1892;  Effie  LI.,  born  on  January  22,  1895;  Ernest  R., 
born  on  March  18,  1897;  John  W.,  born  on  March  4,  1900;  Lenora  Glenn, 
born  on  June  3,  1903:  Sylvia  L.,  born  on  October  25,  1905:  Sanford  S., 
born  on  June  22,  1908. 

Politically,  Mr.  Squibb  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Trav- 
elers' Protective  Association  of  America,  and  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows.  He  and  his  family  belong  to  St.  Paul’s  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  South. 


OSCAR  FRANKLIN  FARMER. 

Although  Oscar  Franklin  Farmer  has  long  been  sleeping  the  “sleep 
that  knows  no  waking,”  like  the  great  huntsman  and  Scottish  chieftain,  of 
whom  we  read  in  Walter  Scott’s  “Lady  of  the  Lake,”  he  is  still  remembered 
by  many  of  the  older  residents  of  the  northern  part  of  Greene  county  as  an 
excellent  business  man  and  helpful  citizen — one  of  the  sturdy  pioneers  who 
did  much  for  the  early  development  of  his  locality,  and  his  name  is  therefore 
entitled  to  special  mention  in  the  present  volume. 

Mr.  Farmer  was  born  on  August  15,  1835,  in  Tennessee,  but  was  a 
mere  child  when  he  emigrated  with  his  parents,  Moses  Farmer  and  wife,  to 
Missouri,  the  family  locating  in  Cass  county  on  a farm,  where  Oscar  F. 
grew  to  manhood  and  received  a common  school  education,  and  he  was 
married  near  Pleasant  Hill,  Missouri,  to  Jane  Wann,  to  which  union  two 
children  were  born,  namely:  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ross,  who  lives  in  Washing- 

ton state,  and  Charles  O.,  deceased. 

Oscar  F.  Farmer  remained  in  Cass  county  until  1865  when  he  removed 
with  his  family  to  Greene  county  and  located  in  Cass  township,  purchasing 
the  old  Evans  grist-mill  which  he  operated  for  four  years,  supplying  the 
early  settlers  with  the  material  of  which  they  made  their  bread,  many  of 
his  customers  coming  from  very  remote  distances,  for  grist-mills  were  few 
in  those  days.  In  connection  with  his  mill  he  also  operated  a farm  success- 
fully. Later  he  traded  his  mill  to  Samuel  Appleby  for  a farm  of  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  where  his  widow  now  resides.  In  the  early  develop- 


1584 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ment  of  Willard,  Mr.  Farmer  was  active,  establishing  a general  store  when 
he  first  came  here,  and  operated  the  same  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
on  October  8,  1887,  at  the  age  of  fifty-two  years.  His  widow  subsequently 
sold  the  store  to  David  Appleby.  Mr.  Farmer’s  second  wife  was  Anna 
Appleby,  whom  he  married  in  1870.  She  is  a daughter  of  William  and 
Emily  (Flurt)  Appleby,  both  natives  of  Tennessee.  To  the  last  marriage 
of  Oscar  F.  Farmer  was  born  five  children,  namely:  Fred,  who  lives  in 

Springfield;  Samuel,  a farmer  of  this  township;  Claude,  who  lives  in  Wil- 
lard; Carl,  whose  death  occurred  in  1913;  and  John,  who  is  living  in 
Willard. 

John  and  Claude  Farmer  now  operate  a general  store  in  Willard,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Farmer  Brothers,  and  are  doing  a large  and  thriving  busi- 
ness, both  being  active  and  energetic  and  good  respectable  citizens  who  have 
the  confidence  of  their  many  customers. 

Mrs.  Anna  (Appleby)  Farmer  was  born  on  August  6,  1848,  in  Cass 
township,  Greene  county,  and  here  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  early-day  schools.  She  is  making  her  home  with  her  son, 
John  Farmer.  She  is  a quiet  home  woman  of  noble  character.  Her  father, 
William  Appleby,  was  born  in  1806,  and  his  death  occurred  in  Greene 
county  in  1879,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years.  His  wife,  Emily  Hurt, 
was  born  in  1808,  and  died  in  1861  at  the  age  of  fifty-three  years.  To  these 
parents  eight  children  were  born,  namely  : Mrs.  Eveline  Williams  is  deceased; 
Samuel,  deceased;  Elizabeth,  deceased;  Mrs.  Cassander  Looney  lives  in 
Boone  township,  Greene  county;  Anna,  widow  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
John  lives  in  Cass  township,  this  county;  two  children  died  in  infancy. 

The  Farmers  have  been  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  influential 
families  of  Willard  and  Murray  township  from  the  pioneer  days  to  the  pres- 
ent and  have  all  borne  good  reputations. 


JO  SI  AH  JEFFERSON  GRAY. 

The  permanent  prosperity  of  a nation  must  rest  upon  its  agriculture. 
Where  agriculture  has  been  decadent,  nations  have  declined.  The  history  of 
the  past  decade  proves  that  the  agriculture  of  the  Lhiited  States,  if  not 
actually  on  the  decline  has  not  made  the  strides  forward  that  it  should  have, 
and  the  result  of  this  affects  the  producer  and  consumer  alike  in  one  respect 
— a rapid  increase  in  the  cost  of  living.  This  is  a fact  recognized  by  far- 
seeing  men  to  such  an  extent  that  at  the  present  time  we  find  some  of  the 
strongest  minds  of  the  country  grappling  with  the  problem  of  putting  our 
agriculture  on  a permanent  and  sound  basis.  This  has  become  a near 
national  issue. 


■T.  J.  GRAY  AND  FAMILY. 


RESIDENCE  OF  .T.  J.  GRAY 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1585 


An  enterprising  farmer  of  Brookline  township,  Greene  county,  is 
Josiah  Jefferson  Gray,  who  was  born  in  the  vicinity  where  he  now  lives  on 
January  16,  1851.  He  is  a son  of  George  Washington  and  Sarah  Jane 
(Edgar)  Gray.  Samuel  Gray,  our  subject's  grandfather,  was  a native  of 
Ireland,  from  which  country  he  immigrated  with  his  father  to  America 
shortly  after  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  father  of  our  sub- 
ject was  born  in  Tennessee,  from  which  state  he  emigrated  to  Greene  county, 
Missouri,  in  1833,  and  settled  in  Brookline  township  among  the  first  of  the 
pioneers,  and  here  he  cleared  and  developed  a good  farm  and  spent  the  rest 
of  his  life,  dying  about  1906.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  near 
Mammoth  Cave  in  Green  county,  Kentucky.  Her  death  occurred  on  the 
homestead  here  in  1901.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  two  sons 
and  two  daughters,  namely:  Josiah  J.  of  this  sketch;  Andrew  Jackson,  born 
in  1854,  died  in  1865;  Elizabeth  A.,  born  in  1848,  married  Jefferson  Monev- 
ham,  of  Chariton  county,  Missouri,  and  they  have  five  children;  Sarah  Jane 
married  William  Robertson,  who  is  deceased,  and  she  is  living  in  Oklahoma 
and  has  five  children. 

Josiah  J.  Gray  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  where  he  worked  when 
a boy  and  in  the  winter  attended  the  district  schools.  He  has  followed  farm- 
ing all  his  life,  having  remained  at  work  on  the  home  place  until  1869, 
when  he  started  out  in  life  for  himself.  In  1882  he  purchased  the  place 
where  he  now  resides,  and  since  then  has  acquired  eighty  acres  more,  now 
owning  a good  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  known  as  “The  Oak 
Hill  Stock  Farm,”  on  which  he  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
His  farm  is  a part  of  the  Wilson  Creek  battleground.  Mr.  Gray  was  but 
ten  years  of  age  when  that  great  struggle  took  place,  however  he  has  a very 
vivid  recollection  of  what  transpired  that  memorable  day. 

Mr.  Gray  was  married,  August  22,  1878,  to  Arena  Jane  Russell,  a 
daughter  of  J.  N.  and  Nancy  Elizabeth  (Grimmer)  Russell,  both  of  whom 
came  to  Greene  county  from  Tennessee  in  the  early  forties,  and  in  this 
county  Mrs.  Gray  grew  to  womanhood  and  attended  the  public  schools. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gray  the  following  children  have  been  born:  Johnnie 
T.,  born  in » 1880.  was  educated  in  the  district  schools,  and  he  worked  on  the 
home  farm  until  his  marriage  in  1901  to  Margaret  L.  McNabb,  daughter  of 
J.  P.  and  Sarah  McNabb,  of  Republic,  after  which  he  moved  to  Stone 
county,  Missouri,  where  he  is  now  operating  a farm  which  he  owns;  he  has 
three  children,  Earl  V.  who  is  ten  years  old,  Archie,  aged  seven,  and  Theo- 
dore. Joe  Emmett,  second  son  of  our  subject,  was  born  June  15,  1887.  was 
educated  in  the  district  schools,  and  remained  on  the  home  farm  until  his 
marriage,  November  24,  1913,  to  Hollie  Davis,  daughter  of  Barney  and 
Harriett  (O’Dell)  Davis,  of  Christian  county,  Missouri;  he  then  took  up 
(100) 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1586 

farming  for  himself  on  a farm  adjoining  that  owned  by  our  subject.  Willie 
J.,  third  son  of  our  subject,  born  June  12,  1893,  was  educated  in  the  district 
schools,  and  is  assisting  his  father  operate  the  home  farm ; Ada,  born  August 
18,  1883,  was  educated  in  the  neighborhood  schools,  is  single  and  lives  at 
home;  Emma  E.,  born  June  21,  1885,  was  educated  in  the  home  school,  is 
unmarried  and  living  at  home;  Hubert  C.,  born  July  12,  1889,  died  in 
infancy;  a daughter,  Ida  Maudie,  died  in  1882;  one  daughter  born  in  1879, 
unnamed. 

Politically,  Mr.  Gray  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  No.  471  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  Mr.  Gray  raises  hogs  and  cattle  of  standard  grade 
in  large  numbers. 


ENOCH  KNABB,  M.  D. 

It  is  claimed  by  some  authors  that  a man’s  life,  or  words  of  disparage- 
ment or  praise  of  it,  should  not  be  written  until  after  his  death.  Perhaps 
not  until  he  has  been  dead  some  years.  For,  though,  in  one  sense,  none  can 
know  a man  so  well  as  he  knows  himself,  and  of  the  exterior  knowledge 
gained  concerning  him,  the  simplest  facts  are  liable  to  continual  misrepre- 
sentation, still  a certain  amount  of  distance  is  essential  to  the  breadth,  com- 
prehension and  truthfulness  of  the  view — especially  of  that  tuneful  harp, 
that  mysterious  picture,  a human  existence.  When  an  individual  has 
attained  the  eminence  in  a community  that  Dr.  Enoch  Knabb  has,  it  is 
fitting  that  a suitable  biography  be  prepared  of  him  for  reference  by  his 
friends,  hence  the  following  tribute. 

Doctor  Knabb,  for  many  years  one  of  the  well-known  general  physi- 
cians of  Springfield,  Missouri,  was  born  in  Wright  county,  this  state,  March 
1,  1867.  He  is  a son  of  Henry  M.  Knabb,  who  was  born  near  Indianapolis, 
Indiana,  August  4,  1836,  and  there  he  spent  his  earlier  years,  finally  immi- 
grating in  an  early  day  to  Missouri  and  establishing  the  family  home  in 
Wright  county,  where  he  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing. During  the  Civil  war  he  was  a member  of  the  Eighth  Missouri  Volun- 
teer Cavalry.  While  in  the  service  he  contracted  rheumatism  and  was  con- 
fined in  the  government  hospital  for  some  time.  He  saw  considerable  hard 
service  and  was  in  a number  of  engagements.  His  death  occurred  in  Mis- 
souri at  the  home  place  in  1891.  The  doctor’s  mother  was  born  in  1830 
and  died  in  1905  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-five  years.  These  parents 
were  both  members  of  the  Christian  church.  The  mother  was  known  in 
her  maidenhood  as  Minerva  Gass.  Dr.  Knabb  has  a sister,  Mrs.  Mary  A. 
Priester,  who  resides  near  Lorey,  Wright  county,  Missouri.  Her  husband 
is  engaged  in  buying  and  shipping  live  stock  there.  Jacob  Knabb,  our  sub- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1587 


ject’s  paternal  grandfather,  was  a German- American,  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  his  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years.  His  wife  was  a 
native  of  the  United  States. 

Doctor  Knabb  is  an  excellent  example  of  a self-made  man,  having 
worked  hard  in  his  youth  to  obtain  money  to  defray  his  expenses  in  school, 
but  such  ambition  and  determination  as  he  displayed  could  not  fail  of  defi- 
nite results.  He  grew  to  .manhood  in  Wright  count}'  and  received  his  early 
education  in  the  rural  schools  of  his  native  community,  later  attended  the 
high  school  at  Hartville,  and,  having  decided  upon  a career  as  physician,  he 
entered  the  Keokuk  Medical  College,  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  in  the  autumn  of 
1892,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1895.  Soon  there- 
after he  commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Stoutland,  Missouri, 
near  Lebanon,  remaining  there  six  years,  during  which  he  had  a good  coun- 
try practice.  Seeking  a larger  field  for  the  exercise  of  his  talents,  he 
removed  to  Springfield  in  1901,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  a large  and 
satisfactory  practice  ever  since,  which  is  constantly  growing.  He  now  con- 
fines his  practice  mostly  to  within  the  city  limits.  He  took  a post-graduate 
course  in  the  Chicago  Polyclinic  in  1900  and  1905,  and  also  took  a post- 
graduate course  in  Kansas  City  in  1912. 

Doctor  Knabb  is  a member  of  the  Greene  County  Medical  Society, 
the  Southwest  Missouri  Medical  Society,  the  Missouri  State  Medical 
Association  and  the  American  Medical  Association.  Fraternally,  he  belongs 
to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Woodmen  of  the  World,  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  many  other  lodges.  Religiously,  he  is 
a member  of  the  Central  Christian  church,  and  politically  is  a Republican. 

Dr.  Knabb  was  married  on  October  11,  1885,  to  Matilda  F.  Davis,  a 
daughter  of  James  and  Mary  C.  (Foster)  Davis.  Mrs.  Knabb  is  a native 
of  Wright  county,  Missouri,  and  she  received  her  education  in  the  rural 
schools  there.  s 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Doctor  Knabb  and  wife,  named  as 
follow:  Henry  F.,  born  in  Wright  county,  Missouri,  May  5,  1887,  was 

educated  in  the  Springfield  public  schools,  graduating  from  the  high  school 
here,  and  in  1907  he  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  St.  Louis  Uni- 
versity, and  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1911,  and  is  successfully  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Foyill,  Oklahoma ; he  married  Ora  K. 
Harris,  in  September,  1910,  who  is  a graduate  of  the  Springfield  high 
school,  also  attended  the  State  Normal  here  at  different  times,  and  she 
taught  school  four  years ; she  is  a daughter  of  Doctor  and  Dolly  Harris. 
Arthur  D.  Knabb,  second  of  our  subject’s  children,  was  born  in  Wright 
county,  this  state,  January  28,  1889,  was  graduated  from  the  Springfield 
high  school  in  1909,  and  the  same  year  entered  the  medical  department  of 
the  St.  Louis  University,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of 


1588 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1913;  he  served  one  year  as  interne  at  Lexin  Brothers  Hospital,  St.  Louis, 
and  was  elected  professor  of  bacteriology  and  pathology;  and  later  he 
resigned  and  took  up  the  practice  of  his  profession  with  his  father  in  Spring- 
held,  Missouri,  and  is  making  a pronounced  success  in  his  profession.  He 
was  married  on  June  26,  1914,  to  Beulah  Harlow,  a resident  of  Springfield. 
She  is  the  daughter  of  Rev.  W.  E.  Harlow,  of  1359  Washington  avenue, 
and  a woman  of  education  and  refinement.  She  was  graduated  from 
Springfield  high  school  in  1909.  She  was  one  of  five  children,  four  of 
whom  are  still  living  at  home,  the  oldest  having  died  about  eleven  years  ago. 
Yernie  E.  Knabb  was  born  in  Wright  county,  Missouri,  October  19,  1891  ; 
was  graduated  from  the  Springfield  high  school,  later  took  a course  in  the 
Springfield  Business  College,  from  which  she  graduated  in  1904.  She  is 
single  and  lives  with  her  parents.  These  children  have  all  received  every 
advantage  in  the  way  of  preparation  for  serious  life  work,  and  they  all  give 
promise  of  exceptional  success  in  their  chosen  spheres  of  endeavor. 


FRANK  E.  BROWN. 

Successful  farming  calls  for  the  best  of  judgment.  It  means  good 
crops,  good  live  stock  well  fed  and  handled,  and  a thoroughly  balanced  busi- 
ness in  every  way.  No  business  needs  better  management  all  around  than 
farming.  So  many  chances  for  failure  are  present  that  it  is  the  exceptional 
farm  that  is  strong  in  every  particular.  Most  farms  succeed  in  spite  of 
certain  weaknesses.  Some  of  these  weaknesses  can  be  corrected;  others  are 
due  to  conditions  that  cannot  be  improved,  such  as  naturally  poor  soil,  short 
growing  seasons,  steep  hills  and  various  things..  No  better  example  of  a 
good  general  farmer,  stock  man  and  horticulturist  than  Frank  E.  Brown,  of 
Campbell  township,  near  the  Springfield  city  limits,  could  be  found  in  Greene 
county.  He  has  applied  business  principles  to  his  farming  and  has  used 
his  mind  as  well  as  his  brawn.  He  hails  from  the  far-away  rugged  state  of 
Maine,  but  before  casting  his  lot  with  the  people  of  the  Ozarks,  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits  in  Minnesota  a number  of  years. 

Mr.  Brown  was  born  August  6,  i860,  at  Sangerville,  Maine.  He  is  a 
son  of  Francis  and  Tamar  (Brown)  Brown,  and  a grandson  of  Oliver 
Brown,  who  was  a native  of  Maine  his  parents  being  among  the  pioneers  of 
that  state.  He  grew  up  and  married  in  his  native  locality  and  later  removed 
to  Sangerville,  having  been  among  the  first  settlers  at  that  place,  and  there 
he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  engaged  in  farming  and  died  there,  and  there 
occurred  the  birth  of  his  son  Francis  Brown,  our  subject’s  father.  The  latter 
grew  up  on  the  homestead  on  which  he  worked  when  a boy  and  in  spare 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1589 


times  learned  the  carpenter's  trade.  After  the  Civil  war  he  removed  to 
Minnesota,  and  engaged  in  contracting  at  Minneapolis,  later  moving  to  the 
southern  part  o”f  that  state  and  farmed  a few  years  in  the  vicinity  of  Leroy. 
His  death  occurred  in  Minneapolis  in  August,  1896,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
three  years.  His  family  consisted  of  eleven  children,  four  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing at  this  writing,  namely : Anna,  who  lives  in  Everett,  Washington,  is  the 

wife  of  Clinton  Stephans,  a relative  of  the  noted  civil  engineer,  Frank  Ste- 
phans; Mrs.  Ada  Jones,  whose  husband  is  deceased,  lives  in  Minneapolis; 
Mrs.  Fannie  Hartley  lives  in  Minneapolis;  Minnie  Stephens  lives  at  Red 
Wing,  Minnesota,  and  Frank  E.  of  this  sketch. 

The  subject  of  this  review  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of 
Minnesota,  where  he  removed  with  his  parents  when  a child;  however,  he 
left  school  when  thirteen  years  of  age  and  began  learning  the  carpenter's 
trade,  later  managed  his  father's  farm,  and  during  his  father's  last  illness  he 
was  appointed  by  the  governor  of  the  Gopher  state  as  a delegate  to  the 
Farmers’  Congress  which  met  in  St.  Paul.  He  continued  general  farming 
there,  also  maintained  a store  for  some  time. 

Mr.  Brown  was  married  at  Leroy,  Minnesota,  March  7,  1888,  to  Anna 
Palmer,  a daughter  of  Cady  and  Sarah  (Palmer)  Palmer.  Her  father  was 
a farmer  and  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  vicinity  of  the  town  of  Leroy. 
There  Mrs.  Brown  grew  to  womanhood  and  attended  the  public  schools. 
The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  resulted  in  the  birth  of  four  children, 
named  as  follows : Mrs.  Grace  May  Holder  is  the  wife  of  a civil  engineer, 

and  she  lives  with  her  father;  Charlie  L.,  a graduate  of  the  Agricultural 
department  of  the  University  of  Missouri  at  Columbia,  also  lives  at  home; 
Ida  and  Ruth  are  both  at  home  and  are  students  in  the  Springfield  high 
school.  The  eldest  daughter  of  our  subject  is  a talented  musician;  she  has 
the  distinction  of  being  the  first  and  only  pupil  to  graduate  in  all  branches 
also  in  vocal  music  at  Drury  College.  Mrs.  Brown  died  in  the  fall  of  1914. 

Mr.  Brown  remained  in  Minnesota  until  in  the  spring  of  1903,  when 
he  removed  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  arriving  here  on  March  5th.  He 
had  purchased  four  hundred  acres  in  Campbell  township  the  year  previous. 
He  began  improving  this  valuable  tract  and  soon  had  it  under  modern  im- 
provements and  also  built  an  attractive  two-storv  eleven-roomed  house  with 
all  modern  conveniences,  finished  in  original  genuine  black  cherry,  seven- 
teen hundred  feet  of  which  fine  lumber  he  cut  from  his  own  land,  doing  the 
work  himself,  as  he  is  a skilled  carpenter  and  experienced  builder.  He  has 
carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  on  an  extensive  scale,  making  a 
specialty  of  a good  grade  of  cattle,  among  his  herd  being  a splendid  Holstein 
bull  for  which  he  paid  four  hundred  dollars  when  a calf.  Mr.  Brown  leased 
his  farm  some  time  ago  and  merely  oversees  it  in  a general  way,  having 
retired  from  active  farming,  a lease  of  ten  years  being  made  to  his  son  and 


159° 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mr.  Holder,  his  son-in-law,  who  has  given  up  his  work  as  civil  engineer,  in 
which  he  is  quite  accomplished,  in  order  to  devote  his  entire  attention  to 
the  farm.  An  indication  that  this  is  not  only  a rich  farm  but  is  well  oper- 
ated is  seen  from  the  fact  that  a field  of  one  hundred  acres  of  wheat  in  1914, 
averaged  over  nineteen  bushels  per  acre. 

Politically,  Mr.  Brown  is  a Democrat,  but  while  a careful  voter  and 
loyal  to  his  party  he  has  never  sought  political  leadership,  although  he  has 
held  numerous  minor  offices,  such  as  road  commissioner  and  was  a member 
of  the  school  board  in  Minnesota  for  a period  of  twenty-five  years  during 
which  he  did  much  for  the  general  improvement  of  the  schools  in  his  dis- 
trict. Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
and  was  a past  grand  knight  in  Minnesota.  He  is  a mat}  whom  it  is  a pleas- 
ure to  meet,  being  well  informed,  hospitable  and  companionable. 


GEORGE  DEEPER. 

The  honored  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a representative  of  one  of  the  pio- 
neer families  of  Greene  county  and  is  personally  identified  with  the  indus- 
trial interests  of  this  section  of  the  state  where  he  has  spent  his  life,  being 
the  owner  of  a fine  farming  property  in  Walnut  Grove  township.  Mr. 
Leeper  believes  in  adopting  new  and  modern  methods  of  agriculture  in  so  far 
as  they  are  applicable  to  local  conditions  and  because  of  his  progressive- 
ness, industry  and  close  application  he  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  substantial 
farmers  and  stock  men  in  this  locality,  the  interests  of  which  he  has  ever 
had  at  heart  and  where  he  has  been  contented  to  spend  his  life. 

George  Leeper  was  born  on  January  6,  1866,  in  Walnut  Grove  town- 
ship, Greene  county,  and  he  is  a son  of  Francis  and  Elmina  (Burney) 
Leeper.  The  father  was  born  in  Hawkins  county,  Tennessee,  March  20, 
1820,  and  there  he  spent  his  boyhood  days,  being  fourteen  years  of  age 
when,  in  1834,  he  removed  with  his  father,  Hugh  Leeper  (also  a native  of 
east  Tennessee)  to  Greene  county,  Missouri.  They  made  the  long  overland 
journey  direct  to  Walnut  Grove  township,  and  settled  about  two  miles  south 
of  our  subject’s  present  farm,  and  were  thus  among  the  early  pioneers  here. 
They  cleared  and  developed  a farm  from  the  wilderness  and  became  well 
established  and  well  known.  The  parents  of  our  subject  were  married  here 
in  1843  and  soon  thereafter  moved  to  Dade  county  where  they  lived  on  a 
farm  until  1847,  ’n  which  yean  they  returned  to  Green  county  and  purchased  a 
farm  of  two  hundred  and  eighty-five  acres,  near  which  our  subject’s  farm 
is  now  located,  and  here  Francis  Leeper  engaged  in  general  farming  in  a 
most  highly  satisfactory  manner  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  Decern- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1591 


ber  28,  1909,  when  nearly  ninety  years  of  age.  Politically,  he  was  a Demo- 
crat,  and  religiously  was  a member  of  the  Christian  church  at  Walnut  Grove. 
He  was  a man  of  fine  character,  neighborly,  hospitable,  public-spirited  and 
was  highly  esteemed  by  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  His  wife, 
Elmina  Burney,  was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  where  her  birth  occurred 
on  December  21,  1824,  and  she  spent  her  early  girlhood  in  her  native  state, 
removing  with  her  parents  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  the  spring  of 
1835,  the  family  locating  on  a farm  near  Ash  Grove  and  her  father  was  one 
of  the  prominent  pioneers  of  this  locality.  She  is  still  living,  being  now 
nearly  ninety  years  of  age,  and  makes  her  home  with  her  son,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  She  is  a grand  old  lady  of  the  true  Southern  type — gentle,  kind 
and  of  fine  Christian  character.  She  is  afflicted  with  blindness  in  her  old 
age,  but  bears  her  lot  patiently.  She  is  a daughter  of  Joshua  and  Jane 
(Stafford)  Burney.  She  often  recalls  that  long,  rough  journey  overland 
from  the  old  Tar  state  more  than  three-quarters  of  a century  ago. 

To  Francis  Leeper  and  wife  seven  children  were  born,  three  of  whom 
died  in  infancy,  those  who  grew  up  being  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Gilliland,  who  died 
in  November,  1909;  Hugh,  who  is  a resident  of  the  town  of  Mary,  North 
Dakota;  Mrs.  Ebanida  Martin,  who  lives  in  Walnut  Grove;  and  George,  of 
this  sketch. 

George  Leeper  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  the  home  farm,  in  fact,  has 
remained  on  the  same  nearly  all  his  life,  and  has  always  followed  general 
farming  and  raising  live  stock.  He  received  his  education  in  the  district 
schools  of  his  township.  He  now  owns  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine  acres 
which  he  farms  efficiently,  and  on  which  is  to  be  seen  an  excellent  group 
of  buildings. 

Mr.  Leeper  was  married  on  September  10,  1891,  to  Flora  Edmonson, 
who  was  born  near  Walnut  Grove,  Greene  county,  where  she  was  reared 
to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  She  is  a daughter  of  Fide  and  Martha 
(Potter)  Edmonson.  The  father  was  born  in  this  vicinity  also,  in  1840. 
He  is  a son  of  Allen  and  Polly  Edmonson,  who  were  very  early  settlers  of 
Walnut  Grove  township,  clearing  and  developing  a farm  here  when  the 
country  was  sparsely  settled,  and  here  Fide  Edmonson  grew'  to  manhoood 
and  early  in  life  began  farming  which  has  been  his  life  work.  He  continued 
to  reside  in  his  native  locality  until  several  years  ago  when  he  removed 
to  Polk  county  in  different  parts  of  which  he  has  lived,  being  now  practi- 
cally retired  owing  to  his  advanced  age  and  is  residing  near  Red  Top,  Mis- 
souri. His  wife  was  born  and  reared  in  Kentucky.  They  became  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  children:  Flora,  Alonzo,  Walton  E.  (deceased)  ; Dud- 
ley, Edward,  Dollie,  Bettie  and  Rufus. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leeper  has  been  without  issue. 

Politically,  Mr.  Leeper  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 


i592 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Masonic  Order  at  Walnut  Grove,  the  old  Sullivan  Lodge  No.  7.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Walnut  Grove,  in  which  she 
takes  an  active  part,  especially  in  Sunday  school  work. 

Mr.  Leeper  is  a home  man,  a hard  worker  and  a good  citizen. 


JOSEPH  LEWIS  OWEN. 

Scientific  methods  of  farming  disseminated  through  the  medium  of 
the  agricultural  schools  throughout  the  country  have  come  as  a great  blessing 
to  those  pursuing  agricultural  callings.  Yet  the  farmers  in  the  early  days 
of  this  country  had  no  such  advantages.  They  had  to  depend  upon  their 
own  judgment,  their  own  foresight,  their  own  intuition,  as  it  were,  to  over- 
come many  a perplexing  problem  in  farming.  And  yet  their  success  was 
more  often  than  not  almost  phenomenal ; and  we  can  pardon  the  veteran 
tillers  of  the  soil  who  yet  remain  among  us  if  they  look  askance  upon  our 
newer  methods.  Joseph  Lewis  Owen,  a creditable  representative  of  the  well- 
known  old  Owen  family  of  Greene  county,  who  owns  a fine  modern  farm 
of  large  acreage  in  Wilson  township,  is  making  a pronounced  success  as  a 
general  farmer,  employing  such  of  the  progressive  methods  as  are  consistent 
with  this  locality  and  climate,  and  his  well-cultivated  land  and  comfortable 
home  would  indicate  to  the  observer  that  his  efforts  have  been  well  rewarded. 

Mr.  Owen  was  born  near  what  is  now  Battlefield,  in  the  above  named 
township  and  county,  May  7,  1880.  He  is  a son  of  Capt.  C.  Baker  Owen 
and  Nancy  Caroline  (McCroskey)  Owen.  Captain  Owen  was  a native  of 
Tennessee,  born  in  Marshall  county,  February  28,  1827.  He  was  a son  of 
Solomon  IT.  Owen,  a native  of  eastern  Tennessee,  and  of  Welsh  descent. 
Baker  Owen  was  nine  years  old  when  he  was  brought  by  his  parents  to 
Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1836,  his  father  entering  four  hundred  acres 
of  land  from  the  government,  four  miles  northwest  of  Springfield.  He 
continued  entering  land  until  he  owned  about  two  thousand  acres.  He 
owned  large  numbers  of  slaves.  He  became  one  of  the  most  extensive  farm- 
ers and  stock  men  in  this  section  of  the  state,  and  remained  on  his  farm 
until  1874,  when  he  was  seventy-seven  years  of  age,  when  he  removed  to 
Springfield.  His  family  consisted  of  six  children,  named  as  follows : Sus- 
anna A.,  George  IT.,  Pleasant  B.,  Charles  Baker,  Jesse  W.,  and  William  S. 

Captain  Owens,  father  of  our  subject,  grew  to  manhood  in  Greene 
county  and  here  devoted  his  life  to  farming  and  stock  raising  on  a large 
scale.  On  September  18,  1856,  he  married  Sarah  E.  Yarbrough,  and  two 
children  were  born  to  this  union,  John  S.,  and  Stephen  A.  D.  After  his 
marriage  Captain  Owen  settled  on  a farm  on  the  James  river,  however,  he 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 593 


had  previously  spent  a number  of  years  engaged  in  buying  and  selling  live- 
stock, and,  like  his  father  before  him,  he  became  one  of  the  most  progressive 
agriculturists  in  Greene  county,  owning  a vast  estate  on  either  side  of  the 
James  river,  aggregating  over  nineteen  hundred  acres.  He  cleared  and  im- 
proved about  one-half  of  the  entire  tract,  leaving  a large  portion  of  his 
land  in  timber  and  he  kept  large  herds  of  various  kinds  of  livestock  on  his 
large  pastures.  The  first  wife  of  Captain  Owen  died  in  the  spring  of  1862, 
and  on  January  31,  1865,  he  married  Nancy  Caroline  McCroskey,  to  which 
union  eight  children  were  born,  named  as  follows:  Charles  J.,  Rachael  M., 
Margaret  S.  E.,  Alwilda  M.  J.,  George  D.,  Francis  W.,  W.  E.,  and  Joseph 
L.  (subject  of  this  sketch). 

Captain  Owen  was  a Democrat  and  was  influential  in  local  public 
affairs.  He  was  elected  sheriff  of  Greene  county  in  1S70,  and  was  re- 
elected in  1874,  serving  two  terms  of  two  years  each.  He  took  a con- 
spicuous part  in  the  local  military  affairs  during  the  Civil  war.  In  May, 
1861,  he  organized  a militia  company  of  Home  Guards  in  Wilson  town- 
ship and  was  elected  captain,  but  when  his  company  was  consolidated  with 
another,  he  being  the  junior  of  the  two  captains,  resigned  and  became  a first 
lieutenant.  When  General  Lyon’s  army  marched  out  from  Springfield  on 
the  night  of  August  9,  1861,  to  attack  General  Price  and  McCulloch  on 
Wilson’s  creek.  Captain  Owen  was  appointed  one  of  the  guides;  and  he 
led  the  division  under  Col.  Franz  Sigel  to  the  Confederate  camp,  he  took 
part  in  the  battle  on  the  following  day.  The  Union  forces  having  retreated 
to  Rolla,  Phelps  county.  Captain  Owen  and  his  company  were  enrolled  in 
United  States  service  there,  and  was  commissioned  by  the  governor  of  Mis- 
souri as  first  lieutenant  in  the  regular  army.  He  saw  considerable  active 
service,  was  in  a number  of  skirmishes  in  the  southern  part  of  the  state 
and  later  fought  against  General  Marmaduke  in  that  part  of  the  state  and 
was  also  in  minor  engagements  in  Tennessee  and  different  parts  of  his 
own  state.  At  Columbus,  Kentucky,  his  company  did  guard  duty  on  the 
ordnance  boat  “General  Grant,”  and  later  was  with  General  Sherman 
on  his  march  through  Mississippi ; was  with  General  Banks  on  the  Red 
river  expedition,  also  at  the  occupation  of  the  city  of  Alexandria,  and  the 
battle  of  Pleasant  Hill,  Louisiana,  where  his  regiment  lost  all  of  its  offi- 
cers except  the  major,  one  captain  and  one  lieutenant,  in  killed  and  wounded, 
and  lost  one-third  of  the  men.  His  own  company  lost  one-half  of  its  num- 
ber in  killed  and  wounded.  This  company  was  in  severe  skirmishes,  fighting 
from  April  9th  to  May  16th,  when  the  battle  of  Yellow  Brow  was  fought. 
Later  Captain  Owen  was  in  battle  near  Mineral  Point,  Missouri.  He  was 
sick  in  the  Federal  Hospital  at  Memphis,  Tennessee,  nine  weeks.  He  was 
mustered  out  of  the  service  in  St.  Louis,  October  14,  1864.  Soon  thereafter 
he  returned  home  and  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death. 


1594 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Joseph  L.  Owen  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  there  he 
worked  during  the  summer  months  and  attended  the  district  schools  in 
the  winter  time.  He  has  always  lived  on  the  old  homestead,  he  having- 
taken  the  old  home  place  proper  in  the  settlement  of  his  father’s  estate,  and 
he  is  owner  of  one  of  the  choice  farms  of  this  part  of  Greene  county,  con- 
sisting of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  two  hundred  acres  of  which 
is  under  cultivation  and  he  is  carrying  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising 
in  a highly  successful  manner.  He  has  carefully  rotated  his  crops  and 
otherwise  skilfully  managed  the  old  farm  so  that  it  has  not  only  retained 
its  original  fertility  but  the  strength  of  soil  has  been  increased. 

Mr.  Owen  was  married  November  io,  1901,  to  Kate  McConnell,  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Nannie  (Aven)  McConnell,  both  born,  reared  and 
educated  in  Christian  county,  Missouri,  and  in  that  county  Mrs.  Owen  was 
born  January  25,  1883,  and  there  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  a com- 
mon school  education.  Her  father’s  death  occurred  June  3,  1909,  but  her 
mother  is  still  living  in  Christian  county.  Ten  children  were  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  McConnell,  namely : Lindsay  is  the  eldest ; Mrs.  Maggie  Avery, 
wife  of  Ed  Avery,  of  Christian  county;  Lucy  is  the  wife  of  James  Stewart, 
of  Greene  county;  Gracey  is  the  wife  of  Herbert  Avan  and  they  live  in 
Christian  county;  Ross  also  lives  in  that  county;  Bertha,  wife  of  Will 
Gooch,  resides  in  the  same  county;  Kate,  wife  of  Mr.  Owen,  of  this 
sketch;  the  other  three  children  died  in  infancy. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Owen  three  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Rosco 
died  in  infancy;  Clarence,  born  February  7,  1903,  and  Homer,  born  Oc- 
tober 12,  1909  .are  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Owen  has  voted  the  Democratic  ticket  since  attaining 
his  majority.  Mrs.  Owen  is  a member  of  the  Christian  church.  They  are 
among  the  popular  young  people  of  this  part  of  the  county. 


SAMUEL  A.  FARMER. 

Reform  movements  travel  slowly.  The  wearing-out  process  of  the  vir- 
gin fields  of  the  United  States  has  extended  over  a long  period  of  years  of 
agitation  on  the  part  of  experiment  stations,  county  experts  and  farm  week- 
lies, but  each  year  the  farmers  of  the  Middle  West  are  showing  improve- 
ment in  their  method  of  handling  the  soil.  Judicious  crop  rotation,  in  which 
one  of  the  legumes  is  often  included,  is  having  much  to  do  in  bringing  about 
an  increased  yield  per  acre.  There  has  not  been,  and  will  not  be,  a spon- 
taneous movement  to  restore  the  soil’s  fertility.  Farmers  are  no  exception 
to  the  average  of  mankind.  Some  will  take  the  initiative,  others  will  doubt, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 595 


still  others  will  learn  by  example,  and  yet  another  class  will  wait  until  forced 
by  a depleted  soil  and  a decreased  yield  to  take  up  the  great  work  of  rebuild- 
ing the  soil.  One  of  the  farmers  of  Murray  township,  Greene  county  who 
has  been  a careful  student  of  modern  farming  conditions  and  has  kept  his 
farm  in  a high  productive  state  through  judicious  and  timely  management 
is  Samuel  A.  Farmer,  one  of  the  most  progressive  farmers  and  one  of  the 
most  widely  known  stockmen  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Farmer  was  born  in  the  above  named  township  and  county  on  May 
5,  1875.  He  is  a son  of  Oscar  and  Anna  (Appleby)  Farmer,  both  promi- 
nent old  families  of  this  locality.  The  father  was  born  in  eastern  Tennessee 
in  1835,  and  his  death  occurred  in  1887. 

A sketch  of  the  father  will  be  found  on  another  page  of  this  volume. 

Samuel  A . Farmer  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  near  Willard  which 
village  was  built  near  his  father’s  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
of  excellent  level  land.  He  received  his  education  in  the  local  public  schools. 
On  October  7,  1897,  he  married  Stella  Alsup,  a native  of  Greene  county 
where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  She  is  the  only  daughter 
of  Andrew  Jackson  Alsup  and  Pernecia  (East)  Alsup.  The  father  was 
born  on  February  15,  1852,  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  was  a son  of 
James  and  Mary  (Slaughter)  Alsup.  James  Alsup  was  a native  of  Ten- 
nessee from  which  state  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  with  his  par- 
ents when  a young  man  and  settled  in  Franklin  township,  having  made  the 
long  overland  trip  in  wagons.  Later  the  father  took  up  a claim  from  the 
government,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  or  more,  and  this  he 
cleared  and  improved  and  lived  here  until  his  death. 

After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Farmer  left  the  home  farm  and  rented  what 
was  known  as  the  Polly  Watson  farm  for  one  year,  then  moved  to  his 
present  farm  of  one  hundred  and  seventy  acres  where  he  has  been  actively 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  raising  cattle  and  hogs.  His  place  is  called 
“Farmer’s  Stock  Farm”  and  is  an  ideal  location  and  a most  excellent  place 
for  the  breeding  and  raising  of  live  stock.  He  has  raised  and  shipped  from 
year  to  year  cattle  and  hogs,  and  is  now  making  a specialty  of  breeding 
Hereford  cattle.  During  the  past  few  years  he  has  been  quite  an  extensive 
shipper  of  cattle  and  hogs,  but  recently  he  has  been  disposing  of  his  stock 
in  his  own  community.  He  has  a well-improved  farm  in  every  respect,  a 
good  home  and  up-to-date  barn,  large  silo  and  is  a man  of  decided  advanced 
ideas  both  as  to  farming  methods  and  implements  and  success  has  been  the 
result  of  his  industry  and  good  judgment. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Farmer  has  resulted  in  the  birth  of  one 
child,  Clifford  Farmer,  born  on  December  21,  1898,  who  is  at  home  with 
his  parents. 

Politically,  Mr.  Farmer  is  a Democrat,  but  often  votes  independently 


1596 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


in  local  elections.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America  at  Cave  Spring,  this  comity.  And  he  is  a member  of  the  Presby- 
terian church  at  that  place,  and  he  has  been  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school  there  for  the  past  ten  years,  and  has  helped  build  up  a large  and  inter- 
esting Sunday  school.  Iiis  wife  has  been  a teacher  of  a class  in  the  Sunday 
school  there  for  the  past  ten  years,  and  both  are  active  in  the  general  work  of 
the  church,  giving  liberally  of  their  time  and  means  to  the  support  of  the 
church. 


STEPHEN  A.  D.  OWEN. 

No  industry  is  so  vital  to  the  well-being  of  the  nation  as  agriculture, 
and  nothing  is  so  vital  to  agriculture  as  the  soil.  From  its  treasury  it  has 
been  estimated  that  we  draw  annually  about  eight  billion  and  three  hundred 
million  dollars,  and  its  possibilities  are  as  yet  only  partially  realized. 
There  are  still  in  this  country  millions  of  acres  which  have  never  felt  the 
plow,  while  those  which  are  now  under  cultivation  can,  by  the  application 
of  scientific  principles,  be  made  to  produce  many  times  the  present  value 
of  their  products.  How  to  use  and  not  abuse  this  great  resource  is  the 
most  important  problem  which  faces  the  farmer  of  today — one  worthy  of 
the  best  efforts  of  our  profound  and  learned  scientists;  for  upon  its  solution 
depends  the  future  prosperity  of  the  nation.  One  of  the  alert  and  wide- 
awake agriculturists  of  Greene  county  of  a past  generation  was  the  late 
Stephen  A.  D.  Owen,  of  Wilson  township,  a scion  of  the  prominent  old 
Owen  family  of  this  locality. 

Mr.  Owen  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  January  6,  1861.  He 
is  a son  of  C.  B.  and  Ellen  (Yarbrough)  Owen,  the  former  a native  of 
Tennessee  and  the  latter  of  Christian  county,  Missouri,  the  parents  of  the 
mother  of  our  subject  having  emigrated  from  middle  Tennessee  to  Mis- 
souri in  an  early  day.  C.  B.  Owen  was  also  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  the 
southern  part  of  Greene  county,  becoming  an  extensive  land  owner  along  the 
James  river  and  one  of  the  most  substantial  and  influential  citizens  here. 
He  was  twice  married,  and  had  two  children  by  his  first  union,  namely: 
J.  Solomon,  and  Stephen  A.  D.  During  the  Civil  war  C.  B.  Owen  was  a 
Unionist,  and  became  captain  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Missouri  Injantry, 
serving  three  years  with  distinction  and  credit.  At  the  battle  of  Wilson's 
creek  he  acted  as  guide  to  Col.  Franz  Sigel’s  column  which  marched  from 
Springfield  to  the  camp  of  the  Confederates  the  night  preceding  the  bat- 
tle. Mr.  Owen  took  part  in  numerous  engagements,  including  the  battles 
of  Pleasant  Hill  and  Ft.  Derussy  and  several  of  minor  importance.  He 
was  never  wounded  but  was  once  struck  with  a spent  ball.  A fuller  history 
of  Captain  Owen  will  be  found  on  other  pages  of  this  work. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 597 


Stephen  A.  D.  Owen  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  where  he 
assisted  with  the  general  work  and  in  the  winter  months  he  attended  the 
old  subscription  schools,  obtaining  a meager  education,  which  has  since 
been  properly  supplemented  by  wide  miscellaneous  reading.  When  he  was 
forty-six  years  of  age  his  father  died  and  our  subject  became  possessed  of 
a finely  improved  and  valuable  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  from  the  old 
homestead,  a part  of  which  lies  across  the  line  in  Christian  county.  Here 
he  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  in  a manner  that  indicated 
he  was  fully  abreast  of  the  times  of  modern  husbandry. 

Mr.  Owen  was  twice  married,  first,  on  April  28,  1883,  to  Lula  L. 
White,  a daughter  of  Hardy  and  Tampey  White,  formerly  of  the  state  of 
Tennessee,  from  which  they  emigrated  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  an  early 
day-  She  was  one  of  three  children,  being  the  youngest,  and  her  death  occurred 
March  18,  1888,  leaving  three  children,  namely:  Alfred  Wilson,  Charles 
Baker,  and  Horace  Preston,  all  living  in  Greene  county.  Our  subject  was 
married  on  February  17,  1894,  his  last  wife  being  Rachael  Ann  Payne, 
born  April  6,  1858,  a daughter  of  Lewis  and  Margaret  Payne,  natives  of 
Tennessee  and  Virginia,  respectively.  The  father  came  to  Greene  county, 
Missouri,  when  five  years  of  age.  His  father  was  the  second  white  man 
to  settle  in  Greene  county.  He  found  only  Indians  and  a few  Spaniards 
in  these  parts.  Our  subject’s  second  marriage  was  without  issue. 

Politically,  Mr.  Owen  adhered  to  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  partv 
since  reaching  maturity,  but  never  sought  public  office,  being  content  to 
devote  his  attention  exclusively  to  his  pleasant  home  and  his  extensive 
farming  operations.  However  he  served  as  constable  four  years.  His  death 
occurred  at  his  home,  January  28,  1915. 


HARRY  COOPER. 

The  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  paragraph  is  widely  known  as 
one  of  the  enterprising  men  of  affairs  of  Greene  county  whose  methods  are 
those  of  the  progressive  twentieth  century  business  man,  who,  despite  ob- 
stacles and  opposition,  is  forging  to  the  front  along  conservative  and  legiti- 
mate lines.  He  is  sole  proprietor  of  the  large  supply  company  of  Spring- 
field  which  bears  his  name,  and  he  has  long  been  prominently  identified  with 
the  commercial  interests  of  the  capital  city  of  the  Ozarks.  His  well-directed 
efforts  in  the  practical  affairs  of  life,  his  capable  management  of  his  business 
interests  and  his  sound  judgment  have  brought  him  large  financial  rewards 
for  the  labor  he  has  expended,  and  his  life  forcefully  demonstrates  what 
may  be  accomplished  in  this  free  land  of  ours  by  the  gentleman  of  foreign 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1598 

birth  who  comes  here  with  a willingness  to  work  honestly  and  persistently 
in  any  legitimate  line  of  established  endeavor. 

Mr.  Cooper  was  born  near  Leicester,  England,  September  12,  1861. 
He  is  a son  of  Henry  Cooper,  who  was  born  in  England,  where  he  grew  to 
manhood,  received  his  education  and  married,  and  from  that  country  he 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  with  his  family  in  1872,  landing  in  New  York 
City,  but  came  direct  to  the  state  of  Missouri,  secured  a good  farm  in 
Wilson  township,  Greene  county,  and  there  became  a successful  farmer  and 
stock  raiser  for  many  years  and  the  latter  part  of  his  life  was  spent  in 
retirement  on  his  small  farm  of  forty-five  acres.  He  was  seventy-seven 
years  of  age  when  his  death  occurred.  Politically,  he  was  a Democrat  and 
served  his  township  as  a member  of  the  school  board.  He  belonged  to  the 
Episcopal  church  and  led  a quiet,  honorable  and  industrious  life.  Mr. 
Cooper  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife,  mother  of  our  subject,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Mary  Richardson,  died  in  1874,  leaving  two  sons,  Harry 
of  this  sketch,  and  George,  who  was  associated  in  business  with  his  brother 
in  Springfield,  from  1888  to  1908;  he  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  well- 
known  citizens  of  this  city  and  while  he  and  our  subject  were  on  a visit  to 
England  in  1910,  he  was  stricken  with  illness  and  died  in  that  country. 
Henry  Cooper’s  second  marriage  was  to  Elizabeth  Jackson,  and  to  this  union 
one  son  was  born,  Frederick  Cooper,  who  is  now  engaged  in  the  plumbing 
business  on  College  street,  Springfield. 

William  Cooper,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  born 
and  reared  in  England  and  resided  there  all  his  life.  He  was  a successful 
business  man  and  became  one  of  the  wealthiest  citizens  of  the  city  of 
Leicester.  He  retained  the  coat-of-arms  of  his  ancestors,  the  Coopers  being 
a prominent  old  English  family,  and  he  was  very  active  in  church  work 
and  was  a heavy  contributor,  building  a handsome  church  unaided  for  his 
denomination  near  Leicester. 

Harry  Cooper,  our  subject,  spent  his  boyhood  in  England,  where  he 
attended  school  and  was  eleven  years  of  age  when,  in  1872,  his  parents 
brought  him  to  America.  He  continued  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Springfield,  attending  about  one  year  when  he  went  to  AVilson  township 
to  his  father’s  farm  and  there  assisted  with  the  general  work  during  the 
summer  months.  However,  his  educational  advantages  were  limited  and 
he  left  school  when  thirteen  years  of  age.  He  remained  under  his  paternal 
roof-tree  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age,  then  came  to  Springfield 
and  went  to  work  for  the  Springfield  Gas  Company,  under  J.  S.  Ambrose, 
and  began  learning  the  plumbing  trade.  After  remaining  with  this  concern 
a year,  he  went  to  Ft.  Smith,  Arkansas,  where  he  worked  at  the  plumbing 
trade  in  1883  and  1884.  He  worked  as  journeyman  plumber  until  1887, 
then  opened  a plumbing  business  of  his  own  at  412  South  street,  Springfield, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1599 


and  later  moved  his  shop  to  the  southeast  corner  of  South  and  Walnut 
streets.  He  was  successful  from  the  start  and  his  business  grew  to  large 
proportions  with  advancing  years.  For  twenty  years  his  brother,  George 
Cooper,  was  in  partnership  with  him,  the  business  being  conducted  under 
the  firm  name  of  Cooper  Brothers.  In  1908  Mr.  Cooper  purchased  his 
brother's  interest,  since  which  time  he  has  been  sole  proprietor  of  his  estab- 
lishment, which  is  now  known  as  the  Harr}'-  Cooper  Supply  Company.  On 
June  1,  1908,  he  moved  to  30  East  Water  street,  where  he  rented  a one- 
story  brick  building,  twenty  by  one  hundred  and  forty-five  feet,  and  opened 
a strictly  wholesale  supply  house.  The  following  year  he  was  obliged  to 
seek  larger  quarters  and  he  rented  the  adjoining  property,  doubling  his 
space  on  the  ground  floor  and  adding  another  story  also  of  equal  capacity, 
and  here  he  remained  until  again  forced  to  seek  more  commodious  quarters, 
when  he  purchased  a lot,  sixty  by  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  feet,  at  223-227 
East  Water  street,  early  in  1914,  and  here  he  constructed  a substantial  mod- 
ern three-story  and  basement  reinforced  concrete  brick  front  building,  pur- 
chasing his  own  cement,  iron  and  all  supplies  and  had  the  building  erected 
according  to  his  own  ideas  and  plans  made  by  George  F.  Reed,  architect. 
It  is  one  of  the  models  of  its  kind  in  the  Southwest.  The  building  con- 
tains thirty  thousand  feet  of  floor  space,  and  he  has  one  of  the  best  display 
rooms  in  the  state,  which  room  with  his  office  occupies  the  entire  front  of 
the  building.  He  does  a large  wholesale  business  over  a vast  territory  con- 
tiguous to  Springfield,  handling  plumbing,  heating  and  engine  supplies,  well 
casings,  pumps  and  wind  mills.  Everything  in  these  lines  may  be  found  at 
his  large  plant  and  it  requires  fifteen  experienced  assistants  to  help  manage 
the  daily  volume  of  business  which  is  constantly  and  rapidly  growing.  The 
business  was  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  Missouri  early  in  1915.  While 
doing  plumbing  work,  Mr.  Cooper  was  employed  in  several  adjoining  states 
as  well  as  throughout  Missouri  and  he  is  widely  known  to  the  plumbing 
trade  of  the  Southwest.  He  did  the  plumbing  work  in  the  Missouri  building 
at  the  Louisiana  Purchase  Exposition  in  St.  Louis,  in  1903.  He  gives  his 
business  his  personal  attention  and  promptness  and  honesty  are  his  watch- 
words. 

Mr.  Cooper  was  married  in  1890  to  Catherine  Elizabeth  Coombs,  a 
daughter  of  David  Coombs,  who  wras  a native  of  New  Jersey.  Both  the 
parents  of  Mrs.  Cooper  died  when  she  was  quite  young  and  she  made  her 
home  with  her  uncle,  ohn  Coombs,  a native  of  New  Jersey.  He  came  to 
Springfield  when  Mrs.  Cooper  was  but  twelve  years  of  age  and  it  was 
here  that  she  received  her  education  in  the  public  schools. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  two  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Catherine 
R.,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Springfield  high  school  and  later  from 
Wheaton  College  in  Massachusetts.  She  was  married  on  February  3.  1915, 


:6oo 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


to  Allen  F.  Mack,  of  this  city,  who  is  in  the  dry  goods  business.  John 
Henry  George  Cooper,  second  child  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cooper,  is  attending 
local  high  school. 

Politically,  Mr.  Cooper  is  a Democrat  and  fraternally  is  a thirty-second 
degree  Mason. 


JAMES  QUINN. 

Farmers  as  a class  are  intelligent,  industrious  and  economical,  and 
many  of  them  are  men  of  good  business  judgment.  Further,  those  who 
have  made  a thorough  study  of  the  business  side  of  farming  know  that  it 
is  not  an  easy  matter  to  make  money  on  the  farm.  Only  the  most  practical 
and  experienced  farmers  are  making  any  considerable  profit  out  of  their 
business.  Most  of  the  money  that  has  been  made  on  the  farm  in  recent 
years  has  been  made,  not  by  farming,  but  by  the  rise  of  prices  on  farm  lands. 
In  the  nature  of  things  this  rise  can  not  continue  indefinitely,  and-  some  one 
will  own  this  land  when  the  price  becomes  practically  stationary  or  perhaps 
starts  to  decline.  Those  who  purchased  their  farms  years  ago  should  con- 
sider themselves  fortunate;  that  is,  if  they  like  farming  and  are  doing  well, 
but  the  outlook  is  none  too  encouraging  for  the  man  who  is  looking  for  a 
good  farm  at  a price  which  he  can  afford  to  pay  and  carry  on  general  farm- 
ing successfully,  especially  if  that  man  has  but  little  or  no  experience  in 
country  life.  James  Quinn,  of  Campbell  township,  is  one  of  Greene  county’s 
prosperous  and  contented  farmers.  He  came  here  from  a foreign  strand  and 
got  good  land  when  the  price  was  low,  and,  using  sound  judgment,  has  made 
a success. 

Mr.  Quinn  was  born  in  County  Down,  Ireland,  June  5,  1848.  He  is  a 
son  of  John  and  Susanna  ( McClune)  Quinn,  and  a grandson  of  John  and 
Charlotte  (Hill)  Quinn,  all  natives  of  Ireland  and  representatives  of  the 
farming  class.  John  Quinn,  Jr.,  died  at  the  age  of  ninety-eight  years,  and 
his  wife  almost  reached  the  century  mark.  Their  son,  John  Quinn,  father 
of  our  subject,  was  born  in  County  Down  in  1806,  and,  like  his  father  before 
him,  devoted  his  life  to  farming  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  dying  there  in  1892 
at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years,  his  wife  having  preceded  him  to  the  grave 
in  1884.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  all  boys  but  one,  namely: 
William  has  remained  in  Ireland  and  is  a hammersman  by  trade;  John  is  a 
brick  mason  and  lives  in  Ireland;  James  of  this  sketch;  Samuel  is  deceased; 
Hugh,  who  is  now  employed  at  Wolf's  shipyards  in  Ireland,  was  formerly 
a school  teacher ; Robert  is  a bridge  builder  in  Ireland ; David  is  farming  in 
Ireland;  Susanna  is  deceased.  A daughter  of  Hugh  Quinn  won  first  pre- 


JAMES  QUINN. 


GREENE  COUNTY,,  MISSOURI. 


1601 


mium,  a gold  medal,  for  penmanship,  in  a contest  about  1880,  embracing 
the  United  Kingdom. 

James  Quinn  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  land,  and  there  received 
his  education.  When  a young  man  he  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade,  at 
which  he  became  quite  proficient.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age,  in  1869, 
he  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  our  shores,  first  locating  in  Luzerne  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, later  coming  on  west  to  Chicago,  thence  to  Burlington,  Iowa;  from 
there  to  Cedar  Rapids,  that  state;  next  to  St.  Joseph,  Missouri.  In  the 
fall  of  1873  he  came  to  Springfield  and  worked  at  his  trade  for  thirteen  and 
one-half  years  for  the  St.  Louis  & San  Francisco  Railroad  Company.  He 
Had  been  following  his  trade  ever  since  coming  to  America.  About  1880 
he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  and  several 
years  later  moved  onto  the  same,  and  here  he  has  since  resided  and  has 
engaged  successfully  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  has  an  excel- 
lent set  of  buildings  on  his  place,  including  a fine  two-story  dwelling  and 
large  outbuildings. 

Mr.  Quinn  was  married  on  June  25,  1874,  in  Springfield,  to  Adelia 
McGaughey,  a daughter  of  James  W.  and  Isabell  (Cinnamond)  McGaughey, 
both  natives  of  Kentucky,  from  which  state  they  removed  to  this  county  in 
an  early  day.  Mr.  McGaughey  was  a farmer  during  his  active  life,  and  he 
served  in  the  Mexican  war.  His  death  occurred  at  Sprague,  Missouri,  about 
1895,  and  he  was  buried  near  that  place.  His  family  consisted  of  five  chil- 
dren, namely:  Angeline  is  deceased:  Keelan  is  deceased;  Rufus  lives  in 
Nevada;  Adelia,  wife  of  our  subject;  and  Marcus,  deceased.  James  W. 
McGaughey  was  a Democrat,  a member  of  the  Masonic  Blue  Lodge,  and  the 
Baptist  church. 

Seven  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Quinn,  named  as  fol- 
lows : John,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Springfield  high  school  and  the 

old  Normal  here,  is  a locomotive  engineer  on  the  Frisco,  and  lives  at  Okla- 
homa City ; Mrs.  Susanna  Rountree,  whose  husband  is  engaged  in  farming 
in  this  county,  was  also  graduated  from  the  local  high  school ; William  James 
died  when  six  months  old;  Mrs.  Alma  Waunette  Gott  is  the  wife  of  a 

Greene  county  farmer ; Hugh  is  deceased ; Herschel,  a high  school  grad- 

• * 

uate,  lives  at  home;  George  is  a student  in  the  State  Normal  school  here. 

Mr.  Quinn  made  a visit  to  his  old  home  in  Ireland  in  1900,  and,  after 
his  American  training,  claims  that  he  saw  more  things  of  interest  during 
his  short  trip  there  than  he  saw  during  the  twenty-one  )^ears  that  he  lived 
there  in  his  childhood  and  young  manhood.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat. 
He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Blue  Lodge,  and  holds  membership  with  the 
Congregational  church.  He  has  been  a keen  observer,  is  well  read,  and,  jolly 
by  nature,  is  a good  talker  and  a pleasant  man  to  meet. 

(101) 


1602 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


WILLIAM  J.  JONES. 

We  have  stronger  evidence  with  each  succeeding  day  that  the  bitter- 
ness and  animosity  resulting  from  the  great  Civil  war  and  preceding  influ- 
ences' is  passing  away  and  that  the  solidarity  of  the  nation  is  becoming  more 
and  more  a fact.  To  this  many  things  have  contributed,  among  which 
may  be  mentioned  the  natural  kindly  spirit  of  the  South,  which  has  invited 
the  people  of  the  crowded  North  to  share  its  vast  unoccupied  land  spaces 
and  invest  in  its  promising  possibilities,  while  enjoying  its  delightful  climate. 
And  in  the  long  lapse  of  half  a century  the  war  trenches  have  been  filled, 
the  temporary  forts  demolished,  and  the  plow  passes  peacefully  over  their 
ruins.  Many  of  the  actors  in  the  bloody  drama  are  dead  and  their,  graves 
with  those  of  their  comrades  who  fell  in  battle  are  green  and  fragrant  with 
grass  and  flowers,  while  the  wounds,  physical  and  moral,  of  the  survivors 
have  long  since  healed  and  only  scars  remain. 

One  of  the  Confederate  veterans  of  Greene  county  is  William  J.  Jones, 
better  known  as  “Hickory”  Jones,  a merchant  of  Walnut  Grove,  formerly 
engaged  in  general  fanning  near  that  .place.  He  is  one  of  the  soldiers  of  the 
sixties  who  is  willing  to  “forget.”  Mr.  Jones  was  born  in  this  county  on 
May  22,  1846,  and  is  therefore  one  of  the  oldest  native  sons  of  this  com- 
munity, having  passed  his  sixty-ninth  birthday,  and  during  that  long  period 
of  residence  here  he  has  noted  and  taken  part  in  many  great  changes,  seeing 
the  country  develop  in  a general  way.  He  is  a son  of  Richard  M.  and  Mary 
Ann  (Hartin)  Jones,  the  father  a native  of  Virgina,  and  the  mother  was  a 
native  of  Tennessee.  The  father  died  in  this  county  in  1898.  The  mother 
died  here  in  1896.  Our  subject’s  father  was  a cabinet  maker  by  trade.  He 
was  in  the  land  office  here  for  eight  years  in  the  fifties.  In  his  latter  life  he 
did  some  farming  but  lived  retired  until  his  death.  Our  subject  was  one  of 
eleven  children,  only  two  living  at  this  writing : Mrs.  Mary  J.  McDowell, 

who  lives  in  Springfield,  and  our  subject. 

William  J.  Jones  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  county  and  he  received 
a good  education  in  the  common  schools,  attending  school  eight  years  in 
Springfield.  His  early  life  was  spent  on  the  farm.  He  was  quite  young 
when  the  Civil  war  began  and  did  not  enlist  until  in  the  fall  of  1863,  when 
he  entered  the  Confederate  service  from  Arkansas,  in  Company  F,  Third 
Missouri  Cavalry,  under  Col.  Colton  Green,  who  was  subsequently  promoted 
to  brigadier  general,  being  succeeded  in  his  former  command  by  Col.  Lenten 
Campbell,  who  was  promoted  to  that  rank.  Our  subject  saw  considerable 
hard  service  and  participated  in  a number  of  important  engagements,  prov- 
ing a very  courageous  soldier  despite  his  youth.  He  was  paroled  at  Little 
Rock  in  the  spring  of  1865  at  the  close  of  the  war.  After  coming  home 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1603 

from  the  army  he  resumed  farming,  which  he  followed  for  four  years,  then 
located  in  Springfield,  where  he  worked  in  a hardware  store  for  D.  J.  B. 
Skinner  and  W.  H.  Mansfield  for  some  time,  then  returned  to  the  farm  for 
several  years.  In  1882  he  moved  to  Walnut  Grove  and  farmed  in  this  town- 
ship with  his  usual  success  until  1896,  when  he  went  into  the  grocery  busi- 
ness in  Walnut  Grove,  which  he  continued  for  seven  years,  then  sold  out 
and  lived  retired  for  two  years,  then  went  into  the  furniture  business  in 
1907  here  and  is  still  thus  engaged.  He  keeps  a good  stock  of  general 
furniture  and  has  a very  satisfactory  business. 

Mr.  Jones  was  married  in  1872,  to  Josie  B.  Carter,  of  Greene  county. 
She  is  a daughter  of  Tillman  Carter  and  wife,  who  were  well-known  early 
settlers  here.  He  was  in  the  tobacco  business  for  several  years. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  George 
E.,  deceased;  William  H.,  Richard  T.  and  Hattie  B.,  all  live  in  Walnut 
Grove.  Here  they  grew  to  maturity  and  received  good  educational  advan- 
tages. 

Politically,  Mr.  Jones  votes  independently.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  church,  and  his  wife  belongs  to  the  Methodist  church.  The 
Jones  family  is  well  known  and  held  in  highest  regard  in  Walnut  Grove 
and  vicinity. 


MARION  D.  WRIGHT. 

The  record  of  the  successful  self-made  man  is  always  interesting  and 
instructive.  It  encourages  those  who  have  been  held  back  by  an  unfavorable 
early  environment.  There  are  a great  many  people  abroad  in  the  land  who 
would  make  a great  deal  more  of  their  opportunities  and  make  themselves 
useful  citizens  if  they  had  the  proper  encouragement  at  the  right  time.  The 
life  record  of  Marion  D.  Wright  is  one  that  should  be  read  with  interest 
and  profit  by  many  who  have  become  discouraged  on  life’s  rugged  highway, 
for  we  find  that  Mr.  Wright  has  forged  his  way  to  the  front  in  the  face  of 
adversity  and  with  no  outside  assistance.  He  was  for  some  time  one  of  the 
successful  merchants  of  Walnut  Grove  and  is  now  classed  among  the  most 
progressive  general  farmers  and  stock  men  of  the  northwestern  part  of 
Greene  county. 

Mr.  Wright  was  born  in  Polk  county,  Missouri,  November  28,  1861. 
He  is  a son  of  John  and  Mary  (Wood)  Wright,  both  natives  of  that  county 
also,  the  father’s  birth  occurring  in  1835,  and  the  mother's  in  1842.  They 
grew  to  maturity  in  their  native  community,  were  educated  in  the  old-time 
subscription  schools  and  were  married  there  and  established  their  home  on 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1604 

a farm.  John  Wright  spent  most  of  his  life  in  Polk  county,  but  lived  in 
the  West  several  years.  He  owned  a good-sized  farm  in  Polk  county  where 
he  carried  on  general  farming  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war  when 
he  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  and  died  while  in  the  service,  at  Arlington 
Hospital,  Pilot  Knob,  Missouri,  in  October,  1862.  Politically,  he  was  a 
strong  Republican  and  pronounced  in  his  views  on  public  affairs.  He  was 
a member  of  the  Turkey  Creek  Baptist  church,  and  was  a highly  respected 
citizen  and  well  known  among  the  early  settlers.  He  had  but  the  one  child, 
Marion  D.  Wright,  of  this  sketch.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  a daugh- 
ter of  Isaac  and  Susanna  (Vaughn)  Wood,  both  natives  of  east  Tennessee, 
from  which  country  they  emigrated  to  Polk  county,  Missouri,  in  an  early 
day  and  established  the  family  home  on  a farm.  Mrs.  Mary  Wright  re- 
married and  is  now  living  in  Walnut  Grove. 

John  Wright  enlisted  in  Company  L,  Sixth  Missouri  Volunteer  Infan- 
try, for  three  years,  but  died  from  exposure  soon  afterwards. 

Marion  D.  Wright  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  the  home  farm  in  Polk 
county,  and  he  worked  hard  when  growing  to  manhood  during  crop  seasons, 
attending  the  district  schools  during  the  winter  months.  When  eighteen 
years  of  age  he  entered  the  Southwest  Baptist  College  at  Bolivar,  Missouri, 
and  took  a four-years’  course,  making  an  excellent  record.  After  leaving 
college  he  returned  home  and  resumed  work  on  the  farm,  but  soon  there- 
after he  went  to  Walnut  Grove  and  began  in  the  general  merchandise  busi- 
ness and  flour  milling,  which  lines  of  endeavor  he  conducted  with  ever- 
increasing  success  and  satisfaction  until  1902,  in  which  year  he  sold  out 
and  bought  the  farm  of  one  hundred  and  eighty-three  acres  where  he  now 
resides.  He  has  made  many  improvements,  such  as  erecting  a silo  and  out- 
buildings, fences,  etc.,  until  he  now  has  one  of  the  valuable,  productive  and 
desirable  farms  of  the  county,  which  is  well  located  near  the  thriving  town 
of  Walnut  Grove.  In  connection  with  general  farming  he  raises  a good 
grade  of  live  stock  of  which  he  is  an  excellent  judge,  and  he  is  regarded  as 
one  of  the  most  progressive  general  farmers  in  this  section  of  Greene  county 
as  well  as  one  of  the  most  substantial  and  successful  citizens,  a man  who  has 
done  much  for  the  general  good  of  the  community. 

Mr.  Wright  was  married  on  December  23,  1886,  to  Maggie  McLemore, 
a daughter  of  Andrew  Jackson  McLemore,  and  Dialtha  (Alexander)  McLe- 
more, long  one  of  the  prominent  families  of  this  section  of  the  Ozarks. 
Airs.  Wright  was  born  in  Christian  county,  Missouri,  and  she  received  her 
education  in  the  common  schools. 

Six  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Airs.  Wright,  namely:  Dean 

lives  in  Walnut  Grove ; Reu,  Thomas,  Dialtha,  Alarian  and  Laura  Mae,  all 
at  home  with  their  parents,  but  the  eldest. 

Politically,  Air.  Wright  is  a Republican,  and  while  he  has  never  been  an 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1605 

office  holder  he  has  been  influential  in  public  affairs  of  his  locality,  and  his 
support  may  always  be  depended  upon  in  furthering  any  movements  in  the 
community  calculated  to  be  of  general  good,  in  material,  civic  or  moral  mat- 
ters. Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order  at  Walnut  Grove.  He 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Walnut  Grove,  he  having 
been  clerk  of  the  local  congregation  since  its  organization  in  1903,  and  is 
a pillar  in  his  church.  He  is  a broad-minded,  well-informed  gentleman  of 
positive  ideas  and  correct  principles  and  is  highly  esteemed  by  all  who 
know  him. 


CHARLES  J.  OWEN. 

It  does  not  necessarily  require  a farm  expert  to  look  over  some  of  the 
older  farms  of  the  locality  of  which  this  history  treats  and  see  that  the 
soil  has  become  thin  very  largely  from  the  fact  that  proper  attention  has 
not  been  paid  to  rotation  of  crops.  The  land  has  been  “grained"  too  much, 
the  same  fields  sometimes  for  years  having  been  successively  sown  to  wheat 
or  planted  to  corn,  with  never  a seed  of  grass  or  other  good  “cover  crops.” 
The  same  methods  were  followed  in  a number  of  older  states  of  the  East 
with  the  results  that  one  now  finds  thousands  of  abandoned  farms  there, 
the  owners  being  compelled  to  remove  to  the  newer  agricultural  sections 
of  the  West  where  the  soil  has  not  been  ruined  by  improper  tillage.  But 
many  of  our  farmers  are  awakening  to  the  true  situation,  some  of  them  after 
it  is  practically  too  late.  It  used  to  be  the  desire  of  most  farmers  to  own 
large  tracts  of  land.  Their  chief  desire  seemed  to  be  to  buy  “the  land  adjoin- 
ing." This  many  of  them  have  done  and  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  trying  to 
keep  the  interest  paid  on  borrowed  capital  and  a little  paid  on  the  principal. 
The  same  men  are  now  understanding  how  they  can  live  easier  and  happier 
on  fewer  acres  and  by  more  intensive  farming  methods. 

One  of  the  successful  farmers  and  stockmen  of  Wilson  township, 
Greene  county,  is  Charles  J.  Owen,  who  is  a student  of  all  that  pertains 
to  his  vocation  and  is  thus  avoiding  some  of  the  mistakes  that  others  are 
making  in  handling  their  farms.  He  is  a member  of  one  of  the  well-known 
old  families  of  Greene  county,  and  his  birth  occurred  here  on  April  15, 
1866.  He  is  a son  of  Charles'  B.  and  Nancy  C.  (McCroskey)  Owen. 

Capt.  Charles  B.  Owen,  who  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  most 
extensive  farmers  of  Greene  county,  was  born  in  Marshall  county,  Ten- 
nessee, February  28,  1827.  He  was  a son  of  Solomon  H.  Owen,  who  was 
born  in  eastern  Tennessee,  December  12,  1797,  in  Sullivan  county,  near  the 
Virginia  line.  He  was  a son  of  Joseph  Owen,  who  was  reared  in  Penn- 


i6o6 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


sylvania,  was  of  Welsh  stock,  and  married  a Pennsylvania  Dutch  woman, 
and  moved  to  Sullivan  county,  Tennessee,  in  an  early  day.  He  was  a farmer 
and  died  when  only  thirty-five  years  of  age,  and  was  the  father  of  Charles, 
Jesse,  Solomon  H.,  Hannah,  Mary  and  Elizabeth.  Solomon  H.,  grand- 
father of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  married  in  Sullivan  county,  Ten- 
nessee, to  Mary  E.  Bushong,  of  Pennsylvania  and  German  stock.  After 
their  marriage  they  moved  to  the  middle  part  of  Tennessee  and  Mr.  Owen 
purchased  a farm  of  one  hundred  and  seventy  acres  in  Marshall  county.  In 
1836  he  moved  with  his  wife  and  five  children  to  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
and  settled  on  four  hundred  acres  which  he  entered  four  miles  northwest 
of  Springfield.  He  entered  in  all  about  two  thousand  acres  in  southwest 
Missouri.  He  gave  all  his  children  land.  Like  most  of  the  early  settlers 
from  Tennessee,  he  was  the  owner  of  slaves.  During  the  Civil  war  much 
of  his  personal  property  was  destroyed.  He  removed  to  Springfield  in 
1874  at  seventy-seven  years  of  age.  His  family  consisted  of  six  children, 
namely:  Susanna  A.,  George  H.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years; 
Pleasant  B.,  Charles  B.,  father  of  our  subject;  Jesse  W.,  and  William  S. 
Solomon  H.  Owen  was  a Democrat  but  was  a Union  sympathizer;  he  and 
his  wife  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Captain  Charles  B.  Owen  was  nine  years  old  when  he  accompanied  his 
parents  from  Tennessee  to  Greene  county  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood 
and  received  a common  school  education.  On  September  18,  1856,  he  mar- 
ried Sarah  E.  Yarbrough,  and  to  them  were  born  two  children,  John  S. 
and  Stephen  A.  Douglas  Owen.  After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Owen  settled  on 
a farm  on  the  James  river,  after  having  spent  several  years  engaged  in 
buying  and  selling  live  stock.  He  became  one  of  the  most  prosperous  and 
best-known  general  farmers  and  stockmen  in  Greene  county.  He  finally 
became  owner  of  thirteen  hundred  and  ten  acres,  in  one  body,  and  three 
hundred  and  ninety-five  acres  besides,  two  hundred  acres  of  which  were 
entered  from  the  government  by  his  father.  The  land  lay  on  either  side 
of  the  James  river,  was  well  watered  not  only  by  the  river  but  by  six 
springs  on  various  parts  of  the  place.  He  cleared  and  improved  about  half 
of  the  entire  tract,  using  much  of  it  for  pasturage,  and  a large  portion  of 
the  place  was  kept  in  timber.  Plis  place  was  always  stocked  with  large 
numbers  of  horses,  mules,  cattle,  hogs  and  sheep. 

The  first  wife  of  Captain  Owen  died  March  18,  1862,  and  on  Jan- 
uary 31,  1865,  he  married  Nancy  C.  McCroskey,  and  to  this  union  eight 
children  were  born,  namely:  Charles  J.,  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mary  Eliza- 
beth is  deceased ; Mrs.  Margaret  S.  Martin ; Mrs.  Alwilda  Madora  Jane 
Garton ; George  D.,  Francis  W..  Wm.  E.,  and  Joseph  L.  are  all  living  in 
Wilson  township. 

Politically,  Captain  Owen  was  a Democrat  and  was  active  and  influen- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  1607 

tial  in  the  affairs  of  his  county.  He  was  elected  sheriff  in  1870  and  served 
two  years,  and  was  re-elected  in  1874,  serving  two  years  more.  He  was 
one  of  the  most  efficient  sheriffs  Greene  county  ever  had.  In  those  days, 
during  the  reconstruction  period  after  the  Civil  war,  it  took  a man  of  cour- 
age and  stability  to  fill  that  office.  In  May,  1861,  he  organized  a militia 
company  of  Home  Guards  in  his  township  and  was  elected  captain,  and 
then  he  consolidated  his  company  with  another,  and  being  younger  than  the 
other  captain,  accepted  the  position  of  first  lieutenant.  When  the  Union 
troops  occupied  Springfield,  General  Lyon  appointed  him  as  guide  to  the 
troops  under  Col.  Franz  Sigel,  and  he  led  the  army  at  night,  August  9, 
1861,  to  the  Confederate  camp  on  Wilson’s  creek,  where  the  great  battle 
was  fought  the  following  day,  and  he  took  part  in  that  engagement.  The 
Union  troops  having  retreated  to  Rolla,  Lieutenant  Owen  was  enrolled  at 
that  place  with  his  company  in  the  United  States  service  and  was  com- 
missioned by  the  governor  of  Missouri  as  first  lieutenant  in  the  United 
States  army.  He  was  mustered  into  the  service  at  Benton  Barracks.  He 
was  in  a series  of  skirmishes  with  the  bushwhackers  in  southeastern  Mis- 
souri and  was  afterward  in  service  against  Marmaduke  in  that  part  of  the 
state,  and  in  skirmishes  in  different  parts  of  Missouri  and  western  Ten- 
nessee. At  Columbus,  Kentucky,  his  company  did  guard  duty  on  the  ord- 
nance boat  General  Grant,  and  later  was  on  the  march  with  General  Sherman 
through  Mississippi ; was  with  Banks  on  the  ill-fated  Red  river  expedition, 
and  at  the  occupation  of  Alexandria,  also  at  the  battle  of  Pleasant  Hill, 
Louisiana,  where  his  regiment  lost  all  of  its  officers  except  the  major,  cap- 
tain and  one  lieutenant,  in  killed  and  wounded,  and  lost  one-third  of  the 
men.  His  own  company  lost  one-half  of  its  number  in  killed  and  wounded, 
and  was  then  in  severe  skirmish  fighting  from  April  9th  to  May  16th,  where 
the  battle  of  Yellow  Brow  was  fought.  Later  he  was  in  a battle  near 
Mineral  Point.  Missouri.  He  was  sick  in  a hospital  in  Memphis  nine  weeks, 
and  was  mustered  out  and  honorably  discharged  in  St.  Louis,  October  14, 
1864,  and  returned  home  and  took  up  farming  again,  which  he  continued 
until  his  death,  March  15,  1907.  Plis  wife,  mother  of  our  subject,  died 
on  September  22,  1887. 

Charles  J.  Owen,  of  this  sketch,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm 
and  there  he  assisted  with  the  general  work  when  a boy.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  local  schools  in  Wilson  township.  He  remained  on  the 
farm  with  his  father  until  he  was  thirty-five  years  old,  then,  having  prev- 
iously purchased  one  hundred  acres  in  this  township,  he  removed  thereto 
and  has  since  resided  here,  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
He  also  owns  one  hundred  acres  south  of  his  original  farm  which  he  rents 
out.  He  pays  considerable  attention  to  raising  a good  grade  of  live  stock, 
does  an  extensive  horse  and  mule  business,  and  maintains  a popular  breeding 


i6oS 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


barn.  He  has  three  jacks — one  a fine  jack  named  Chief  Benton,  register 
number  3522,  14J4  hands;  weight,  nine  hundred  and  fifty  pounds;  large- 
boned and  one  of  the  best  in  Greene  county.  One  extra  large  and  fine  jack 
named  “Bill  Wilson, " No.  20415;  black,  15^2  hands;  extra  large;  weight, 
one  thousand  pounds;  a fine  animal.  Also  Mr.  Owen  has  one  young  jack 
named  “Woodrow  Wilson,”  which  has  great  promise.  Besides  the  above, 
Mr.  Owen  keeps  two  stallions,  Percheron  and  one  saddle  horse.  Mr.  Owen's 
breeding  barns  are  in  the  front  rank  in  the  entire  county. 

He  was  married,  August  18,  1889,  to  Margaret  C.  Payne,  a daughter  of 
Lewis  and  Margaret  Payne,  of  Greene  county.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Owen 
occurred  January  16,  1904,  and  on  April  29th  of  the  same  year  he  married 
Annie  Beierle,  a native  of  Newton  county.  The  second  union  has  been 
without  issue,  but  the  following  children  were  born  to  Mr.  Owen  by  his 
first  wife:  Roy  Edward,  born  May  29,  1890,  is  deceased;  Lewis  Baker, 
born  November  6,  1891,  is  assisting  his  father  on  the  home  farm,  married 
Ester  Campbell,  a native  of  Greene  county,  have  one  child,  Ralph  Eugene, 
born  September  26,  1914;  Grace,  born  March  31,  1893,  died  in  infancy; 
Earl  Stephen,  born  December  1,  1896,  deceased;  and  Bennie  Sterling,  born 
May  16,  1898,  are  all  three  deceased;  and  Charles  Arthur,  born  February 
14,  1903,  who  is  living  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Owen  is  a Democrat,  and  he  is  a member  of  the  Anti- 
Horse  Thief  Association.  He  is  regarded  as  a man  of  good  judgment, 
especially  in  reference  to  live  stock,  and  is  a good  citizen  in  every  respect. 


JAMES  A.  RAMSEY. 

The  constant  stream  of  humanity: — capable  boys  and  girls  from  the 
country— that  has  flowed  toward  the  cities  of  the  world,  especially  during 
the  past  few  decades,  has  made  a new  economical  problem  in  our  civiliza- 
tion. The  truth  is,  if  the  children  of  farmers  are  given  the  right  sort  of 
education  at  home  they  will  not  desert  us  and  go  to  the  city.  They  will 
stay  on  the  farm  if  they  are  so  instructed  as  to  feel  that  on  the  farm  they 
may  find  just  as  much  pleasure  in  life  and  be  just  as  successful.  In  an 
Iowa  county  the  rural  pupils  were  examined  as  to  what  they  wanted  to  do 
with  their  lives.  Most  of  the  boys  and  almost  ali  the  girls  answered  that 
they  meant  to  leave  the  farm  when  they  grew  up.  Two  years  afterward 
the  boys  and  girls  in  the  same  neighborhood  were  asked  the  same  question. 
Most  of  them  answered  that  they  meant  to  stay  on  the  farm.  The  change 
had  been  brought  about  because  the  teachers  had  been  given  more  practical 
work  to  do  in  the  schools.  They  had  been  giving  the  teaching  a farm  slant. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOETRI. 


1609 


They  had  been  working  in  the  schools  on  farm  matters,  and  the  girls  had 
been  studying  domestic  science,  and  the}'  had  forgotten  about  leaving  the 
farm.  They  had  been  doing  pleasant,  interesting,  practical  work,  and  they 
were  happy.  They  had  come  to  see  that  there  is  just  as  fascinating  work, 
just  as  intellectual  work,  just  as  big  work  in  the  country  as  any  of  them 
could  expect  to  get  in  the  - city — in  fact,  much  higher  work  than  most  of 
them  could  expect. 

James  A.  Ramsey,  a successful  and  contented  farmer  of  Clay  town- 
ship, Greene  county,  has  been  wise  enough  to  remain  in  the  country.  He 
was  born  on  March  23,  1866,  near  Effingham,  Illinois.  He  is  a son  of 
Robert  and  Mary  Anna  (Jewlus)  Ramsey.  The  father  was  born  in  Illi- 
nois in  1838  and  was  reared  on  a farm  in  that  state,  receiving  his  education 
in  the  common  schools.  About  a year  atfer  the  Civil  war  broke  out  he 
enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army,  in  a cavalry  regiment,  and  was 
sent  into  Tennessee,  where  he  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain, 
and  was  in  a number  of  other  engagements.  He  was  honorably  discharged 
at  the  close  of  the  war  and  returned  to  Illinois.  He  came  to  Greene  county 
in  1869,  where  he  has  since  lived  on  a farm,  but  retired  from  active  life 
five  years  ago.  He  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  church.  The  mother  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Virginia  and  her  early  life  was  spent  in 
that  state,  Indiana  and  Illinois,  and  she  was  married  in  the  last  named 
state.  She  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  church.  She  received  a common 
school  education.  To  Robert  Ramsey  and  wife  eight  children  were  born, 
namely:  William  F.,  John  (deceased);  James  A.  (subject);  Mrs.  Jennie 
Barnes,  Albert,  Frank  (deceased)  ; Mrs.  Belle  Yess,  Mrs.  Mollie  McCurty 
(deceased). 

James  A.  Ramsey  came  to  Missouri  with  his  parents  when  two  years 
old  and  grew  up  on  a farm  in  Greene  county,  and  here  he  received  a com- 
mon school  education.  He  worked  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty- 
two  years  of  age,  then  rented  a farm,  later  buying  the  place  where  he  now 
resides,  which  consists  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine  acres,  and  on  which 
is  four  good  springs.  It  is  well  improved  and  one  of  the  desirable  farms 
of  the  township. 

Mr.  Ramsey  was  married  in  1887  to  Martha  Trentham,  to  which  union 
two  children  were  born,  Lee  F.,  and  Charle.  Mr.  Ramsey  married  for  a 
second  wife  Sallie  Latham,  who  was  born  in  Greene  county,  November  2, 
1888.  She  is  a daughter  of  James  and  Mary  Jane  (Cox)  Latham.  The 
father  was  born  in  Tennessee,  September  24,  1S53,  and  is  now  living  on  a farm 
near  Strafford,  this  county,  having  emigrated  from  his  native  state  to  Mis- 
souri in  an  early  day.  His  wife,  who  was  a native  of  Greene  county,  died 
some  time  ago.  Mrs.  Ramsey  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  here  and  was 
educated  in  the  district  schools.  To  our  subject's. second  union  five  children 


i6io 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


have  been  born,  all  living  at  home,  namely:  Mamie,  October  16,  1904;  Ivy, 
July  25,  1906;  Ina,  May  30,  1908;  Ethel,  December  11,  1910;  and  Ona, 
born  May  26,  1913. 

Politically,  Mr.  Ramsey  is  a Republican,  and  fraternally  he  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Modern  Woodmen. 


RICHARD  EDWARD  EVERETT. 

Statistics  show  that  most  of  our  men  of  business  were  born  on  the 
farm,  and  data  also  shows  that  comparatively  few  of  those  now  engaged 
in  industrial  pursuits,  the  trades  or  professions  are  following  the  lines  of 
endeavor  in  which  their  fathers  before  them  engaged,  and  we  also  find  that 
very  few  men  continue  in  the  vocation  in  which  they  first  started.  It  is 
not  best  for  the  young  man  to  continue  at  anything  for  which  he  is  not 
properly  equipped  by  nature.  If  a boy  feels  dissatisfied  with  farm  life, 
continually  thirsting  for  something  different,  it  is  well  to  allow  him  to  follow 
his  natural  tendencies.  We  are  not  all  adapted  by  nature  for  one  line  of 
work,  which  is  a wise  provision,  otherwise  farming  would  be  more  largely 
overdone  than  at  present.  Some  of  us  were  intended  for  lawyers,  others 
for  physicians,  ministers,  mechanics,  tradesmen,  inventors.  It  has  always 
been  found  to  be  folly  to  try  to  make  something  out  of  a man  whose  natural 
bent  lay  in  another  direction.  This  is  the  cause  of  so  many  failures  in  the 
various  walks  of  life.  One  is  indeed  fortunate  if  he  determines  when  a 
boy  at  the  outset  of  his  career  just  what  work  he  can  do  best  in  this 
tread-mill  world  of  ours.  It  seems  that  Richard  Edward  Everett,  president 
of  the  Springfield  Planing  Mill  & Lumber  Company,  has  been  well  forti- 
fied by  nature  for  his  life  work  and  has  therefore  succeeded. 

Mr.  Everett  was  born  November  20,  1856,  in  Darien,  Fairfield  county, 
Connecticut.  He  is  a son  of  William  Everett,  who  devoted  his  active  life 
to  railroad  work,  having  for  years  been  engaged  in  construction  work  for 
the  New  York  & New  Haven  Railroad  Company.  He  was  an  expert  com- 
plicated-track builder.  He  lived  in  and  around  New  York  City,  Brooklyn 
and  Long  Island.  He  was  a native  of  Ireland,  where  he  spent  his  boy- 
hood, and  from  there  immigrated  to  America  when  eighteen  years  of  age. 
He  worked  as  teamster  on  the  great  Jacob  Bell  estate,  which  furnished 
Fulton  Market,  New  York  City,  with  most  of  its  produce  in  those  early 
days  before  railroads.  Later  he  moved  to  Darien,  Connecticut,  and  took 
up  railroad  construction  work  which  he  followed  the  rest  of  his  life,  having 
been  with  that  road  more  than  forty-seven  consecutive  years,  his  death 
occurring  in  Connecticut  in  January,  1893.  He  was  a member  of  the  Catho- 
lic church  and  a stanch  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians.  He 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 6 r i 


married  Hanora  de  Guidra,  native  ox  Ireland,  of  French  descent.  She  lived 
to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-nine  years,  dying  at  Darien,  Connecticut  in 
1908.  To  these  parents  the  following  children  were  born:  William  H.,  de- 
ceased, patented  the  first  electric  block  system  ever  used  in  a railroad;  John 
B.,  Thomas  YV.,  Richard  E.,  Katherine  E.,  Mary  A.,  and  James  H.  Everett. 

Richard  E.  Everett  grew  to  boyhood  in  Connecticut,  and  received  his 
education  in  the  schools  of  Darien.  He  entered  business  life  for  himself 
in  1881.  He  immigrated  to  Missouri  in  1877  and  f'or  one  year  thereafter 
was  a builder  at  Ash  Grove,  Greene  county,  erecting  the  high  school 
building  at  that  place,  and  a number  of  the  most  important  business  houses. 
For  three  years  thereafter  he  was  pattern  maker  for  the  Springfield  Foundry 
& Machine  Company,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  embarked  in  his  present 
business  and  has  since  been  a builder  of  prominence.  Some  of  the  first 
structures  of  prominence  in  Springfield  he  erected  were  the  “Gulf  shops," 
public  school  buildings,  the  Board  of  Trade  Building,  the  electric  power 
house,  the  water  works  and  many  of  the  best  residences  of  the  city.  He 
had  served  a thorough  apprenticeship  at  his  trade  in  Ins  youth  before  he 
left  the  East,  then  for  one  year  was  in  the  United  States  navy,  having 
been  joiner  on  the  ship  Colorado. 

The  business  of  the  Springfield  Planing  Mill  & Lumber  Company, 
which  has  for  many  years  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  largest  of  its 
kind  in  this  section  of  the  Middle  West  as  well  as  one  of  the  most  widely 
known,  was  first  established  in  1868,  Mr.  Everett  being  the  successor  to  the 
Chicago  Lumber  Company.  The  business  is  conducted  on  quite  an  extensive 
scale,  and  the  buildings  and  yards  covers  about  a half  a block,  the  main 
building  being  a substantial  two-story  brick.  It  is  well  equipped  With 
modern  machinery  and  a large  number  of  skilled  mechanics  and  helpers 
are  constantly  employed.  The  business  has  gradually  increased  with  ad- 
vancing years,  for  the  rapid  growth  of  Springfield  and  nearby  cities  and 
towns  of  the  Southwest  has  called  for  exceptional  activity  on  the  part  of 
the  lumber  and  mill  work  and  bank  and  store  fixtures,  and  Mr.  Everett 
has  responded  nobly  to  the  demands  made  upon  him  since  locating  here, 
his  company  having  all  the  while  been  one  of  the  most  prominent  in  its  line 
of  work  and  as  its  machinery  has  been  kept  up  to  the  high  standard  of  the 
costliest  type,  the  mill  has  been  found  equal  to  the  demands  made  upon  it. 
From  this  mill  has  come  a very  large  part  of  the  material  which  has  entered 
into  the  construction  of  the  leading  private  residences  and  prominent  and 
extensive  business  blocks  which  have  been  erected  during  the  past  three  de- 
cades or  more  in  the  Queen  City  of  the  Ozarks,  as  well  as  other  towns  in 
this  section  of  the  state.  From  this  plant  also  has  come  most  of  the 
hardwood  fittings  for  the  Springfield  banks,  stores  and  other  well-known 
buildings.  Mr.  Everett  besides  building  the  old  Gulf  south  side  shops  at 


l6l2 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Springfield,  furnished  the  material  and  did  all  the  building  for  the  Kansas 
City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  Railroad  Company,  from  Memphis,  Tennessee, 
to  Birmingham,  Alabama,  from  Amory  to  Aberdeen,  Mississippi,  and  from 
Ensly  to  Coal  Camp,  Alabama,  and  from  Willow  Springs  to  Grandon,  on 
the  Current  River  Branch,  and  from  Ash  Grove  to  Clinton,  high  line. 

In  rotation  he  furnished  the  work  for  the  Anheuser-Busch  people, 
building  the  ice  and  refrigerating  plant,  cold  storage  building;  Crighton’s 
Provision  Company ; the  building  occupied  by  Armour  & Company ; John 
F.  Meyers  Milling  Company's  model  mill;  St.  John's  Hospital;  St.  Paul’s 
Methodist  Episcopal  church ; Classical  Hall  for  Drury  College ; and  others. 

For  the  last  six  or  eight  years,  the  company  has  turned  its  attention 
more  to  mill-work  and  fixtures,  having  installed  in  this  city  some  of  the 
most  complete  outfits,  such  as  those  in  the  Dalrymple  Drug  Store,  the  Model 
and  Rep’s  Dry  Goods  stores,  Browne  Bros.  Book  Store,  Queen  City  Bank, 
the  mill  work  for  the  new  Landers  building,  the  mahogany  fixtures  for  the 
Mezzanine  and  second  floors  of  the  new  ITeer  building,  the  fixtures  for 
Fred  Harvey  in  the  new  Union  Station  in  Kansas  City,  and  various  other 
Fred  Harvey  restaurants. 

In  his  yards  Mr.  Everett  keeps  a full  line  of  lumber  of  all  kinds,  and  his 
extensive  modernly  equipped  mill  is  prepared  to  furnish  anything  usually 
manufactured  in  a planing  mill,  prompt  and  high-grade  work  being  his  aim 
at  all  times.  The  plant  was  originally  established  by  Knott  & See,  which 
firm  later  sold  out  to  S.  W.  McLaughlin,  who  sold  it  to  the  Chicago  Lumber 
Company.  Mr.  Everett  has  been  connected  with  the  concern  since  1881, 
and  has  been  sole  proprietor  since  1892.  it  has  been  incorporated  under 
the  laws  of  Missouri  with  a capital  stock  of  eighty  thousand  dollars. 

The  present  officers  are : Richard  E.  Everett,  president ; Karl  W. 

Everett,  vice-president  and  general  manager;  W.  W.  Johnson,  acting  secre- 
tary; I.  N.  Johnson,  treasurer.  At  this  writing  thirty-eight  mechanics  are 
employed.  The  yards  extend  from  Phelps  avenue  to  the  tracks  of  the  old 
Gulf  railroad,  thus  giving  the  company  excellent  shipping  facilities. 

Mr.  Everett  was  married  in  Springfield,  in  1882,  to  Lizzie  M.  Titus,  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  Titus  and  wife,  an  old  family  of  this  city.  Here  sne 
grew  to  womanhood  and  received  a good  education  in  the  Springfield  schools, 
having  been  one  of  the  youngest  pupils  that  was  ever  graduated  from  the 
high  school. 

Politically,  Mr.  Everett  is  a Democrat  and  he  has  long  been  influential 
in  political  and  public  affairs  here. 

Beginning  with  1879  he  has  been  connected  with  the  city  fire  depart- 
ment, twenty-one  consecutive  years.  Ide  served  in  the  capacity  of  chief 
for  twelve  years  and  during  that  time  the  department  was  greatly  improved 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1613 

under  his  able  supervision,  it  finally  ranking  third  in  perfection  in  Missouri. 
For  thirteen  years  he  was  a member  of  the  city  council  from  the  Third  ward, 
serving  under  Mayor  Ralph  Walker  and  others.  At  one  time  he  was  city 
marshal,  and  years  ago  he  made  the  race  for  mayor  but  was  defeated  for 
the  nomination.  He  has  done  much  for  the  general  upbuilding  of  Spring- 
field.  Fie  is  a member  of  the  Catholic  church,  and  fraternally  belongs  to 
Springfield  Council  No.  698,  Knights  of  Columbus.  Ozark  Council  No.  418, 
Royal  Arcanum,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 

That  Mr.  Everett  is  a progressive  and  energetic  business  man  is  seen 
from  the  large  measure  of  success  which  he  has  achieved  in  his  special  line 
of  endeavor,  having  started  in  a modest  way.  His  reputation  in  all  walks 
of  life  has  been  unassailable  and  he  is  widely  and  favorably  known  through- 
out the  Ozark  region. 


CHARLES  W.  CARTER. 

In  examining  the  life  records  of  self-made  men,  it  will  invariably  be 
found  that  indefatigable  industry  has  constituted  the  basis  of  their  success. 
True,  there  are  other  elements  which  enter  in  and  conserve  the  advancement 
of  personal  interests, — such  as  perseverance,  discrimination  and  mastering 
of  expedients;  but  the  foundation  of  all  achievement  is  earnest,  persistent 
labor.  It  seems  that  Charles  W.  Carter  realized  this  fact  when  but  a boy 
and  it  has  had  much  to  do  in  shaping  his  substantial  career,  for  he  learned 
to  rely  upon  himself,  observe  closely  those  things  which  could  be  of  service 
to  him  and  therefore  he  has  advanced  from  an  humble  environment  by  his 
own  efforts  to  the  responsible  position  of  foreman  of  the  paint  department 
of  the  new  Frisco  shops  at  Springfield. 

Mr.  Carter  was  born  in  Laclede  county,  near  Lebanon,  Missouri,  Janu- 
ary 21,  1874.  He  is  a son  of  Berry  Frank  Carter,  who  was  born  near 
Knoxville,  Tennessee,  July  9,  1842.  He  was  eleven  years  old  when  he 
moved  with  the  family  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  locating  on  a farm  near 
Springfield,  where  he  grew  up,  attended  school  and  lived  many  years,  then 
moved  to  Laclede  county,  this  state,  and  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  in 
retirement.  He  devoted  his  life  to  farming.  He  died  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
nine  years.  During  the  Civil  war  he  served  in  the  Federal  army.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  he  belonged  to  the  Presby- 
terian church.  He  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Twenty-fourth  Missouri  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  early  in  the  war  and  served  three  years,  seeing  considerable 
hard  service  and  participating  in  a number  of  engagements.  He  was 
wounded  once  while  in  camp.  He  married  Mary  F.  Headlee,  a native  of 
this  county,  and  a daughter  of  James  and  Mary  A.  (Dysart)  Fleadlee.  Her 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1614 

death  occurred  on  February  11,  1914,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years,  her 
birth  having  occurred  October  27,  1838.  She  and  her  husband  are  both 
buried  in  Maple  Park  cemetery,  Springfield.  These  parents  were  married, 
August  29,  1865,  and  to  them  the  following  children  were  born:  Eliza  has 

remained  single  and  is  living  in  Springfield;  Emery  Frank  is  employed  in 
the  store  room  of  the  Frisco  shops,  Springfield;  Cora  is  unmarried;  Edward 
is  deceased;  Charles  W.  of  this  sketch;  William  EL  is  an  engineer  on  the 
Frisco,  running  out  of  Springfield. 

“Jack”  Carter,  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a native  of  Tennessee, 
from  which  state  he  removed  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  pioneer  days, 
locating  on  a farm  near  Fair  Grove,  in  Jackson  township,  and  died  here. 

Charles  W.  Carter  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  and  high  schools  of  Greene  county,  where  he  was 
brought  by  his  parents  when  young  in  years.  He  left  school  when  sixteen 
years  of  age  and  began  working  on  a farm.  When  a young  man  he  served 
an  apprenticeship  as  house  carpenter.  He  began  work  for  the  Frisco  rail- 
road, April  6,  1893,  as  laborer,  later  serving  an  apprenticeship  as  painter  in 
the  locomotive  and  coach  department.  He  soon  became  proficient  and  was 
sent  out  on  the  road  as  sign  and  depot  painter,  and  was  thus  employed  for  a 
period  of  seventeen  months  during  which  time  he  was  sent  all  over  the  sys- 
tem, after  which  returning  to  the  old  North  Side  shop  where  he  remained  till 
July  8,  1909,  when  he  was  placed  in  the  new  Frisco  shops  at  Springfield, 
being  promoted  to  foreman  locomotive  painter,  which  position  he  held  until 
April  16,  1914,  when  he  was  appointed  coach  painter  foreman  at  the  new 
shops  in  connection  with  his  duties  as  foreman  of  the  locomotive  paint  shops, 
and  he  still  holds  this  position,  having  about  one  hundred  men  on  an  average, 
under  his  direction.  He  is  not  only  an  expert  in  his  line,  but  being  a man  of 
more  than  ordinary  executive  ability,  knows  how  to  handle  his  men  so  as  to 
get  the  best  results  and  at  the  same  time  retain  their  good  will  and  friendship. 

Mr.  Carter  was  married,  January  23,  1895,  to  Ida  Wright,  of  Fayette- 
ville, Washington  county,  Arkansas.  She  is  a daughter  of  William  T. 
and  Mary  E.  (Burrow)  Wright.  The  father  was  born  September  2,  1844,  in 
Illinois,  his  death  occurred  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  September  28,  1908. 
Mrs.  Wright  was  born  January  17,  1848,  her  death  occurred  June  22,  1888. 
She  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Arkansas,  near  Fayetteville.  Mr. 
Wright  devoted  his  life  to  farming.  His  family  consisted  of  ten  children. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carter  three  children  have  been  bron,  namely:  Herschel, 
born  May  25,  1896,  a sheet  metal  apprentice  at  the  new  shops,  Springfield; 
Pearl,  born  January  3,  1901,  died  when  two  years  of  age;  Edgar,  born 
December  24,  1902,  is  attending  school. 

Politically,  Mr.  Carter  is  a Republican.  His  family  belongs  to  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1615 

Presbyterian  church.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  Order, 
including  the  Blue  Lodge,  the  Chapter  and  the  Council,  Temple  and  Shrine; 
also  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  No.  218,  the  Wood- 
men of  the  World,  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men  and  the  Eagles. 


RUDOLPH  STEURY. 

It  does  not  take  one  of  a contemplative  turn  of  mind  long  to  determine 
why  those  who  come  from  the  fine  little  Republic  of  Switzerland  and  settle 
on  American  soil  always  prosper.  It  is  due  to  many  causes,  but  largely  to 
the  fact  that  they  have  inherited  qualities  of  grit,  determination,  industry 
and  economy  and  partly  because  they  have  been  reared  under  laws  similar 
to  our  own.  Thus  we  find  them  to  be,  almost  without  exception,  excellent 
and  law-abiding  citizens,  loyal  to  our  flag  and  institutions,  and  home  build- 
ers and  willing  to  help  better  the  general  public  conditions  of  their  locality. 
One  such  is  Rudolph  Steury,  a farmer  of  Wilson  township,  Greene  county. 

Mr.  Steury  was  born  in  Switzerland,  November  23,  1851.  He  is  a son 
of  Peter  and  Barbara  Steury,  also  natives  of  that  country,  where  they  grew 
to  maturity,  were  educated  in  the  common  schools,  married  and  settled 
on  a farm  near  Interlacken,  and  there  they  continued  husbandry  until  1872, 
when  the  family  immigrated  to  the  United  States.  To  these  parents  seven 
children  were  born,  all  surviving  but  one  and  living  in  the  United  States, 
namely:  Peter  resides  at  Ozark,  Christian  county,  Missouri;  John  lives 
in  Greene  county;  Barbara  is  deceased;  Rudolph,  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Mag- 
gie Koenig  lives  in  Nebraska;  Mrs,  Elizabeth  Decker,  of  Springfield;  Mrs. 
Anna  Knelle  is  a resident  of  Kansas  City.  These  children  grew  up  on  the 
farm  and  received  common  school  advantages. 

Rudolph  Steury  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  the  farm  in  Switzerland, 
where  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  work  hard  most  of  the  year,  assisting  in 
supporting  the  family.  During  the  winter  months  he  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  community  and  got  a limited  education.  Alien  seven- 
teen years  of  age  he  went  to  the  French  locality  in  his  native  land,  known 
as  Canton  Wadt,  and  remained  there  until  he  was  about  twenty  years  of 
age,  then  returned  home,  but  in.  March,  1871,  went  to  Thun,  Switzerland, 
where  he  worked  until  the  summer  of  1872,  when  he  accompanied  the  rest 
of  the  family  to  America.  They  came  straight  to  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
and  settled  on  a farm,  which  is  now  occupied  by  our  subject.  Here  the 
father  purchased  eighty  acres  of  which  he  made  a good  farm  and  lived 
comfortably  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1904.  The  mother  pre- 
ceded him  to  the  grave  in  1900.  Our  subject  had  purchased  land  adjoining 


i6i6 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


the  home  place  prior  to  the  death  of  the  father,  and  after  that  occurred  he 
took  over  the  homestead.  He  has  kept  the  place  well  improved  and  well 
cultivated,  the  residence  and  other  buildings  properly  remodeled  and  he 
has  a valuable  and  desirable  farm,  carrying  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising. 

Mr.  Steury  was  married  March  12,  1878,  to  Emma  Fassnacht,  a daugh- 
ter of  Conrad  and  Christina  (Haas)  Fassnacht,  both  now  deceased.  She 
was  born  in  Michigan,  in  the  year  i860,  and  spent  the  early  part  of  her 
girlhood  in  that  state.  She  received  her  education  in  the  public  schools 
here,  having  been  about  eight  years  old  when  her  parents  brought  her  to 
Greene  county,  Missouri,  the  family  locating  on  a farm,  on  which  the 
parents  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  Three  children  were  born  to  them, 
namely;  Edward,  who  lives  in  Campbell  township,  this  county;  Emma,  wife 
of  our  subject;  and  John,  who  is  a resident  of  Campbell  township. 

Eight  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  named  as 
follows:  Will  R.,  John  E.,  Anna  L.  is  deceased;  Mrs.  Emma  McComis, 
Minnie  M.  is  at  home,  Frank  is  at  home,  Christina  is  deceased,  and  Edward 
is  with  his  parents. 

Mr.  Steury  is  a member  of  the  Lutheran  Protestant  church,  and  his 
wife  is  a Catholic. 


JOHN  M.  SISK. 

The  soil  is  the  limiting  factor  in  crop  production.  Persistent  and  thor- 
ough cultivation  depletes  the  soil  more  and  more  in  proportion  to  the  size 
of  the  crop  removed.  Feeding  some  plant  food  back  into  it  is  necessary  to 
sustain  next  year’s  production.  The  best  cultivation  is  advisable  for  each 
year's  immediate  return.  A farmer  might  as  well  expect  to  continually 
check  against  his  account  at  the  bank  and  expect  to  always  have  a balance 
there,  as  to  continually  crop  his  land  without  returning  airy  plant  food  to 
the  soil  and  expect  to  have  continually  fertile  fields.  One  of  the  progressive 
farmers  of  Greene  county  who  well  understands  this  fact  and  is  making  a 
success  as  a general  farmer  because  of  well-applied  principles  is  John  M. 
Sisk,  of  Boone  township. 

Mr.  Sisk  was  born  in  Arkansas,  October  19,  1856.  He  is  a son  of 
Abner  Sisk,  who  was  born  in  Alabama,  in  1829.  He  devoted  his  life  to 
farming.  During  the  Civil  war  he  served  three  years  in  the  Union  army. 
After  the  close  of  hostilities  he  removed  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  locating 
eight  miles  north  of  Springfield,  where  he  raised  one  crop,  then  moved  to 
within  a mile  and  a half  of  Ash  Grove.  He  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1617 

on  various  farms  in  Boone  township,  dying  in  1909.  He  married  Eliza- 
beth Sparks,  a daughter  of  Solomon  Sparks,  a native  of  eastern  Tennessee, 
from  which  country  he  removed  to  Arkansas  in  an  early  day. 

John  M.  Sisk  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  where  he  worked 
hard  when  a boy,  and  he  received  a common  school  education  in  the  schools 
of  Greene  county,  having  been  young  when  his  parents  removed  with  him 
from  Arkansas  to  this  locality.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  began  farm- 
ing for  himself,  later  engaging  in  the  grocery  and  bakery  business  in  Ash 
Grove.  Selling  out,  he  then  engaged  in  the  livery  and  transfer  business 
there;  then,  after  a few  years,  he  sold  the  latter  business  and  operated  a 
dry  goods  store.  About  this  period  he  erected  three  substantial  brick  store 
buildings  in  Ash  Grove.  He  was  successful  in  whatever  he  turned  his  atten- 
tion to,  and  became  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  that  city.  He  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  at  one  time,  and  later  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  acres 
south  of  Ash  Grove.  In  October,  1896,  he  traded  two  of  the  brick  buildings 
in  on  three  hundred  and  twenty-eight  acres,  about  two  miles  west  of  that 
city.  He  is  still  living  on  this  excellent,  well-kept  and  highly  improved  farm, 
one  of  the  best  in  this  part  of  the  county.  He  is  engaged  in  general  farming 
011  an  extensive  scale : also  handles  large  numbers  of  live  stock  from  year  to 
year.  He  is  making  a specialty  of  an  excellent  grade  of  cattle  and  also  of 
Ohio  Improved  Chester  hogs.  He  has  a valuable  peach  orchard  of  forty 
acres,  also  a few  acres  of  pears.  He  markets  his  products  principally  at 
Fort  Scott,  Kansas.  He  has  an  attractive  home  in  the  midst  of  beautiful 
surroundings,  and  there  are  to  be  seen  on  his  farm  many  substantial  and 
convenient  outbuildings.  Everything  denotes  thrift  and  that  a man  of  energy, 
intelligence  and  good  taste  is  at  the  helm. 

Mr.  Sisk  was  married  on  October  12,  188'1,  to  Amanda  H.  Likins,  a 
daughter  of  Charles  H.  Likins,  who  located  in  southwestern  Missouri  before 
the  Civil  war.  During  the  Civil  war  he  served  in  the  Union  army  in  the 
three-year  service. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sisk  five  children  have  been  born,  three  sons  and  two 
daughters,  namely:  One  child  died  in  infancy;  Charles,  now  sixteen  years 
of  age;  John,  who  is  thirteen  years  old;  Pauline,  who  has  passed  her  elev- 
enth birthday;  and  Wayne,  who  is  seven  years  old.  Mr.  Sisk  is  giving  his 
children  every  advantage.  In  order  to  give  them  the  advantages  of  good 
schools  he  lives  in  Ash  Grove  during  the  winter  months,  removing  back  to 
the  farm  for  the  crop  season. 

Politically,  he  is  a Republican,  and  while  he  has  always  been  active 
and  influential  in  the  affairs  of  his  city  and  county,  he  has  never  been  a 
seeker  after  the  emoluments  of  office.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Inde- 
( 102) 


i6i8 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


pendent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  Modern  Woodmen.  He  is  a man  who 
has  always  enjoyed  a good  reputation,  like  his  honored  father  before  him, 
and  he  is  an  agreeable  man  to  meet,  either  in  his  own  pleasant  home  or  in 
public.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


J.  H.  HINERMAN. 

The  success  which  J.  H.  Hinerman,  well  known  contractor  of  Spring- 
field,  has  achieved  in  a varied  career,  has  been  well  deserved.  Faithfulness, 
to  duty  and  a strict  adherence  to  a fixed  purpose,  which  always  do  more  to 
advance  a man's  interests  than  wealth  or  advantageous  circumstances,  have 
been  dominating  factors  in  his  life,  which  has  been  replete  with  honor  and 
success  worthily  attained,  and  he  has  become  an  important  factor  in  the 
business  world  of  his  adopted  city  and  stands  in  the  foremost  rank  of  those 
in  his  vocation  in  this  section  of  the  state. 

Mr.  Hinerman  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  27,  1869. 
He  is  a son  of  Lindsey  and  Elizabeth  (Sloniker)  Hinerman,  both  natives, 
of  Pennsylvania,  the  father  born  in  1822  and  the  mother  in  1825.  They 
grew  to  maturity  in  the  old  Keystone  state  and  there  attended  the  schools 
of  the  early  days,  receiving  limited  educations.  There  they  established  their 
home  and  were  well  known  in  their  vicinity.  The  father  and  mother  are 
still  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-three  and  ninety  years,  respectively. 
Lindsey  Hinerman  devoted  his  active  life  to  general  farming  pursuits.  Flis 
family  consisted  of  eight  children,  all  still  living  but  one,  namely:  M.  S., 

Martha,  David,  Mary,  Sarah,  Emma  is  deceased,  J.  H.,  of  this  sketch,  and 
Elsworth. 

J.  H.  Hinerman  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  state  and  there  attended 
the  public  schools,  later  took  a business  course  in  Delaware,  Ohio.  He  be- 
gan his  career  by  engaging  in  the  furniture  and  undertaking  business  in 
Cameron,  West  Virginia,  and  in  1891  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and 
went  to  work  in  the  construction  department  of  the  Iron  Mountain  railroad, 
remaining  in  this  service  twelve  years,  during  which  he  not  only  gave  the 
road  eminent  satisfaction  in  every  respect,  but  also  mastered  the  various 
phases  of  this  line  of  endeavor.  Upon  severing  his  connection  with  the  road 
he  went  into  the  general  contracting  business  for  himself  in  Springfield,  and 
has  continued  the  same  to  the  present  time,  having  been  successful  from  the 
start.  He  does  general  contracting  and  construction  work  promptly  and  in 
an  honest  and  modern  manner  that  never  fails  to  give  general  satisfaction. 
He  had  the  contract  for  erecting  the  Southwest  Hospital  in  this  city  and 
has  built  many  beautiful  residences  and  substantial  buildings  of  various 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1619 

kinds,  all  of  which  will  long  remain  a credit  to  him, — monuments  to  his 
skill  as  a builder.  Of  recent  years  he  has  made  a specialty  of  good  residences 
and  modern  bungalows,  and  at  this  writing  he  is  completing  a handsome 
and  modernly  appointed  home  for  himself  on  Pickwick  Place,  which  would 
be  known  to  the  building  trades  as  a “Swiss  shelay”  type  of  architecture. 

Mr.  Hinerman  was  married  on  April  6,  1889,  in  Bigtree,  Pennsylvania, 
to  Cassie  L.  Howard,  who  was  born  in  Virginia.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Elizabeth  ( Darr)  Howard,  natives  of  Virginia,  where  they 
grew  up,  were  educated  and  married  and  established  the  permanent  home  of 
the  family,  but  eventually  removed  to  Pennsylvania,  locating  at  Bigtree. 
During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Howard  served  in  the  Union  army  in  an  Ohio 
regiment,  a full  term  of  enlistment,  and  participated  in  many  engagements 
of  importance.  He  was  mustered  out  of  service  in  1864.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  Springfield  in  1908,  having  reached  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
four  years. 

Mrs.  Hinerman  was  born  in  Cameron,  West  Virginia,  on  October  8, 
1873,  and  grew  to  womanhood  at  Cameron  and  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  there  and  was  married.  The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  been 
without  issue. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hinerman  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  is  a mem- 
ber o-f  the  Masonic  Order,  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  the  Improved  Order 
of  Red  Men.  He  belongs  to  the  Springfield  Club  and  to  the  South  Street 
Christian  church.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian 
Association. 


EDGAR  E.  ENNIS. 

The  splendid  success  which  comes  to  Edgar  E.  Ennis,  president  of  the 
Ennis-Culler  Lumber  Company,  of  Springfield,  is  directly  traceable  to  the 
salient  points  in  his  character,  for  he  started  in  life  practically  at  the  bottom 
of  the  industrial  ladder  which  he  has  mounted  with  little  aid  from  any 
source,  although  meeting  with  the  usual  obstacles  that  confront  most  men  of 
affairs  who  have  ambition.  With  a mind  capable  of  planning  he  combines 
a will  strong  enough  to  execute  his  well-formulated  purposes,  and  his  great 
energy,  sound  judgment,  keen  . discrimination  and  perseverance  have  re- 
suited in  the  accumulation  of  a handsome  property. 

Mr.  Ennis  was  born  in  Georgetown,  Delaware,  August  21,  1873.  He 
is  a son  of  Aaron  B.  M.  and  Maggie  A.  (Jefferson)  Ennis.  They  grew 
to  maturity  in  Delaware,  received  good  common  school  educations,  the  father 
also  attending  college,  and  were  married  there,  and  established  their  home 
in  Georgetown,  where  Aaron  B.  M.  Ennis  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business 


1 620 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


about  ten  years.  Believing  that  the  Western  frontier  held  better  advantages 
for  him,  he  removed  his  family  in  1878  to  Nebraska  and  settled  ten  miles 
from  Columbus,  on  a farm,  where  he  remained  about  five  years,  and  in  the 
fall  of  1883  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  here  established  the  family 
home,  and  here  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  for  a number  of  years 
and  enjoyed  an  extensive  trade.  About  six  years  ago  he  went  to  Sheridan, 
Wyoming,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  live  stock  business  and  ranch- 
ing near  there.  He  has  been  a successful  man  of  affairs  in  whatever  he  has 
undertaken,  being  a man  of  energy,  good  judgment  and  honest  impulses. 
They  are  the  parents  of  three  children,  namely : Argus  B.,  who  lives  at 
Sheridan,  Wyoming;  Royal  W.  is  a resident  of  Hillsboro,  Illinois;  and 
Edgar  E.,  of  this  review.  The  death  of  the  mother  of  the  above  named 
children  occurred  in  1894. 

Edgar  E.  Ennis  was  ten  years  old  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
Springfield  and  here  he  entered  the  ward  schools,  later  attending  high 
school  and  received  a good  practical  education,  although  he  had  to  quit  school 
on  account  of  trouble  with  his  eyes.  After  school  days  he  started  in  as  most 
boys  of  his  class  to  earn  his  own  way  in  the  world.  TTis  father  had  pur- 
chased a grocery  store  on  Commercial  street,  and  he  clerked  in  the  same 
for  about  two  years,  then  took  a position  as  city  salesman  for  the  Gulf 
Roller  Mills,  continuing  in  this  line  for  about  a year,  then  took  a position 
with  the  Bunker  Bros.,  lumber  dealers,  and  here  gained  his  first  knowledge 
of  the  lumber  business.  He  liked  it  and  studied  every  phase  of  it,  mastering 
the  various  ins  and  outs  of  the  business  until,  feeling  capable  of  managing 
a yard  of  his  own,  he  engaged  in  this  line  of  endeavor  for  himself,  starting, 
in  July,  1913,  the  Ennis-Culler  Lumber  Company  at  504  College  street, 
Springfield,  and  this  he  is  still  conducting,  being  president  and  manager 
of  the  firm  and  by  his  industry,  foresight,  prompt  and  honest  dealings 
has  built  up  a large  and  growing  business.  The  firm  is  incorporated  under 
the  laws  of  the  state  of  Missouri.  A large,  complete  and  well-selected  stock 
of  various  grades  of  lumber  is  carried  at  all  times,  and  the  slogan  of  the 
firm  is . “Everything  to  build  your  home.” 

Mr.  Ennis  was  married  on  June  11,  1896,  to  Laura  R.  Culler,  a daugh- 
ter of  John  W.  and  Anna  M.  (Clatfeler)  Culler.  The  father’s  death  oc- 
curred in  Springfield  in  1904,  but  the  mother  is  still  living  in  this  city. 
The  Cullers  have  long  been  a well-known  family  here.  Mrs.  Ennis  re- 
ceived a good  education  in  the  local  schools.  Our  subject  and  wife  have 
three  children,  all  at  home,  namely : Florence  Lorene,  Ellen  Lucile,  and 
Anna  Rebecca. 

Politically,  Mr.  Ennis  is  a Republican.  However,  he  votes  indepen- 
dently in  local  elections,  casting  his  ballot  for  the  men  whom  he  deems  best 
suited  for  the  offices  sought.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of  the  Masonic 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1621 


order.  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America,  also  the  Travelers  Protective  Association,  United  Commercial 
Travelers,  and  the  Iowa  State  Traveling  Men's  Association.  He  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  She  is  a member 
of  the  Sorosis  Club,  of  which  she  has  been  president  two  years.  This  is 
one  of  the  leading  social  clubs  of  Springfield.  She  has  made  a most  popular 
and  efficient  president.  She  is  a lady  of  culture  and  affable  personality,  and 
she  and  Mr.  Ennis  stand  well  in  the  circle  in  which  thev  move. 


FRANK  L.  FINNEY. 

The  dignity  of  labor  is  a theme  much  discussed.  In  the  old  world 
it  has  always  meant  a different  thing  to  the  construction  put  upon  the  phrase 
in  America,  for  in  lands  where  caste  prevails  between  classes,  the  aristocracy 
is  inclined  to  look  down  on  the  laboring  classes,  but  of  this,  happily,  we 
know  practically  nothing  in  the  Lhiited  States,  in  fact,  here  if  one  does  not 
labor  or  at  least  is  employed  at  something  one  is  not  likely  to  be  as  highly 
regarded  by  one’s  associates  as  if  he  were  energetic  and  not  afraid  of  honest 
work.  Frank  L.  Finney,  now  deceased,  was  a believer  in  the  dignity  of 
labor  and  he  was  possessed  with  much  energy  and  industry  and  succeeded 
in  earning  an  honest  and  comfortable  living  and  winning  and  retaining  the 
respect  and  admiration  of  those  with  whom  he  was  associated. 

Mr.  Finney  was  born,  November  22,  1851,  in  Fairfield,  Iowa.  He  was 
a son  of  Samuel  G.  and  Eunice  (Neil)  Finney,  one  of  the  early  families 
of  Jefferson  county,  Iowa,  noted  for  their  industry  and  qualities  as  good 
neighbors.  Their  family  consisted  of  ten  children,  seven  sons  and  three 
daughters,  namely:  Lewis  H.  is  deceased;  Albert  lives  in  Nevada;  George 

S.  lives  in  Maryville,  Missouri;  Frank  L.,  subject  of  this  memoir;  Edwin 
lives  in  Seattle,  Washington;  Mrs.  Annie  C.  Denny  lives  in  Lincoln,  Ne- 
braska; Mrs.  Emma  L.  LaFollette  resides  in  Seattle;  Samuel  is  deceased; 
Mrs.  Ella  S.  Webb  lives  in  Colorado,  and  Earnest  P.  lives  in  Oklahoma  City. 

Samuel  G.  Finney,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  there  grew  to  manhood  and  received  a good  edu- 
cation. He  studied  law,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  was  very  successful 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  took  an  active  part  in  public  matters, 
became  influential  in  politics  and  was  for  some  time  a member  of  the  Legis- 
lature, while  living  in  Maryland.  Finally  abandoning  the  practice  of  law  he 
engaged  in  merchandising  with  success  and  later  in  life  turned  his  attenttion 
to  general  farming.  He  removed  from  Maryland  to  Jefferson  county,  Iowa, 
in  the  early  history  of  the  latter  country  and  located  at  the  town  of  Fairfield, 


1 622 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


where  he  became  well  established  and  well  known.  His  wife,  Eunice  Neil, 
was  born  in  Maine,  and  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent. 

Frank  L.  Finney  grew  to  manhood  at  Fairfield,  Iowa,  assisting  his 
father  about  the  homestead  when  a boy,  and  he  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  there.  When  a young  man  he  went  west  and  followed 
mining  in  different  states  for  a number  of  years  with  satisfactory  results. 
He  located  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  1905,  and  here  lived  in  retirement 
the  rest  of  his  life.  He  had  spent  thirteen  years  engaged  in  farming  and 
.stock  raising  in  Iowa  very  successfully. 

Mr.  Finney  was  married  on  August  4,  1885,  to  Mary  Graham,  who  was 
born  in  Maryville,  Missouri,  and  is  a daughter  of  Arch  D.  and  Sarah  (Wise- 
man) Graham.  Mr.  Graham  was  a native  of  Kentucky  and  his  wife  a native 
of  West  Virginia;  after  their  marriage  they  lived  in  Ohio  for  a short  time, 
then  came  to  Missouri,  where  Mrs.  Finney  died  July  3,  1914,  at  the  age  of 
forty-seven. 

Mrs.  Finney  received  a good  common  school  education,  and  lived  on 
South  Jefferson  street,  Springfield,  where  she  had  a comfortable  borne.  She 
bore  her  husband  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  survive,  namely : Dora, 

Lola,  Marjorie,  Harold  Neil,  Samuel  Graham,  Fern,  Winifred,  and  Earnest 
Dean  is  deceased.  These  children  have  been  given  good  educational  ad- 
vantages in  Iowa  and  in  Springfield,  Missouri. 

Politically,  Frank  L.  Finney  was  a Democrat,  but  was  never  an  aspir- 
ant for  political  honors. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Finney  occurred  at  his  late  home  in  Springfield  on 
June  9,  1906,  when  fifty-five  years  of  age. 


JOHNSON  SANITARIUM. 

Dr.  Samuel  A.  Johnson,  who  is  superintendent  of  the  Johnson  Sanitar- 
ium (for  the  treatment  of  mental  and  nervous  diseases),  was  born  Septem- 
ber 15,  1863,  in  Daviess  county,  Kentucky.  Fie  is  a son  of  John  Hunt 
Johnson,  deceased,  and  Anna  M.  (Singleton)  Johnson.  The  father  was 
born  in  Daviess  county,  Kentucky,  July  1,  1824,  and  the  doctor’s  mother 
was  born  in  Hardinsburg,  that  state,  June  5,  1832,  and  is  still  living,  being 
now  eighty-three  years  of  age;  she  makes  her  home  in  Springfield.  In  1872 
John  H.  Johnson  moved  to  Louisville  in  order  to  give  his  children  better 
educational  advantages,  remaining  in  that  city  eight  years.  During  this 
period  he  engaged  in  the  tobacco  business.  He  removed  with  his  family  to 
Missouri  in  1878,  locating  on  a farm  near  Lebanon,  Laclede  county,  where 
he  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  until  1894  when  he  retired 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  1 623 

from  active  life  and  located  in  Springfield  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his 
days. 

Dr.  Samuel  A.  Johnson  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his 
native  state,  later  studied  medicine  in  the  Kentucky  Medical  College  at 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated.  Not  long 
thereafter  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  engaged  in  the  gen- 
eral practice  of  medicine  for  a period  of  six  years,  then  was  employed  in 
the  state  hospital  for  the  insane  at  Nevada,  Missouri,  where  he  remained  six 
y^ears.  He  came  to  Springfield  in  1911,  and  founded  the  Johnson  Sani- 
tarium for  the  treatment  of  mental  and  nervous  diseases,  this  being  the 
pioneer  institution  of  its  kind  in  this  part  of  the  state.  It  has  been  success- 
ful. from  the  first,  largely  because  of  the  co-operation  of  the  physicians  of 
the  southern  part  of  the  state,  and  most  gratifying  results  have  been  ob- 
tained ; the  prestige  of  the  institution  is  enhanced  by  courteous  treatment  to 
.all  and  satisfied  patients.  The  institution  is  pleasantly  and  conveniently 
located  at  807  Jefferson  street.  It  is  modernly  appointed  and  completely 
■equipped  in  every  respect  for  the  work  which  Dr.  Johnson  has  outlined  to 
do  here,  and  its  future  is  assured. 

The  institution  conducts  a training  school  for  nurses  where  earnest  de- 
voted girls  are  in  attendance  and  constantly  study  to  promote  the  welfare 
and  comfort  of  patients. 

Dr.  Johnson  was  married  to  Isadore  W.  Allen,  of  Harrisonville,  Mis- 
souri, October  8,  1901.  She  is  a daughter  of  James  T.  and  Isadore  (Young) 
Allen.  She  was  one  of  two  children  and  was  born  in  Woodford  county, 
Kentucky.  Her  paternal  grandfather,  Capt.  James  Trimble,  served  in  the 
Revolutionary  war,  as  captain  of  a company  of  riflemen  under  General 
Lewis.  He  remained  in  the  service  of  his  country  all  through  the  struggle 
for  independence.  Lie  was  born  in  Augusta  county,  Virginia,  in  1756. 
Previously  he  had  served  at  the  memorable  battle  of  Point  Pleasant  during 
the  Colonial  war.  He  married  Jane  Allen  about  1780.  She  was  born, 
March  15,  1855,  in  Augusta  county,  Virginia.  Her  father,  Hugh  Allen, 
was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Point  Pleasant.  After  the  close  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  Captain  Trimble  and  wife  moved  to  Woodford  county,  Ken- 
tucky, and  were  prominent  in  the  early  history  of  that  state.  Airs.  Johnson’s 
great-grandfather  Trimble  was  opposed  to*  slavery  and  he  made  application 
in  the  courts  at  Lexington,  Kentucky,  to  manumit  them.  His  request  was 
refused  several  times,  but  was  finally  granted  through  the  efforts  of  Henry 
Clay,  then  a young  lawyer  from  Virginia.  Mr.  Trimble’s  sons  became  dis- 
tinguished men.  Three  of  them  held  commissions  in  the  war  of  1812.  Allen 
Trimble,  one  of  the  sons,  became  governor  of  Ohio;  William  Trimble  was 
a colonel  in  the  regular  army  and  was  also  a United  States  senator,  his  death 
occurring  while  a member  of  the  senate.  James  M.  Trimble  was  a promi- 


1624 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


nent  preacher.  Dr.  Cary  Trimble  was  a member  of  Congress.  James 
Trimble  died  in  Kentucky  in  1804.  Mrs.  Johnson's  maternal  great-grand- 
father, Capt.  John  Peck,  was  on  Governor  Hancock’s  staff  at  the  time  he 
was  chairman  of  the  committee  that  signed  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 
Hancock,  it  will  be  remembered,  was  one  of  the  early  governors  of  Massa- 
chusetts. James  T.  Allen,  father  of  our  subject’s  wife,  was  a widely  known 
stock  dealer  of  Kentucky.  He  is  at  this  writing  making  his  home  at  Har- 
risonville,  Missouri.  His  wife  died  in  Woodford  county,  Kentucky,  many 
years  ago. 

Politically,  Dr.  Johnson  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  his  wife  belong  to 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South. 


WILLIAM  M.  MAXWELL. 

In  writing  a work  of  the  nature  of  the  one  in  hand,  the  biographer 
is  surprised  at  the  preponderance  of  Greene  county  citizens  who  were  born 
in  Tennessee  or  are  sons  of  Tennessee  parents.  This  locality  has  been  lucky 
in  securing  such  a good  class  of  citizens,  and  it  is  safe  to  say  that  it  would 
not  now  be  nearly  so  prosperous  had  not  these  courageous,  industrious  and 
law-abiding  people  cast  their  lots  here.  William  M.  Maxwell  is  among  the 
number.  Llis  earlier  years  were  spent  in  agricultural  pursuits,  later  he  en- 
gaged in  the  grocery  business  in  Springfield  in  various  places  for  a period 
of  many  years,  and  he  is  now  serving  as  justice  of  the  peace. 

Mr.  Maxwell  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Tennessee,  October  12,  1867. 
He  is  a son  of  Rufus  and  Jane  (Vickers)  Maxwell.  The  father  was  born 
in  Jackson  county,  Alabama,  and  there  he  was  reared  to  manhood,  and  was 
educated  in  the  early  day  schools  there ; he  was  married  in  Scottsboro,  that 
state,  and  he  spent  his  life  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  in 
his  native  state  and  in  Tennessee,  dying  at  Valley  Head,  Alabama,  in  1911. 
Politically,  he  was  a Democrat.  The  mother  of  our  subject  attended  the 
common  schools  and  she  is  still  living  in  Warren  county,  Tennessee,  being 
now  advanced  in  years. 

William  M.  Maxwell,  who,  was  the  only  child  of  his  parents,  grew  to 
manhood  on  the  homestead  in  Warren  county,  Tennessee,  where  he  assisted 
his  father  with  the  general  farm  work  when  he  became  of  proper  age,  and 
there  he  received  a limited  education  in  the  public  schools.  Lie  began  life  as 
a farmer,  which  he  continued  successfully  until  1898,  when  he  left  his  native 
state  and  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri.  He  first  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business,  in  which  he  was  uniformly  successful,  and  operated  a store  at 
several  different  places,  in  later  years  his  location  being  on  West  Commer- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1625 

cial  street.  Four  years  ago  he  moved  his  business  to  the  corner  of  Broad 
and  Chase  streets.  He  always  carried  a full  line  of  staple  and  fancy  groc- 
eries and,  dealing  honestly  and  courteously  with  his  many  customers,  re- 
tained their  good  will,  and  he  continued  in  this  business  until  in  February, 
1914,  when  he  was  appointed  justice  of  the  peace  by  the  county  court  for 
North  Campbell  township,  and  he  has  since  been  faithfully  discharging  the 
duties  of  the  same  in  a manner  that  reflects  much  credit  upon  himself  and  to 
the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  He  has  a very  suitable  office  at  212^2 
East  Commercial  street.  His  decisions  are  marked  by  firmness  and  ability 
as  to  law  and  justice.  He  owns  a good  home  on  West  Chase  street. 

Mr.  Maxwell  was  married  on  December  28,  1897,  in  Lafayette,  Georgia, 
to  Bessie  Derbery,  who  was  born  at  Coal  City,  Georgia,  and  was  a daughter 
of  John  and  Martha  Derbery,  natives  of  that  locality  in  Georgia,  also  where 
they  were  all  reared,  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  were  married. 
The  death  of  Mrs.  Maxwell  occurred  on  August  1,  1907.  She  was  a woman 
of  many  of  the  winning  characteristics  of  the  Southern  lady  and  was  a 
favorite  with  her  many  friends. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Maxwell  one  child  was  born,  William  Rufus,  whose 
birth  occurred  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  October  28,  1898.  He  is  now  at- 
tending high  school. 

Politically,  Mr.  Maxwell  is  a Democrat  and  loyal  in  his  affiliations  to 
the  party.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, the  Knights  of  Maccabees  and  the  Modern  Woodmen.  Religiously, 
he  is  a member  of  the  Central  Christian  church. 


JOSEPH  S.  EAGLEBURGER. 

It  is  no  very  rare  thing  for  a poor  boy  in  our  country  to  become  a 
prosperous  man  and  occupy  a commanding  position  in  the  business  world, 
but  many  who  have  fought  their  way  from  poverty  to  wealth,  from  ob- 
scurity to  prominence,  retain  some  marks  and  scars  of  the  conflict.  They 
are  apt  to  be  narrow  and  grasping,  even  if  not  sordid  and  unscrupulous. 
Joseph  S.  Eagleburger,  who  for  many  years  was  one  of  the  enterprising 
farmers  of  Greene  county  but  now  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in 
Springfield,  although  he  did  not  come  up  from  the  ranks  of  the  poverty 
stricken  and  has  not  reached  the  affluence  of  the  rich,  yet  he  has  worked 
his  way  from  a modest  beginning  to  a comfortable  station  in  the  world  of 
affairs,  being  an  instance  of  a man  who  has  achieved  success  without  paying 
the  price  at  which  it  is  so  often  bought.  Flis  success  has  not  removed  him 
further  from  his  fellow  men,  but  has  brought  him  into  nearer  and  more 


1626 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


intimate  relations  with  them,  and  although  he  has  led  a busy  life,  he  has 
yet  found  time  to  devote  to  those  interests  which  develop  the  intellectual 
and  moral  nature  of  man,  living  not  to  himself  alone,  but  laboring,  when 
necessary,  to  aid  his  fellow  men. 

Mr.  Eagleburger  was  horn  March  1,  1853,  ’n  Noble  county,  Indiana. 
He  is  a son  of  John  and  Frances  (Spencer)  Eagleburger.  The  father  was 
a native  of  Switzerland  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Connecticut.  The 
former  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  land  and  there  attended  school  and 
learned  the  trade  of  shoemaker,  which  he  followed  until  he  emigrated  to 
the  United  States,  after  which  he  followed  general  farming.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  Ohio.  He  finally  removed  about  1856  with  his  family  to  Story 
county,  Iowa,  where  his  death  occurred  about  1888.  His  widow  survived 
some  two  years,  dying  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1890.  They  were 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  William,  and  Samuel  are  deceased; 
James  lives  in  Story  county,  Iowa;  Margaret  lives  in  Story  county,  Iowa; 
Isaac  lives  in  Greene  county.  Missouri ; Lucy  lives  in  Moniteau  county,  Mis- 
souri ; Joseph  S.,  of  this  sketch;  Susan  lives  in  Washington;  John  is  deceased. 

Joseph  S.  Eagleburger  received  a common  school  education  in  Iowa,  and 
he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm,  and  began  life  for  himself  as  a farmer, 
which  he  followed  with  success  up  to  six  years  ago.  He  remained  in  Iowa 
until  the  fall  of  1873,  then  moved  to  northwestern  Kansas  and  took  up 
government  land  which  he  operated  about  twelve  years,  then  moved  back 
to  Iowa,  and  in  1885  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  locating  ten  miles 
north  of  Springfield,  buying  fifty  acres.  As  he  prospered  with  advancing 
years  he  added  to  this  until  he  became  owner  of  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres,  all  in  Franklin  township.  He  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising  there  until  1908,  when  he  sold  out  and  moved  to  Springfield  and  on 
[uly  20th  of  that  year  began  in  the  grocery  business  at  his  present  location, 
2304  Springfield  avenue,  where  he  owns  a substantial  brick  block  and  is 
conducting  a thriving  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Eagleburger  & Son, 
carrying  a large  stock  of  staple  and  fancy  groceries,  feed  and  flour. 

Mr.  Eagleburger  was  married  June  3,  1882.  in  Kansas,  to  Mary  Noel, 
who  was  born  in  Lee  county,  Illinois,  April  23,  1859.  She  is  a daughter 
of  Mathias  and  Anna  (Fredericks  ) Noel,  who  were  natives  of  Prussia,  emi- 
grating to  this  country  in  their  early  years  and  locating  in  Lee  county, 
Illinois,  where  they  established  the  family  home.  Mrs.  Eagleburger,  wife 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  one  of  sixteen  children,  thirteen  of  whom 
still  live  in  various  sections  of  the  United  States. 

Mrs.  Eagleburger  moved  to  Kansas  shortly  before  her  marriage.  Her 
parents  died  in  Illinois.  She  received  a good  education. 

Ten  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  seven  of  whom 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  1 62  7 

are  still  living,  namely:  Barbara,  John  (deceased),  Frank,  Charles,  George, 
Ella,  Maud,  Bert,  Lillian  (deceased),  and  Blanche. 

Politically,  Mr.  Eagleburger  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  including  the  Encampment.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Baptist  church,  in  which  he  is  a deacon  and  is  active. 


J.  W.  FOWLER. 

It  seems  there  is  no  start  in  life  which  so  well  prepares  a man  for  his 
future  career,  no  matter  what  he  may  choose  to  follow  as  the  boyhood  years 
spent  on  the  farm;  this  is  not  strange  to  the  contemplative  mind,  for,  in  the 
first  place,  the  boy  reared  next  to  nature,  to  the  fresh  soil,  surrounded  by 
the  clear  air  and  amidst  the  growing,  blooming  vegetation  will  be  stronger 
physically  and  mentally  than  his  city-bred  brother,  and  will  agree  that 
health  is  the  first  prerequisite  in  the  chase  for  success  in  this  world ; many 
a man  has  been  handicapped,  submerged  and  defeated  because  of  lack  of  it. 
J.  W.  Fowler,  chief  stationary  engineer  of  the  south  side  Frisco  shops, 
Springfield,  was  fortunate  enough  to  be  born  and  reared  on  a farm,  and 
thus  has  a hertiage  of  physical  strength  which  has  stood  him  well  in  hand. 

Mr.  Fowler  was  born  on  the  farm  of  his  parents  near  Tipton,  Missouri, 
November  24,  1864.  He  is  a son  of  G.  W.  and  Parmelia  (Hodges)  Fowler. 
The  father  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1842,  and  is  still  living  on  his 
farm  near  Tipton,  Missouri,  having  engaged  in  farming  all  his  life.  He 
came  from  the  Keystone  state  to  Missouri  more  than  half  a century  ago 
and  has  lived  here  ever  since.  During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  at  Tipton 
and  made  a splendid  record  as  a soldier. 

G.  W.  Fowler  was  a young  man  when  he  came  to  this  state  and  he 
married  near  there,  his  wife  having  been  born  on  a farm  there  in  1847. 
Fourteen  children  were  born  to  this  union,  nine  of  whom  are  still  living, 
namely:  J.  W.,  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Nancy  Sehklin,  wife  of  a merchant; 
Mrs.  Sarah  D.  Mock,  wife  of  a farmer;  William  M.  is  a blacksmith;  Edwin 
is  a boilermaker;  Mrs.  Dosia  Williams  married  a farmer;  Mrs.  Edna  Hat- 
field ; Mrs.  Millie  B.  Moon  married  a farmer ; Llarrison  is  engaged  in  farm- 
ing; the  others  are  deceased. 

J.  W.  Fowler  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  and  spent  his  earlier  years 
engaged  in  tilling  the  soil.  He  received  a common  school  education.  He 
came  to  Springfield  in  1889  and  has  since  made  his  home  in  this  city.  He 
began  working  for  the  Eversol  & Son  Milling  Company  as  stationary  engi- 
neer. He  liked  the  work,  studied  it  and  became  an  expert  in  his  line.  After 
a few  years  he  went  to  work  for  the  Frisco  Lines  in  their  south  side  shops 


t628 


GREENE  COUNTY^  MISSOURI. 


as  extra  stationary  engineer,  where  he  became  chief  engineer  and  he  still 
holds  this  position.  His  long  service  with  the  Frisco  would  indicate  that 
he  has  given  entire  satisfaction  and  that  he  is  a capable  and  trustworthy 
employee.  He  has  not  had  a shutdown  in  more  than  twenty-four  years, 
during  working  hours,  or  since  he  has  been  with  the  Frisco. 

Mr.  Fowler  was  married  twice,  first,  to  Augusta  Breckinridge,  at 
Tipton,  Missouri.  She  was  born  November  25,  1864,  at  Galloway,  Mis- 
souri. Her  death  occurred  February  9,  1901.  To  this  union  four  children 
were  born,  namely:  Jra,  born  September  23,  1887,  married  Kate  Campbell, 
he  is  a boilermaker  and  lives  in  Springfield;  Roy,  born  February  15,  1890, 
married  Grace  Edwards,  and  he  is  employed  as  blacksmith  in  the  south  side 
Frisco  shops;  Earl,  born  April  3,  1898,  lives  at  home;  Clara  A.,  born  May 
31,  1901,  is  at  home.  On  November  10,  1914,  Mr.  Fowler  married  the 
second  time  in  St.  Louis,  Priscilla  Givan,  a widow  of  Wm.  Givan.  She  was 
born  January  17,  1866.  She  is  a daughter  of  Albert  and  Nancy  (Butterball) 
Daugherty.  Mrs.  Fowler  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  she  received  a 
common  school  education.  She  came  to  Missouri  when  young.  The  second 
union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  been  without  issue. 

Politically,  Mr.  Fowler  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Knights 
of  Pythias  and  the  Modern  Woodmen.  He  is  a member  of  the  First 
Baptist  church. 


EDGAR  T.  EMERY. 

A large  percent,  of  the  men  in  railroad  service  have  come  from  the 
farms.  There  has  ever  been  a certain  fascination  in  this  life  for  the  farmer 
boy  and  while  yet  scarcely  old  enough  to  hold  steadily  the  plow  handles 
they  began  dreaming  and  planning  of  a career  “on  the  road."  This  class 
is  peculiarly  fitted  for  railroad  work,  which  requires  men  of  strong  physique, 
steady  nerve  and  grit.  One  of  this  number  is  Edgar  T.  Emery,  of  Spring- 
field,  a Frisco  engineer,  who  has  had  a successful  career  from  the  start 
as  railroader.  Mr.  Emery  was  born  on  a farm  in  Clark  county,  Iowa,  Octo- 
ber 31,  1855.  Fie  is  a son  of  James  H.  and  Sarah  Elizabeth  (Dufur) 
Emery.  The  father  was  born  in  Ohio,  October  27,  1830,  and  his  death 
occurred  in  Whitewater,  Wisconsin,  May  7,  1904.  The  mother  of  our 
subject  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Ohio,  May  4,  1834,  and  although 
past  her  eightieth  birthday,  is  hale  and  hearty  and  makes  her  home  with 
the  subject  of  this  sketch.  These  parents  grew  to  maturity  in  their  native 
state  and  there  received  limited  educations,  and  were  married  in  Henry 
county,  Illinois.  From  there  they  removed  to  Iowa  in  pioneer  times,  making 
the  overland  journey  with  an  ox  team,  entering  land  from  the  government 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1629 


in  Clark  county,  where  they  established  the  family  home  by  hard  work 
and  perseverance.  James  H.  Emery  was  a carpenter  by  trade,  which  he 
followed  in  his  earlier  years,  but  later  devoted  his  attention  to  farming 
and  stock  raising.  He  moved  back  to  Illinois  when  our  subject  was  a 
small  child  but  did  not  remain  there  long,  and  in  1887  the  family  moved 
to  Whitewater,  Wisconsin,  where  the  elder  Emery  followed  contracting  and 
building  and  where  his  death  occurred.  Politically,  he  was  a Republican, 
and  fraternally  was  a member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
His  family  consisted  of  three  children,  namely:  Edgar  T.,  of  this  sketch: 
Eva  L.,  born  October  1,  1858,  married  a Mr.  Storm  and  they  make  their 
home  in  California;  William,  born  March  28,  1863,  died  April  1,  1866. 

Edgar  T.  Emery  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  Iowa  and  there  at- 
tended the  common  schools.  After  leaving  school  he  began  working  for  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  & Quincy  Railroad  Company,  April  15,  1874,  at  Creston, 
Iowa,  as  an  oil  boy,”  his  duties  being  to  look  after  the  “oil  house.”  On 
September  1,  1875  he  was  put  to  firing  a switch  engine,  on  which  he  worked 
for  six  months,  then  worked  as  fireman  from  Creston  to  Ottumwa.  He 
continued  in  the  employ  of  that  road  as  fireman  until  October  17,  1880, 
when  he  was  promoted  to  locomotive  engineer  on  the  same  run  which  he 
retained  until  the  big  strike  on  that  road,  February  27,  1888,  In  June,  1889, 
he  came  to  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  and  secured  a position  on  the  old  Kansas 
City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  road,  as  engineer,  out  of  that  city  on  the  Ozark 
division.  On  June  15,  1893,  he  was  injured  in  a wreck,  breaking  a leg,  which 
necessitated  his  giving  up  the  road  for  some  time.  Later  he  took  a position 
running  a stationary  engine  in  the  Springfield  south  side  shops,  which  posi- 
tion he  has  continued  to  hold  since  May,  1894,  giving  his  usual  satisfactory 
service. 

Mr.  Emery  was  married  May  4,  1880,  in  Creston,  Iowa,  to  Ada  Alice 
Reynolds,  who  was  born  in  Macon  county,  West  Virginia,  March  29,  1862, 
where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  attended  school.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Edward  and  Laura  (Turner)  Reynolds,  the  father  dying  when  Mrs. 
Reynolds  was  quite  small  and  when  she  was  eleven  years  old  her  mother 
died.  They  both  were  natives  of  West  Virginia.  Mr.  Reynolds  served  four 
years  in  the  Confederate  army,  having  enlisted  at  Mason  Citv,  West  Vir- 
ginia, at  about  the  beginning  of  the  war. 

Three  children  have  been  •born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Emery,  namely : Ray 
W.,  born  July  2,  1881,  is  a jeweler  by  trade  and  lives  in  Texas;  the  other 
two  children  died  in  infancy  unnamed. 

Mr.  Emery  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Order,  including  the  Chapter  and 
Commandery.  He  is  a member  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engi- 
neers. He  also  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  and  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  is  a member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  Missouri.  Po- 


1630 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


litically,  lie  is  a Republican.  His  wife  is  a member  of  No.  1,  White  Shrine,, 
and  the  Eastern  Star. 

Mr.  Emery  has  a good  home  on  Broad  street,  Springfield.  He  often 
recalls  the  fact  that  he  fired  engine  No.  308,  with  Engineer  John  Francis, 
in  1879,  that  pulled  the  train  on  which  rode  General  Grant  when  he  made 
his  trip  around  the  world. 


ROSWELL  K.  HART. 

To  the  pioneer  more  than  to  any  other  is  civilization  indebted  for  the 
brightest  jewel  in  its  diadem,  for  it  was  he  that  blazed  the  trail  and  acted 
as  van-guard  for  the  mighty  army  of  progress  that  within  the  last  cen- 
tury has  conquered  Greene  county’s  wilderness  and  wild  prairies  and  trans- 
formed this  section  of  the  Ozark  region  into  one  of  the  fairest  and  most 
enlightened  of  the  commonwealth  of  Missouri’s  domains.  One  of  this 
number  is  Roswell  K.  Hart,  a veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  who  is  one  of  the 
earliest  settlers  of  Wilson  township,  this  county,  and  who,  after  a successful 
life  as  farmer  and  stock  man  is  living  in  retirement  in  Springfield. 

Mr.  Hart  was  born  June  7,  1829,  in  North  Carolina,  and  when  four 
years  old  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  Bedford  county,  Tennessee,  and 
there  grew  to  manhood  and  was  educated.  He  is  a son  of  Henry  and 
Barbara  (Lambeth)  Hart,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The  father  of  our 
subject  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  moved  from  Tennessee  to 
Greene  county,  Missouri,  with  his  family,  where  his  death  occurred,  De- 
cember 21,  1855,  and  there  his  wife  died  about  1877.  They  had  spent  their 
lives  on  a farm.  Mr.  Hart  was  a soldier  of  courage  and  ability,  and  he 
not  only  served  five  years  in  our  second  war  with  Great  Britain,  but  also 
served  two  years  in  Indian  wars  prior  to  that  period.  His  family  consisted 
of  eight  children,  only  two  of  whom  are  living,  Mrs.  Sally  Davis,  and 
Roswell  Iv.,  of  this  sketch. 

Our  subject  received  but  a limited  education,  however  he  has  become 
a well-informed  man  through  wide  reading.  He  was  twenty-three  years 
old  when  he  made  the  overland  trip  in  wagons  with  his  parents  to  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  from  Tennessee,  experiencing  numerous  hardships  !en 
route,  and  here  he  has  resided  ever  since,  the  family  having  reached  here 
on  December  2,  1852,  sixty-two  years  ago.  His  active  life  has  been  spent 
in  farming  and  dealing  in  live  stock.  However,  he  dealt  somewhat  in  the 
teaming  business,  hauling,  prior  to  the  Civil  war,  selling  fruit,  flour,  gro- 
ceries and  trading  with  the  Indians.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  he  en- 
listed in  Springfield,  in  the  Home  Guards,  and  in  August,  1862,  he  en- 


/ 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


163T 


listed  in  Company  B,  Seventy-second  Missouri  State  Militia,  Federal  army, 
and  at  one  time  he  was  in  charge  of  a company  of  men,  ranking  as  major, 
and  covered  the  retreat  of  the  Union  army  from  Springfield  to  Rolla.  He 
made  an  excellent  record  as  a soldier,  was  respected  as  an  officer  by  his. 
men  and  superiors,  all  acknowledging  his  courage  and  ability,  and  he  was 
discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war  as  a lieutenant-colonel.  Returning  home, 
he  resumed  farming  and  stock  raising  in  Wilson  township,  which  he  helped 
put  on  the  map.  Selling  his  farm,  he  retired  from  active  life  about  twenty 
years  ago  and  moved  to  Springfield,  where  he  has  since  resided,  now  living 
in  his  pleasant  home  on  South  Market  street.  He  also  owns  other  prop- 
erties here  which  he  rents. 

Mr.  Hart  was  married  February  2,  1859,  in  Springfield  to  Alary  J. 
Beal,  who  was  born  near  Wilson’s  creek,  this  county.  She  was  a daughter 
of  Daniel  and  Nancy  Beal.  She  was  reared  in  this  county,  and  educated 
in  the  common  schools  here.  Daniel  Beal  was  born  in  North  Carolina, 
May  19,  1799.  He  was  a cabinet  maker  by  trade  and  when  a young  man 
went  to  Giles  county,  Tennessee,  where  he  married  Nancy  Gibson,  a daugh- 
ter of  George  Gibson  and  wife,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  seven  children, 
namely:  George  T.,  Allen  H.,  James  N.,  Martha  A.,  Damaris,  Mary  J.  and 
Penelope.  Mr.  Beal  remained  in  Giles  county,  Tennessee  until  three  of  his 
children  were  born,  and  in  1831  moved  to  Lawrence  county,  Missouri,  and 
settled  near  where  Verona  now  stands.  Judge  James  White  came  the  same 
time,  and  here  Air.  Beal  made  a clearing  and  began  his  home.  He  was 
in  company  with  Judge  White  in  the  ownership  of  land  and  as  they  thought 
the  tract  of  land  not  large  enough  for  both,  Air.  Beal  sold  out  and  came  to 
what  is  now  known  as  Greene  county,  the  latter  part  of  1833  and  settled, 
on  Wilson's  creek,  in  Campbell  township,  four  miles  west  of  Springfield. 
Tiers  he  cleared  up  a farm  and  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days,  owning 
two  hundred  and  eighty-eight  acres.  In  politics,  he  was  a Democrat,  and 
both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  Air.  Beal  lived 
to  the  age  of  about  forty-seven  years  and  died,  December  7,  1847.  He  was 
one  of  the  old  pioneers  of  southwest  Missouri  and  highly  respected  by  the 
older  settlers,  by  whom  he  was  well  known  as  a man  of  integrity  and  char- 
acter and  honest  worth. 

Seven  children  were  born  to  Col.  Roswell  Iv.  Hart  and  wife,  namely: 
Nancy  A.,  who  married  Louis  Hendricks,  of  Christian  county,  Alissouri ; 
Mrs.  Halley  A.  Alexander  lives  in  Brownwood,  Texas;  the  third  child  died 
in  infancy,  unnamed;  Alveria,  of  Springfield;  Samuel  K.,  of  Houston, 
Texas;  Andy  T.,  of  Greene  county;  and  William  PI.,  who  is  a resident  of 
Austin,  Texas. 

The  death  of  Airs.  Alary  J.  Hart  occurred  February  26,  1914,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-five  years. 


1632 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Politically,  Colonel  Hart  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Chris- 
tian church,  as  was  his  wife.  He  belongs  to  the  John  Matthews  Post,  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  at  Springfield 


JOHN  MALONEY  CHRISMAN. 

Greene  county  and  other  parts  of  southwestern  Missouri  are  greatly 
--indebted  to  the  grand  old  state,  “the  Mother  of  Presidents,”  for  the  Old 
Dominion  has  sent  to  us  a large  number  of  her  enterprising  and  high-minded 
citizens  who  have  done  much  toward  a general  upbuilding  of  this  locality. 
They  have,  almost  without  exception,  proven  to  be  most  desirable  and 
valuable  citizens,  being  ever  willing  to  assist  in  the  material,  moral  and 
civic  upbuilding  of  the  localities  in  which  they  have  settled,  and  they  have 
brought  to  us  not  only  a commendable  industrial  and  public  spirit  but  a re- 
finement of  manners  which  has  made  for  the  good  of  this  mountain  coun- 
try, originally  somewhat  uncouth  and  rough.  One  of  these  citizens  from 
beyond  the  Blue  Ridge  mountains  who  is  deserving  of  special  notice  in 
these  paragraphs  was  the  late  John  Maloney  Chrisman. 

Mr.  John  Maloney  Chrisman  was  born  in  Lee  county,  Virginia,  Octo- 
ber 23,  1841.  He  was  a son  of  Gabriel  S.  and  Margaret  (Maloney)  Chris- 
man. Gabriel  S.  Chrisman  was  bora  November  14,  1814,  in  the  same  county 
and  state,  and  was  a son  of  Isaac  and  Sarah  (Yeary)  Chrisman.  Isaac 
Chrisman  was  also  a native  of  Lee  county,  Virginia,  as  was  his  father,  Ga- 
briel Chrisman.  Gabriel  Chrisman  in  the  early  forties  removed  to  Jackson 
county,  Missouri,  where  he  farmed  until  the  early  fifties,  when  he  moved 
to  Andrew  county,  Missouri,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Isaac  Chrisman  devoted  his  life  to  farming  and  preaching,  being  an  old 
school  Baptist  preacher.  He  moved  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  the 
spring  of  1851.  He  purchased  a farm  near  Ozark,  Christian  county,  this 
state,  in  1852,  and  moved  his  family  thereto.  He  entered  eighty  acres  of 
land  which  belongs  to  the  estate  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  The  elder 
Chrisman  farmed  this  land  until  his  death  in  1873.  Gabriel  Chrisman,  his 
son,  then  purchased  the  farm  which  he  farmed  for  some  time,  finally  selling 
it  to  his  son,  John  M.  Crisman,  of  this  sketch.  Gabriel  S.  Chrisman’s  death 
occurred  in  1901.  Margaret  Maloney,  mother  of  John  M.  Chrisman,  was 
born  in  Addington  county,  Virginia,  in  1810,  and  was  a daughter  of  John 
Maloney.  She  and  Gabriel  S.  Chrisman  grew  to  maturity  in  their  native 
locality  and  were  married  there  in  1833.  Pier  death  occurred  in  1890,  on 
the  old  homestead  in  Christian  county,  Missouri. 

John  M.  Chrisman  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm,  where  he  worked 


JOHN  M.  CHRISMAN. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1633 

during  the  summer  months,  and  in  the  winter  time  he  attended  the  district 
schools.  On  March  28,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  Missouri  State  Militia, 

Company  B,  Fourteenth  Regiment,  which  was  afterwards  mounted  and 

known  as  the  Fourth  Cavalry,  Mr.  Chrisman  being  transferred  to  Company 
M of  the  same.  He  saw  some  exciting  service,  mostly  in  fighting  guerillas. 
He  was  in  Springfield  as  a member  of  the  Home  Guards  in  August,  1861, 
when  the  battle  of  Wilson's  Creek  was  fought;  he  was  at  Jefferson  City  in  the 
fight  against  Gen.  Sterling  Price’s  army  in  1864,  and  on  October  9th  of 

that  year  he  was  wounded  in  the  left  shoulder  and  side  at  the  battle  of 

California,  this  state.  He  was  later  brought  back  to  Jefferson  City  and  from 
there  fought  bushwhackers.  ,He  caught  the  smallpox  in  Sedalia,  because  of 
which  he  lost  his  eyesight  in  January,  1865,  in  Jefferson  City.  He  was 
mustered  out  of  service  March  28,  1865,  as  first  sargeant  of  his  company 
and  honorably  discharged. 

After  the  war  he  returned  to  the  farm  and,  in  1869,  went  to  St.  Louis, 
where  he  spent  two  years  in  an  institution  for  the  blind  learning  the  trade 
of  a broom  maker.  He  resumed  general  farming,  broom  making  and  stock 
raising,  which  he  carried  on  successfully  until  1881,  when  he  moved  to 
the  city  of  Springfield,  where  he  lived  a retired  life.  His  family  now  own 
a finely  improved  and  valuable  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
in  Christian  county,  also  several  pieces  of  valuable  city  property. 

Mr.  Chrisman  was  married  May  1,  1881,  to  Mary  Day,  who  was  born 
in  Walworth  county,  Wisconsin,  February  20,  1845.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Isham  and  Emily  (Bigelow)  Day,  a highly  respected  family  of  that  county, 
where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  Her  father  was  born 
in  Tennesee  in  1810,  and  died  April  7,  1862,  in  Christian  county,  Missouri, 
being  killed  by  guerrillas.  The  mother  was  born  in  Nova  Scotia,  April  27. 
1810,  and  she  died  about  fifteen  years  ago.  Mrs.  John  M.  Chrisman’s 
father  was  a farmer  and  preacher  of  the  Christian  church. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chrisman  three  children  were  born,  one  dying  in 
infancy:  Oscar  D..  born  on  July  1,  1884,  lives  in  Springfield;  he  married 
Katherine  E.  Ramsey  on  June  1,  1911;  she  is  a daughter  of  J.  W.  Ramsey. 
Oscar  D.  Chrisman  was  appointed  assistant  city  engineer  about  three  years 
ago.  Pearl  L.,  bom  on  May  2,  1887,  died  on  March  22,  1911. 

Politically  Mr.  Chrisman  was  a Republican.  He  was  a member  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  religiously  was  a member  of  the  Christian 
church.  He  led  a quiet,  honorable  life  and  had  a host  of  friends  wherever 
he  was  known. 

The  death  of  John  M.  Chrisman  occurred  August  24,  1914  in  his 
seventy-third  year, 
f 103) 


1634 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


JAMES  B.  JOHNSTON. 

One  of  the  well-known  citizens  of  the  north  side  in  Springfield  is  lames 
B.  Johnston,  the  popular  justice  of  the  peace,  who  has  been  a citizen  of 
Greene  county  for  nearly  thirty  years.  Over  three  decades  of  his  life  has 
been  devoted  to  railroading  on  various  roads  and  in  various  capacities,  and 
for  some  time  with  the  Frisco  system,  his  last  position  being  passenger 
conductor.  He  is  a veteran  of  the  Union  army,  having  fought  gallantly 
for  his  adopted  country  during  its  greatest  crisis,  although  he  was  born 
under  another  flag.  Since  casting  his  lot  among  us  he  has  been  regarded 
as  a good  citizen  in  every  respect. 

Mr.  Johnston  was  born  in  Toronto,  Canada,  September  4,  1841.  He  is 
a son  of  Benjamin  and  Ann  (Davison)  Johnston.  The  father  was  born 
in  the  same  city  and  province,  March  14,  1809,  and  the  mother  was  born  in 
Nova  Scotia,  May  30,  1813.  They  grew  to  maturity  in  their  fiative  Domin- 
ion and  were  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  married  there,  establishing 
their  home  in  Toronto,  where  they  lived  until  1846,  when  they  removed 
to  Carroll  county,  Illinois,  making  the  overland  journey  by  team,  after  cross- 
ing the  lake,  and  located  on  the  wild  prairie,  where  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject secured  land,  which  he  developed  into  a good  farm,  and  there  spent  the 
rest  of  his  life  engaged  in  general  farming.  He  learned  to  be  a mechanic 
when  young  and  worked  at  his  trade  for  a number  of  years.  His  death 
occurred  at  Sterling,  Illinois,  February  3,  1873,  and  there  the  death  of  his 
wife  occurred  in  July,  1890,  having  survived  him  seventeen  years.  They 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  three  of  whom  are  still  living;  they  are, 
James  B.,  of  this  review;  Mary  E.,  and  Eugenia. 

James  B.  Johnston  was  five  years  of  age  when  his  parents  removed  with 
him  from  his  native  province  to  Carroll  county,  Illinois,  and  there  he  grew 
to  manhood  on  his  father’s  farm,  which  he  helped  develop,  and  he  received 
his  education  in  the  district  schools  in  that  neighborhood,  later  attending 
the  Rock  River  Seminary  in  Ogle  county,  that  state,  and  he  was  still  a stu- 
dent in  that  institution  when  the  Civil  war  broke  out,  and  on  November  5, 
1861,  he  enlisted  from  Carroll  county,  in  Company  B,  Seventh  Illinois  Cav- 
alry, under  Col.  William  Pitt  Kellogg.  Henry  C.  Forbes  was  the  captain  and 
Gen.  Benjamin  Grierson  and  he  did  a great  deal  of  scouting  and  raiding, 
including  the  well  known  Grierson  raid.  He  was  discharged  at  Nashville, 
Tennessee,  December  17,  1864,  receiving  an  honorable  discharge.  He  re- 
turned home  at  once,  and  later  entered  a commercial  college  in  Chicago, 
where  he  spent  one  summer  and  remained  in  that  city  during  the  summer  of 
1865,  and  in  September  went  home,  remaining  on  the  farm,  and  in  February 
of  1867  went  to  Omaha,  Nebraska,  where  he  took  a position  as  brakeman 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1635 

with  the  Union  Pacific  railroad,  at  which  he  worked  until  1868,  when  he 
quit  and  went  to  Iowa,  where  he  engaged  in  business  for  himself  until  1874, 
when  he  took  up  railroading  again  and  worked  as  brakeman,  freight  and 
passenger  conductor  on  several  different  roads,  and  in  1886  he  came  to 
Springfield,  Missouri,  and  went  to  work  on  the  Ozark  division  of  the  old 
Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  road,  later  worked  for  the  Frisco.  He 
continued  railroading  until  the  fall  of  1898,  when  he  was  elected  justice  of 
the  peace,  and  he  has  been  re-elected  three  times,  and  is  now  serving  his 
fourth  term.  His  office  is  located  at  212^2  East  Commercial  street,  Spring- 
field.  That  he  has  given  the  utmost  satisfaction  as  a public  servant  is  evi- 
dent from  the  fact  that  he  has  been  retained  so  long  in  office.  His  decisions 
have  ever  been  noted  for  a clear  conception  of  the  law  and  for  their  uniform 
fairness  to  all  parties  concerned,  and  they  have  seldom  met  with  reversal  at 
the  hands  of  higher  tribunals. 

Mr.  Johnston  was  married  twice,  first  on  October  15,  1868,  at  Boone, 
Iowa,  to  Amelia  L.  Mastin,  a native  of  Illinois,  and  to  this  union  four  chil- 
dren were  born,  all  surviving  at  this  writing,  namely:  Benjamin  R.,  John 

D.,  Ida  M.  and  Verde  D.  On  January  15,  1889,  our  subject  married  Re- 
becca McRae,  which  union  has  been  without  issue. 

Politically,  Mr.  Johnston  is  a Republican.  He  is  a member  of  the 
McCroskey  Post  No.  210,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  the  Order  of  Rail- 
way Conductors  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 


LEON  MORICE. 

The  close  friendship  which  has  existed  between  the  United  States  and 
France  since  the  infancy  of  the  former  has  been  mutually  helpful  and  pleas- 
ant to  both  nations  and  it  has  been  especially  fortunate  for  America,  the 
younger  nation  having  received  many  valuable  lessons  in  statesmanship,  art, 
science  and  other  things  from  the  older  republic  across  the  sea.  And  these 
two  peoples,  though  speaking  a different  language  and  having,  in  a large 
measure,  different  aims  in  life,  have  ever  harmonized  and  fraternized.  It 
has  been  principally  our  idle  rich  and  our  students  who  have  taken  up  their 
abodes  in  France,  but  all  classes  have  come  to  our  country  from  there,  and 
here  the  peasant,  tradesman,  in  fact,  most  everyone  of  the  middle,  working 
classes  have  found  good  homes  and  remunerative  businesses,  by  the  thou- 
sands, in  our  different  states.  We  have  welcomed  them,  not  alone  on  ac- 
count of  the  friendship  existing  between  our  governments,  but  because  her 
people  are  invariably  industrious,  courteous,  agreeable  to  associate  with,  and, 
for  the  most  part,  honorable  and  trustworthy.  One  of  the  vast  army  of 


1636 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


emigrants  from  that  sunny  clime  to  this  country  was  the  late  Leon  Morice, 
who,  for  a period  of  twenty-nine  years  was  a well  known  business  man  in 
Springfield  and  a good  and  useful  citizen  who  deserved  the  high  respect 
which  was  accorded  him  by  all. 

Mr.  Morice  was  born  in  France,  April  16,  1845.  His  parents  were  na- 
tives of  that  country  where  they  spent  their  lives,  and  there  our  subject 
grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  education,  and  when  a young  man  learned 
the  lithographer’s  trade,  also  worked  for  some  time  as  bookkeeper.  When 
eighteen  years  of  age  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  first  locating  in 
Fort  Wayne,  Indiana,  and  from  there  came  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  engaged 
in  his  trade  of  lithographer,  at  which  he  was  exceptionally  skilled,  conse- 
quently found  ready  employment  wherever  he  desired  to  work.  Remaining 
in  St.  Louis  until  in  May,  1876,  he  came  to  Springfield  and  here  established 
his  permanent  home.  He  engaged  in  the  candy  manufacturing  business  with 
his  wife’s  brother,  E.  J.  Bourquenot.  They  were  successful  from  the  first, 
their  trade  increasing  with  advancing  years,  and  they  became  the  best  known 
and  most  extensive  candy  manufacturers  in  the  city  and  continued  in  this 
business  until  the  death  of  our  subject.  Everyone  knows  their  neat,  inviting 
and  pleasant  store  on  South  street,  and  it  is  still  maintained  by  Edmond  L., 
son  of  our  subject,  who  has  added  a bakery  and  does  a large  retail  business. 

Leon  Morice  was  married  while  living  in  St.  Louis,  January  6,  1876,  to 
Aurelia  Bourquenot,  who  was  born  in  Richmond,  Virginia,  January  1,  1851, 
and  is  a daughter  of  Xavier  and  Anna  (Weinman)  Bourquenot,  both  natives 
of  France,  the  father  born  on  June  17,  1815,  died  on  September  13,  1885; 
the  mother  was  born  on  February  28,  1819,  and  died  in  1908.  These  par- 
ents grew  up  in  their  native  land,  were  educated  and  married  there,  and 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1850,  landing  in  New  York  City  on  Sep- 
tember 13th  of  that  year,  but  they  went  direct  to  Richmond,  Virginia,  where 
they  established  their  home.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Morice  was  a machinist 
by  trade,  was  highly  skilled,  and  he  was  also  a locomotive  engineer.  His 
family  consisted  of  four  children,  three  of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing, 
namely:  Eugene,  Melanie,  Aurelia,  who  became  the  wife  of  Mr.  Morice  of 

this  memoir,  and  Victoria,  who  is  deceased.  Mrs.  Morice  received  a good 
common  school  education,  spending  her  girlhood  in  Richmond  and  St.  Louis. 
She  lives  in  her  pleasant  cottage  on  Dollison  street,  Springfield. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morice  four  children  were  born,  all  of  whom  survive, 
namely:  Edmond  L.,  born  on  January  21,  1879,  married  on  January  8, 

1902,  Ann  J.  O’Byrne,  a daughter  of  James  and  Margaret  (Llayse)  O’Byrne, 
and  he  is  managing  the  candy  store  formerly  owned  by  his  father,  which 
place  he  now  owns  and  is  running  same  successfully  and  up  to  his  former 
high  standard  of  excellence;  he  has  two  daughters,  Josephine,  born  on 
November  1,  1908,  and  Margaret  Aurelia,  born  on  July  19,  1908;  Eugenia, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1637 

born  April  4,  1881,  married  H.  T.  Ford,  and  they  live  in  Springfield;  Leonie, 
born  on  October  8,  1884,  is  single  and  living  at  home;  Adele,  born  on 
December  4,  1886,  married  William  O'Byrne,  and  they  also  live  in  this  city. 

Politically,  Mr.  Morice  was  a Democrat.  He  and  his  family  were 
reared  in  the  Catholic  faith  and  have  ever  been  faithful  to  the  same. 

The  death  of  Leon  Morice  occurred  on  July  11,  1905,  when  nearly 
sixty  years  of  age. 


JAMES  S.  WADDELL. 

The  fair  Sunflower  state  has  developed  into  one  of  the  greatest  in  the 
sisterhood  of  forty-eight  commonwealths  in  our  beloved  Union,  and  she  has 
produced  men  and  women  of  a rare  strength  of  mind  and  chraracter,  who 
have  taken  their  places  in  the  nation  along  with  the  best.  Pier  native  chil- 
dren find  so  fine  opportunities  within  her  own  border  that  they  seldom 
leave,  especially  to  come  east,  and  so  there  are  few  Kansasans  to  be  found 
in  Greene  county,  Missouri.  James  S.  Waddell,  a contractor  of  Spring- 
field,  is  one  of  these. 

Mr.  Waddell  was  born  in  Saline  county,  Kansas,  September  28,  1873. 
He  is  a son  of  James  and  Elcena  (Selmon)  Waddell.  The  father  was  born 
in  Des  Moines  county,  Iowa,  in  1813,  the  mother  was  born  near  Quincy, 
Illinois,  in  1836.  She  was  a second  cousin  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  These 
parents  grew  up  in  their  respective  communities,  received  limited  educa- 
tions and  when  young  each  removed  to  the  state  of  Kansas,  in  pioneer  days, 
and  there  met  and  married.  James  Waddell  was  a merchant  in  his  earlier 
days,  but  the  latter  part  of  his  life  was  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He 
maintained  the  first  store  that  was  ever  established  in  what  is  now  the 
thriving  city  of  Salma,  Kansas.  His  death  occurred  at  Lawrence,  that  state, 
in  the  year  1880.  His  widow  survived  thirty  years,  dying  July  6,  1910,  near 
Nashville,  Missouri.  The  only  child  born  to  these  parents  was  the  subject 
of  this  sketch. 

James  S.  Waddell  grew  to  manhood  in  Kansas  and  received  a some- 
what limited  education  in  the  schools  of  Ft.  Scott,  that  state.  Fie  followed 
farming  and  mining  until  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri  in  1900,  when 
he  went  to  work  in  the  repair  department  of  the  north  side  Frisco  shops, 
remaining  with  this  company  about  five  years.  Upon  leaving  the  shops  in 
1905  he  began  cement  contracting,  building  curbs,  sidewalks,  etc.,  which 
business  he  has  since  conducted  alone  and  in  an  eminently  satisfactory  and 
successful  manner,  enjoying  a wide  patronage,  and  promptness  and  honesty 
have  been  his  watchwords. 

Mr.  Waddell  was  married  February  23,  1897,  in  Taney  county,  Mis- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1638 

souri,  to  Grace  Wicks,  who  was  born  in  Kansas,  May  29,  1879.  She  is 
a daughter  of  John  K.  and  Maggie  (Waterbury)  Wicks,  both  natives  of 
the  state  of  New  York,  where  they  were  reared,  attended  school  and  were 
married  and  where  they  spent  their  earlier  lives,  finally  moving  west  and 
establishing  their  home  in  Taney  county,  Missouri. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waddell,  namely : Elsie, 
born  November  22,  1897;  Stella,  born  April  9,  1901;  John,  born  April  8, 
1904;  Frank,  born  October  12,  1911. 

Politically,  Mr.  Waddell  is  an  independent  voter,  preferring  to  cast 
his  ballot  for  the  men  whom  he  deems  the  most  capable  and  honorable  for 
public  positions,  rather  than  for  any  special  party,  and  is  a member  of 
the  American  Brotherhood  of  Cement  Workers  No.  181. 


WILLIAM  RULLKOETTER. 

On  June  26,  1864,  William  Rullkoetter  was  born  in  Oberbauerschaft, 
Westfalen,  Germany.  Before  the  boynvas  five  years  of  age  the  mother  had 
died  and  because  the  father  had  been  drafted  and  served  through  two  cam- 
paigns, the  Austrian  and  Franco-German  war,  he  grew  up  in  the  home  of 
his  mother’s  people.  From  six  to  fourteen  he  attended  the  village  school 
and  stood  for  three  years  at  the  head  of  the  school.  Because  of  this  record, 
he  was  urged  to  complete  his  education  at  the  expense  of  the  community. 
Preferring  to  depend  on  his  two  strong  arms,  this  offer  was  refused  and 
plans  were  made  to  enter  the  army  as  a volunteer  and  there  to  continue  his 
education.  However,  in  1881,  the  immigration  fever  impelled  him  to  come 
to  America,  “the  land  of  promise,”  instead  of  joining  the  army.  After 
working  in  Ohio  and  Nebraska  for  five  years,  at  from  twelve  to  eighteen 
dollars  per  month  and  saving  nine  hundred  dollars,  he  decided  to  enter  the 
Academy  of  Hastings  College,  Nebraska.  Of  this  he  says:  “Since  I had 

not  been  inside  of  a school  house  for  eight  years  and  never  inside  of  an 
English  school,  it  was  a struggle  in  the  dark,  but  gradually  there  came 
intermittent  rays  of  light  and  finally  daybreak.”  Of  the  class  of  forty  who 
entered  the  Academy  with  him,  he  alone  entered  the  college  and  in  the 
junior  college  year  took  the  prize  for  English.  Entering  the  University  of 
Chicago  in  the  fall  of  1892,  he  was  graduated  with  the  first  class  in  1893. 
Having  received  a fellowship  in  history  for  two  consecutive  years,  he  did 
post-graduate  work  until  the  fall  of  1896,  when  he  was  called  to  the  chair 
of  history  in  Drury  College,  which  position  he  has  held  continuously  until 
the  failure  of  his  health  in  1912. 

By  work  during  the  summer  quarters,  Mr.  Rullkoetter  received  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1639 

reward  of  his  ambition,  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy,  in  1899,  and 
in  the  next  year  his  thesis  on  “The  Position  of  Woman  Among  the  Early 
Germans”  was  published  and  has  become  an  authoritative  work  on  this  in- 
teresting phase  of  German  history. 

The  influence  of  Doctor  Rullkoetter  as  a teacher  is  best  told  in  the 
words  of  a former  pupil,  when  he  said,  “Doctor  Rullkoetter,  or  Doctor  Billy, 
as  he  is  affectionately  called,  in  a remarkable  way  took  hold  upon  those 
whom  he  instructed,  and  influenced  their  lives  mightily.  His  great  motives 
were  contagious  and  his  fine  philosophy  of  life  became  the  dominant  note  in 
the  lives  of  his  students.”  A prominent  business  man  said  a short  time  ago, 
“I  had  the  good  fortune  to  have  some  great  teachers  in  college  and  univer- 
sity, but  somehow,  what  Doctor  Billy  said  stays  with  me.  He  gave  me  a 
method  of  thinking.  Pie  enabled  me  to  see  myself  in  vital  and  significant 
relationships  which,  while  they  seem  to  remove  the  emphasis  from  the  indi- 
vidual, they  nevertheless,  by  the  very  fact  of  socializing  him,  make  him 
vastly  more  important.  I find  myself  thinking  his  thoughts  and  gauging 
my  theories  and  my  conduct  by  his  philosophy.” 

While  at  the  University  of  Chicago,  Doctor  Rullkoetter  was  an  earnest 
student  and  an  ardent  admirer  of  the  great  historian,  Von  Holst.  Follow- 
ing his  own  inclinations  and  under  this  inspiration,  his  mind  naturally 
turned  to  the  great  social,  political  and  moral  problems  of  the  day  the  light 
which  an  exhaustive  knowledge  of  history  and  economics  throws  upon  them. 
In  his  capacity  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  thought  in  municipal  affairs,  he  was 
persistent  and  unyielding  in  his  opposition  to  petty  politics  and  corporate 
greed. 

Quoting  again  from  the  writing  of  Mr.  S.  J.  Vaughn : “Many  years 

ago,”  I heard  him  say  repeatedly,  ‘The  next  quarter  of  a century  must  face 
and  solve  the  problem  of  industrialism.  The  forces  of  education  and  society 
must  take  cognizance  of  the  conditions,  problems  and  hideous  wrongs  which 
the  growth  of  monopolized  industry  has  forced  upon  the  helpless  and  depen- 
dent. It  will  probably  be  settled  by  those  forces  bringing  about  an  orderly, 
readjusting  evolution;  if  not  in  this  manner,  then  by  a blood-letting 
revolution.’  ” 

Continuing,  Mr.  Vaughn  states,  “Doctor  Rullkoetter  was  the  first  man 
I ever  heard  use  the  term  ‘social  consciousness.’  His  was  the  first  influence 
on  me  personally,  looking  toward  education  for  efficiency,  freedom  and  hap- 
piness of  those  who  must  toil  with  their  hands.  His  words  rang  in  our 
ears,  ‘It  must  come,  and  it  is  the  business  of  the  men  and  women  of  the 
next  quarter  of  a century  to  bring  it  about.’  In  the  light  of  what  has  taken 
place  along  these  lines  in  recent  years,  these  words  seem  almost  prophetic. 
In  the  matter  of  social  consciousness,  he  has  lived  and  still  lives  far  in 
advance  of  his  day.” 


1640 


GREENE  COUNTY^  MISSOURI. 


His  literary  work  has  been  continued  in  an  outline  of  history,  especially 
a medieval  and  in  an  interpretation  of  some  of  the  German  masterpieces. 
Commenting  on  these  interpretations,  one  of  his  former  colleagues  on  the 
Drury  faculty  writes:  “I  shall  be  most  happy  to  tell  others  of  these  fresh 

and  keen  sighted  ‘interpretations.’  I want  all  my  friends  to  know  Doctor 
Rullkoetter  and  in  this  way  they  may.”  A prominent  alumnae  says: 
“Doctor  Rullkoetter’s  own  honesty  and  breadth  of  view  and  bravery  have 
enabled  him  to  give  a rarely  sympathetic  interpretation  of  Faust.  The  gen- 
eral favorite  of  the  three  interpretations,  however,  has  been  the  ‘New  Inter- 
pretation of  Wilhelm  Tell.’  All  of  us  feel  very  strongly  the  originality  and 
truth  of  such  an  interpretation.” 

Any  sketch  of  the  life  of  Professor  Rullkoetter  would  be  incomplete 
without  mention  of  his  ten  years  of  service  in  the  summer  school,  both  at 
Drury  and  for  five  years  at  the  Normal.  That  the  memory  and  influence 
of  his  chapel  talks  during  the  three  years  he  was  director  of  the  Drury  Sum- 
mer School  still  linger  in  the  minds  and  hearts  of  the  teachers  of  the 
Southwest. 

Schiller  asserts : “ A good  man  thinks  of  himself  only  at  last.”  Doc- 

tor Rullkoetter  thought  of  his  home,  his  children,  his  students  and  if  he 
thought  of  himself  at  all,  it  was  only  at  last. 


WILLIAM  CLINTON  FARMER. 

One  of  the  successful  business  men  of  Springfield,  who  has  mounted 
the  industrial  ladder  unaided  is  William  Clinton  Farmer,  organizer  and 
manager  of  the  Electric  Bottling  Company.  He  has  been  a close  observer 
of  modern  methods  and  is  a student  at  all  times  of  life  as  we  of  the  twenti- 
eth century  live  it,  and  is  therefore  a broad-minded  man  of  affairs,  who  is 
no  doubt  destined  to  still  greater  accomplishments  in  the  future. 

Mr.  Farmer  was  born  in  Milford,  Illinois,  January  11,  1866.  He  is  a 
son  of  William  Wallace  Farmer  and  Melissa  (Willis)  Farmer.  The  father 
was  born  on  a farm  near  Attica,  Indiana,  in  1843,  and  was  a son  pioneer 
parents  of  that  place,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  worked  on  the 
home  farm,  and  received  a country  school  education.  Leaving  the  home- 
stead when  he  became  of  age  he  went  to  Milford,  Illinois,  where  he  engaged 
in  the  grocery  business,  married  and  remained  there  until  1879  when  he 
removed  with  his  family  to  Emporia,  Kansas,  and  engaged  in  the  live  stock 
business,  handling  imported  horses,  for  the  most  part,  the  first  ever  sold  in 
Lyon  county.  He  remained  there  until  1886  when  he  located  in  Osceola, 
St.  Clair  county,  Missouri,  where  he  engaged  in  the  livery  and  transfer  busi- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 64 1' 


ness  until  his  death  in  November,  1908.  Politically  he  was  a Democrat, 
and  fraternally  was  a Mason.  Melissa  Willis,  mother  of  our  subject,  was  a 
native  of  Ohio,  married  Air.  Farmer  in  1865,  and  her  death  occurred  in  1909. 

William  C.  Farmer  received  a good  education  in  the  schools  of  Mil- 
ford, Illinois,  and  Emporia,  Kansas.  He  studied  pharmacy  and  went  in 
the  drug  business  in  Collins,  St.  Clair  county,  Missouri,  in  1887,  continu- 
ing the  same  successfully  for  a period  of  twelve  years,  then  went  to  Osceola 
as  agent  for  the  Pabst  Brewing  Company,  of  Milwaukee,  where  he  remained 
until  1905  when  he  came  to  Springfield  as  distributor  for  that  company, 
continuing  with  the  same  until  1907,  giving  the  firm  eminent  satisfaction 
in  every  respect,  Desiring  to  go  into  business  for  himself  he  organized  the 
Electric  Bottling  Company  in  1907,  which  has  proven  to  be  one  of  the 
leading  concerns  of  its  kind  in  southern  Missouri,  and  he  is  now  owner  and 
manager  of  the  same.  It  is  located  at  545  West  Phelps  avenue,  but  was 
first  started  at  the  same  number  on  South  Campbell  street.  It  was  success- 
ful from  the  first,  under  Mr.  Farmer’s  able  management  and  has  rapidly 
grown  in  volume  and  importance  with  increasing  years  until  its  products  are 
now  finding  a ready  market  over  a wide  territory,  and  are  regarded  as  of 
a superior  quality.  A variety  of  popular  carbonated  beverages  is  manufac- 
tured here.  About  four  hundred  cases  a week  were  manufactured  at  first, 
but  this  output  has  increased  to  three  thousand  bottles  daily,  the  present 
output.  The  plant  was  retained  at  its  first  location  for  four  years,  then 
moved  to  its  present  convenient  location,  a substantial  one-story  brick 
building  with  nine  thousand  feet  of  floor  space,  with  a capacity  of  two  car 
loads  per  day.  The  plant  is  equipped  with  every  modern  device  for  the 
rapid  manufacture  of  high-grade  stuff,  and  fifteen  competent  assistants  are 
constantly  employed.  A sterilizing  and  washing  machine  has  just  been 
installed  at  a cost  of  over  six  thousand  dollars.  Everything  about  the  place 
is  kept  in  ship  shape,  is  thoroughly  sanitary  and  managed  under  a superb 
system.  The  principal  products  of  this  well-known  plant  are  coco-cola, 
Farmer's  root  beer,  ginger  ale  and  sodas  of  such  flavors  as  orange,  lemon, 
cherry,  cream,  grape,  strawberry,  lemon  and  lemon  sour.  A specialty  is 
made  of  Polar  distilled  water,  one  hundred  per  cent  pure,  having  a capacity 
on  this  product  of  seven  hundred  gallons  daily,  and  a very  large  sale  is  made 
from  this  department  alone.  Pabst  “Blue  Ribbon”  beer  is  also  handled. 

Mr.  Farmer  was  married  in  July,  1888,  to  Myrtle  Pritchard,  of  Wau- 
bleau,  Missouri.  She  was  born  in  1868,  and  she  received  her  education  at 
the  Christian  College  of  that  place.  She  is  a daughter  of  J.  E.  and  Eliza- 
beth (Orr)  Pritchard.  Her  father  devoted  his  active  life  as  millwright. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Farmer  four  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Wal- 

lace E.,  born  on  April  23,  1889,  is  assisting  his  father  in  the  bottling  works; 
William  C.,  Jr.,  born  in  1891,  is  engaged  in  business  with  his  father;  Pau- 


1642 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


line  (Mrs.  Hykraft,  Jr.,  of  Nevada,  Missouri)  was  born  in  1893;  and  Vesta, 
born  in  1895. 

Politically,  Mr.  Farmer  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose. 


HIRAM  W.  DIGGINS. 

Hiram  W.  Dig-gins  was  a resident  of  Springfield  for  nearly  thirty-five 
years  and  one  of  the  best  known  railroad  men  in  the  West.  He  was  born 
at  La  Porte,  Indiana,  April  30,  1837,  a son  of  Nelson  and  Katie  M.  Dig- 
gins.  His  father’s  people  were  from  the  state  of  New  York  and  his  mother’s 
people  from  the  state  of  Pennsylvania.  When  he  was  two  years  old  his 
people  moved  to  a farm  near  Woodstock,  Illinois,  and  Mr.  Diggins  grew 
to  manhood  in  that  section  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Wood- 
stock,  Illinois.  He  first  began  clerking  in  a general  merchandise  store,  but 
in  1857  commenced  railroad  work  as  freight  brakeman  on  the  Chicago  & 
Northwestern  railroad.  He  was  promoted  successively  to  freight  conductor 
and  passenger  conductor  and  in  1867  he  quit  railroading  and  for  one  year 
was  joint  proprietor  of  the  Beaumont  hotel  at  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin.  In 
1869  he  disposed  of  his  hotel  interest  in  Green  Bay  and  came  to  Kansas 
City  and  was  made  a freight  conductor  on  the  Missouri  River,  Fort  Scott 
& Gulf  Railroad  (later,  Kansas  City,  Fort  Scott  & Memphis  railroad  and 
now  a part  of  the  Frisco  system).  In  1871  he  went  to  Ottawa,  Kansas,  as 
trainmaster  of  the  Leavenworth,  Lawrence  & Galveston  railroad  (now 
Southern  Kansas  branch  of  the  Santa  Fe).  In  the  latter  part  of  1873 
accompanied  Octave  Chanute  to  the  Erie  system  and  was  made  superin- 
tendent of  second  track  work.  He  returned  to  Kansas  City  in  the  latter 
part  of  1874  and  shortly  afterward  took  charge  of  construction  train  on 
Kansas-Midland  railroad,  building  from  Topeka  to  Kansas  City.  After 
completion  of  this  system  it  was  absorbed  by  the  Santa  Fe  and  Mr.  Dig- 
gins was  a passenger  conductor  on  Santa  Fe  system  from  Kansas  City 
west  for  a number  of  years.  In  1879  he  came  to  Springfield  as  superin- 
tendent of  the  Springfield  & Western  Missouri  railroad,  a short  line  which 
had  just  been  purchased  by  the  Kansas  City,  Fort  Scott  & Gulf.  Mr.  Dig- 
gins was  the  superintendent  in  charge  of  construction  of  the  Kansas  City, 
Fort  Scott  & Gulf  railroad  and  Kansas  City,  Springfield  & Memphis  rail- 
road, joint  systems  in  their  extensions  toward  Kansas  City  and  toward 
Memphis  and  he  remained  with  the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  and  Memphis 
railroad  as  superintendent  at  Springfield  from  1879  until  1895, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1643 

which  time  he  retired  from  railroading  and  engaged  in  the  fire  insurance 
business  with  his  son,  A.  B.  Diggins. 

Mr.  Diggins  was  married  on  November  12,  1861,  to  Emily  Keeler,  who 
was  born  in  Salisburg,  Vermont,  July  28,  1836,  a daughter  of  Leavens  C. 
and  Emily  Norton  Keeler.  Mrs.  Diggins'  girlhood  days  were  spent  in  Ver- 
mont, but  she  had  reached  young  womanhood  when  her  parents  moved  to 
Palatine,  Illinois. 

Two  children  were  born  to  Hiram  W.  and  Emily  K.  Diggins,  namely, 
Charles  K.,  September  30,  1862,  who  died  in  March,  1865,  and  Archibald 
B.,  born  on  November  19,  1865.  Archibald  B.  married  Delle  Bosworth,  of 
Brunswick,  Missouri,  in  1886.  Two  children  were  born  to  this  union, 
namely,  Doris  D.  and  Emily  D. 

Hiram  W.  Diggins  was  a loyal  Mason,  a Knight  Templar,  being  a 
Past  Eminent  Commander,  and  was  a loyal  member  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
Although  a life-long  Democrat,  he  was  liberal  in  politics  and  was  a man 
loved  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him  and  a man  who  never  spoke  ill 
of  any  one,  and  was  stanch  and  loyal  to  his  friends. 

The  death  of  Hiram  W.  Diggins  occurred  on  December  10,  1910. 


WILLIAM  B.  CLOUD. 

It  was  Oliver  Wendell  Llolmes  who  said  that  the  human  race  is  divided 
into  two  classes — those  that  go  ahead  and  do  something  and  those  who 
sit  and  inquire,  “Why  wasn’t  it  done  the  other  way.”  A review  of  the 
history  of  the  Cloud  family  of  Greene  county  shows  clearly  that  they  have 
ever  been  of  the  former  class,  and  therefore  have  not  only  attained  a large 
measure  of  material  success,  but  have  contributed  in  no  uncertain  degree 
to  the  general  development  of  the  community  which  has  been  honored  by 
their  residence  for  three-quarters  of  a century.  AVhen  they  cast  their  lot 
in  Clay  township  they  found  a wild,  sparsely  settled  community,  and  they 
endured  the  usual  privations  of  pioneers,  but  being  possessed  of  those  quali- 
ties which  turn  adversity  into  success,  they  bore  with  brave  hearts  the  vicissi- 
tudes of  the  early  days  and  in  due  course  of  time  became  well  established 
and  at  the  same  time  did  much  toward  the  progress  of  that  section  of  the 
county,  which  owes  much  to  them.  A creditable  representative  of  this  old 
family  is  William  B.  Cloud,  who  for  the  past  eight  years  has  filled  the 
responsible  position  of  clerk  of  the  Greene  County  Court,  being  still  incum- 
bent of  the  office.  Up  to  that  time  he  had  devoted  himself  to  general  agri- 
cultural pursuits  with  ever  increasing  success,  ranking  among  the  best  farm- 
ers of  his  native  vicinity. 


1^44 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mr.  Cloud  was  born  in  section  25,  Clay  township,  this  county,  October 
10,  1862.  He  is  a son  of  Calvin  1V1.  and  Elizabeth  (Kirshner)  Cloud.  The 
father  was  a native  of  Granger  county,  Tennessee,  and  the  mother  was 
born  m Hawkins  county,  that  state.  There  they  spent  their  childhood,  were 
educated  in  the  old-time  subscription  schools,  and  were  married  in  Greene 
county,  Missouri.  Leaving  their  native  state  in  1838,  they  traversed  the 
rough  roads  westward  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  located  in  Clay 
township,  entered  land  from  the  government,  which  they  improved  through 
close  application  and  hard  toil,  and  here  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  the 
death  of  the  father  occurring  in  1887  at  the  age  of  sixty-live  years,  the 
mother  surviving  until  January  10,  1895,  attaining  about  the  same  age  as 
did  her  husband.  Calvin  M.  Cloud  was  a prominent  man  in  his  township. 
For  many  years  he  served  the  people  as  justice  of  the  peace,  and  was  also 
clerk  of  the  school  district  for  some  time.  Politically  he  was  a Republican. 
His  father  also  entered  a farm  from  the  government  in  Clay  township,  but 
joined  the  great  caravan  of  gold  seekers  across  the  great  plains  of  the  West 
to  California  in  1849,  an<^  there  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  Our  subject’s 
maternal  grandparents  also  immigrated  to  Greene  county  in  the  early  period 
of  her  history,  locating  in  the  east  part  of  Campbell  township,  on  the  James 
river  and  Pierson  creek,  and  there  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives. 

Calvin  M.  Cloud  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  seven  of 
whom  are  still  living,  namely:  Mrs.  L.  F.  Wills  of  Norwich,  Kansas;  John 
James  died  at  Winfield,  Kansas,  in  November,  1913;  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Wills, 

of  Milton,  Kansas;  Mrs.  Martha  M.  Gault  is  deceased;  Mrs.  Lucy  A. 

Wrightsman,  of  Springfield,  Missouri ; Thomas  H.  lives  in  Winfield,  Kan- 
sas; Mrs.  Sarah  R.  Kinser  is  deceased;  William  B.,  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Mrs.  Harriet  E.  Chapman,  of  Ozark,  Missouri  ; Edward  C.  lives  near  Grand- 
held,  Oklahoma. 

William  B.  Cloud  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  he  received 
his  education  in  the  rural  schools  of  Clay  township,  and  later  took  a busi- 
ness course.  He  remained  on  the  home  farm,  of  which  he  owns  eighty 
acres,  which  he  has  kept  well  improved  and  under  a high  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, and  the  buildings  well  repaired.  He  remained  on  the  farm  until  he 
was  elected  clerk  of  the  county  court  eight  years  ago,  taking  office  on 
January  1,  1907.  He  now  resides  in  Springfield.  He  has  filled  the  office 

of  clerk  in  an  able  and  satisfactory  manner,  being  painstaking,  obliging  and 

courteous  to  the  public,  and  is  popular  with  all  who  have  occasion  to  visit 
the  office  or  having  dealings  with  the  court. 

Mr.  Cloud  married,  in  1886,  Mary  V.  Patterson,  who  was  born,  reared 
and  educated  in  Clay  township,  Greene  county.  She  is  a daughter  of  Will- 
iam Patterson,  a well-known  contractor  and  farmer  who  came  here  from 
Tennessee  and  established  the  family  home  in  Clay  township  many  years 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1645 

ago.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cloud,  namely:  James 
R.,  now  deputy  clerk  under  his  father,  married  Mida  Ewing,  of  Ozark, 
Missouri,  and  they  have  two  children,  Velma  Gene  and  Bernice  Burton; 
Roxie  Inez,  the  second  child  of  our  subject,  is  also  one  of  his  deputies  in 
the  county  clerk’s  office.  She  married  Harry  T.  Brundidge,  Jr.,  of  Kansas 
City,  where  he  was  a prominent  newspaper  reporter. 

Politically,  Mr.  Cloud  is  a Republican.  He  is  prominent  in  fraternal 
circles,  holding  membership  with  the  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Honor,  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Improved 
Order  of  Red  Men,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Loyal 
Order  of  Moose.  He  attends  the  Methodist  church,  but  Mrs.  Cloud  affili- 
ates with  the  Baptists. 


CHARLES  CROWDUS. 

That  the  dairy  cow  can  be  the  means  through  which  agriculture  can 
be  put  on  a permanent  and  profitable  basis  is  clearly  shown  by  the  history 
of  Denmark.  Forty  years  ago  that  country  was  on  the  verge  of  bankruptcy. 
The  land  had  been  run  down  through  years  of  continuous  grain  farming. 
The  people  were  poor  and  dissatisfied  and  were  leaving  the  country  for 
America  as  fast  as  they  could  get  the  money  for  their  passage.  A few  of 
the  far-sighted  men  of  the  country  saw  a possible  solution  of  their  national 
problem  in  the  dairy  cow.  Dairying  was  introduced  into  Denmark,  and 
now  the  little  nation  once  poverty-stricken  is  pointed  out  as  an  example  of 
what  can  be  done  when  the  proper  system  of  farming  is  followed.  The 
country  is  prosperous.  The  production  of  the  soil  has  been  increased  to 
more  than  double  what  it  was  forty  years  ago.  People  no  longer  have  a 
desire  to  leave,  and,  as  a whole,  they  are  considered  among  the  best  edu- 
cated and  intelligent  of  the  world.  The  country  exports  annually  over  seven 
million  dollars’  worth  of  dairy  products,  to  say  nothing  of  the  enormous 
amount  consumed  within  its  borders,  and  all  from  an  area  much  less  than 
one-fourth  of  Missouri.  No  country  in  the  world  is  better  adapted  for 
dairying  than  the  Ozark  region,  and  yet  it  is  surprising  how  few  have 
become  aware  of  this  fact.  Flere  is  a fine  rolling  country,  a good  black 
limestone  soil,  an  abundance  of  pure  spring  water,  a long  growing  season 
and  the  center  of  an  unlimited  market.  Among  the  Greene  county  men 
who  have  had  the  sagacity  to  see  this  opportunity  and  take  advantage  of 
the  same  is  Charles  Crowdus,  proprietor  of  the  Crowdus  Sanitary  Dairy 
and  Poultry  Ranch  in  Campbell  township,  in  the  outskirts  of  Springfield, 
in  which  city  he  has  long  been  well  known,  having  for  years  been  connected 
with  the  Heer  Dry  Goods  store  prior  to  taking  up  his  present  line  of 
endeavor. 


1646 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mr.  Crowdus  was  born  at  Weatherford,  Texas,  April  5,  1878.  He  is 
a son  of  William  B.  and  Mary  (Heer)  Crowdus,  the  latter  a daughter  of 
C.  H.  Heer,  of  Illinois.  He  was  a native  of  Hanover,  Germany.  William 
B.  Crowdus  was  born  in  Kentucky,  from  which  state  he  came  to  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  when  a young  man,  and  for  a number  of  years  engaged  in 
the  grocery  business  on  the  public  square  and  South  street.  This  was  in 
1873,  forty-two  years  ago.  In  1877  he  went  to  Weatherford,  Texas,  and 
there  his  death  occurred  in  1879,  when  his  son,  Charles  Crowdus  was  only  a 
year  old;  his  only  other  child,  a daughter,  died  in  infancy  unnamed.  Will- 
iam B.  was  a brother  of  J.  C.,  J.  B.  and  R.  L.  Crowdus  of  the  Crowdus 
Hide  & Wool  Company,  a widely  known  concern,  engaging  in  business  at 
Fort  Worth,  Texas,  Oklahoma  City,  and  St.  Louis. - 

Charles  Crowdus  was  brought  back  to  Springfield  by  his  mother  soon 
after  his  father’s  death,  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood  and  was  educated  in 
the  parish  schools,  later  attending  Christian  Brothers  College  at  St.  Joseph, 
and  Jesuits  College  at  St.  Mary's,  Kansas,  also  studied  at  Notre  Dame 
University,  South  Bend,  Indiana.  Applying  himself  assiduously  he  took 
advantage  of  this  excellent  opportunity  for  education  and  became  well 
equipped  for  life’s  serious  duties.  After  leaving  school  he  was  with  the 
Heer  Dry  Goods  store  in  Springfield  for  a period  of  about  ten  years,  where 
he  did  much  to  make  the  business  a success  during  that  period.  Finally 
tiring  of  the  exactions  of  this  line  of  endeavor  he  moved  just  south  of  the 
city  limits  and  turned  his  attention  to  dairying  and  poultry  raising  and  has 
made  a pronounced  success  in  both.  He  runs  a retail  route  and  has  built 
up  a good  business  in  this  city,  finding  ready  sales  for  all  his  products.  He 
is  well  equipped  in  every  respect  for  the  dairy  business,  having  a modernly 
appointed  dairy  barn,  convenient,  up-to-date  and  sanitary  in  every  respect, 
and  he  keeps  a superior  grade  of  cows.  He  makes  a specialty  of  raising 
White  Wyandotte  poultry  and  has  built  up  a good  demand  for  his  fowls  and 
eggs.  He  keeps  well  posted  on  all  phases  of  the  dairy  and  poultry  business 
and  gives  his  close  attention  to  each  line.  He  has  a cosy  home  on  South 
Jefferson  street. 

Mr.  Crowdus  was  married  on  October  2,  1909,  to  Mary  Ethelyn  Taw- 
ing, a daughter  of  R.  J.  Lawing  and  wife,  an  influential  family  of  Ozark, 
Christian  county,  this  state.  Mr.  Lawing  is  a farmer  in  that  vicinity  and 
was  for  a number  of  years  postmaster  at  Ozark.  His  wife  was  known  in 
her  maidenhood  as  Mary  Clark,  and  to  their  marriage  eight  children  were 
born,  all  of  whom  survive  at  this  writing.  Mrs.  Crowdus  grew  to  woman- 
hood in  the  vicinity  of  Ozark  and  received  a good  education  in  the  local 
schools. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1647 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crowdus  two  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
William  Robert,  born  on  June  10,  1912,  and  John  Paul,  born  on  June  1,  1914. 

Politically,  our  subject  is  a Democrat,  and  he  is  a member  of  St. 
Agnes  Catholic  church  of  Springfield. 


ANDREW  W.  MacELVENY. 

Inheriting  many  of  the  commendable  attributes  of  his  sterling  Scotch 
ancestors,  Andrew  W.  MacElveny  has  forged  to  the  front  in  the  railroad 
service  by  his  individual  efforts,  alone  and  unaided,  while  yet  a young  man. 
He  has  had  a vast  experience  in  remote  sections  of  the  United  States,  where 
he  has  preferred  to  reside,  although  born  and  reared  under  the  British  flag, 
beyond  our  northern  border  in  the  land  of  the  “mother  of  snows.”  We 
have  always  welcomed  such  men  as  he,  no  matter  from  what  clime  they 
may  hail,  for  he  combines  the  essential  elements  that  make  a good  citizen. 

Mr.  MacElveny,  who  at  present  is  chief  clerk  in  the  general  manager’s 
office  of  the  Frisco  lines  in  Springfield,  was  born  May  5,  1882,  at  Fred- 
ericton, New  Brunswick,  Canada.  Pie  is  a son  of  Robert  MacElveny,  who 
was  born  in  Scotland,  from  which  country  he  immigrated  to  America  with 
his  parents  when  a young  man,  the  family  locating  in  the  Province  of  New 
Brunswick.  Early  in  life  he  began  railroading,  eventually  becoming  master 
mechanic  for  the  Inter-Colonial  Railway  Companjr  in  New  Brunswick, 
remaining  there  until  in  the  eighties,  when  he  removed  with  his  family  to 
Winnipeg,  Province  of  Manitoba,  where  he  established  his  permanent  home 
and  where  he  still  resides. 

Andrew  W.  MacElveny  attended  St.  John’s  College,  after  passinig 
through  the  common  schools  and  graduating  from  high  school.  Later  he 
went  to  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  as  office  boy  in  the  general  offices  of  the  North- 
ern Pacific  Railroad  Company,  where  he  remained  several  years,  having' 
been  first  promoted  to  clerk,  then  stenographer.  The  company  transferred 
him  to  Tacoma,  Washington,  where  he  spent  a year  and  a half,  then  returned 
to  St.  Paul  for  the  same  road  and  worked  in  the  engineer's  office.  From 
there  he  went  to  Galveston,  Texas,  and  worked  for  the  Topeka,  Atchison 
& Santa  Fe  Railroad,  under  E.  D.  Levy,  who  was  chief  clerk  there  for 
a period  of  four  years.  He  became  chief  clerk  under  Mr.  Levy,  represent- 
ing him  in  Texas,  and  was  for  a time  traveling  agent.  He  was  station 
agent  for  the  Santa  Fe  at  Rogers,  Texas,  for  a while.  He  was  traveling- 
agent  for  the  Frisco  lines  for  six  months,  and  he  came  to  Springfield  in 
1908  as  stenographer  for  Mr.  Levy,  and  later  he  was  promoted  to  chief 
clerk  of  several  different  departments  in  the  Frisco  offices.  In  1911  our 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


[648 

subject  was  promoted  to  assistant  superintendent  of  freight  loss  and  dam- 
age claims;  in  March,  1914,  he  was  appointed  chief  clerk  for  Mr.  Levy,  who 
is  general  manager  of  the  Frisco  lines,  and  this  position  he  still  holds. 

Mr.  MacElveny  was  married  on  December  28,  1908,  to  Lillian  Wilcox, 
of  Temple,  Texas,  a daughter  of  Capt.  George  E.  and  Annie  Wilcox.  This 
union  has  resulted  in  the  birth  of  two  children,  namely:  Walter  E.  and  Kath- 
eryn  Elizabeth. 

Politically,  Mr.  MacElveny  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 
the  Masonic  Order,  including  St.  Vincent  Chapter  and  Solomon  Lodge. 


THE  FREEMAN  FAMILY. 

One  of  the  oldest,  best  known  and  honored  families  of  Greene  county 
is  the  Freemans,  the  first  member  of  which,  a Revolutionary  soldier,  braved 
the  wilds  of  this  locality  nearly  a century  ago  and  from  that  day  to  the  present 
time  his  descendants  have  played  well  their  parts  in  the  local  drama  of 
civilization  and  the  family  history  is  well  worth  perpetuation  on  the  pages 
• of  a volume  of  the  nature  of  the  one  in  hand.  This  family  has  not  only 
been  noted  for  their  unflagging  industry  and  success  in  material  things,  but 
also  good  citizens,  always  ready  to  support  such  measures  as  had  for  their 
•object  the  general  good  of  the  community  and  county,  and  too,  they  have 
looked  well  to  their  personal  reputations. 

One  of  the  best  known  members  of  this  family  of  the  present  genera- 
tion is  Rederick  Flavius  Freeman,  who  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, October  3,  1852.  He  is  a son  of  William  B.  and  Eliza  E.  (Snow) 
Freeman.  The  former  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  August  7,  1825.  He 
came  to  Missouri  in  early  life  and  spent  the  rest  of  his  days  in  Greene 
•county,  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  was  married  on  August 
11,  1851.  Fie  was  engaged  in  buying  cattle  for  the  government  during  the 
Civil  war,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  September  11,  1862.  His  wife  wras  born 
■on  April  13,  1834;  she  survived  him  nearly  forty-seven  years,  dying  on 
March  17,  1909. 

To  William  B.  Freeman  and  wife  the  following'  children  were  born: 
Rederick  F.,  mentioned  in  the  preceding  paragraph,  being  the  eldest;  Sam- 
uel S.,  born  on  August  16,  1854;  Mrs.  Mollie  L.  Edmondson,  born  on  Decem- 
ber 4,  1856;  Gabriel  B.,  born  on  September  23,  1858;  William  W.,  born  on 
November  6,  1861,  died  July  3,  1899;  Ona  A.,  born  on  May  9,  1859,  died 
on  July  6,  i860. 

The  father  of  William  B.  Freeman  was  John  Freeman,  who  was  a son 
•of  Will  iam  Freeman.  The  latter  was  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war, 


FREEMAN  AND  FAMILY. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1649 

having  enlisted  as  a private  in  1776,  from  North  Carolina,  under  Capt. 
Andrew  Oliver  and  Colonel  Hogan.  After  his  first  term  of  enlistment  of 
three  months  had  expired  he  re-enlisted  on  July  20,  1878,  for  nine  months, 
as  a private  under  Captain  Childs  and  Colonel  Hart  in  the  Tenth  North 
Carolina  Regiment.  In  1781  he  enlisted  a third  time,  for  three  months,  as 
a private  under  Captain  Taylor  and  Colonel  Eaton.  He  saw  considerable 
hard  service  and  fought  gallantly  for  his  country  in  such  engagements  as 
Guilford  and  Camden.  At  the  time  of  his  enlistment  he  resided  in  Bertie 
county,  North  Carolina.  He  applied  for  a pension  on  July  23,  1832,  and 
his  claim  was  allowed.  At  that  time  he  lived  in  Burke  county,  North  Caro- 
lina. His  birth  occurred  in  the  former  county,  October  26,  1759.  He  spent 
the  major  portion  of  his  life  in  the  old  Tar  state,  engaged  in  farming,  but 
in  his  old  age  he  sought  a newer  country  and  made  the  long  overland 
journey  with  his  family  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  where  he  spent  the 
rest  of  his  days,  dying  here  on  January  27,  1838,  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine 
years.  He  was  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Springfield  and  the  gov- 
ernment placed  an  appropriate  monument  at  his  grave  where  lies  the  only 
Revolutionary  soldier  in  that  cemetery. 

William  Freeman,  mentioned  above,  married  Mary  Bryan  in  1786. 
She  was  a daughter  of  Robert  Bryan.  Her  death  occurred  on  November  5, 
1845.  The  record  shows  that  their  children  were,  in  1850,  Rederick,  fifty- 
six  years  old;  Larry  was  fifty-two  years  old;  Lemuel  H.  was  forty-nine 
years  old;  Elizabeth  and  James,  twins,  were  forty-seven  years  old,  the 
former  being  the  wife  of  Israel  Smith. 

Returning  to  the  career  of  Rederick  Flavius  Freeman:  He  grew  to 

manhood  o*n  the  home  farm  and  assisted  with  the  general  work  there  when 
a boy.  His  educational  advantages  were  somewhat  limited.  His  business 
experience  in  life  has  been  his  best  teacher,  and  has  given  him  a broad  com- 
prehension of  men  and  things  and  self-reliance.  He  is  a well-read  man, 
posted  on  current  matters,  and  he  has  succeeded  in  his  life  work.  He  is  a 
general  farmer  and  an  extensive  buyer  and  shipper  of  live  stock.  He  has 
always  lived  in  Greene  county  and  has  kept  actively  engaged  at  his  chosen 
vocations.  He  is  a stanch  Democrat  of  the  old  school ; he  thoroughly  believes 
in  the  principles  of  his  party,  is  an  ardent  worker  for  the  cause  of  Democracy, 
but  has  had  no  time  for  political  favors  himself,  yet  he  is  always  on  deck 
at  the  needed  time  to  assist  his  friends  and  his  party. 

Rederick  Flavius  Freeman  was  married  on  January  20,  1876,  to  Mar- 
tha Ann  Cooper.  Mrs.  Freeman  was  born  on  May  9,  1856,  in  Greene 
county,  Missouri.  She  is  a daughter  of  George  W.  and  Zerelda  E.  (Goodin) 
Cooper,  the  father  born  on  February  20,  1814,  and  died  on  November  12, 
1881 ; the  mother  was  born  on  December  29,  1820,  and  died  on  December 
(104) 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1650 

29,  1884.  These  parents  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Greene  county. 
To  them  the  following  children  were  born:  Joseph  G.,  born  on  October  15, 
1839,  died  on  October  14,  1864;  Mrs.  M.  Jane  Hardy,  born  on  June  12, 
1841;  John  D.,  born  on  January  3,  1843;  Mrs.  Nancy  E.  Howard,  born  on 
April  24,  1845;  Mrs.  Margaret  E.  Moore,  born  on  March  2,  1848;  A.  D., 
born  on  March  10,  1850,  died  April  20th  of  that  year;  Robert  M.  E.,  born 
on  May  21,  1851,  died  in  1905;  A.  A.  W.,  born  on  January  26,  1854,  is 
deceased;  Martha  Ann,  wife  of  Rederick  F.  Freeman,  and  Z.  A.  C.  New- 
bill,  born  on  January  21,  1S61.  Rederick  Flavius  Freeman  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

To  Rederick  Flavius  Freeman  and  wife  the  following  children  have 
been  born:  Walter  Edmond,  born  on  April  12,  1877,  was  educated  in  the 

common  schools  of  Greene  county,  and  at  an  early  age  commenced  working 
in  the  machine  shops  of  the  St.  Louis  & San  Francisco  Railroad  Company 
at  Springheld,  and  continued  there  for  hve  years,  then  engaged  in  the  gen- 
eral merchandise  business  in  Springheld,  which  he  successfully  conducted 
for  nine  years.  In  1908  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  Greene  county  with  the 
largest  majority  any  Democrat  ever  received  for  that  office.  Lie  overcame 
a Republican  majority  of  eight  hundred  and  had  eleven  hundred  and  ninety- 
nine  majority  to  his  credit,  which  is  sufficient  evidence  of  his  high  standing 
in  the  county  as  a man  and  citizen;  his  term  of  office  expired  on  December 
31,  1912,  having  enjoyed  the  distinction  of  being  the  youngest  sheriff  the 
county  ever  had,  and  he  was  also  the  first  to  hold  a four-years’  term,  and 
was  the  last  to  serve  while  the  county  offices  remained  in  the  old  court  house, 
was  also  the  first  sheriff  after  the  new  court  house  was  occupied.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  city  council  during  the  years  1905-06.  He  has  been  a prom- 
inent member  of  the  Democratic  County  Committee  for  several  years,  and 
he  held  the  office  of  state  committeeman  in  1910  and  1911.  He  was  presi- 
dent during  the  existence  of  the  Drovers  Bank  of  Springfield,  which  went 
out  of  business  in  the  fall  of  1913.  He  was  a director  of  the  Peoples  Bank 
from  its  organization  until  1912,  assisted  in  its  organization  and  was  one 
of  its  stockholders.  At  this  writing  he  is  extensively  engaged  .in  the  real 
estate  business,  handling  his  own  property  principally.  He  is  an  active 
Democrat,  belongs  to  the  Baptist  church,  and  fraternally  is  a member  of 
the  Masonic  order,  the  Modern  Woodmen,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  also  belongs  to 
the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution.  He  married  Lucy  Gertrude  Noblitt, 
November  22,  1899.  She  is  a daughter  of  William  Allen  Noblitt,  who  was 
a mechanic  in  the  Frisco  shops,  and  his  death  occurred  on  March  23,  1888. 
Mr.  Noblitt  was  a veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  having  enlisted  for  service  in 
the  Union  army  at  Springfield  in  1863,  and  left  for  the  front  in  February, 
1864,  as  a member  of  Battery  I,  Second  Light  Artillery,  under  Stephen  H. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 65  I 

Julian,  and  he  saw  considerable  service,  including  the  great  battle  of  Nash- 
ville, Tennessee,  December  15  and  16,  1864.  He  was  honorably  discharged 
and  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war,  after  which  he  returned  to  Greene 
county  and  resided  here  until  his  death.  His  health  was  so  seriously 
impaired  while  in  the  army  that  he  never  recovered  and  he  died  while  still 
a young  man.  His  wife  was  Nancy  Tennessee  Gooch,  a native  of  the  state 
of  Tennessee  from  which  state  she  came  to  Missouri  when  a child  and  is 
still  living  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years.  She  is  of  English  and  Scotch 
extraction.  Her  daughter,  Mrs.  Walter  Edmond  Freeman  is  a graduate  of 
the  Springfield  high  school.  She  and  her  husband  have  one  child,  Mildred 
Lucille  Freeman,  born  on  February  18,  1905,  who  is  now  attending  school, 
assisted  three  of  her  cousins  in  unveiling  the  monument  erected  by  the  gov- 
ernment in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Springfield  over  the  grave  of  her  ances- 
tor, William  Freeman,  who  was  a veteran  of  the  American  Revolution. 
There  was  a large  gathering  and  appropriate  speeches  were  made  during 
the  ceremony  of  the  unveiling.  Mrs.  Walter  E.  Freeman  has  one  sister, 
Mrs.  Josie  Chapman,  who  resides  in  Springfield;  also  one  brother,  Ernest 
Allen  Noblitt,  also  of  Springfield. 

John  Guy  Freeman,  second  son  of  Rederick  Flavius  Freeman  and  wife, 
was  born  on  November  17,  1879.  He  now  resides  about  ten  miles  north 
of  Springfield,  where  he  owns  a large  farm  and  is  extensively  engaged  in 
raising  live  stock.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat.  He  was  married  to  Mar- 
garet Shelledyr,  May  3,  1901.  She  is  a daughter  of  Leander  Nelson  Shell- 
edy,  who  was  born  on  April  27,  1840,  in  Edgar  county,  Illinois,  but  left 
there  at  an  early"  age  for  Kansas,  where  he  was  living  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
Civil  war  and  there  he  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  on  July  21,  1862,  and 
participated  in  numerous  important  engagements,  remaining  in  the  service 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  having  been  mustered  out  on  July  17,  1865.  Not 
long  thereafter  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  where  he  lived  until 
his  death,  April  7,  1906.  He  married  Mrs.  Sarah  A.  Pitt,  November  5, 
1877.  Her  maiden  name  was  Calkin.  Mrs.  Margaret  Freeman’s  father 
was  previously  married,  by  which  one  son  was  born,  Allen  A.  Shelledy, 
who  saw  service  as  a private  during  the  entire  Spanish- American  war,  being 
mustered  out  on  August  16,  1899.  tie  then  went  to  the  Philippine  Islands 
where  he  has  continued  to  reside  and  has  been  successful  in  his  work  there. 
The  mother  of  Mrs.  Margaret  Freeman  had  four  children  by  her  first  mar- 
riage, namely:  Marvin  A.  Pitt,  who  lives  north  of  Springfield,  Missouri; 

Sidney  Pitt,  who  is  now  living  in  Roswell,  New  Mexico;  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Freeman  lives  in  Kansas;  and  Mrs.  Nellie  Givins  lives  in  Oklahoma.  Mrs. 
Margaret  Freeman  has  the  following  brothers  and  sisters:  James  E.  Shell- 

edy is  living  in  Dalhart,  Texas;  Charles  C.  lives  in  Greene  county,  Missouri; 
Mrs.  Charles  M.  Trankham  lives  in  Greene  county,  Missouri;  Henry  A. 


1652 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Shelledy  is  at  this  writing  a student  in  the  University  of  Missouri  at  Colum- 
bia ; Mrs.  Ruth  McCroskey  lives  in  Greene  county,  this  state. 

John  Guy  Freeman  and  wife  have  one  child,  Hal,  born  on  August  23, 
1907  ; Charles  Emmett,  horn  on  May  10,  1881,  married  Gertrude  Johnston, 
April  12,  1903,  and  they  have  one  child,  Edna  May,  born  on  May  23,  1906; 
Harry  Frank,  born  on  June  26,  1882,  married  Ruby  Stovall,  September  25, 
1904,  and  to  them  two  children  have  been  born,  Grace  Marie,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  September  23,  1905;  and  Harry  Bryan,  whose  birth  occurred 
on  October  15,  1909;  Harry  Frank  Freeman  has  resided  in  Springfield  for 
several  years  and  been  a member  of  the  police  department  and  is  now  deputy 
sheriff  of  Greene  county.  Dr.  Samuel  Flavius,  fifth'  child  of  Reclerick  F. 
Freeman  and  wife,  was  born  in  the  old  Freeman  neighborhood,  near  Heady, 
September  27,  1884,  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  district, 
later  spending  one  year  in  Morrisville  College,  in  Polk  county,  also  spent 
one  term  at  the  Missouri  State  Normal  and  four  years  in  the  American 
Medical  College  at  St.  Louis,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1909.  Fie 
took  a post-graduate  course  at  St.  Louis  University  in  1912.  His  special 
work  has  been  diseases  of  children  in  which  he  has  met  with  great  success. 
He  commenced  practicing  his  profession  in  Elwood,  Greene  county,  remain- 
ing there  three  years,  then  moved  to  Springfield  in  1912  where  he  is  now 
located  and  is  building  up  a satisfactory  business  as  a general  practitioner 
and  a specialist  on  the  diseases  of  children.  He  is  a member  of  the  South- 
west Missouri,  State  and  National  Eclectic  Medical  Societies.  Fie  has  held 
the  office  of  county  physician  for  Greene  county  since  1909,  which  he  still 
retains,  the  duties  of  which  he  is  discharging  in  a highly  acceptable  man- 
ner. Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, the  Royal  Neighbors  and  the  Mystic  Workers,  American  Yeomen,  and 
Knights  of  Pythias.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat,  and  religiously  a mem- 
ber of  of  the  Baptist  church,  of  which  he  is  a deacon.  Doctor  Freeman  mar- 
ried Liela  Jessie  Bennett,  November  25,  1909;  she  is  a daughter  of  William 
P.  and  Alice  (Mooney)  Bennett,  a well-known  and  substantial  family  who 
live  on  a farm  near  Elwood  where  Mrs.  Freeman  was  reared  and  educated 
in  the  public  schools,  later  attending  Morrisville  College.  She  has  the  fol- 
lowing brothers  and  sisters : Dr.  Floyd  W.  Bennett,  a practicing  physician 
of  St.  Louis,  Missouri;  Gert  M.  Bennett  lives  in  Denver,  Colorado;  John  F. 
Bennett,  who  lives  at  Englewood,  Colorado,  is  a deputy  sheriff  of  Arapahoe 
county;  Gola  May  Bennett  is  the  wife  of  William  Jones,  of  Elwood,  this 
county,  also  Herschel  David  at  home.  Doctor  Freeman  and  wife  have  one 
child,  Flavius  Bennett  Freeman,  who  was  born  at  Elwood  on  May  30,  1911. 
The  three  younger  children  of  Rederick  F.  Freeman  and  wife  were  named 
as  follows:  Della  Maud,  born  on  February  28,  1886,  married  Harvey 

Tiller,  April  29,  1906,  and  they  have  two  children,  Dwight  Freeman,  born 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1653 

in  July,  1907;  and  Helen  Blanche,  born  in  January,  1911;  Harley  Gabriel, 
born  on  November  23,  1889,  married  Madge  Gately  on  October  10,  1909, 
and  they  have  one  child,  Frances  Muriel,  born  on  October  5,  1 9 1 1 ; George 
Porter,  eighth  and  youngest  of  the  children,  was  born  on  February  22, 
1892,  married  Stella  Keech,  April  20,  1912,  and  they  have  one  child,  Jessie 
Wanetta,  born  on  February  19,  1914. 

Thus  from  the  foregoing  paragraphs  it  will  be  seen  that  the  various 
members  of  the  Freeman  family  are  well  situated  in  life,  are  good  citizens 
and  deserving  of  the  high  respect  in  which  they  are  held. 


HERBERT  W.  PIGG. 

A man’s  life  work  is  the  measure  of  his  success,  and  he  is  truly  the 
most  successful  man  who,  turning  his  powers  into  the  channel  of  an  honor- 
able purpose,  accomplishes  the  object  of  his  endeavor.  In  the  study  of 
every  man’s  life  we  find  some  main-spring  of  action,  something  that  he  lives 
for,  and  in  Plerbert  W.  Pigg,  of  Springfield,  it  seems  to  have  been  an  ambi- 
tion to  make  the  best  use  of  his  native  and  acquired  powers  and  develop 
in  himself  a true  manhood.  For  many  years  he  was  engaged  in  railroad 
service  holding  responsible  office  positions  with  the  great  Frisco  system,  but 
at  this  writing  he  is  incumbent  of  the  office  of  deputy  internal  revenue  col- 
lector in  which  he  is  making  a commendable  record. 

Mr.  Pigg  was  born  on  December  11,  1872,  in  Madison  county,  Ken- 
tucky, being  the  scion  of  a sterling  old  Southern  family,  the  son  of  Louis 
P.  and  Susie  (Ballard)'  Pigg,  both  natives  of  Kentucky.  Louis  P.  Pigg 
moved  from  the  Blue  Grass  state  to  Clay  county,  Missouri,  when  our  sub- 
ject was  three  years  old  and  later  located  in  Kansas  City  where  he  became 
a successful  business  man,  engaging  in  the  wholesale  and  retail  grocery 
business  in  Kansas  City  for  a number  of  years,  building  up  a large  trade 
and  accumulating  a competency.  He  retired  from  active  life  a few  years 
ago.  He  is  now  about  seventy-eight  years  of  age  and  his  wife  is  about 
seventy-six  years  old.  During  the  Civil  war  he  cast  his  lot  with  the  South- 
ern Confederacy,  serving  three  years  in  a gallant  manner,  taking  part  in 
many  of  the  important  engagements  and  campaigns  in  the  South.  Six 
children  were  born  to  Louis  P.  Pigg  and  wife,  named  as  follows:  Nora 

is  deceased;  Herbert  W.  of  this  sketch;  Minnie  lives  in  Kansas  City;  B.  J. 
is  deceased;  Odie  W.  lives  in  Kansas  City;  and  D.  George  who  lives  in 
Kansas  City. 

Herbert  W.  Pigg  attended  the  ward  and  high  schools  of  Kansas  City, 
later  spent  two  terms  at  Center  College,  Danville,  Kentucky  and  also  took 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1654 

a commercial  course  in  Kansas  City  at  Spaulding’s  Business  College. 
After  his  graduation  from  the  business  college,  he  accepted  a position  with 
the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  Railroad  Company  in  Kansas  City, 
continuing  in  the  work  there,  being  promoted  from  time  to  time,  until  Octo- 
ber 1,  1901,  when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  after  the  consolidation 
of  the  above  named  road  with  the  St.  Louis  & San  Francisco  Railroad 
Company.  He  had  been  in  office  work  for  the  former  road  all  the  while 
and  upon  coming  here  he  became  assistant  chief  clerk  in  the  mechanical 
department,  which  lie  held  until  he  resigned  to  take  his  present  position, 
having  been  appointed  deputy  internal  revenue  collector,  April  1,  1915.  He 
is  discharging  the  duties  of  this  important  position  of  trust  in  a manner 
that  reflects  much  credit  upon  himself  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the 
-department.  While  in  the  employ  of  the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Mem- 
phis Railroad  Company  in  Kansas  City,  Mr.  Pigg  studied  medicine  under 
Dr.  Charles  F.  Wainwright,  dean  of  University  Medical  College,  Kansas 
City;  our  subject  never  completed  his  course  in  medicine  due  to  the  fact 
that  Doctor  Wainwright  left  Kansas  City,  going  to  New  York  where  he 
later  died. 

Mr.  Pigg  was  married  on  May  22,  1895,  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  to 
Hazel  L.  Lesueur. 

Politically  he  is  a Democrat,  and  has  long  been  active  and  influential 
in  the  affairs  of  his  party.  He  is  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and 
he  affiliates  with  the  Christian  church.  Personally  he  is  a well  informed, 
broad-minded,  companionable  and  genteel  gentleman  in  every  respect,  and 
he  and  his  talented  wife  are  in  every  way  deserving  of  the  high  esteem  in 
which  they  are  universally  held.  Mr.  Pigg’s  death  occurred  very  suddenly 
on  June  22,  1915,  due  to  an  attack  of  heart  trouble. 


HENRY  WEBB  PORTER. 

The  final  causes  which  shape  the  fortunes  of  individual  men  and  the 
destinies  of  states  are  often  the  same.  They  are  usually  remote  and  obscure; 
their  influence  wholly  unexpected  until  declared  by  results.  When  they 
inspire  men  to  the  exercise  of  courage,  self-denial,  enterprise,  industry  and 
call  into  play  the  higher  moral  elements;  lead  men  to  risk  all  upon  convic- 
tion, faith — such  causes  lead  to  the  planting  of  great  states,  great  nations, 
great  peoples.  That  country  is  the  greatest  which  produces  the  greatest 
and  most  manly  men,  and  the  intrinsic  safety  depends  not  so  much  upon 
methods  and  measures  as  upon  that  true  manhood  from  whose  deep  sources 
all  that  is  precious  and  permanent  in  life  must  at  last  proceed.  Such  a 
result  may  not  be  consciously  contemplated  by  the  individuals  instrumental 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1655 

in  the  production  of  a country;  pursuing  each  his  personal  good  by  exalted 
means,  they  work  out  this  as  a logical  result;  they  have  wrought  on  the 
lines  of  the  greatest  good.  When  the  life  of  one  such  individual  ends,  we 
look  back  over  the  pathway  he  had  trod  and  note  its  usefulness,  its  points 
worthy  of  emulation  and  perpetuation.  What  the  late  Henry  Webb  Porter, 
successful  attorney-at-law  and  self-made  man  of  Springfield,  did  for  his 
fellowmen  and  the  communities  honored  by  his  citizenship,  in  general  might, 
in  a manner,  be  told  in  words,  but  its  far-reaching  influences  cannot  be 
measured.  He  was  in  touch  with  the  people,  and  from  a sincere  and  deep- 
felt  interest  in  their  welfare  labored  for  all  that  would  prove  of  public 
benefit  until  the  busy  and  useful  life  was  ended. 

Mr.  Porter  was  born  in  Shelbyville,  Tennessee,  November  27,  1S35. 
He  was  a son  of  William  and  Judith  (Reeves)  Porter,  the  father  a native 
of  New  Jersey  and  the  mother  a native  of  Tennessee.  They  grew  up  in 
their  respective  localities  and  received  limited  educations  in  the  schools  of 
the  early  days.  William  Porter  came  to  Tennessee  when  young  in  years 
and  there  married,  and  he  devoted  his  active  life  to  agricultural  pursuits, 
at  one  time  operating  an  extensive  tobacco  plantation.  He  removed  with 
his  family  from  Tennessee  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1855,  and  bought 
a farm  north  of  Springfield,  securing  same  from  the  government,  and  this 
land  he  developed  by  hard  work  and  lived  on  the  place  until  1864,  then 
moved  on  a farm  in  Arkansas,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  He 
became  a prosperous  farmer  and  influential  man  in  his  community.  His 
death  occurred  on  December  16,  1878.  His  family  consisted  of  eleven  sons, 
ten  of  whom  grew  to  manhood,  but  only  two  of  them  are  living  at  this 
writing;  they  were  named  as  follows:  Granville  and  Benjamin,  twins,  are 

deceased;  Peter,  deceased;  Abner  is  living;  William,  deceased;  Robert, 
deceased;  Jesse  is  living;  Henry  W.,  our  subject,  and  John,  deceased,  were 
twins;  Felix,  deceased;  the  youngest  child  died  in  infancy. 

Henry  W.  Porter  grew  to  manhood  in  Tennessee  and  he  received  a 
limited  education  in  the  public  schools  there  and  in  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
having  been  twenty  years  of  age  when  he  removed  here  with  the  rest  of  the 
family.  He  spent  his  boyhood  on  his  father’s  farm  and  assisted  with  the 
general  work  on  the  same.  He  studied  at  home,  became  a well-read  man 
and,  studying  law,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  practiced  many  years  with 
much  success.  He  was  well  versed  in  all  phases  of  the  law,  and  was  a 
forceful  and  earnest  pleader  at  the  bar.  He  also  took  a great  interest  in 
political  affairs,  and  was  active  and  influential  in  the  Democratic  party. 
He  held  a number  of  public  offices,  always  with  credit  to  himself  and  satis- 
faction to  all  concerned.  He  was  an  able  and  strong  worker  for  the  cause 
of  temperance. 

Mr.  Porter  removed  with  the  family  to  Arkansas  in  1864  and  resided 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


i656 

in  that  state  until  1902,  when  he  returned  to  Greene  county,  and  lived  in 
Springfield  about  four  years,  being  then  retired.  His  death  occurred  in 
Arkansas  on  March  5,  1914. 

Mr.  Porter  was  married  in  Greene  county  on  March  17,  1865,  to 
Matilda  J.  Bedell,  who  was  born  at  Ebenezer,  in  the  northeastern  part  of 
Greene  county,  February  2,  1837,  and  she  grew  to  womanhood  on  the  old 
Bedell  farm  near  that  village  and  received  her  education  in  the  public 
schools  there.  This  old  homestead  was  entered  from  the  government  in 
1830  by  Mrs.  Porter's  mother,  and  the  farm  has  never  gone  to  owners  out- 
side the  Bedell  family.  The  Bedells  are  among  the  pioneer  and  well-known 
families  of  Greene  county.  Mrs.  Porter  is  a daughter  of  David  H.  and 
Marina  (Wallace)  Bedell,  both  being  born  in  North  Carolina,  where  they 
grew  up,  attended  the  old-time  schools  and  were  married.  They  made  the 
long  overland  journey  from  that  state  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  early 
pioneer  days,  and  here  endured  the  hardships  and  privations  incident  to  all 
frontier  people  of  those  times.  By  hard  work  and  close  application,  good 
management  and  economy,  they  became  well  established  in  due  course  of 
time,  and  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  on  their  farm  here,  his  death  occur- 
ring shortly  before  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war,  and  she  died  during 
the  war.  They  were  noted  for  their  honesty  and  hospitality,  and  were 
well  known  to  the  pioneers  here.  The  family  of  Henry  W.  Porter  consisted 
of  twelve  children,  five  of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing,  namely:  Mahlon, 
Judith,  Edward,  John,  are  all  deceased;  Melissa  lives  at  Springfield;  Charles 
lives  in  Arkansas ; Mira  and  Mary,  twins,  are  deceased ; Laura,  deceased ; 
Walter  lives  in  Arkansas;  Sadie  lives  in  Virginia ; Fannie  lives  in  Little 
Rock,  Arkansas. 

Mrs.  Melissa  Hulett,  fifth  child  of  our  subject,  was  born  on  October 
10,  1870,  in  Eveningshade,  Arkansas,  and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood 
and  received  her  education  in  the  public  and  high  schools.  On  December 
27,  1893,  she  was  married  in  Arkansas  to  Ezra  Hulett.  Soon  thereafter 
they  removed  to  Boonville,  Missouri,  where  they  continued  to  reside  until 
1902,  when  they  located  in  Springfield,  where  they  have  since  resided.  Mr. 
Hulett  was  a cabinetmaker  by  trade,  a highly  skilled  workman,  and  later 
he  became  a successful  contractor.  He  was  born  on  May  1,  1866,  in  Roche- 
port,  Atchison  county,  Missouri.  He  was  a son  of  Andrew  and  Anne 
(Clark)  Hulett.  Mr.  Clark,  father  of  Anne  Clark,  was  a pioneer  of  Boon- 
ville, this  state.  The  death  of  Ezra  Hulett  occurred  on  October  31,  1913. 
His  family  consisted  of  four  children,  namely:  Lucile,  born  on  October  24, 
1894,  is  single  and  lives  at  home;  Matilda,  born  on  November  26,  1895, 
died  January  18,  1898;  Blanche,  born  on  January  1,  1898;  Mary,  born  on 
November  6,  1902. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1&57 

Politically,  Mr.  Hulett  was  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belonged  to 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 

Mrs.  Hulett  and  daughters  are  members  of  St.  Paul’s  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church,  South,  and  she  belongs  to  the  auxiliary  of  the  Young  Wom- 
en’s Christian  Association.  She  is  active  in  church  work  and  has  a wide 
circle  of  friends.  She  owns  a beautiful  home  on  South  Campbell  street. 


WILLIAM  LAFAYETTE  TURNER,  M.  D. 

Belonging  to  Greene  county’s  enterprising  class  of  professional  men, 
Dr.  William  Lafayette  Turner,  of  Galloway,  Clay  township,  is  deserving 
of  specific  mention  in  these  pages.  To  the  active  practice  of  medicine  he  has 
given,  not  only  the  gravity  of  his  thought  and  the  truest  exercise  of  his 
abilities,  but  the  strength  of  his  personality  and  the  momentum  of  his  char- 
acter. He  is  a physician  of  discriminating  mind,  keen  and  acute  in  reason- 
ing, a patient  and  persistent  investigator,  sinking  his  inquiring  lead  down 
to  the  bottom  of  principles,  and  thereby,  , being  enabled  to  better  and  more 
fully  understand  the  case  or  cases  to  be  treated,  and  consequently  he  meets 
with  a high  degree  of  success. 

Doctor  Turner  was  born  near  Marshfield,  Webster  county,  Missouri, 
July  17,  1871.  He  is  a son  of  Robert  N.  and  Sarah  F.  (Cox)  Turner. 
The  father  was  born  in  Webster  county,  this  state,  in  1843,  was  reared  on 
the  farm  and  received  a meager  education  in  the  early-day  schools.  He 
worked  for  his  father  on  the  homestead  until  he  was  married,  then  began 
working  at  the  carpenter’s  trade,  at  which  he  became  quite  expert  and  which 
he  has  made  his  principal  life  work.  Has  also  done  considerable  contract- 
ing. Naturally  talented  as  a musician  he  made  himself  proficient  in  that 
art  and  for  some  time  taught  music  during  the  winter  months  when  there 
was  no  carpenter  work.  About  1899  he  moved  to  Texas  where  he  remained 
some  three  years,  then  went  to  Ft.  Smith,  Arkansas,  and  established  his 
home,  and  in  that  city  his  death  occurred  on  March  12,  1914.  Politically, 
he  was  a Democrat,  and  he  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
South.  His  wife  was  also  a native  of  Webster  county,  Missouri,  where 
she  grew  to  womanhood  and  \kas  educated,  her  birth  having  occurred  in 
February,  1841.  She  is  still  living  in  Springfield.  She  is  a member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal,  church.  South.  To  these  parents  ten  children  were 
born,  namely:  Doctor  William  L.,  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Hepsabeth 

Straughan,  Robert  J.,  John  B.,  who  lives  in  Ft.  Smith,  is  the  inventor  of 
the  automatic  street  car  switch  which  is  in  use  all  over  the  country;  Lucy, 
Jessie  P.,  Mrs.  Nellie  Guthrie,  Della,  Oma  and  Lee. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


3658 


Doctor  Turner  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Webster  county 
and  there  he  assisted  with  the  general  work  during  the  summer  months.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  county,  later  attended 
high  school  at  Marshfield,  and  when  nineteen  years  of  age  he  began  life  for 
himself  as  a teacher.  He  kept  up  home  study  and  in  1895  was  enabled  to 
enter  the  Springfield  Normal  where  he  spent  a year,  then  studied  two  years 
at  Drury  College,  after  which  he  resumed  teaching,  which  vocation  he  fol- 
lowed for  some  time  in  Greene  and  Webster  counties.  He  gave  a high 
degree  of  success  as  an  educator  and  his  services  were  in  large  demand,  but 
believing  that  his  true  bent  lie  in  another  direction,  he  abandoned  the  school 
room  in  1901  and  began  the  study  of  medicine,  entering  Barnes  Medical  Col- 
lege, St.  Louis,  he  remained  in  that  institution  until  his  graduation  in  1906, 
making  an  excellent  record.  Returning  to  Marshfield  he  remained  there  a 
short  time,  then  located  for  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Galloway, 
Greene  county,  where  he  has  since  remained,  and  has  built  up  a large  and 
growing  practice  and  is  regarded  among  the  leading  general  practitioners 
in  this  section  of  the  country.  He  owns  a pleasant  home  on  the  Springfield 
and  Ozark  road. 

Doctor  Turner  was  married  'on  July  18,  1901,  to  Joel  P.  Haden,  who 
was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  April  22,  1883.  She  is  a daughter 
of  Joel  H.  and  Nancy  A.  (Beshears)  Haden.  The  father  was  born  in  this 
county,  December  4,  1847,  and  here  grew  up  on  a farm  and  received  a 
common  school  education.  During  the  Civil  war  he  served  in  the  Home 
Guards,  seeing  considerable  service  in  his  native  county.  After  the  war 
he  returned  to  the  farm,  and  has  followed  general  agricultural  pursuits, 
being  now  owner  of  a valuable  and  well-improved  farm  of  three  hundred 
acres.  He  has  long  made  a specialty  of  raising  fine  live  stock,  and  is  an 
excellent  business  man,  well  known  and  influential  in  his  vicinity.  Politi- 
cally he  is  a Democrat.  His  wife  was  born  in  this  county,  December  2, 
1858,  and  here  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools. 

Mrs.  Turner  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  was  g'iven  good  educa- 
tional advantages. 

To  Doctor  Turner  and  wife  six  children  have  been  born  namely: 
Edith,  deceased;  Retha,  deceased;  Joel,  Fred,  Mary  and  Pinkney  are  all  at 
home. 

Politically,  Doctor  Turner  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Greene  County  Medical  Society,  and  the  Missouri  State  Medical  Association. 
Religiously,  he  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South.  He  is  a 
man  of  exemplary  habits  and  is  popular  with  all  classes. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


!659 

L.  W.  PRESTON. 

L.  W.  Preston  was  born  in  Boyle  county,  Kentucky,  July  13,  i860. 
He  is  a son  of  Francis  A.  and  Mary  (Sedore)  Preston,  both  natives  of 
Kentucky,  the  father  born  in  1832,  and  his  death  occurred  in  Springfield, 
Missouri,  February  11,  1908.  The  mother  was  born  in  1834,  and  her  death 
occurred  in  this  city  on  March  16,  1908.  They  thus  ran  a pretty  even  race 
on  the  highway  of  life,  and  were  regarded  by  all  who  knew  them  as  a fine 
old  couple,  hospitable,  neighborly  and  likeable  in  every  respect.  They  grew 
to  maturity  in  Kentucky  and  received  common  school  educations  there. 
They  were  married  near  Nicholasville,  that  state.  Mr.  Preston  learned  the 
blacksmith’s  trade  in  his  youth,  at  which  he  became  quite  expert  and  which 
he  followed  all  his  life.  He  removed  with  his  family  from  Boyle  county, 
Kentucky,  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  1880,  and  here  he  followed  his  trade 
until  his  death.  Politically,  he  was  a Democrat.  He  belonged  to  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  His  family  consisted  of  eight  children, 
three  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely : Nettie,  Belle,  Katherine  and  Bettie 

are  all  deceased;  L.  W.,  of  this  review;  William,  deceased;  James  L.  lives 
in  Springfield ; and  Edward  N.  also  lives  in  this  city. 

L.  W.  Preston  was  twenty  years  of  age  when  he  left  Kentucky.  There 
he  had  grown  up  and  received  a common  school  education.  When  he  first 
came  here  he  worked  for  Jess  & Sturdy  in  their  carriage  works  for  a while, 
and  in  1884  he  and  his  father  opened  a carriage  and  blacksmith  shop  at  the 
present  location,  corner  of  Pickwick  street  and  Patton  alley,  and  it  is  thus 
the  oldest  established  business  of  its  kind  in  Springfield,  is  also  one  of  the 
best  and  most  favorably  known.  The  firm's  large,  substantial,  two-story 
brick  building  is  modernly  equipped  with  every  appliance  for  turning  out 
high-grade  work,  and  a specialty  is  made  of  manufacturing  wagons,  but 
auto  and  carriage  painting  and  general  carriage  repairing  are  done,  and  rub- 
ber tires  are  handled.  Our  subject  learned  the  business  under  his  father 
starting  in  with  him  when  our  subject  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and 
they  worked  together  until  the  father’s  death.  Only  the  best  grade  of 
material  is  handled  by  the  firm,  and  only  skilled  workmen  are  employed. 
Prompt  and  first-class  work  is  Mr.  Preston’s  aim. 

We  quote  the  following  • from  the  Springfield  Leader,  under  date  of 
December  18,  1911:  “One  of  the  best  known  and  most  reliable  establish- 

ments of  its  character  in  the  city  of  Springfield  is  the  L.  W.  Preston  Car- 
riage Company.  L.  W.  Preston  is  the  proprietor  and  manager  of  this  con- 
cern, and  he  has  been  in  the  carriage  manufacturing  business  since  1884  at 
his  present  stand.  He  is  thoroughly  conversant  with  all  the  details  of  the 
business,  and  has  built  up  a large  and  flourishing  trade.  Mr.  Preston  is 


i66o 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


prepared  to  do  all  kinds  of  carriage  repairing.  He  has  four  departments, 
the  woodshop  and  the  smithing  departments  being  located  on  the  ground 
lfoor,  the  painting  and  trimming  departments  on  the  second  door  of  his 
large  establishment.  He  makes  a specialty  of  manufacturing  high-class 
delivery  wagons,  and  has  had  quite  a run  on  these  in  this  vicinity.  All 
work  is  under  the  immediate  supervision  of  L.  W.  Preston,  and  is  looked 
after  by  him  in  the  most  thorough  and  conscientious  manner.  Nothing  but 
A No.  i material  is  used  in  all  work.  Besides  the  work  mentioned,  Mr. 
Preston  has  built  up  an  extensive  trade  on  rubber  tires;  he  also  does  all 
kinds  of  auto  painting.  His  telephone  number  is  954.” 

Mr.  Preston  was  married  on  March  20,  1890,  in  Springfield,  to  Eva  E. 
Follett.  She  was  born  on  March  17,  1869,  in  Michigan,  and  she  is  a daugh- 
ter of and  Sarah  A.  (Orcutt)  Follett.  The  mother  was 

twice  married.  Airs.  Preston  was  brought  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  when 
young,  and  here  she  received  her  education  in  the  high  school.  Her  step- 
father died  soon  after  the  family  located  in  Springfield. 

The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  been  without  issue.  The  pleas- 
ant Preston  residence  is  on  Cherry  street. 

Politically,  Mr.  Preston  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 


LEWIS  E.  CHAPPELL. 

The  influence  of  a good  dairy  in  any  locality  can  hardly  be  measured 
in  money  value.  A good  example  of  how  the  dairy  will  pulverize  the  farm 
mortgages  and  establish  bank  accounts  may  be  seen  in  the  transformations 
which  have  taken  place  in  some  of  the  localities  of  the  Ozarks  during  the 
past  few  years.  The  value  of  well-managed  dairies  has  been  manifest  in 
the  growth  of  bank  accounts.  The  real  value  of  dairying  to  the  farmers 
in  any  community  is  not  in  the  fact  alone  that  the  keeping  of  cows  will 
increase  the  fertility  of  the  soil  and  make  the  farm  more  productive,  but 
the  big  thing  is  the  fact  that  every  time  a farmer  takes  a can  of  milk  to 
the  market  he  has  increased  his  credit  with  every  man  he  has  dealings  with 
in  the  community.  One  of  the  leading  dairymen  of  Greene  county  is  Lewis 
E.  Chappell,  whose  sanitary  and  modernly  equipped  dairy  and  well-kept 
farm  is  located  just  southeast  of  Springfield. 

Air.  Chappell  was  born  on  March  7,  1854,  in  the  state  of  New  York. 
He  is  a son  of  S.  E.  and  Cordelia  M.  (Baker)  Chappell.  The  father  died 
in  1902;  the  mother’s  death  occurred  in  i860.  They  were  both  natives  of 
New  York  state,  and  there  they  grew  up  and  were  married.  They  received 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1661 


good  educations,  the  father  being  a graduate  of  Hamilton  College  in  his 
native  state,  and  the  mother  was  a graduate  of  Bosser  College  in  Pough- 
keepsie, that  state.  They  spent  their  active  lives  in  agricultural  pursuits. 
When  our  subject  was  three  years  of  age  he  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Cass  county,  Michigan,  where  they  lived  until  our  subject  was  twelve  years 
of  age,  and  where  the  death  of  his  mother  occurred,  and  while  there  the 
Civil  war  came  on  and  the  father  enlisted,  in  1861,  in  Edwmsburg,  in  a 
Michigan  regiment,  and  he  was  made  hospital  steward,  in  which  capacity 
he  served  for  two  years,  then  spent  two  years  more  as  a regular  soldier 
and  saw  considerable  hard  service.  After  being  honorably  discharged  from 
the  sendee  he  returned  to  Michigan,  where  he  made  his  home  most  of  the 
time  during  the  rest  of  his  life. 

Lewis  E.  Chappell  spent  his  boyhood  on  the  farm  in  Michigan  and 
he  received  a common  school  education.  In  1866  he  went  with  an  uncle 
to  Henry  county,  Missouri,  and  settled  on  a farm,  where  our  subject 
remained  seven  years,  or  until  he  was  nineteen  years  old,  when  he  went  to 
Montana  with  Doctor  Hayden,  a government  surveyor,  and  with  him  cov- 
ered a large  portion  of  the  upper  Rocky  Mountain  country,  remaining  in 
the  West  eight  }rears,  spending  the  latter  part  of  the  time  in  Mexico.  Then 
returning  to  Henry  county,  Missouri,  he  remained  there  three  years,  carry- 
ing the  .mail  on  a star  route,  during  which  time  he  traveled  in  every  state 
in  the  Union.  In  1895  he  came  to  Greene  county,  rented  a farm  on  which 
he  soon  had  a good  start,  and  in  1906  he  bought  eighty  acres  southeast  of 
Springfield,  about  two  miles  from  town,  and  this  he  has  improved,  erect- 
ing most  of  his  buildings,  wdiich  are  modern  and  substantial,  conveniently 
arranged  for  a dairy,  including  a large  milk  house,  silo,  etc.  He  started  out 
with  six  cows  and  on  rented  land,  and  by  industry,  good  management  and 
honest  dealings  with  his  customers,  he  has  gradually  built  up  one  of  the  most 
extensive,  up-to-date  and  most  desirable  dairies  in  the  Southwest,  and  his 
products  are  finding  a ready  market  at  all  seasons  owing  to  their  superior  qual- 
ity. He  milks  his  evening  milk  separately,  puts  the  cream  on  ice,  and  it  is  taken 
out  in  the  morning,  and  he  puts  it  on  the  market  without  any  “doctoring" — - 
selling  four  per  cent,  milk  from  Holstein,  Durham  and  Jersey  cows,  all  a good 
grade  and  kept  in  the  best  of  health,  his  herd  now  consisting  of  forty  cows. 
He  uses  a gasoline  engine  to  run  his  separator,  all  his  mixed  grade  being  four 
per  cent.  He  runs  two  wagons  to  the  city  to  haul  his  milk  to  market.  His 
dairy  is  under  the  name  of  L.  E.  Chappell  & Sons. 

Mr.  Chappell  was  married  on  March  1,  1882,  to  Nancy  Jane  Norris, 
who  was  born  in  Ohio,  where  her  family  had  long  resided.  To  our  subject 
and  wife  six  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Blanche,  born  in  1879, 

married  Doctor  McCandless,  of  Kansas  City;  Ruth,  born  in  1892,  married 
Henry  LeCompte,  and  they  live  in  Springfield;  Fred,  born  in  1884,  is  assist- 


1 662 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ing  his  father  in  the  dairy  business;  Nettie,  born  in  1891,  married  H.  B. 
McCammon,  and  they  live  in  Colorado;  Charles  J.,  born  in  1893,  is  also 
with  his  father  in  the  dairy  business;  Esther,  born  in  1896,  married  Lem 
Fisher,  and  they  live  in  Springfield. 

Politically,  Mr.  Chappell  is  a Republican,  and  fraternally  he  belongs 
to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


DAVID  ULYSSES  SHERMAN,  Mu  D. 

Why  any  man  is  made,  who  knows?  Why  any  life  is,  from  snails  to 
gods,  who  is  to  tell?  Why  you  are  what  you  are,  why  some  men  are  what 
they  are;  the  influences  and  causes  which  made  them  so,  and  how  far  the 
causes  and  influences  were  voluntary,  or  accidental — in  short,  whether  we 
make  our  own  destiny,  or  have  it  made  for  us — who  shall  solve  the  eternal 
riddle?  These  are  things  which  none  of  us  can  fathom,  but  all  of  us  can 
make  the  most  of  the  little  life  which  is  ours,  as  has  been  the  case  with 
Dr.  David  Ulysses  Sherman,  one  of  the  well-known  physicians  of  Spring- 
field,  and,  by  doing  our  best  “between  these  walls  of  time,”  as  he  is  evi- 
dently striving  to  do,  we  may  be  a blessing  to  ourselves,  our  families  and 
the  human  race. 

Doctor  Sherman  was  born  at  Henderson,  Webster  county,  Missouri, 
September  29,  1871.  He  is  a son  of  Henry  Sherman,  born  near  Idlebury, 
Germany,  March  10,  1836,  and  he  spent  his  young  manhood  in  his  native 
land,  where  he  was  educated,  and  in  1854,  with  two  brothers,' he  immi- 
grated to  the  United  States,  also  a sister  accompanied  him,  and  they  settled 
in  Butler  county,  Pennsylvania.  Four  years  later  Henry  Sherman  and  his 
sister  came  to  Missouri,  locating  on  a farm  near  Henderson,  Webster  county. 
He  had  learned  the  blacksmith’s  trade  in  Germany,  at  which  he  continued 
to  work  in  connection  with  farming  after  taking  up  his  residence  in  the 
new  world.  Pie  proved  his  loyalty  to  his  adopted  country  in  1861  by  enlist- 
ing in  the  Union  army,  in  which  he  served  six  months  as  a private,  then 
was  assigned  to  the  government  horseshoeing  shops  in  Springfield,  Missouri, 
these  shops  occupying  the  present  site  of  the  Colonial  hotel.  He  was  later 
transferred  to  the  government  shops  in  St.  Louis,  where  he  was  retained 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  Ide  was  an  expert  in  his  trade  and  gave  every 
satisfaction.  After  his  discharge  he  returned  to  Webster  county  and  built 
a shop  on  his  farm,  where  he  did  the  custom  work  for  miles  around,  and 
succeeded  in  due  course  of  time  in  hammering  out  on  the  anvil  five  hun- 
dred acres  of  choice  farming  land  in  that  county.  He  was  one  of  the  best 
known  blacksmiths  in  that  part  of  the  state,  and  many  of  his  patrons  came 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1663 

from  remote  sections  of  the  country.  He  married  Rhoda  N.  Hardy  in 
1855.  His  death  occurred  in  1907.  She  was  a native  of  Virginia,  from 
which  state  she  made  the  long  overland  journey,  when  a child,  with  her 
parents;  the  family  made  the  trip  in  an  old-fashioned  wagon,  drawn  by  an 
ox  team.  They  settled  at  Henderson,  Missouri.  Mrs.  Sherman's  mother 
was  of  Irish  ancestry,  and  both  she  and  Mr.  Hardy  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  devout  Christians,  doing  much  church  work,  being 
always  ready  with  their  time  and  money  to  do  anything  to  further  the 
interest  of  the  church,  and  they  assisted  in  building  many  new  churches; 
their  home  was  always  open  to  ministers  and  church  workers.  The  death 
of  the  mother  of  Doctor  Sherman  occurred  in  1904.  Seven  sons  and  one 
daughter  were  born  to  Henry  Sherman  and  wife,  namely:  William  E.,  who 
lives  on  a farm  near  Henderson,  Missouri ; Henry  O.  lives  on  a farm  near 
Fordland,  this  state;  Charles  C.  is  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  in 
Fordland;  James  D.  and  Obit  D.  are  both  farmers  near  Fordland;  Lucian 
L.  makes  his  home  at  Elmonte,  California,  and  is  a bookkeeper  by  profes- 
sion; Dr.  David  U.,  of  this  sketch;  and  Mrs.  Mattie  Cobb,  who  lives  at 
Boulder,  Colorado. 

Doctor  Sherman  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Webster 
county,  where  he  worked  hard  when  a boy  during  the  summer  months  and 
in  the  winter  time  he  attended  the  old  district  schools  there,  the  old  school 
house  located  on  his  father's  farm,  later  entering  the  Henderson 
Academy,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1891.  In  September,  1895,  he 
entered  the  Beaumont  Hospital,  at  St.  Louis,  where  he  took  the  prescribed 
medical  course,  and  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1897-98.  Soon  there- 
after he  came  to  Greene  county  and  began  practicing  his  profession  at 
Elwood,  where  he  remained  ten  years,  enjoying  an  excellent  country  prac- 
tice; in  fact,  it  is  safe  to  say  that  no  country  physician  in  this  part  of  the 
state  had  a more  extensive  practice  during  that  period  than  he.  In  order 
to  further  fit  himself  for  his  chosen  vocation,  he  took  the  post-graduate 
work  in  the  Chicago  Post-Graduate  Medical  School  in  1896.  and  at  once 
removed  to  Springfield,  where  he  has  remained  to  the  present  time  and  has. 
built  up  a very  satisfactory  practice. 

Doctor  Sherman  is  a member  of  the  Greene  Countv  Medical  Society, 
of  which  he  is  ex-president;  also  a member  of  the  Southwest  Missouri  Med- 
ical Society,  the  Missouri  State  Medical  Association  and  the  American 
Medical  Association.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Royal  Arch  Masons, 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America 
and  the  Royal  Neighbors  of  America.  Politically,  he  is  a Republican,  and 
religiously  he  belongs  to  the  Methodist  church. 

Doctor  Sherman  married  Julia  Belle  Gault  on  September  12,  1895. 
She  was  born  in  September,  1870,  six  miles  east  of  Springfield  on  the  James 


1 664 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


river,  in  Greene  county,  Missouri.  She  is  a daughter  of  Walter  B.  Gault, 
of  Irish  ancestry,  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  Greene  county,  and  he  was 

one  of  the  successful  and  well-known  farmers  of  the  eastern  part  of  the 

county,  and  he  did  much  to  promote  the  general  good  of  the  county,  having 
been  ambitious  to  place  it  in  the  front  rank  of  the  counties  of  the  state, 
which  position  it  now  occupies.  During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Gault  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Union  army,  and  was  commissioned  lieutenant  for  meritorious 
service. 

Mrs.  Sherman  grew  to  womanhood  in  her  native  vicinity  and  received 
her  education  in  the  district  schools  and  the  Henderson  Academy,  at  Hen- 
derson, Missouri,  from  which  institution  she  was  graduated,  after  which 
she  began  teaching,  which  she  followed  successfully  for  a period  of  nine 
years.  On  account  of  the  death  of  her  parents  when  she  was  young,  she 
was  left  to  depend  upon  her  own  resources,  and  she  succeeded  in  becoming 

one  of  the  most  popular  teachers  in  her  section  of  the  state. 

To  Doctor  Sherman  and  wife  two  children  have  been  born,  David 
Orlando  Sherman,  whose  birth  occurred  at  Elwood,  Missouri,  January  16, 
1896;  he  is  at  this  writing  a student  in  the  Springfield  high  school,  where 
he  is  making  an  excellent  record. 


S.  A.  BAKER. 

It  will  always  be  a mark  of  distinction  to  have  served  the  Union  during 
the  great  Civil  war  between  the  states.  The  old  soldier  will  receive  attention 
no  matter  where  he  goes  if  he  will  but  make  himself  known.  And  when  he 
passes  away,  as  so  many  of  them  are  now  doing,  friends  will  pay  him  a 
suitable  eulogy  for  the  sacrifices  he  made  a half  century  ago  on  the  san- 
guinary fields  of  battle  in  the  Southland  or  in  the  no  less  dreaded  prison, 
fever  camp  or  hospital.  And  ever  afterward  his  descendants  will  revere 
his  memory  and  take  pride  in  recounting  his  services  for  his  country  in  its 
hour  of  peril.  One  of  the  eligible  citizens  for  special  mention  in  the  present 
volume  is  S.  A.  Baker,  formerly  a successful  bricklayer  and  plasterer,  but 
now  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  Springfield,  partly  because  he  is  one 
of  the  old  soldiers  who  went  forth  in  that  great  crisis  in  the  sixties  to  assist 
in  saving  the  union  of  states,  and  partly  because  he  has  led  an  honorable 
life.  He  is  a plain,  unassuming  gentleman  who  has  sought  to  do  his  duty 
in  all  the  relations  of  life  as  he  has  seen  and  understood  the  right. 

Mr.  Baker  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Arkansas,  June  10,  1844. 
He  is  a son  of  S.  A.  and  Terice  (Looper)  Baker.  The  father  was  born 


' 


! 


S.  A.  BAKER. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1665 


in  Massachusetts,  in  1806,  and  was  reared  on  historic  Bunker  Hill,  Boston. 
Mis  death  occurred  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  December  24,  1863.  The 
mother  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  December  9,  1823,  and  her  death 
-occurred  on  January  19,  1904.  These  parents  received  a limited  education, 
came  West  when  young  and  were  married  in  Arkansas  in  1843.  S.  A. 
Baker,  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  being  of  an 
•old  family  of  New  England.  His  father  was  also  S.  A.  Baker,  and  he  was 
a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  which  fact  made  our  subject  eligible 
for  membership  in  the  organization  of  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  a bricklayer  by  trade,  also  a plasterer. 
For  some  time  he  owned  a farm  in  Arkansas,  having  been  an  early  settler 
in  Washington  county.  From  there  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  during  war  times,  1863,  and  his  death  occurred  soon  there- 
after. His  son,  our  subject,  had  come  here  the  year  previous.  He  was  the 
only  child. 

The  gentleman  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch  grew  to  manhood  in 
Arkansas  and  there  attended  the  common  schools,  receiving  a fairly  good 
education,  for  those  times.  He  was  compelled  to  leave  school  when  the  war 
broke  out.  In  vacations  he  worked  at  surveying  and  in  learning  the  brick- 
layer's and  plasterer’s  trades  under  his  father.  He  came  to  Springfield  and 
enlisted,  on  September  4,  1862,  in  the  First  Arkansas  Cavalry,  Company  L, 
under  Capt.  John  Bonine,  and  he  saw  considerable  hard  service.  He  was  in 
the  battle  of  Fayetteville,  in  April,  1863,  and  three  other  engagements,  also 
the  battle  of  Prairie  Grove  and  numerous  skirmishes,  being  in  eight  reg- 
ular engagements  in  all.  He  proved  to  be  a faithful  soldier  and  was  hon- 
orably discharged  in  Fayetteville  on  August  23,  1865.  Remaining  in  Ar- 
kansas until  the  following  January,  he  came  to  Springfield  and  worked 
at  the  bricklayer’s  trade,  which  he  continued  until  nearly  twelve  years 
ago,  having  become  quite  proficient.  He  spent  a number  of  years  in  the 
employ  of  the  Ash  Grove  Lime  Kiln  works,  building  and  repairing  lime 
kilns.  Owing  to  an  accident  which  injured  his  eye,  he  was  compelled 
to  give  up  his  trade,  so  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  at  635 
West  Chestnut  street,  and  has  remained  in  this  stand  since  February 
23,  1903.  He  has  built  up  a very  satisfactory  trade,  and  carries  an  excel- 
lent line  of  staple  and  fancy  groceries.  He  owns  his  place  of  business,  as 
well  as  a fine  brick  home  adjoining. 

Mr.  Baker  was  married  on  February  26,  1900,  in  Greenfield,  Missouri, 
to  Mvrtle  Henry.  She  is  the  daughter  of  David  and  Martha  Jane  (Morris) 
Henry.  She  was  bom  in  Danville,  Illinois,  December  25.  1875.  When  she 
was  a small  child  her  parents  moved  with  her  to  Kansas,  where  she  received 
'(  105) 


1 666 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


her  education.  They  later  moved  to  Greenfield,  Missouri.  Mrs.  Baker  is  a 
member  of  the  First  Christian  church  here,  and  is  also  a member  of  the 
Ladies’  Circle. 

Politically,  Mr.  Baker  is  a Republican.  He  is  a member  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  also  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution  as  before 
indicated.  He  belongs  to  the  First  Christian  church. 


BERT  S.  LEE. 

One  of  the  most  conspicuous  figures  in  the  commercial  circles  of 
Springfield  and  Greene  county  of  the  present  generation  is  Bert  S.  Lee,  a 
man  actively  identified  with  the  business  and  industrial  interests  of  this 
section  of  the  Ozarks  and  for  a number  of  years  widely  known  as  one  of 
the  leading  members  of  the  Masonic  Order  in  Missouri.  Equally  noted  as 
a citizen  whose  useful  career  has  conferred  credit  upon  the  community  and 
whose  marked  abilities  and  stirring  qualities  have  won  for  him  much  more 
than  local  repute,  he  holds  today  distinctive  precedence  as  one  of  the  most 
progressive  and  successful  men  that  ever  inaugurated  and  carried  to  satis- 
factory termination  large  and  important  undertakings  in  this  locality. 
Strong  mental  powers,  invincible  courage  and  a determined  purpose  that 
hesitate  at  no  opposition  have  so  entered  into  his  composition  as  to  render 
him  a dominant  factor  in  the  business  world  and  a leader  of  men  in  notable 
enterprises.  Fie  is  essentially  a man  of  affairs — sound  of  judgment  and 
far-seeing  in  what  he  undertakes,  and  every  enterprise  to  which  he  has 
addressed  himself  has  resulted  in  a large  measure  of  material  success. 

Mr.  Lee  was  born  in  Marshfield,  Webster  county,  Missouri,  October 
30,  1871.  Lie  is  a son  of  Joshua  L.  and  Cynthia  (Perry)  Lee. 

Bert  S.  Lee  removed  to  Springfield  during  his  youthful  period,  and 
there  attained  man’s  estate  and  made  it  his  permanent  residence.  Educa- 
tional advantages  were  obtained  in  the  public  schools  and  Drury  College  in 
that  city.  Fie  grew  and  expanded  with  the  environment,  becoming  identi- 
fied strongly  with  the  business,  social  and  moral  interests  of  the  community 
to  which  he  contributes  energy,  fellowship  and  exemplification  of  those 
influences  which  tend  toward  the  elevation  of  erring  humanity.  Endowed 
with  executive  ability  in  managing  business  affairs,  he  was  entrusted  by 
the  Hobart-Lee  Tie  Company  with  the  handling  of  its  finances  in  the  posi- 
tion of  secretary  and  treasurer,  which  position  he  has  held  continuously 
since  its  organization  in  1891,  having  been  one  of  the  potent  factors  in 
building  up  this  firm,  which  ranks  with  the  leading  firms  of  its  kind  in  the 
Southwest,  handling  large  quantities  of  railroad  supplies,  especially  ties, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1667 


for  the  Frisco  system.  For  several  years  he  has  been  a director  of  the 
Springheld  Grocery  Company,  one  of  the  largest  and  best  known  wholesale 
grocery  houses  of  southwest  Missouri,  and  is  now  president  of  the  corpo- 
ration and  is  managing  its  affairs  in  an  able  and  eminently  satisfactory  man- 
ner. Interested  with  the  Branson  Town  Company  and  the  Arkansas  Min- 
ing and  Mercantile  Company,  he  is  the  secretary  and  treasurer  of  each. 

Mr.  Lee  was  married  on  December  27,  1893,  to  Mabelle  Lingsweiler, 
a daughter  of  John  G.  and  Emma  R.  (Ostrander)  Lingsweiler,  a prominent 
family  of  Lebanon,  Missouri.  The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lee  has  been 
graced  by  the  birth  of  five  children,  named  as  follow:  John  Lawrence, 

Francis  Theodore,  Raymond  Fitshugh,  Mabelle  Lucille  and  Richard  Albert. 
They  are  receiving  excellent  educational  advantages  and  are  all  youngsters 
of  much  promise. 

Politically,  Mr.  Lee  is  a Democrat  and  is  loyal  in  the  support  and 
work  of  that  party,  and  yet  not  with  ambition  to  become  a political  leader. 
While  not  the  sport  of  common  parlance,  he  has  sporting  procilivities  grow- 
ing out  of  his  social  nature,  and  holds  membership  in  the  James  River  Hunt- 
ing and  Fishing  Club,  the  Country  Club,  the  Springfield  Club,  and  the  Young 
Men’s  Business  Club.  He  is  president  of  the  Springfield  Chapter  of  the 
Sons  of  the  American  Revolution.  Identified  with  the  Young  Men’s  Chris- 
tion  Association  of  Springfield,  he  is  one  of  the  directors,  president  of  the 
board  and  a trustee  of  the  association.  AVhen  the  energetic  and  enthusiastic 
members  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  of  his  city  determined  to  provide  a sub- 
stantial meeting  place  in  and  by  the  erection  of  a splendid  temple  building, 
he  was  designated  on  the  first  committee  of  arrangement  and  plans,  and 
became  one  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  association  and  its  treasurer. 
In  religious  matters  he  is  equally  active,  being  a member  of  St.  Paul's  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church,  South  ; he  has  for  over  fifteen  years  conducted  its 
Sunday  school  as  superintendent;  he  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  church 
and  chairman  of  the  finance  committee  of  the  board  of  stewards. 

Before  this  municipality  of  affairs  all  had  inception  Mr.  Lee  became 
interested  in  Freemasonry  and  in  Sparta  Lodge  No.  296,  located  at  Sparta, 
in  Christian  county,  on  March  31,  1893,  he  was  made  a Master  Mason. 
Transferring  membership  to  Gate  of  the  Temple  Lodge  No.  z[22  of  Spring- 
field,  he  served  as  worshipful  master  in  1899,  1900  and  1907.  Since  1901 
he  has  been  district  lecturer  of  his  Masonic  district,  and  from  1904.  presi- 
dent of  the  Masonic  Board  of  Relief  of  Springfield.  In  Yincil  Chapter  No. 
no,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  on  September  24,  1897,  he  was  exalted  to  the 
Royal  Arch  degree,  and  served  it  as  high  priest  in  1901  and  1908.  O11 
April  24,  1901,  he  was  anointed,  consecrated  and  set  apart  to  the  Holy 
Order  of  High  Priesthood  at  the  grand  convention  held  in  the  city  of  St. 
Louis.  He  serves  the  Grand  Chapter  as  chairman  of  important  committees 


i668 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


and  is  the  representative  of  Tennessee  near  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Missouri. 
At  the  resuscitation  of  Zabud  Council  No.  25  of  the  city  of  Springfield, 
he  was  one  of  the  few  who  were  ready  to  extend  a helping  hand,  petitioned 
for  its  instruction,  and  on  May  17,  1904,  received  the  degrees  of  Royal  and 
Select  Master.  Devoting  himself  to  its  interests,  he  was  elected  thrice  illus- 
trious master  in  the  years  1905,  1906  and  1907,  and  his  fidelity,  energy  and 
enthusiasm  contributed  largely  toward  the  enviable  condition  which  Zabud 
has  attained  among  the  councils  of  the  state.  In  April,  1905,  he  was 
appointed  grand  marshal,  and  was  regularly  advanced-,  becoming  grapd 
master  in  April,  1910.  His  record  in  that  important  position  shows  that  he 
accomplished  much  for  the  propagation  of  the  Cryptic  system.  At  the  tri- 
ennial assembly  of  the  General  Grand  Council  of  Royal  and  Select  Masters 
of  the  United  States  of  America,  held  in  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  September 
9,  1912,  he  was  honored  by  his  companions  by  being  elected  to  the  position 
of  general  grand  steward  of  the  United  States. 

The  Grand  Jurisdiction  of  Rhode  Island  honored  him  with  a com- 
mission as  its  representative  near  the  Grand  Council  of  Missouri.  The 
orders  of  Christian  Knighthood  were  conferred  upon  him  on  November  4, 
1897,  in  St.  John’s  Commandery  No.  20,  Knights  Templars,  stationed  at 
Springfield,  and  in  1902  he  was  elected  its  commander.  In  the  Grand  Com- 
mandery of  Knights  Templars  of  the  State  of  Missouri,  in  April,  1904,  he 
was  appointed  grand  warder,  subsequently  elected  by  the  suffrage  of  his 
fraters,  he  served  in  every  station  in  the  line  except  one  and  became  grand 
commander  in  May,  1911,  closing  the  year  of  service  at  Cape  Girardeau, 
May  29,  1912.  That  it  was  strenuous  the  record  shows,  and  if  no  other 
tablet  ever  appears  distinctively  many  will  be  found  reproduced  by  memory 
to  consciousness  for  courteous  treatment  under  his  command.  A commis- 
sion from  Virginia  authorizes  him  to  respond  for  that  Templar  jurisdiction 
in  the  Grand  Commandery  of  Missouri.  In  1907,  St.  Andrew  Conclave 
No.  11  of  Joplin,  created  him  a Knight  of  the  Red  Cross  of  Constantine 
and  appendant  orders.  He  attained  the  thirty-second  degree  of  the  Ancient 
and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  in  1906  by  Joplin  Consistory  No.  3.  He  is  a 
Noble  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  postulated  in  1903  to  Abou-Ben-Adhem  Temple 
of  Springfield. 

Thus  is  portrayed,  in  part  at  least,  the  accomplishment  of  a busy  man. 
It  was  attained  through  the  solving  of  an  economic  problem : The  art  by 
which  human  needs  and  comforts  are  applied.  The  systematic  use  of  time, 
free  to  everybody,  but  frequently  wasted  by  injudicious  application  and  the 
further  fact  that  the  average  possessor  is  not  stimulated  to  an  economy  of 
time  by  necessity  arising  through  desire  to  make  it  count  in  weight  and 
power  as  it  passes  to  the  wheel.  Prompt,  reliable  and  responsible,  he  main- 
tains dignity,  being  genial,  affable  and  courteous,  none  have  difficulty  in 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1669 


approach;  careful  of  his  antagonisms,  he  preserves  friendships.  Of  strong 
religious  inclination,  he  has  faith  in  things  not  perceived,  and  is  affected 
morally  somewhat  after  the  philosophy  of  Kant,  “Act  so  that  the  maxim 
of  thy  will  can  likewise  be  valid  as  a principle  of  universal  legislation.” 
Mr.  Lee  is  yet  young,  has  barely  passed  the  inception  of  usefulness  to  his 
fellows.  His  methods  demonstrated  contain  the  elements  which  point  to 
a successful  culmination  of  the  divine  purpose  in  the  bestowal  of  life,  and 
the  future  years  will  evidently  find  his  advancement  further  in  paths  of 
honor  and  righteousness  as  well  as  usefulness.  These  and  more  are  due 
his  conscientious  course  and  one  is  justified  in  employing  the  lines  of  Ten- 
nyson : 

“We  will  do  him 
No  customary  honor;  since  the  knight 
Came  not  to  us,  of  us  to  claim  the  prize 
Ourselves  will  send  it  after.” 


WALDO  CORNWELL  BOOTH. 

It  would  be  to  most  of  us  a source  of  genuine  gratification  to  be  able 
to  trace  our  ancestry  back  through  the  centuries,  and  to  know  how  they 
lived,  what  they  looked  like,  what  they  followed  for  a livelihood,  what  they 
did  in  the  world  and  what  their  ambitions  were;  but,  unfortunately,  here  in 
America,  few  of  us  are  able  to  do  this;  in  fact,  the  majority  of  us  know  practi- 
cally nothing  of  our  progenitors  beyond  our  grandparents.  The  Booth  family, 
formerly,  spelled  Bothe,  Bouthe  and  Boothe,  seems  to  have  had  a greater 
pride  in  their  family  tree  and  made  a careful  record  of  each  generation,  so 
that  the  history  of  the  family  is  today  accurately  traceable  back  through 
some  six  centuries.  AVe  find  that  it  is  an  ancient  English  family,  and  promi- 
nent and  influential  both  in  that  country  and  in  America,  whither  some  of 
the  family  immigrated  among  the  first  in  the  earliest  Colonial  period,  their 
descendants  now  numbering  thousands  and  are  to  be  found  all  over  the 
Union. 

The  family  name  first  occurs  in  the  county  palatine  of  Lancaster,  Eng- 
land, where  a son  of  Adam  de  Boothe  was  living  in  1275..  All  the  other 
families  of  this  name  in  various  parts  of  England  and  America  are  believed 
to  be  descended  from  this  parent  stock,  through  its  younger  branches.  From 
his  son  AAhlliam  the  family  comes  down  through  Thomas,  Robert  and  Sir 
Thomas,  who  was  knighted  during  the  reign  of  Edward  III  in  the  thir- 
teenth century;  his  son  John  lived  during  the  reign  of  Richard  II.  We 
come  on  down  to  Sir  Robert  Booth,  the  first  of  the  family  to  settle  at  Dun- 


1670 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ham  Massey,  in  Cheshire,  who  died  there  in  1450.  Several  members  of  the 
family  about  this  period  became  bishops  and  great  lawyers  and  statesmen, 
and  many  of  them  married  into  families  of  the  nobility,  Sir  George  Booth, 
who  died  in  1483,  marrying  a relative  of  the  King  of  Scotland.  The 
Booths  were  also  people  of  wealth,  owning  vast  estates.  We  find  that, 
coming  on  down  the  line,  Sir  George  Bouthe  was  knighted  by  Oueen  Eliza- 
beth during  the  latter  part  of  the  fifteenth  century,  and  died  in  1652.  Sir 
George  Bouthe,  who  died  in  1684,  was  a member  of  parliament  and  com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  English  army  in  Wales  and  western  England,  and 
was  for  eminent  services  created  a baron  by  Charles  IT,  and  from  him 
descended  a line  of  barons  to  Earl  George  H.  Grey  of  Stamford,  who  was 
living  in  1825. 

Richard  Boothe  of  Stamford,  ancestor  of  the  name  in  Connecticut, 
and  for  whom  the  city  of  Stamford  was  named,  was  born  in  1607,  but  it 
is  not  known  from  what  part  of  England  nor  in  what  year  he  emigrated 
to  America.  He  held  various  offices  of  trust  in  his  new  home,  and  seems 
to  have  been  an  influential  man  in  Colonial  affairs.  His  large  landed  prop- 
erty was  divided  among  his  children.  During  that  early  period  of  our  his- 
tory we  also  know  that  Robert  Boothe  lived  at  Exeter,  New  Hampshire, 
in  1645,  removing  to  Saco,  where  he  died  in  1672;  and  John  Boothe,  who 
lived  at  Scituate,  Massachusetts,  in  1656;  Humphrey  Boothe  was  a mer- 
chant at  Charlestown,  Massachusetts.  Richard  Boothe,  mentioned  above, 
married  Elizabeth  Hawley,  and  to  them  eight  children  were  born,  namely : 
Elizabeth,  Anne,  Ephraim,  Ebenezer,  John,  Joseph,  Bethiah  and  Johanna. 
From  these  children  descended  the  numerous  Booths  of  the  present  gen- 
eration throughout  America. 

Waldo  Cornwell  Booth,  subject  of  this  memoir,  was  born  in  Ports- 
mouth, New  Hampshire,  May  21,  1836,  and  was  a son  of  George  and  Abbv 
(Cornwell)  Booth.  Both  his  grandparents  were  soldiers  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  George  Booth  was  engaged  in  the  foundry  business  in  New 
Brittan,  Connecticut,  for  a number  of  years,  finally  removing  to  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  where  he  lived  with  his  son,  our  subject. 

Waldo  C.  Booth  received  an  exceptionally  good  education  for  the 
period  in  which  he  lived.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  state,  and 
remained  in  New  England  until  1853,  when  he  came  to  Cincinnati  with 
an  uncle  and  there  engaged  in  the  hardware  business,  first  securing  employ- 
ment in  a store  and  finalty  working  his  way  up  until  he  became  a member 
of  the  firm  of  R.  W.  Booth  & Company,  which  for  years  was  rated  as  the 
largest  wholesale  hardware  company  in  that  city,  and  there  our  subject 
became  a prominent  man  in  both  business  and  social  circles,  and  he  made  a 
great  success  as  a merchant  through  his  close  application,  honest  dealings 
and  the  exercise  of  sound  judgment.  He  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1671 


1870,  on  account  of  failing  health,  which,  being  restored  by  the  change,  he 
again  engaged  in  the  hardware  business,  operating  here  one  of  the  largest 
and  best  patronized  stores  of  its  kind  in  the  city,  and  enjoying  an  excellent 
trade,  and  later  he  also  engaged  in  the  tobacco  manufacturing  business 
here,  one  of  his  most  famous  brands  being  “Old  Coon,”  well  remembered 
by  the  older  smokers  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Booth  was  married  on  September  6,  1865,  to  Martha  Thomas, 
who  was  born  in  Buffalo,  New  York,  December  11,  1839.  She  is  a daugh- 
ter of  Calvin  F.  S.  and  Eliza  (Shields)  Thomas,  the  former  a native  of 
New  York  City,  where  his  birth  occurred  in  1808,  the  family  later  remov- 
ing to  Norfolk,  Virginia.  After  the  death  of  his  father  he,  with  his  mother 
and  sister,  went  to  Boston,  where  he  established  a printing  office.  Later  he 
settled  in  Buffalo,  New  York,  where  he  engaged  for  some  time  in  the  pub- 
lication of  a newspaper  and  in  the  wholesale  paper  business,  owning  a large 
paper  warehouse  there.  Meanwhile  he  had  married  and  reared  a family. 
After  the  death  of  his  wife  he  gave  up  his  business  and  made  his  home  with 
his  daughter,  who  had  married  Waldo  C.  Booth,  our  subject,  in  Cincinnati, 
the  family  coming  to  Springfield  in  1869.  Mr.  Thomas  did  not  engage  in 
business  here  of  any  kind,  his  failing  health  compelling  him  to  lead  a quiet, 
retired  life.  The  Springfield  people  who  vet  remember  him  recall  him  as 
a silent  but  cultured,  kindly  gentleman.  He  died  in  1876  while  in  Buffalo, 
New  York,  where  he  had  gone  on  a visit.  Mr.  Thomas  knew  America’s 
greatest  author,  Edgar  Allen  Poe,  whom  he  befriended  when  he  was  engaged 
in  the  printing  business  in  Boston,  in  1827,  Mr.  Thomas  then  being  about 
eighteen  years  old.  He  was  a poor  boy,  and  with  the  assistance  of  a 
widowed  mother  and  what  lie  could  earn  by  his  printing  business,  was  try- 
ing to  get  an  education.  In  that  year  he  met  Poe,  who  w7as  about  the  same 
age,  and  who  was  then  in  the  United  States  army,  where  he  was  known  as 
Edgar  A.  Perry.  He  prevailed  on  Thomas  to  publish  a volume  of  his 
poems,  and  when  the  thin,  forty-page  volume  was  issued  the  title  page  was 
as  follows:  “Tamerlane  and  Other  Poems.  By  a Bostonian.  Boston: 

Calvin  F.  S.  Thomas,  Printer.  1827."  It  was  of  cheap  paper,  poorly  exe- 
cuted mechanically,  and  rudely  bound.  It  contained  ten  poems,  some  of 
them  without  any  title.  But  four  of  them,  “Tamerlane,”  “The  Lake,” 

“To  -,”  and  “Visit  of  the  Dead,”  always  appeared  in  later  editions, 

and  these  four  were  subjected  to  so  much  revision  that  they  bear  but  small 
resemblance  to  their  original  form. 

To  Waldo  C.  Booth  and  wife  four  children  were  born,  namely:  Stanley 
C.,  who  is  head  bookkeeper  for  the  McGregor-Noe  Hardware  Company  of 
Springfield,  married  Lydia  Wood;  Fred  is  deceased;  Ralph  W.  is  also 
deceased;  George  H.,  who  is  now  connected  with  the  Springfield  Wagon 
Company,  married  Grace  Hyner  of  St.  Louis. 


1672 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Waldo  C.  Booth  was  a soldier  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  war,, 
having  enlisted  at  Cincinnati  in  1861  in  the  Fifth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry. 
He  was  soon  commissioned  first  lieutenant,  later  became  a captain.  He 
was  subsequently  given  command  of  a company  in  the  One  Hundred  and 
Thirty-seventh  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  proved  to  be  an  efficient  offi- 
cer, and  took  part  in  numerous  important  engagements.  Politically,  he  was  a 
Democrat.  He  was  a member  of  the  school  board  for  a number  of  terms, 
and  he  was  often  solicited  to  make  the  race  for  mayor  of  Springfield,  but 
always  declined.  Fraternally,  he  was  a member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen,  and  religiously  he  was  a Unitarian.  He  belonged  to  the 
Shakespeare  Club  of  Cincinnati.  In  his  earlier  life  he  was  an  enthusiastic 
sportsman.  Personally  he  was  admired  by  all  who  knew  him  for  his  integ- 
rity, business  ability  and  exemplary  character. 


JOHN  E.  DENNIS. 

The  mind  of  the  farmer  must  be  as  well  balanced  as  the  farm  affairs. 
With  a good  mental  grasp  on  the  situation  a farmer  should  be  enabled  to- 
get  great  enjoyment  and  must  profit  out  of  his  specialties  without  inter- 
ferring  with  the  known  necessity  for  diversified  farming.  One  of  the  farm- 
ers of  Washington  township,  Greene  county  who  understands  this  is  John 
E.  Dennis,  and  he  is  therefore  making  a success  as  a general  farmer. 

Mr.  Dennis  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  May  17,  1865.  He 
is  a son  of  Benjamin  Franklin  Dennis  and  Margaret  (Smith)  Dennis.  The 
father  was  born  in  Jackson  county,  Tennessee,  in  1830,  and  was  eleven  years 
old  when  he  accompanied  his  parents,  William  R.  and  Sarah  (Chaffin) 
Dennis,  to  Missouri,  locating  in  Greene  county.  When  a young  man  he 
made  two  overland  trips  to  California,  but  finally  took  up  his  permanent 
abode  on  a farm  of  two  hundred  acres  in  this  county,  and  in  due  course  of 
time  became  one  of  our  most  progressive  farmers  and  extensive  landowners, 
and  was  a heavy  dealer  in  live  stock,  especially  mules.  He  continued  active  in 
his  work  until  1911,  when  he  retired  from  active  life  and  moved  to  a fine 
residence  in  Rogersville,  Missouri,  where  he  is  now  living.  He  is  president 
of  the  Bank  of  Rogersville  and  is  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  the  eastern 
part  of  Greene  county.  Margaret  A.  Smith,  whom  he  married  in  1864, 
was  his  first  wife,  and  by  her  four  children  were  born,  all  of  whom  sur- 
vive, namely:  John  E.,  Clara  B.,  William  A.,  and  George  F.  The  mother 

of  these  children  was  horn  in  this  county  in  1843  and  her  death  occurred 
in  1876,  after  which  Mr.  Dennis  married,  in  1877,  Martha  G.  Ferrell,  who 


GREENE  COUNTY^  MISSOURI. 


l673-' 

was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1861.  To  this  second  union  five  children  were 
born,  namely:  Henry  C,  Cora  A.,  Grover  C.,  Shirley  Y.,  and  Ben  Elmer. 

John  E.  Dennis  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  there  assisted 
with  the  general  work,  and  he  now  owns  and  occupies  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  the  place  on  which  he  was  reared.  He  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  community,  and  he  has  always  followed  general 
farming  and  stock  raising.  His  farm  is  well  improved  and  is  one  of  the- 
productive,  well  located  farms  of  the  county,  and  on  it  stands  a good  group 
of  buildings. 

Mr.  Dennis  was  married  on  December  23,  1886,  to  Martha  T.  Boden- 
hamer,  who  was  born  east  of  Springfield,  May  3,  1867,  and  was  reared 
there  on  a farm  and  educated  in  the  district  schools.  She  is  a daughter  of 
A.  J.  and  Elizabeth  (Whorten)  Bodenhamer.  Both  these  parents  were 
born  in  Greene  county,  were  reared,  educated  and  married  here  and  are 
still  living  on  a farm  in  this  county  and  are  high  respectable  people. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dennis,  namely:  Mrs. 

Volie  Hedgepath,  born  on  October  12,  1887;  Benjamin  A.,  born  on  March 
15,  1889,  and  Charles  Lee,  born  on  July  23,  1893. 

Politically,  Air.  Dennis  is  a Democrat,  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Modern  Woodmen,  at  Rog- 
ersville,  Webster  county. 


WILLIAM  Y.  SMITH. 

A great  essayist  once  said  that  “when  one  has  given  the  best  that  is 
in  him  to  a work,  he  experiences  a feeling  of  satisfaction."  While  this 
statement  may  seem  rather  broad,  yet  a greater  truth  than  this  was  never 
spoken.  Whether  one  is  successful  or  not  in  what  one  undertakes,  if  he 
realizes  that  nothing  on  his  part  has  been  left  undone  he  should  have  no 
regrets.  This  does  not  mean  that  the  unsuccessful  person  feels  just  as 
elated  over  defeat  as  the  successful  over  victory.  When  one  does  his  best  and 
is  successful  he  has  a double  reason  to  be  happy.  To  this  class  belongs  Will- 
iam \ . Smith,  who  has  had  a varied  career  as  farmer,  implement  dealer, 
traveling  salesman  and  life  insurance  agent,  and  whose  record  shows  that  by 
his  individual  efforts  persistently  applied  he  has  succeeded  in  lines  that  have 
claimed  his  attention. 

Air.  Smith  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Afissouri,  June  5,  1851.  He 
is  a son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Julian)  Smith,  natives  of  Virginia  and 
Tennessee,  respectively.  They  grew  to  maturity  in  the  East  and  were  edu- 
cated there  and  married  in  Kentucky.  The  father  was  a physician  by  pro- 


1 67  4 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


fession.  He  went  to  California  in  1851,  during  the  gold  fever  period,  and 
his  death  occurred  in  Eugene,  Oregon.  His  widow  survived  until  1875, 
dying  in  Greene  county,  Missouri.  To  these  parents  six  children  were  born, 
three  of  whom  are  deceased,  namely:  Julian  D.,  deceased;  Robert  O., 

deceased;  Cyrenia  lives  in  Paris,  Texas;  Saphronia  lives  in  Fair  Play,  Mis- 
souri; Aglentine,  deceased;  and  William  Y.,  of  this  review. 

William  Y.  Smith  had  little  opportunity  to  receive  an  education.  He 
attended  night  school  for  a time,  but  later  in  life  this  early  lack  has  been 
made  up  for  by  wide  miscellaneous  reading,  and  he  is  today  a well-informed 
man  on  general  topics.  He  was  married  near  Willard,  his  native  county, 
October  15,  1871,  to  Anna  B.  Campbell,  who  was  born  in  Greene  county, 
Missouri,  in  1855,  and  here  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  a com- 
mon school  education.  She  is  a daughter  of  Andrew  and  Louise  (White) 
Campbell,  natives  of  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  respectively,  but  were  mar- 
ried in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  after  they  immigrated  here  among  the 
early  pioneers,  locating  on  a farm.  During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Campbell 
joined  the  Confederate  army  and  died  in  the  service.  His  widow  survives 
and  is  living  in  Tennessee.  Mrs.  Smith  is  a granddaughter  of  George 
White,  one  of  the  pioneer  preachers  of  Greene  county,  who  located  here 
in  the  year  1853  and  was  known  as  a circuit  rider,  preaching  at  Friendship 
Baptist  church  near  Ebenezer,  Ash  Grove,  Slagle  Creek  church  and  Cedar 
Bluff,  holding  services  one  Sunday  each  month  in  the  churches  in  his  reg- 
ular circuit. 

Eight  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith,  five  of  whom 
are  living  at  this  writing,  namely:  Lydia  Eugenia  lives  in  Kansas;  Fred, 
deceased ; Ethel  is  married  and  lives  in  Springfield,  Missouri ; Mattie  is  also 
with  her  parents;  Nellie  lives  in  Joplin,  Missouri;  Walter  died  in  infancy; 
Campbell  lives  in  Springfield,  and  Lee  is  deceased. 

William  Y.  Smith  is  an  example  of  a self-made  man.  His  father  died 
when  he  was  a small  boy,  leaving  our  subject’s  mother  with  a number  of 
children  to  rear,  which  made  it  necessary  for  William  Y.  to  face  life  alone 
and  unaided;  lint  this  he  did  courageously,  and  the  hard  knocks  he  received 
at  that  tender  age  proved  valuable  to  his  makeup.  Lie  engaged  in  general 
farming  on  the  farm  where  he  wTas  reared,  continuing  in  this  vocation  until 
he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age,  then  moved  to  Springfield  and  engaged  in 
the  implement  business,  later  went  on  the  road  for  a harvester  company, 
selling  machines,  remaining  in  that  line  of  work  a number  of  years,  or 
until  the  various  harvesting  machine  companies  were  consolidated  into  the 
trust,  whereupon  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  life  insurance  business. 
During  the  past  five  years  he  has  been  on  the  road  as  a commercial  traveler, 
selling  different  lines,  but  principally  lighting  systems  and  silos.  He  is 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1675 

one  of  the  most  successful  and  best  known  traveling  men  in  this  section  of 
the  country.  He  has  a pleasant  home  on  Monroe  street,  Springfield. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a Democrat,  and  has  long  been  more  or  less  active  in  the 
affairs  of  his  party.  He  is  a member  of  the  Anti-Horse  Thief  Association. 


THOMAS  ELLIS  DABBS. 

Thomas  Ellis  Dabbs  was  born  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  August  8, 
1878,  and  when  three  years  of  age  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
with  his  parents  and  here  has  since  resided.  His  father,  William  P.  Dabbs, 
was  born  in  Virginia,  May  28,  1829,  and  was  the  son  of  Abner  and  Mary 
Dabbs,  who  located  in  North  Carolina  in  1838,  after  spending  their  earlier 
years  in  the  Old  Dominion.  In  1844  they  left  the  old  Tar  state  and  made 
the  long  overland  journey  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  where  William  P. 
Dabbs  grew  to  manhood.  On  October  3,  1858,  he  married  Hannah  M. 
Johnston,  a daughter  of  John  B.  Johnston,  formerly  a citizen  of  Spring- 
field.  To  this  union  ten  children  were  born,  six  of  whom  are  living  at  this 
writing,  namely:  Mary  C.,  Hannah  E.,  Clara  L.,  Ellen  V.,  Thomas  E.,  and 
Robert  Lee.  The  last  named  is  a girl. 

William  P.  Dabbs  was  a Southern  sympathizer  during  the  war  between 
the  states,  and  in  the  fall  of  1861  he  enlisted  in  the  State  Guards,  and  in 
February,  1862,  joined  Capt.  “Dick”  Campbell’s  company,  and  served  in 
the  regular  Confederate  army  under  Gen.  Sterling  Price.  He  took  part  in 
a number  of  engagements  and  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  hotly  contested 
battle  of  Champion’s  Hill,  Mississippi,  May  17,  1863,  and  was  held  at  Camp 
Morton,  Fort  Donelson  and  Point  Lookout  until  March,  1864,  when  he  was 
released.  He  made  his  way  to  Clark  county,  Ohio,  where  he  joined  his  fam- 
ily who  had  been  ordered  out  of  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  the  spring  of 
1864.  He  remained  in  Ohio  until  1881  when  he  returned  with  his  family 
to  Greene  county  and  bought  a farm  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  acres. 

Thomas  E.  Dabbs  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father’s  farm  where  he 
assisted  with  the  general  work.  He  received  his  education  in  the  district 
schools  and  the  old  Springfield  Normal,  which  he  attended  two  years.  On 
December  25,  1901,  he  married  Eleanor  Miller,  a daughter  of  James  Todd 
Miller  and  Christina  (Stephenson)  Miller.  The  father  was  born  in  Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania,  and  the  mother  in  Henry  county,  Illinois.  James 
Miller,  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Dabbs,  was  a native  of  Ireland,  from  which 
country  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States  when  a young  man  and  settled 
in  New  York,  later  locating  in  Philadelphia.  He  was  a weaver  bv  trade 
which  he  followed  until  about  1865  when  he  came  to  Bureau  county,  Illi- 


1676 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


nois,  where  he  purchased  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  and  there 
his  death  occurred  seventeen  years  ago,  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years* 
and  he  was  burid  at  Kewanee,  Henry  county,  that  state.  His  wife,  Jane 
(Legette)  Miller,  was  a granddaughter  of  Joseph  Robert  and  Eleanor 
(Sloan)  Legette,  natives  of  Ireland,  from  which  country  they  immigrated 
to  the  United  States  and  died  at  Kewanee,  Illinois,  he  at  the  age  of  ninety- 
two  years,  and  she  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight  years. 

To  James  T.  Miller  and  wife  six  children  were  born,  namely:  Elea- 

nor, wife  of  Mr.  Dabbs  of  this  sketch;  Christina  lives -at  Meta,  Missouri; 
Jean  married  Fred  Krone  and  they  live  in  St.  Louis;  James  S.  lives  in 
LaCrosse,  Wisconsin;  Will  T.  lives  in  Lafayette,  Indiana;  Joe  Marshall 
is  at  home. 

James  T.  Miller  was  but  a child  when  his  parents  took  him  from  Phila- 
delphia to  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  until  1899,  when  he 
came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri.  He  engaged  in  merchandising  in  Spring- 
held,  where  he  remained  until  1904,  then  went  to  Meta,  Missouri,  and 
retired. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dabbs,  namely:  Will- 

iam James,  born  in  1903;  Margarite  Christina,  born  in  1907;  Helen  Miller, 
born  in  1909;  and  Mary  E.,  born  in  1912. 

Mr.  Dabbs  has  devoted  his  life  to  general  agricultural  pursuits.  He 
owns  a productive  and  well-tilled  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Campbell  town- 
ship, near  Springfield,  only  a mile  from  the  city  limits.  Here  for  four  years 
he  conducted  a successful  dairy,  but  has  abandoned  this  part  of  his  opera- 
tions. He  has  also  devoted  considerable  attention  to  the  live  stock  business. 

Politically,  he  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Anti-Horse 
Thief  Association.  He  has  served  his  community  as  road  commissioner. 
Our  subject’s  wife  is  a member  of  the  Calvary  Presbyterian  church, 
Springfield. 


MAJOR  JOHN  W.  F.  BEATIE. 

Effective  management  of  one’s  affairs  has  ceased  to  be  a one-man 
game.  A generation  ago  farmers  and  business  men  could  and  did  carry  on 
their  enterprises  quite  independent  of  each  other.  If  they  could  not  make  a 
satisfactory  deal  with  one  man,  there  was  another  at  hand  with  which  they 
could  open  negotiations.  But  there  has  been  a gradual  breaking  down  of 
independent  individual  action  and  a growing  up  of  gigantic  systems  of  com- 
bination. Small  business  establishments  have  been  absorbed  by  the  larger 
ones  which  have  united  their  interests  by  working  agreements.  Farmers 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1677 

now  see  the  necessity  of  co-operation  for  cheaper  production  and  less  expen- 
sive marketing. 

One  of  the  farmers  of  Washington  township,  Greene  county,  who  is 
alive  to  new  conditions  is  John  W.  F.  Beatie,  who  was  born  near  St.  Louis, 
Missouri,  April  9,  1837.  He  is  a son  of  Robert  and  Mary  Anne  (Smith) 
Beatie.  The  father  was  born  in  Lincoln  county,  Tennessee,  July  29,  1811, 
and  was  reared  on  a farm  in  that  state,  and  when  a young  man  he  learned 
the  blacksmith's  trade.  He  remained  in  his  native  state  until  1837  when  he 
made  the  overland  trip  in  a wagon  to  Missouri,  Greene  county  being  his 
destination,  and  our  subject  was  born  en  route.  The  family  settled  about 
ten  miles  southeast  of  Springfield  at  a place  now  called  Palmetto.  Here  the 
elder  Beatie  secured  a tract  of  land  which  he  cleared  and  worked  in  connec- 
tion with  blacksmithing,  keeping  a shop  on  his  farm,  and  was  one  of  the 
best-known  blacksmiths  among  the  pioneer  settlers  in  that  part  of  the  county. 
There  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  on  March  22,  1884.  His  wife  was 
born  in  Lincoln  county,  Tennessee,  and  there  grew  up  and  received  a limited 
education.  She  did  not  live  long  after  coming  to  Missouri.  To  these  parents 
ten  children  were  born,  namely:  Martha  Jane,  deceased;  Lucinda,  deceased; 
John  W.  F.,  of  this  sketch;  Sarah  Elizabeth  lives  in  Webster  county,  Mis- 
souri; David  M.  is  living  in  Rogersville,  Webster  county;  Airs.  Frances 
Gault  lives  in  Rogersville  also;  William  R.  makes  his  home  at  Rogersville; 
Anna  Eliza,  deceased;  Lucretia  G.,  deceased;  the  youngest  child  died  in 
infancy. 

Major  Beatie  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  where  he  worked 
when  a boy,  and  in  the  winter  time  he  attended  the  district  schools  of  his 
community.  He  has  lived  in  Missouri  all  his  life,  and  being  now  past  his 
seventy-seventh  birthday  he  is  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  of  this  township, 
which  he  has  seen  develop  from  a wild  state  to  a fine  farming  community, 
and  he  has  taken  an  interested  part  in  the  many  improvements.  When  the 
Civil  war  began  he  soon  took  a stand  for  the  Union  and  at  first  joined  the 
Home  Guards  under  Captain  Waterson.  After  the  battle  of  Wilson's  Creek 
he  entered  the  United  States  sendee,  serving  six  months  in  Company  D, 
Phelp’s  regiment,  under  Capt.  J.  W.  Lisenby,  then  joined  the  Missouri 
State  Militia,  and  later  was  a member  of  the  Sixteenth  Missouri  Cavalry. 
He  saw  considerable  sendee,  but  principally  in  his  home  district,  and  at  the 
close  of  the  war  he  was  honorably  discharged  at  Springfield. 

Major  Beatie  was  married  in  1872  to  Matilda  Pickel,  who  was  born  in 
Tennessee,  and  from  that  state  she  removed  with  her  parents  at  a very  early 
age  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  the  family  locating  just  across  the  road 
from  the  Beattie  family  and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  her 
education  in  the  district  schools.  She  is  a daughter  of  Jacob  B.  and  Malicia 


1678 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


(Holt)  Pickel,  who  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  from  Tennessee,  and 
located  on  a farm  in  Washington  township. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beatie  five  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Mrs. 

Mary  Alice  Davis  lives  in  Greene  county;  Robert  M.  is  at  home;  Mrs.  Emma 
Holland  lives  in  Greene  county;  Mrs.  Jennie  Isabel  Webb  lives  in  Greene 
county,  and  Mrs.  Bessie  F.  Painter  resides  in  Springfield. 

Major  Beatie  has  always  followed  general  farming,  and  soon  after  his 
marriage  he  moved  to  the  farm  where  he  is  now  residing,  purchasing  one 
hundred  acres,  to  which  he  later  added  twenty-six  and  one-half  acres,  one 
hundred  acres  being  under  cultivation,  the  balance  in  timber.  He  has  a good 
farm  and  a comfortable  home  and  has  made  an  easy  living  here.  He  has 
owned  farms  in  different  parts  of  the  state. 

Politically,  Mr.  Beatie  is  a Republican,  and  while  loyal  to  his  party  has 
never  sought  leadership  or  public  office. 


COLUMBUS  BERRY  RUSSELL. 

When  Columbus  Berry  Russell,  one  of  the  substantial  farmers  of  Brook- 
line township,  Greene  county,  lost  an  arm  in  his  boyhood  it  was  regarded 
as  a calamity,  but  this  very  circumstance  may  have  led  to  the  arousing  of 
dormant  energies,  courage,  self-reliance,  determination  and  ambition  that 
could  not  he  thwarted  and  thus  the  accomplishment  of  greater  things  in 
future  years  than  otherwise  would  have  been  the  case.  Anyway  he  is  cer- 
tainly deserving  of  a great  deal  of  credit  for  forging  ahead  from  discourag- 
ing and  humble  environment  to  the  commendable  position  he  has  attained  in 
his  locality. 

Mr.  Russell  was  born  in  Dade  county,  Missouri,  December  20,  1852. 
He  is  a son  of  Jefferson  N.  and  Elizabeth  Russell,  who  came  to  Dade  county 
from  Virginia  in  the  late  forties.  The  paternal  grandfather  was  a native  of 
Germany.  His  wife  was  a native  of  Ireland.  They  immigrated  to  America 
early  in  the  nineteenth  century.  Jefferson  N.  Russell  owned  a good  farm 
in  this  county  where  he  and  his  wife  both  died.  They  were  the  parents  of 
the  following  children:  Columbus  B.  of  this  sketch;  Granson,  of  Hico, 
Hamilton  county,  Texas;  B.  V.  lives  in  Buena  Vista,  Texas;  Calvin  lives 
in  Plainview,  Texas;  Ann  is  the  widow  of  J.  D.  Robinson  and  lives  in  Little 
Oak,  California;  Arrena  Jane  is  the  wife  of  J.  J.  Gray,  a farmer  of  Brook- 
line township,  this  county;  Sarah  E.  is  the  widow  of  J.  Hale,  of  Kansas 
City. 

Columbus  B.  Russell  was  a boy  when  his  parents  brought  him  to  Greene 
county  and  he  was  reared  on  a farm  which  formed  a portion  of  the  battle- 
field of  Wilson’s  Creek,  and  during  this  memorable  engagement  the  Russell 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1679 

home  was  converted  into  a hospital.  Our  subject  has  a vivid  recollection  of 
the  battle  and  tells  many  interesting  stories  regarding  it.  Soon  after  the 
battle  he  passed  over  the  field  in  search  of  some  live  stock  that  had  been 
frightened  away  by  the  firing,  and  he  saw  many  dead  and  wounded.  Our 
subject’s  father  was  a member  of  the  Home  Guards  and  at  the  time  of  the 
battle  was  at  home;  however,  he  was  careful  to  conceal  himself  from  the 
Confederates  and  he  was  not  disturbed.  But  during  the  war  he  lost  all  of 
his  live  stock — several  hundred  head,  including  sixty  brood  mares,  which 
practically  ruined  him  financially. 

Columbus  B.  Russell  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  He 
has  always  followed  farming.  When  fourteen  years  old  he  met  with  the 
accident  that  caused  the  loss  of  his  right  arm,  by  the  accidental  discharge 
of  a gun,  but  nevertheless  he  began  life  for  himself  when  fifteen  years  old 
by  engaging  in  farming  and  has  made  his  way  unaided  in  the  world  ever 
since,  and,  managing  Avell  has  been  quite  successful.  He  moved  to  his 
present  location  in  Section  36,  Brookline  township,  in  1874,  where  he  bought 
a government  claim  of  forty  acres,  since  then  acquiring  eighty  acres  more, 
the  entire  one  hundred  and  twenty  costing  an  average  of  about  nine  dollars 
per  acre.  It  is  now  well  worth  seventy-five  dollars  per  acre,  partly  because 
of  the  general  increase  in  land  and  partly  because  he  has  made  many  sub- 
stantial improvements  and  has  his  land  under  excellent  cultivation.  He  also 
owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Section  23,  of  this  township.  He  oper- 
ates a part  of  his  land,  renting  the  balance. 

Mr.  Russell  was  married  in  1873  to  Visa  Jane  Crow,  a daughter  of 
Bryant  and  Bindy  Crow,  whose  home  was  on  Wilson  creek  in  Wilson  town- 
ship. Here  Mrs.  Russell  was  born  in  1853,  grew  to  womanhood  on  the  farm 
and  was  educated  in  the  district  schools.  The  following  children  were  born 
to  our  subject  and  wife:  Hubert,  born  in  April,  1888,  died  when  sixteen 

months  old;  Lula,  born  February  10,  1875,  married  John  Baumbarger  and 
lives  in  Oklahoma;  Minnie  A.,  born  March  2,  1877,  married  John  Ray,  of 
Springfield;  Alberta,  born  December  22,  1879,  lives  at  home;  Etta,  born 
February  6,  1882,  married  William  Robinson,  of  Greene  county;  Roy  and 
Effie,  twins,  were  born  on  February  11,  1885,  the  former  is  unmarried  and 
lives  at  home,  and  the  latter  married  James  Robinson  and  they  live  in  Barry 
county,  Missouri;  Homer  V.,  born  on  March  13,  1889,  died  in  June,  1910, 
in  Oklahoma;  Phelix  J.,  born  on  May  2,  1892,  is  single  and  lives  at  home; 
Leona,  born  on  August  21,  1896,  is  also  at  home.  These  children  were  edu- 
cated in  the  district  schools. 

Mr.  Russell  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church.  Politi- 
cally, he  is  a stanch  Democrat  but  is  not  active  in  public  affairs,  but  is  an 
advocate  of  all  measures  looking  to  the  general  upbuilding  of  his  community 

and  county. 


T 680 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


LOUIS  LAZZARO  REBORI. 

It  was  Robert  Louis  Stevenson,  the  great  Scottish  author,  who  said  that 
a man  who  follows  his  own  virtuous  heart  will  he  always  found  in  the  end 
to  have  been  fighting  for  the  best ; that  one  thing  leads  naturally  to  another 
in  an  awakened  mind,  and  that  with  an  upward  progress  from  effect  to  cause. 
The  late  Louis  Lazzaro  Rebori,  for  many  years  one  of  the  best-known  busi- 
ness men  of  Springfield,  was  a man  who  had  evidently  “an  awakened  mind,” 
-and  whose  career  was  marked  by  “an  upward  progress.”  And  since  it  is  true 
that  individual  success  is  determined,  in  true  measure,  by  what  one  has 
accomplished,  his  name  is  deserving  of  a high  rank  in  the  list  of  Greene 
county  citizens  of  a past  generation  who  rose,  of  their  own  efforts,  from 
-an  humble  beginning  to  the  top  rungs  of  the  ladder  of  material  success. 

Mr.  Rebori  was  born  near  Genoa,  Italy,  August  31,  1867,  a scion  of  an 
excellent  old  Italian  family.  He  was  a son  of  Jiacomo  and  Catherine  (Gan- 
dolfo)  Rebori,  both  also  natives  of  the  same  locality  in  which  our  subject 
was  born.  There  they  grew  to  maturity,  attended  school  and  were  married. 
The  death  of  the  father  occurred  in  1889  at  the  age  of  fifty-three  years,  being 
.killed  by  falling  from  a cherry  tree.  The  mother  is  still  living  in  Italy,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-three  years.  The  father  was  in  the  fruit  business  all  his 
life  and  was  highly  successful.  In  the  early  eighties  he  immigrated  to  the 
Lbiited  States  with  his  parents  when  our  subject  was  eleven  years  old,  the 
family  locating  in  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  where  the  father  engaged  in  the 
wholesale  and  retail  fruit  business  for  about  fifteen  years.  He  prospered 
and,  branching  out,  established  a retail  fruit  business  in  Knoxville,  Ten- 
nessee, for  his  sons,  he  laying  there  the  foundation  for  a large  fortune,  and 
was  a very  rich  man  at  the  time  oh  his  death.  After  retiring  from  active 
life  he  returned  to  Italy  with  his  wife,  and  there  they  erected  a beautiful 
home,  along  the  American  line  of  architecture,  and  there  spent  the  rest  of 
his  life.  Ide  was  not  only  a man  of  superior  ability  along  business  lines  but 
was  also  of  superior  mental  ability,  and  he  was  a scrupulously  honest  man, 
in  fact,  a devout  Christian.  His  family  consisted  of  three  children,  namely: 
Louis  L.,  of  this  sketch;  Andrew,  who  is  engaged  in  the  wholesale  fruit 
business  in  Springfield;  and  Stella,  who  is  living  in  Genoa,  Italy. 

Louis  L.  Rebori  received  a limited  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Indianapolis.  However,  he  became  a well-informed  man,  by  coming  in  con- 
tact with  the  business  world,  by  close  observation  and  by  wide  miscellaneous 
reading.  He  was  a fine  example  of  a successful  self-made  man,  and  was 
certainly  deserving  of  a great  deal  of  credit  for  what  be  accomplished  in  a 
business  way.  He  assisted  his  father  in  the  fruit  business  until  he  was 
twenty-three  years  of  age.  He  went  back  to  Italy  with  his  parents  where  he 


LOUIS  L.  REBORI. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1681 


remained  two  years,  but,  tiring  of  life  there,  he  desired  to  come  back  to 
America  to  make  his  fortune  where  he  deemed  business  conditions  better  and 
existence  pleasanter  in  our  “land  of  the  free.’’  After  spending  four  years 
in  the  fruit  business  in  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  he  came  to  Springfield  in  the 
year  1895,  at  the  solicitation  of  his  brother,  who  had  previously  located  here, 
Andrew  Rebori,  being  now  president  of  the  well-known  Rebori  Fruit  Com- 
pany, which  operates  a large  wholesale  house  between  Mill  street  and  Phelps 
avenue,  near  the  Frisco  depot.  Andrew  Rebori  had  opened  a fruit  store 
at  South  street  and  the  public  square,  Louis  L.  Rebori  entering  the  firm  with 
a capital  stock  of  less  than  six  hundred  dollars,  provided  by  his  father. 
Later  he  was  in  different  locations,  one  stand  being  on  Walnut  street,  another 
on  St.  Louis  street,  and  still  another  on  Commercial  street,  and  other  places. 
The  loan  was  repaid  within  a year  and  after  remaining  in  partnership  with 
his  brother  nine  years,  he  opened  his  first  business  on  East  Walnut  street. 
The  last  stand  he  owned  was  on  South  Jefferson  street,  now  the  property 
of  his  widow.  He  was  apparently  a genius  at  selecting  good  business  loca- 
tions, for  he  placed  fruit  stands  at  points  where  none  had  ever  been  estab- 
lished before,  and  usually  selling  them  in  a short  time  at  material  profits. 
A striking  illustration  of  the  success  of  this  enterprising  man  of  affairs  is 
seen  from  the  fact  that  he  left  an  estate  of  over  twenty-seven  thousand  dol- 
lars, amassed  during  twenty  years  of  business  in  Springfield.  During  his 
two  decades  of  business  here  on  a small  scale,  he  became  one  of  the  wealthi- 
est merchants  of  his  kind  that  the  city  has  ever  known.  A large  portion  of 
his  earnings  were  invested  in  Italy,  the  remainder  being  invested  in  Springfield. 

Mr.  Rebori  was  married  on  September  2,  1891,  in  New  York  City,  to 
Laura  Crover,  who  was  born  in  Springfield,  Ohio,  September  16,  1876.  She 
is  a daughter  of  Andrew  and  Columbia  (Mousante)  Crover,  both  born  near 
Genoa,  Italy,  where  they  spent  their  earlier  years,  emigrating  to  America 
from  their  native  land,  and  establishing  their  home  in  Springfield,  Ohio. 
The  death  of  Mr.  Crover  occurred  in  New  York  City,  May  1,  1903,  where 
he  had  located  a number  of  years  previously.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Rebori 
is  now  making  her  home  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  being  now  sixty-three 
years  of  age.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crover  were  young  when  they  came  to  America, 
and  they  were  married  in  New  York  City,  from  which  place  they  removed 
to  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  and  later  to  Springfield,  Ohio,  and  finally  moved 
back  to  New  York  City.  Mr.  Crover  spent  his  life  engaged  successfully  in 
the  fruit  business,  being  engaged  for  many  years  as  a wholesale  and  retail 
merchant.  His  family  consisted  of  four  children,  namely:  Emma  lives  in 

Springfield;  Laura,  who  became  the  wife  of  Mr.  Rebori;  Della  lives  in 
Springfield ; and  Ralph,  who  is  also  a resident  of  this  city.  Mrs.  Rebori 
(106) 


1 682 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


had  the  advantage  of  an  excellent  education,  and  is  a woman  of  fine  business- 
tact  and  excellent  personal  characteristics. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rebori  resulted  in  the  birth  of  one  child, 
Ralph  A.  Rebori,  whose  birth  occurred  on  April  2,  1899.  He  is  receiving 
a good  education,  and  he  gives  promise  of  a successful  business  career. 

Politically.  Mr.  Rebori  was  a Democrat,  and  while  he  was  a strong 
man  in  his  party,  taking  an  abiding  interest  in  public  affairs,  especially  such 
as  pertained  to  the  general  upbuilding  and  welfare  of  the  city  of  Spring- 
field,  he  was  never  an  office  seeker.  Pie  was  a member  of  St.  Agnes  Catho- 
lic church,  and  was  noted  for  his  fair  dealings  with  his  fellow  men,  his 
upright  character  and  his  kindness.  He  was  held  in  high  favor  by  all  who 
knew  him,  both  in  the  circles  of  his  countrymen  and  Americans.  He  was  a 
man  who  had  a prodigious  working  capacity,  his  average  working  day  being 
seventeen  hours  or  more,  the  common  comment  of  his  customers  being  that 
“he  was  the  last  one  to  go  home  at  night  and  the  first  one  to  be  out  in  the 
morning.”  He  frequently  returned  to  Italy  for  short  periods,  crossing  the 
ocean  twenty-three  times,  being  accompanied  on  twelve  of  them  by  his  wife 
and  son.  He  was  always  ready  to  help  in  any  good  cause,  always  gave  a 
helping  hand  to  those  in  need  who  appealed  to  him,  and  he  did  many  a kind 
and  generous  act  that  the  public  never  knew  about,  for  he  never  gave  from 
an  impulse  to  gain  the  praise  of  men,  but  from  a sense  of  duty  and 
brotherhood. 

The  death  of  Louis  L.  Rebori  occurred  after  a brief  illness,  on  March 
23,  1915,  in  his  forty-eighth  year,  when  just  in  the  prime  of  life  and  useful- 
ness and  when  the  future  promised  most  to  him. 


THOMAS  H.  DORAN. 

Wise  farmers  of  Greene  county  are  now  planning  their  crops  with 
safety  first  in  mind.  Dry  years  have  impressed  upon  all  of  us  the  fact  that 
the  certain  and  regular  production  of  feed,  every  year,  must  be  the  founda- 
tion of  a safe  system  of  farming.  Very  few  are  staking  their  all  on  one 
feed  crop,  and  still  fewer  are  placing  their  entire  dependence  on  some  “cash 
crop,”  expecting  to  buy  their  feed.  Thomas  Id.  Doran,  of  Clay  township, 
is  one  of  our  farmers  who  plans  well  and  can  see  ahead,  one  to  whom  the 
previous  successive  dry  years  have  taught  valuable  lessons.  He  is  a man 
who  is  ever  on  the  alert  to  learn  something  more  than  what  he  was  taught 
by  the  early-day  farmers,  whose  methods  were  all  right  then,  but  since  con- 
ditions have  changed  very  materially,  a new  system  of  farming  has  had  to 
be  adopted. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1683 


Mr.  Doran  was  born  in  Greene  county  on  March  9,  1871.  He  is  a 
son  of  Alec.  H.  and  Catherine  (Grubaugh)  Doran.  The  father  was  born  in 
Tennessee,  May  9,  1825,  and  was  reared  in  that  state,  receiving  the  usual 
schooling  of  the  times.  When  a young  man  he  went  to  Illinois,  but  later 
moved  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  then  located  in  Christian  county.  He 
sold  patent  medicine  for  awhile  but  farming  was  his  main  business.  His 
death  occurred  in  Greene  county,  April  14,  1898.  His  wife  was  born  near 
Springfield,  Illinois,  in  1826,  and  was  reared  on  a farm  there.  She  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  church.  Her  death  occurred  on  the  old  home 
place  in  this  county,  November  24,  1889.  To  these  parents  nine  children 
were  born,  namely:  William  is  deceased;  Jennie,  Edward,  James,  Meaford, 

Sherman,  Mrs.  Emma  Mutchler,  Thomas  H.,  of  this  sketch,  and  Mollie, 
deceased. 

Thomas  H.  Doran  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Greene  county  and  he 
received  a common  school  education.  He  lived  on  the  farm  which  his 
father  owned  in  Christian  county.  He  has  devoted  his  life  to  agricultural 
pursuits  and  has  owned  farms  in  different  parts  of  Greene  county.  His 
present  place  consists  of  two  hundred  and  sixty-six  acres.  He  carries  on 
general  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  deals  in  live  stock  on  an  extensive 
scale.  He  has  a well-improved  and  productive  place  and  a good  home  on 
the  Rogersville  and  Galloway  road. 

Mr.  Doran  was  married  in  November,  1895,  to  Annie  Stephens,  who 
was  born  on  June  22,  1866,  and  it  is  a singular  coincidence  that  she  first 
saw  the  light  of  day  in  the  same  house  in  which  our  subject  was  ushered 
into  the  world.  She  was  reared  on  a farm  in  Greene  county,  and  received 
a common  school  education.  She  is  a daughter  of  John  and  Cynthia  B. 
(Owen)  Stephens,  both  natives  of  Tennessee.  Her  father  spent  his  active 
life  on  a farm.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  war, 
under  Captain  Kirby  and  saw  much  hard  service,  remaining  in  the  army 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  came  home  from  the  front  sick  and  did  not 
recover,  his  death  occurring  on  April  3,  1866.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Doran 
was  born  on  July  4,  1837,  and  died  on  December  8,  1906.  To  these  parents 
three  children  were  born,  namely:  Mrs.  Mary  Smith,  Mrs.  Smathey  Chaf- 

fin, and  Anna,  wife  of  Mr.  Doran.  The  last  named  is  a member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Doran  two  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Ralph, 

born  April  11,  1899,  is  living  at  home;  Mabel  L.,  born  on  November  26, 
1907,  is  with  her  parents. 

Politically,  Mr.  Doran  is  a Republican,  and  fraternally,  he  belongs  to 
the  Modern  Woodmen. 


1684 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


REUBEN  R.  ROSE. 

Probably  many  of  us  never  stopped  to  consider  some  of  the  factors 
which  have  contributed  to  the  gradual  depletion  of  our  soil  fertility.  When 
we  see  a farmer  hauling  fifty  bushels  of  corn  to  town,  worth  in  an  average 
year  about  twenty-five  dollars,  we  hardly  think  of  him  as  hauling  away 
fifteen  dollars’  worth  of  soil  fertility  with  that  corn.  Yet  if  he  brought 
back  home  in  the  form  of  commercial  fertilizer  the  same  amount  of  fer- 
tility he  hauled  off  that  is  what  it  would  cost.  Likewise  when  fifty  bushels 
of  wheat  is  sold  sixteen  dollars’  worth  of  soil  fertility  goes  with  it.  A ton 
of  clover  hay  may  bring  seventeen  dollars,  but  the  seller  is  giving  away 
eleven  dollars’  worth  of  the  soil  fertility  in  the  hay.  One  of  the  farmers 
of  Brookline  township,  Greene  county,  who  believes  in  putting  something- 
back  in  the  soil  and  endeavoring  to  maintain  its  richness  while  he  is  gather- 
ing life-sustaining  harvests  from  it  is  Reuben  R.  Rose. 

Mr.  Rose  was  born  October  14,  1874,  in  Brookline  township,  near  the 
village  of  Brookline.  Ele  is  a son  of  Reuben  R.  and  Lucy  A.  (McElhany) 
Rose.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  came  from  Tennessee  to 
this  locality  in  the  pioneer  days  and  established  the  permanent  home  of  the 
family  here.  Ele  and  our  subject's  father  devoted  their  lives  to  general 
farming  and  were  well  known  in  this  part  of  the  county.  Our  subject  is 
one  of  a large  family  of  children,  namely:  Sallie  is  the  wife  of  Sol  Owens 

and  lives  near  Springfield;  Jane  is  the  wife  of  Amos  Cooper  and  lives  in 
Oklahoma;  Kennard  lives  at  Galloway,  Missouri;  John  lives  in  Brookline 
township,  Greene  county;  Reuben  R.,  Jr.,  of  this  sketch;  Martha  is  the 
wife  of  Charles  Grothy  and  they  live  at  Webb  City,  Missouri ; Lucy  is  the 
wife  of  Wilson  White  and  they  live  near  Springfield;  Homer  lives  in  Brook- 
line township ; Frank  also  lives  in  Brookline  township ; two  sons  and  one 
daughter  are  deceased. 

Mr.  Rose  of  this  review  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  there 
he  worked  during  the  crop  seasons,  and  in  the  winter  time  attended  the 
district  schools.  He  has  always  followed  farming,  starting  out  in  life  for 
himself  when  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  purchased  forty  acres  in  Brookline 
township  in  1906,  and  he  now  owns  two  hundred  acres  in  section  36  and 
also  two  hundred  acres  in  section  1.  He  resides  on  the  former,  in  a com- 
modious residence,  surrounded  by  substantial  outbuildings  and  an  excellent 
grade  of  live  stock.  His  land  is  also  productive  and  well-improved,  and  he 
manages  it  in  a skillful  and  successful  manner,  being  rated  as  one  of  the 
best  general  farmers  in  the  township.  He  is  a noted  mule  breeder,  and  has 
been  very  successful.  He  owns  “Greased  Lightning,”  a very  fine  jack. 

Mr.  Rose  was  married  in  1896  to  Opie  McElhany,  who  did  not  live 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1685 

long  thereafter,  and  in  1900  our  subject  married  Mamie  VanWagon,  a 
daughter  of  Fred  VanWagon  and  wife  of  Brookline  township,  where  she 
grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  To  this  union  four  children  have 
been  born,  namely:  Philip,  age  thirteen;  Glen  R.,  age  eleven;  Elmer,  age 

nine;  and  Effie  Marie,  age  seven. 

Politically,  Mr.  Rose  is  a Democrat.  He  was  elected  school  director 
in  his  district,  and  has  been  incumbent  of  this  office  six  years,  and  is  a 
strong  advocate  for  good  educational  work. 


LEVY-WOLF  DRY  GOODS  COMPANY. 

One  of  the  best  known  progressive  mercantile  establishments  in  Spring- 
field  is  the  Levy-Wolf  Dry  Goods  Company,  located  in  the  southeast  corner 
of  the  Public  Square. 

This  business  was  founded  here  by  Mr.  M.  Levy  twenty-seven  years 
ago,  under  the  firm  name  of  the  Model  Dry  Goods  Company,  and  was  oper- 
ated under  that  name  until  January,  1914,  when  the  incorporation  of  the 
Levy-Wolf  Dry  Goods  Company  was  effected,  with  increased  capital  stock, 
to  take  over  the  business,  which  had  steadily  grown  during  the  many  years 
of  its  existence  to  be  one  of  the  largest  distributors  of  exclusive  dry  goods, 
millinery  and  women's  ready-to-wear  apparel  in  southwestern  Missouri,  and 
now  has  a force  of  sixty  employees  and  counts  among  its  patrons  the  best 
families  of  Springfield  and  surrounding  counties.  This  store,  which  is  still 
known  as  “The  Model,”  has  made  a specialty  of  goods  of  quality  and  has 
won  for  itself  an  enviable  reputation  for  dependability  of  its  merchandise 
and  for  fairness  and  integrity  in  its  dealings. 

Mr.  M.  Levy  before  coming  to  Springfield  was  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business  in  Arrow  Rock  and  Marshall  in  Saline  county,  this  state, 
for  twenty-one  years,  from  1866  to  1887,  where  he  met  with  a very  reason- 
able degree  of  success,  and  is  further  said  to  have  had  more  personal  friends 
than  any  man  who  had  ever  been  engaged  in  business  in  that  section,  and 
even  to  this  day  none  of  the  old-timers  of  Saline  county  visit  Springfield 
without  looking  him  up. 

Mr.  Levy  has  always  been  identified  with  every  enterprise  for  the 
advancement  and  good  of  Springfield,  and  has  likewise  taken  an  active  inter- 
est in  all  charitable  and  philanthropic  affairs. 

The  Levy-Wolf  Dry  Goods  Company  is  capitalized  for  fifty  thousand 
dollars,  fully  paid  up,  and  the  destinies  of  the  company  are  successfully 
directed  by  the  following  officers:  M.  Levy,  president;  Ignace  Glaser,  vice- 

president;  Sol  R.  Wolf,  secretary  and  manager,  I.  R.  Levy,  treasurer. 


i686 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


The  building  which  for  the  past  fourteen  years  has  housed  this  pro- 
gressive firm  was  entirely  remodeled  a few  years  ago,  into  an  attractive 
convenient  and  modernly  appointed  store,  which  with  its  late  style  recess 
show  windows  would  be  a credit  to  any  city.  The  first  floor  is  devoted  to 
staple  and  fancy  dry  goods,  notions  and  toilet  requisites;  the  second  floor 
is  given  over  entirely  to  the  women’s  ready-to-wear  department,  and  the 
third  floor  is  very  handsomely  furnished  for  the  departments  of  millinery 
and  dressmaking.  The  latter  department,  being  one  of  the  principal  fea- 
tures of  the  store,  has  a clientele  while  not  large  in  numbers  practically 
extends  from  Maine  to  California,  and  gives  the  store  the  distinction  of 
almost  a national  reputation.  It  is  such  institutions  that  have  contributed 
to  the  making  of  a greater  Springfield. 


GEORGE  W.  O’NEAL. 

One  of  the  men  who  has  stamped  his  strong  individuality  upon  the 
minds  of  the  people  of  western  Greene  county  in  a manner  as  to  render 
him  one  of  the  conspicuous  characters  of  this  locality  is  George  W.  O’Neal, 
who  has  had  a somewhat  varied  career  as  a man  of  affairs,  farmer,  miller, 
banker  and  lumberman.  Faithfulness  to  duty  and  a strict  adherence  to  a 
fixed  purpose,  which  always  do  more  to  advance  a man’s  interest  than  wealth 
or  advantageous  circumstances,  have  been  dominating  factors  in  his  life, 
which  has  been  replete  with  honor  and  success  worthily  attained.  He  is  a 
scion  of  one  of  the  sterling  old  families  of  the  Ozark  region,  and  many  of 
the  strong  characteristics  of  his  progenitors  seem  to  have  outcropped  in 
him,  and  he  has  been  most  vigilant  in  keeping  the  record  of  the  family  untar- 
nished, for  the  O’Neals  have  always  been  noted  for  their  sterling  honesty, 
their  rare  industry  and  their  readiness  to  assist  in  the  general  upbuilding  of 
the  communities  in  which  they  selected  as  their  homes. 

Mr.  O’Neal  was  born  on  April  8,  1841,  in  Carroll  county,  Arkansas. 
He  is  a son  of  Charles  G.  and  Martha  (Hillhouse)  O’Neal,  natives  of  Ten- 
nessee, where  they  spent  their  earlier  years  eventually  moving  to  Carroll 
county,  Arkansas,  where  they  located  on  a farm  and  were  well  and  favor- 
ably known.  They  were  parents  of  thirteen  children,  twelve  of  whom  lived 
to  maturity  and  eight  of  whom  survive  at  this  writing. 

George  W.  O’Neal  grew  to  manhood  on  the  homestead  in  Arkansas 
and  there  he  made  himself  useful  when  crop  seasons  came  around,  and  in 
the  winter  tiriie  he  attended  the  district  schools  in  his  community,  obtaining 
a practical  education  which  later  in  life  has  been  greatly  supplemented  by 
wide  reading  and  contact  with  the  world  until  today  he  is  an  exceptionally 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1687 


well-informed  man  on  current  events.  He  remained  on  his  father’s  farm 
until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  leaving  home  in  1862  to  go  to  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  where  he  enlisted  in  the  First  Arkansas  Cavalry,  and  served 
three  years  and  three  months  in  the  Federal  army  during  the  Civil  war  in  a 
gallant  manner,  seeing  considerable  hard  service  in  the  Southwest,  and  was 
honorably  discharged.  About  the  time  the  war  closed  his  father  moved 
from  Arkansas  to  what  was  known  as  the  old  Tom  Dodd  farm,  three  miles 
northwest  of  Republic,  and  here  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  and  to  this'  place 
came  our  subject  when  he  returned  from  the  army  and  engaged  in  farming 
with  success  until  1885,  when  he  bought  out  the  lumber  yards  in  Republic 
owned  by  W.  W.  Coover,  Keys,  King  & Company.  When  the  Bank  of 
Republic  w^as  organized  he  took  considerable  stock  in  the  company,  and 
was  for  a time  its  president,  finally  resigning  from  this  office  after  he  had 
placed  the  bank  on  a safe  and  sound  footing  and  made  it  a pronounced 
success.  He  also  took  a large  block  of  stock  in  the  Republic  Canning  Com- 
pany, which  was  organized  in  1888  and  when  the  other  stockholders  of  that 
company  became  discouraged  after  a year’s  run,  Mr.  O’Neal  got  four  other 
men  interested  and  managed  the  canning  company  himself,  clearing  ten  thou- 
sand dollars  the  next  four  years  and  paying  off  the  old  indebtedness.  When 
the  R.  C.  Stone  mill  burned  in  1894  it  was  Mr.  O’Neal  who  took  the  contract 
to  rebuild  the  mill,  while  the  balance  of  the  citizens  of  Republic  only  contrib- 
uted the  necessary  bonus  to  get  the  mill  to  remain.  In  this  transaction  he 
lost  considerable  money,  but  he  considers  himself  fully  repaid  every  time 
he  looks  at  the  big  mill,  knowing  that  it  gives  life  and  support  to  a town  that 
otherwise  would  be  dead.  Mr.  O’Neal  has  had  other  reverses,  including 
the  loss  on  the  contractor’s  bond  of  the  new  school  building  in  Republic,  but 
despite  that  fact  he  is  a successful  man  and  justly  deserves  the  wealth  he  has 
attained.  He  has  acquired  a one-third  interest  in  a flouring  mill  at  Mt. 
Vernon,  Lawrence  county,  in  which  mill  his  son  is  the  prime  factor.  Our 
subject  was  for  some  time  a stockholder,  director  and  vice-president  of 
the  Monitor  Printing  plant  in  Republic,  which  publishes  the  Weekly  Monitor, 
but  has  recently  retired  from  this  firm.  He  is  a thorough  business  man,  ready 
at  all  times  to  help  in  any  cause  that  will  benefit  Republic  and  vicinity,  and 
he  has  done  as  much  as  any  other  one  man  toward  the  material  upbuilding 
of  this  town  and  toward  the  general  welfare  of  the  people  in  this  section  of 
Greene  county.  He  has  one,  of  the  most  extensive  lumber  businesses  in  the 
county,  having  recently  rebuilt  his  sheds,  making  them  ninety  by  one  hun- 
'dred  and  sixteen  feet  and  all  covered  with  felt  roofing  and  iron.  He  is  a 
progressive  man  of  high  ideas  and  has  long  enjoyed  the  good  will  and  con- 
fidence of  all  who  know  him.  Religiously  he  is  a worthy  member  of  the 
Christian  church,  and  while  he  is  deeply  interested  in  public  affairs,  he  has 
never  sought  office. 


1 688 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mr.  O’Neal  married  Ellen  Wallace,  who  died  after  a married  life  of 
eighteen  years,  leaving  six  children,  who  still  survive.  Mr.  O’Neal  married 
again  in  1892,  Zetta  Bingman,  of  Greene  county,  and  a daughter  of  James 
and  Elizabeth  (Lamb)  Bingman,  whose  family  consisted  of  ten  children. 

Personally,  Mr.  O’Neal  is  a genial,  obliging  and  courteous  gentleman 
whom  it  is  a pleasure  to  meet. 


JOHN  P.  GRIFFIN. 

The  business  of  farming  comprises  among  many  other  points  the  con- 
sideration of  what  crops  to  grow,  how  to  grow  them  to  the  best  advantage, 
whether  for  sale  or  for  use  on  the  farm.  It  brings  out  more  than  anything 
else  the  business  acumen  of  the  farmer,  and  is  more  or  less  the  very  key- 
note to  success  or  failure.  A man  may  be  the  best  of  farmer  so  far  as 
raising  crops  and  harvesting  them  is  concerned,  but  it  would  avail  him 
nothing  if  he  had  no  market  for  what  he  had  raised,  or,  in  other  words,  if 
he  had  raised  the  wrong  crop.  John  P.  Griffin  is  one  of  the  farmers  of 
Republic  township,  Greene  county,  who  seems  to  be  very  successful  in  rais- 
ing the  right  crop,  in  the  right  manner,  at  the  right  time. 

Mr.  Griffin  was  born  on  August  7,  1863,  in  Iowa.  He  is  a son  of  John 
and  Ann  (Gilmore)  Griffin,  the  former  born  in  1840,  in  Ireland,  and  the 
latter  born  in  1842,  in  New  York.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  brought 
to  the  United  States  by  his  parents  when  three  years  of  age,  the  family 
locating  in  Illinois,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  was  educated  and  where 
he  remained  until  his  marriage  when  he  removed  to  Iowa,  but  after  spend- 
ing a few  years  there  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death,  having  lived  on  his  farm  from  about  1870  until  1910. 

Thirteen  children,  seven  sons  and  six  daughters,  have  been  born  to 
John  Griffin  and  wife,  named  as  follows:  John  P.  of  this  sketch;  Joseph 

M.,  born  in  1865,  lives  in  Ashland,  Oregon,  married  Mary  Starr,  of  that 
state;  James  P.,  born  in  1879,  is  single  and  lives  in  Baker,  Oregon;  Frank 
F.,  born  in  1881,  lives  in  Springfield,  married  Anna  Norfleet,  there  in  1901, 
and  they  had  four  children — Paul,  born  in  1902;  Elizabeth,  born  in  1904; 
and  Mildred,  born  in  1911;  one  child  died  in  infancy.  Thomas  T.,  who 
lives  in  Carterville,  Missouri,  married  Mary  Daniels  of  that  place,  and  they 
have  two  children,  Emmet  and  Audrey;  Mark,  born  in  1877,  is  single,  lives 
on  the  home  place  which  he  operates;  M.  E.,  born  in  1880,  is  single  and 
also  works  on  the  home  farm;  Mary  A.,  born  in  Redwing,  Minnesota  in  1862, 
died  in  1893;  Sarah  Katherine,  a twin  sister  of  John  P.,  married  J.  W. 
Robinson,  a brother  of  our  subject’s  wife,  in  1891 ; they  live  in  New  Mexico 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1689 


and  have  three  children — Elizabeth,  Paul  and  Barnard.  Margaret  Eliza- 
beth, born  October  13,  1867,  is  single  and  lives  on  the  homestead;  Cora 
Alice,  born  on  May  9,  1870,  married  C.  C.  Humphreys  in  1891,  and  they 
have  had  four  children — Erma,  Maude,  Mary,  who  died  in  1905,  and  Cora 

Alice  whose  death  occurred  in  1898.  Rose,  born  in  1874,  died  in  1896; 

Bertha  Ellen,  born  in  1871,  died  in  1899.  These  children  were  given  good 
common  school  educations.  Joseph  M.  was  of  musical  talent.  Mary  had  a 
great  local  reputation  as  a nurse  and  her  death  was  the  result  of  service  to 
others,  she  having  contracted  typhoid  fever  while  nursing  a neighbor  af- 
flicted with  that  disease.  The  entire  family  has  always  borne  excellent 

reputations  and  are  well  thought  of  throughout  this  part  of  the  county  or 
wherever  they  are  known. 

John  P.  Griffin  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  was  a good 
student  in  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood.  He  has  devoted  his  life  to 
general  agricultural  pursuits  and  paid  considerable  attention  to  stock  raising. 
His  well  cultivated  and  well  improved  farm  in  Republic  township  contains 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  and  he  has  a comfortable  home.  He  was 
married  in  1895  to  Mary  Robinson,  who  was  born  in  1863,  in  Greene  county. 
She  received  a good  education  in  the  public  schools.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Anthony  and  Hettie  Robinson,  of  Republic  township,  Greene  county. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife — Leo,  born  on 
July  25,  1897;  and  Bertha  Frances,  born  on  June  22,  1899,  died  when  seven 
years  of  age. 

Politically,  Mr.  Griffin  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Catho- 
lic church. 


GEORGE  W.  THURMAN. 

In  any  rich  and  progressive  agricultural  country,  like  that  contiguous 
to  the  town  of  Republic,  Greene  county,  Missouri,  the  flour  milling  business 
is  usually  found  to  be  one  of  the  most  important  industries.  Here  a vast 
acreage  is  put  to  wheat  annually  and  the  total  number  of  bushels  produced 
after  the  results  of  the  threshing  season  are  known  is  enormous,  so  a great 
and  modern  mill  in  the  center  of  this  nature-favored  locality  has  sprung 
up,  known  as  the  Republic  Custom  and  Merchant  Mill  Company,  of  which 
George  W.  Thurman  is  manager.  To  conduct  such  a business  successfully 
requires  ability  of  a high  order  and  characteristics  that  have  been  known  to 
make  for  success  whenever  and  to  whatever  they  are  properly  and  persis- 
tently applied. 

Mr.  Thurman  was  born  in  this  county,  February  22,  1870,  and  is  the 
son  of  Caleb  and  Mary  S.  (Jenkins)  Thurman.  The  father  was  born  in 


1690 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Sevier  county,  Tennessee,  in  1834,  where  he  spent  his  boyhood  and  during 
the  Civil  war  he  removed  to  Arkansas,  and  after  the  close  of  the  conflict 
came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  soon  thereafter  purchased  a farm 
and  devoted  the  rest  of  his  life  to  general  farming  and  stock  raising  here, 
making  grain  raising  a specialty.  He  was  a man  of  rare  business  ability 
and  industry,  and  although  he  came  here  with  little  of  this,  world’s  goods, 
only  fifty  cents  in  money  and  a pair  of  mules,  he  worked  hard,  managed 
well  and  prospered  with  advancing  years,  became  owner  of  one  of  the  finest 
farms  in  the  western  part  of  the  county,  which  contained  three  hundred 
acres,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  worth  twenty-five  thousand  dollars. 
He  was  a well-known  man  and  influential  citizen.  His  first  wife  was  also 
a native  of  Tennessee  and  there  spent  her  girlhood  and  they  were  educated 
in  the  common  schools  of  their  native  state  and  were  married  upon  leaving 
there  for  Arkansas.  She  proved  to  be  a faithful  helpmeet  and  is  still 
living  on  the  home  place  near  Republic,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years.  The 
death  of  Mr.  Thurman  occurred  in  January,  1909,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
five  years.  To  these  parents  ten  children  were  born,  seven  sons  and  three 
daughters,  six  of  whom  survive,  namely:  William  H.,  I.  J.,  Samuel  G., 
Robert  E.,  and  Martha  C.,  twins;  James  G.,  our  subject;  John  died  in 
infancy;  Cyphronia  A.,  and  Mary  Jane. 

George  W.  Thurman  was  reared  on  the  homestead  in  Greene  county 
and  there  he  did  his  full  share  of  the  work  during  crop  seasons  when  he 
became  of  proper  age,  and  he  received  a good  practical  education  in  the 
local  schools.  In  August,  1898,  he  was  married  to  Hattie  A.  Orr,  a native 
of  Greene  county,  where  she  was  reared  and  educated.  She  is  a daughter 
■of  Elias  R.  and  Martha  Jane  (Norman)  Orr.  Mr.  Orr  was  of  German 
descent,  and  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  early  in  the  nineteenth 
century,  from  Ohio,  and  here  became  well  established  on  a farm  and  spent 

the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  Republic  in  October,  1907.  His  wife  died 

in  1889.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  one  son  and  six  daugh- 
ters, namely:  Mary  Elizabeth,  Gracy  Alta,  Libby  Emma,  Hettie  A.,  wife 
■of  our  subject;  Lula  Mehelia,  Homer  Noah,  and  Edith  Audrv. 

Five  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thurman,  named  as 

follows:  Gaynell  H.,  born  in  October,  1899;  Jewell  Ivan,  born  March  7, 

1891;;  Noel,  born  March  7,  1903;  Geneva  died  in  infancy;  Ruth,  born  in 
March,  1914. 

Mr.  Thurman  remained  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty-three 
years  of  age,  then  began  working  as  a stationary  engineer,  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  a number  of  years.  In  March,  1904,  he  and  five  others  formed 
a stock  company  and  built  the  Republic  Custom  and  Merchant  Mill  and 
have  operated  the  same  ever  since.  During  the  ten  years  of  its  existence 
it  has  been  a marked  success  and  its  volume  of  business  has  gradually 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1691 


increased  with  the  years.  Mr.  Thurman  is  active  manager  of  the  mill,  and 
its  pronounced  success  has  been  largely  due  to  his  able  management.  He 
is  a close  student  of  everything  that  pertains  to  the  flour-milling  business 
and  has  mastered  every  phase  of  the  same,  keeping  fully  abreast  of  the 
times  in  modern  methods.  This  is  one  of  the  largest  and  best  equipped 
mills  in  southwest  Missouri.  The  building  is  a three-story  substantial, 
well  arranged  and  well  located  structure,  and  the  equipment  is  up-to-date 
in  every  respect.  In  February,  1911,  an  electric  light  plant  was  added  to 
the  equipment.  The  capacity  of  the  mill  is  fifty  barrels  per  day  of  flour 
and  same  of  cornmeal,  and  the  products  of  the  same  find  a very  ready 
market  over  the  Southwest,  owing  to  their  superior  quality.  The  following 
are  the  principal  brands  of  flour  produced  here:  “White  Lily,"  “Satis- 

faction,” and  “Premium.” 

Politically,  Mr.  Thurman  is  a Republican  and  he  has  long  been  active 
and  influential  in  local  public  affairs.  He  is  now  incumbent  of  the  office 
of  police  judge  of  Republic  and  is  discharging  his  duties  in  this  connec- 
tion in  a highly  commendable  manner.  He  has  also  served  as  alderman, 
and  has  done  much  for  the  material  and  moral  upbuilding  of  Republic. 
Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  He 
and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Thurman  belong  to  the  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Security,  and  the  East- 
ern Star. 


GEORCxE  W.  JACKSON. 

Endowed  with  a liberal  share  of  good  common  sense  and  possessing 
sound  judgment,  backed  by  a well-founded  purpose  to  succeed,  George  W. 
Jackson,  well-known  farmer  and  amateur  botanist  of  Republic  township, 
Greene  county,  has  labored  with  the  object  primarily  in  view  of  making 
a good  home  for  himself  and  family  and  acquiring  a competency  for  his 
declining  years.  This  laudable  desire  has  been  realized,  and  he  is  in  what 
we  sometimes  call  “easy  circumstances,”  with  a sufficient  surplus  for  the 
proverbial  “rainy  day,”  which  sooner  or  later  comes  to  every  individual,  and 
which,  when  not  provided  for,  results  in  at  least  much  inconvenience  and 
unhappiness  if  not  downright  suffering.  After  farming  successfully  in  this 
vicinity  for  over  forty  years  he  is  now  living  in  retirement,  spending  quietly 
the  mellow  Indian  summer  of  his  years,  and,  having  an  eye  for  the  beautiful 
in  nature,  is  happy  with  her  wonders  spread  about  him,  which  he  seeks  to 
interpret. 

Mr.  Jackson  was  born  near  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  November  27,  1843. 


1692 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


He  is  a son  of  John  and  Christiana  (Chenabury)  Jackson,  both  parents 
natives  of  Tennessee,  where  they  grew  to  maturity,  were  educated  in  a lim- 
ited way  in  the  old-time  subscription  schools  and  there  were  married.  The 
father  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent  and  the  mother  was  of  German  descent. 
The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a Virginian  and  he  spent  his 
early  life  in  the  Old  Dominion,  removing  from  there  to  Knox  county,  Ten- 
nessee, and  establishing  his  future  home  on  a farm.  After  their  marriage  the 
parents  of  our  subject  took  up  their  residence  on  a farm  in  Knox  county 
and  resided  there  until  1870,  when  they  removed  to  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, where  three  of  their  sons  had  preceded  them,  and  here  they  spent 
the  rest  of  their  lives,  the  father  dying  in  1872  and  the  mother  in  1879. 
Their  family  consisted  of  five  children,  four  sons  and  one  daughter,  namely 
James  is  deceased;  George  W.,  of  this  sketch;  John  S.  C,  a sketch  of  whom 
will  be  found  on  another  page  of  this  volume;  Edward  L.  and  Mary  Jane 
were  twins. 

George  W.  Jackson  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  and  worked  there 
during  the  crop  seasons,  and  in  the  winter  time  attended  the  district  schools. 
He  remained  in  Tennessee  until  1867,  when  he  and  two  brothers  came  to 
Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  purchased  railroad  land,  and  here  they  have 
since  resided  and  prospered  by  their  industry.  His  brother,  John  S.  C.,  has 
accumulated  four  hundred  acres,  and  our  subject’s  finely  improved  and  pro- 
ductive farm  consists  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  on  which  stands  a 
good  home  in  the  midst  of  attractive  surroundings,  and  he  has  numerous 
substantial  outbuildings.  Some  time  ago  he  retired  from  the  active  work 
of  the  farm  and  is  now  renting  his  farm,  which  is  one  of  the  best  in  Pond 
Creek  township. 

Mr.  Jackson  was  married  on  September  14,  1871,  to  Charlotta  O’Neal, 
who  was  born  in  1851  in  Carroll  county,  Arkansas,  and  she  received  a 
common  school  education.  She  is  a daughter  of  Charles  and  Martha  (Hill- 
house)  O’Neal,  natives  of  Kentucky,  where  they  grew  up  and  were  married 
and  resided  until  1850,  when  they  came  to  Carroll  county,  Arkansas,  living* 
there  a while,  then  came  to  Greene  county  in  about  1865.  The  O’Neals  are 
a well-known  family,  and  Mrs.  Jackson  is  a sister  of  Judge  A.  J.  O’Neal 
and  George  O’Neal.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  O’Neal  eleven  children  were  born. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jackson,  namely:  Mat- 
tie  married  Luther  Wade,  a farmer  of  Pond  Creek  township,  this  county, 
and  they  have  three  children;  Jason  G.,  also  farming  in  Pond  Creek  town- 
ship, married  Della  Batson,  and  they  have  four  children ; Minnie  married 
Benjamin  Squibb,  a farmer  of  Pond  Creek  township,  and  they  have  four 
children;  Nellie,  who  married  Lawrence  Coggins,  died  November  13,  1906, 
leaving  one  child,  Gladys. 

Mr.  Jackson  has  long  made  a study  of  botany  and  has  spent  much  time 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1693 

with  plants  of  all  kinds  common  to  this  locality,  raising  almost  all  the  herbs 
and  plants  used  in  materia  me  die  a,  and  has  had  a very  satisfactory  income 
from  this  source.  He  has  won  a wide  reputation  in  this  field  of  endeavor, 
and  is  regarded  as  an  authority  in  this  line.  Politically  he  is  a Republican, 
and  religiously  belongs  to  the  Baptist  church.  He  is  a man  of  fine  mind 
and  exemplary  character  and  is  popular. 


CHARLES  E.  PIERCE,  M.  D. 

Among  the  best-known  of  the  younger  generation  of  professional  men 
in  the  western  part  of  Greene  county  is  Dr.  Charles  E.  Pierce,  of  Brookline 
Station.  He  has  always  been  a close  student  and  having  availed  himself  of 
every  opportunity  to  widen  the  area  of  his  professional  knowledge  and 
make  him  efficient  in  the  practice,  it  is  not  at  all  surprising  that  his  advance- 
ment has  been  rapid  and  satisfactory  and  that  he  now  holds  such  a high 
and  honorable  place  among  the  general  practitioners  of  medicine  in  a field 
long  noted  for  the  high  order  of  its  talent. 

Doctor  Pierce  was  born  at  Lebanon,  Missouri,  May  23,  1875.  He  is 
a son  of  E.  W.  and  Margery  Ann  (Webb)  Pierce.  The  father  was  born 
near  Terre  Haute,  Indiana.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was 
a millwright  by  trade.  He  moved  from  Indiana  with  his  family  to  Chris- 
tian county,  Missouri,  when  his  son,  E.  W.  Tierce,  was  a boy  and  he  taught 
the  lad  his  trade,  at  which  he  became  quite  proficient.  E.  W.  Pierce  enlisted 
in  the  Sixth  Missouri  Cavalry  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  and  served 
in  the  Union  army  until  1865.  He  saw  much  hard  service  and  was  twice 
wounded.  After  the  war  he  returned  home  and  resumed  his  trade  of 
millwright,  which  he  followed  until  his  death  in  September,  1913,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-six  years.  He  and  his  brother,  Enos  Pierce,  built  the  first 
flour  mill  of  any  importance  in  the  city  of  Springfield,  and  they  were  well 
known  in  their  trade  over  several  counties  of  southwest  Missouri.  The 
mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born,  reared  and  educated  at 
Fair  Grove,  Greene  county.  Her  parents  died  before  the  war  of  the  states 
began,  when  she  was  a child.  She  is  making  her  home  now  in  Ozark, 
Christian  county,  and  is  seventy-four  years  of  age. 

To  E.  W.  Pierce  and  wife  four  children  were  born,  three  sons  and 
■one  daughter,  namely : William,  a traveling  salesman,  lives  at  Marionville, 
Missouri,  is  married  and  has  two  daughters;  Dr.  Charles  E.,  of  this  sketch; 
Tela  is  the  wife  of  L.  B.  Williams,  a hardware  merchant  of  Ozark;  Frank 
rs  in  the  wholesale  drug  business  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri. 

Doctor  Pierce  was  a child  when  his  parents  removed  from  Laclede 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1694 

county  to  Christian  county,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  public  and 
high  schools  of  Ozark,  graduating  from  the  same.  He  studied  hard  at  home, 
and  might  be  said  to  have  been  self-taught.  He  practiced  at  the  Frisco 
Hospital  in  Springfield  three  years,  and  during  two  years  of  that  time 
studied  pharmacy.  He  began  studying  medicine  when  but  a boy,  and  he 
took  the  prescribed  course  in  the  University  of  Louisville,  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky, from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1911.  Soon 
thereafter  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Ozark  with  Doctor 
Bruton,  with  whom  he  remained  two  years,  during  which  he  got  a good 
start,  then  came  to  Brookline  Station,  Greene  county,  where  he  has  since 
been  engaged  in  the  general  practice  and  has  enjoyed  a large  business  all 
the  while  and  has  met  with  excellent  success. 

Doctor  Pierce  was  married  on  February  19,  1913,  to  Jennie  Glenn, 
of  Christian  county,  where  she  was  born,  reared  and  educated.  ' She  is  a 
daughter  of  John  Glenn,  a prosperous  farmer  of  that  county  and  a well- 
known  citizen.  His  family  consists  of  eight  children,  one  of  whom,  John 
Glenn,  is  at  this  writing  treasurer  of  Christian  county. 

Politically,  Doctor  Pierce  is  a Jefferson  Democrat,  believing  in  the 
old-time  principles  of  the  party.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of  the  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons  lodge  at  Forsyth,  Taney  county.  He  attends  the 
Presbyterian  church.  He  is  a member  of  the  Greene  count)^  Medical  So- 
ciety, the  Missouri  State  Medical  Association  and  the  American  Medical 
Association. 


ANDREW  J.  O’NEAL. 

One  of  Greene  county’s  most  progressive  farmers  and  stock  raisers, 
is  Andrew  J.  O’Neal,  of  the  vicinity  of  Republic,  where  he  has  resided 
for  over  a half  century,  during  which  he  has  seen  wonderful  changes  “come 
over  the  face  of  the  land,”  and  in  these  changes  from  the  old  to  the  new 
order  of  things  he  has  been  by  no  means  an  idle  spectator,  being  a public- 
spirited  man  and  never  withholding  his  aid  from  any  worthy  movement 
having  for  its  object  the  general  good  of  his  township  and  county.  He 
has  ever  had  an  honest  determination  of  purpose  and  an  obliging  nature 
which  impel  him  to  assist  others  on  the  highway  of  life  while  making 
the  path  of  prosperity  for  himself  and  family. 

Mr.  O'Neal  is  a scion  of  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Missouri,  his 
grandfather  invading  the  wilds  of  this  domain  of  the  red  men  one  hundred 
and  ten  years  ago,  and  from  that  remote  day  to  the  present,  members 
of  this  family  have  been  well  known  in  southwestern  Missouri  and  north- 
ern Arkansas.  Mr.  O’Neal,  of  this  review,  was  born  in  Carroll  county. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1695 

Arkansas,  February  18,  1848.  He  is  a son  of  Charles  and  Martha  (Hill- 
house)  O’Neal.  The  father  was  born  in  Kentucky,  and  when  seven  years 
of  age  removed  with  his  parents  from  that  state  to  Missouri,  but  after 
a short  residence  here  moved  on  to  Arkansas  and  estabished  their  home.. 
The  father  of  Charles  O’Neal  first  came  to  Missouri  in  1805,  and  later 
went  to  Kentucky.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  War  of  1812.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  fourteen  years  old  when  his  parents  left  their  old  home 
in  Carroll  county,  Arkansas,  and  moved  to  the  western  part  of  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  where  they  located,  in  1862,  during  the  Civil  war  period, 
and  here  Charles  O’Neal,  the  father,  owned  and  operated  a good  farm 
during  the  rest  of  his  active  life,  dying  here  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety- 
four  years,  in  the  year  1904.  He  was  a good  man  and  good  citizen,  neigh- 
borly and  hospitable,  everybody  knew  him  and  respected  him  in  this  part 
of  the  county.  His  wife,  who  came  from  near  Lebanon,  Laclede  county, 
Missouri,  preceded  him  to  the  grave  in  1897. 

Andrew  J.  O’Neal  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  there  as- 
sisted with  the  general  work  when  he  became  of  proper  age  and  he  received 
his  education  in  the  rural  schools.  When  a young  man  he  began  farming 
for  himself  and  this  has  always  been  his  occupation.  He  prospered  with 
advancing  years  through  good  management  and  is  now  owner  of  one  of 
the  choice  farms  of  this  county,  consisting  of  two  hundred  and  thirty  acres, 
which  he  has  brought  up  to  a fine  state  of  improvement  and  on  which  he 
carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  on  an  extensive  scale.  He 
has  a pleasant  home  and  large,  convenient  outbuildings,  and  a good  grade 
of  live  stock  is  always  to  be  seen  about  his  place.  His  farm  includes  a. 
portion  of  the  old  homestead. 

Mr.  O'Neal  was  married,  January  16,  1868,  to  Nancy  Jane  Wallace,  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  J.  Wallace,  who  was  born  in  middle  Tennessee, 
where  he  spent  his  earlier  years,  and  from  there  immigrated  in  an  early 
day  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  here  became  a successful  farmer  and 
spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  His  family  consisted  of  eleven  children,  four 
sons  and  seven  daughters. 

Andrew  J.  O’Neal  is  also  one  of  a family  of  eleven  children,  four 
sons  and  seven  daughters,  four  of  the  children  being  now  deceased;  some 
are  living  in  Arkansas  and  some  in  Greene  county. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Charles 
Thomas,  born  July  13,  1870,  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years ; Wilson  S., 
who  is  farming  in  Republic  township,  this  county,  married  Ruby  Franklin, 
and  they  have  three  children,  two  sons  and  one  daughter ; Nora,  who  was 
the  wife  of  Albert  Franklin,  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years,  leaving- 
two  children,  Albert  Loyd  and  Lola  Ruth;  Nellie  Alice  married  Ross  Chris- 
well,  and  they  have  one  child.  Irmvn. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1696 

Mr.  O'Neal’s  father  and  four  uncles  were  soldiers  in  the  Civil 
war.  Politically,  our  subject  is  a stanch  Republican.  In  1898  he  was 
elected  judge  of  the  Greene  County  Court  and  served  in  that  office  two 
years,  discharging  his  every  duty  most  faithfully  and  winning  the  hearty 
approval  of  his  constituents. 


JESSE  E.  GALLOWAY. 

It  is  interesting  to  consider  the  pleasure  and  profit  of  farm  life  as  com- 
pared with  other  vocations.  We  are  told  that  business  is  nothing  more 
than  being  industriously  engaged  in  the  affairs  of  some  occupation  from 
which  we  derive  our  support.  Farming  is  the  world’s  biggest  business.  It 
furnishes  the  nations  with  food  and  is  the  basis  of  all  prosperity  and  happi- 
ness, in  a material  sense,  and  therefore  should  receive  our  closest  and  most 
enthusiastic  consideration,  and  be  safeguarded  by  our  best  brains  and  legis- 
lation. One  of  the  large  agriculturists  of  Greene  county  is  Jesse  E.  Gallo- 
way, of  Clay  township,  who  takes  a delight  in  his  vocation,  and,  being  at 
the  same  time  a keen  observer  and  a hard  worker,  has  succeeded. 

Mr.  Galloway  was  born  in  Stone  county,  Missouri,  March  9,  1854.  He 
is  a son  of  Charles  and  Susan  (Carney)  Galloway.  The  father  was  born 
near  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  but  he  came  to  Missouri  when  a young  man  and 
settled  in  Stone  county,  and,  prospering,  became  owner  of  five  farms  there, 
owning  about  five  hundred  acres  at  the  time  the  Civil  war  began.  He  was 
an  extensive  dealer  in  live  stock.  He  was  a soldier  in  two  wars,  the  Mexican 
and  Civil,  joining  the  Union  army  in  1861  ; he  became  first  a captain,  then 
a major,  and  served  for  some  time  as  scout  for  General  Lyon.  He  made  a 
fine  record  as  a soldier,  saw  much  hard  service  and  was  honorably  discharged 
at  the  close  of  the  war.  He  returned  to  his  farm,  but  his  death  occurred  sev- 
eral years  afterward  in  Springfield.  He  was  a member  of  the  Baptist  church. 
His  wife  was  also  a native  of  Tennessee  and  was  a small  girl  when  her 
parents  brought  her  to  Missouri.  She  was  killed  in  the  tornado  that  destroyed 
the  Galloway  home  on  April  18,  1880.  She  was  a member  of  the  Baptist 
church.  To  these  parents  nine  children  were  born,  namely:  Mrs.  Catherine 

King,  Thomas,  Jesse  (subject),  Charles,  Mrs.  Susan  Thompson,  Nathaniel, 
Alec,  Abner,  and  Andrew  Jackson. 

Jesse  E.  Galloway  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  worked  until 
he  was  twentv-three  years  of  age.  He  had  been  educated  in  the  meanwhile 
in  the  public  schools.  In  starting  out  in  life  for  himself  he  went  to  Kansas 
and  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  remaining  on  it  seven  years, 


JESSE  E.  GALLOWAY  AND  FAMILY. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


^97 

when  he  sold  out  and  came  back  to  Greene  county.  He  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful as  a general  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and  is  now  owner  of  four  hun- 
dred acres  of  well-improved  and  valuable  land  in  Clay  township,  where  he  is 
carrying  on  general  farming  on  an  extensive  scale.  He  deals  heavily  in 
live  stock. 

Mr.  Galloway  was  married  in  1888  to  Elizabeth  Meese,  by  whom  three 
children  were  born,  Charles,  Jesse  and  Richard.  After  the  death  of  his 
first  wife,  Mr.  Galloway  married  Lula  Willoby,  a native  of  this  state.  She 
■was  reared  in  Christian  county  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  To  this 
second  union  nine  children  have  been  born,  namely : Mrs.  Catherine  Gibson 

lives  in  Colorado;  Nathaniel.  Finis,  Ellis,  Joe,  Norma,  Julia,  Luella  and  Jake. 
They  are  all  at  home  with  their  parents  but  the  eldest  daughter. 

Politically,  Mr.  Galloway  is  a Democrat,  but  preferring  to  devote  his 
time  to  his  home  and  his  large  farming  and  live  stock  interests,  he  has  never 
been  active  in  public  affairs. 


WILLIAM  C.  CARTER,  M.  D. 

The  medical  profession  in  Greene  county  has  two  able  and  honorable 
■exponents  in  the  persons  of  Drs.  William  C.  Carter  and  Oscar  N.  Carter, 
located  at  the  town  of  Republic,  and  for  many  years  their  names  have 
been  household  words  in  the  western  part  of  the  county.  Like  many  of 
-our  best  citizens,  they  are  Southern  gentlemen,  hailing  from  the  grand  old 
.state  bearing  the  proud  sobriquet,  ’'‘the  mother  of  Presidents,”  in  which 
the  Carter  family  has  for  a number  of  generations  been  influential,  and 
we  necessarily  compliment  the  family  when  we  say  that  the  Carters  have 
ever  been  regarded  as  true  representatives  of  the  Old  Dominion,  the  cradle 
of  the  real  and  only  commendable  aristocracy  of  America.  The  two  gentle- 
men of  whom  the  biographer  writes  in  these  paragraphs  are  the  possessors 
of  many  of  the  winning  characteristics  of  the  people  of  that  commonwealth. 

Dr.  William  C.  Carter  was  born  in  Amherst  county,  Virginia,  Septem- 
ber 27,  1859.  He  is  a son  of  Robert  N.  and  Amanda  M.  (Turpin)  Carter. 
The  father  was  born  in  Rockbridge  county,  Virginia,  and  there  he  grew 
to  manhood,  received  a common  school  education  and  devoted  his  life 
to  general  farming,  the  latter  portion  of  it  in  Amherst  county.  His  father 
before  him  also  owned  and  operated  a plantation  in  the  former  county. 
The  Carters  had  a large  grant  of  land  in  Colonial  Virginia  from  Kino- 
Charles  of  England.  Col.  Robert  Carter,  who  finally  became  governor 
•of  that  state,  was  among  the  first  to  form  a colony  in  Virginia,  where  a 
(107) 


1698 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


large  number  of  this  family  located  about  that  time,  and  now  their  numer- 
ous descendants  are  scattered  all  over  the  Union,  but  perhaps  more  are  to 
be  found  in  Virginia  than  anywhere.  The  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  and  eleven  uncles  of  the  doctor  were  soldiers  in  the  Confederate 
army,  and  four  of  them  lost  their  lives  in  the  service. 

Seven  children,  four  sons  and  three  daughters,  live  of  whom  survive, 
were  born  to  Robert  N.  Carter  and  wife,  namely:  Molly  B.  married  Joseph 
H.  Smith,  a railroad  man  of  Roanoke,  Virginia,  and  they  have  seven 
children ; George  P.  is  farming  near  Staunton,  Virginia,  is  married  and 
has  four  children;  Dr.  Oscar  N.,  mentioned  later  in  this  article;  Emma  is 
the  wife  of  Thomas  L.  Worsham,  a railroad  man  of  Roanoke,  Virginia; 
Dr.  William  C.,  of  this  review;  two  children  are  deceased.  The  parents 
of  these  children  died  a number  of  years  ago. 

Dr.  William  C.  Carter  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Am- 
herst county,  Virginia,  and  he  received  his  education  in  Hill  Academy, 
Allwood,  his  native  county,  later  attending  medical  college  in  Richmond, 
V irginia,  also  spent  one  term  at  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons, 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  was  graduated  in  1888.  Soon  thereafter  he  began 
the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Burdett,  West  Virginia,  where  he  remained 
eight  years,  then  came  to  Lebanon,  Missouri,  where  he  practiced  for  six 
years,  then  located  at  Dixon,  this  state,  and  continued  his  profession  there 
six  years,  after  which  he  came  to  Republic,  Greene  county,  and  joined  his 
brother,  Dr.  Oscar  N.  Carter,  who  had  been  practicing  medicine  here  several 
years.  He  has  been  very  successful  as  a general  practitioner,  and  has  en- 
joyed a good  practice  in  the  several  fields  that  he  has  practiced  in  and  now 
has  a large  business. 

Dr.  William  C.  Carter  was  married  on  August  6,  1893,  t°  Annie 
Elizabeth  Carpenter,  of  Putnam  county,  West  Virginia.  She  is  a daughter 
of  John  T.  Carpenter  and  wife,  and  was  one  of  ten  children.  She  grew 
to  womanhood  in  her  native  locality  and  received  a common  school  edu- 
cation. To  our  subject  and  wife  five  children  have  been  born,  two  of 
whom  died  in  infancy.  Those  living  are:  William  C.,  Jr.,  born  May  20, 
1903;  Carl,  born  May  14,  1904;  and  Erma,  born  May  23,  1906. 

Politically,  the  doctor  is  a Democrat.  He  attends  the  Baptist  church, 
and  fraternally  is  a member  of  the  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Order  of  Eastern  Star,  and  the 
Woodmen  of  the  World. 

* 

Dr.  Oscar  N.  Carter  was  born,  April  9,  1874,  in  Amherst  county, 
Virginia,  and  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  that  county.  He  was  educated  in 
Hill  Academy,  in  the  town  of  Allwood,  his  native  county,  later  attending 
medical  college  in  Richmond,  and  he  was  graduated  from  the  University 
of  the  South  at  Sewanee,  Tennessee,  in  the  class  of  1899.  He  took  one 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1699 

year  of  hospital  training  at  Richmond,  Virginia.  He  began  the  practice 
of  his  profession  at  Lebanon,  Missouri,  where  he  remained  two  years, 
then  came  to  Greene  county  and  located  at  Republic,  in  1902,  and  here  he 
has  been  engaged  in  the  general  practice  to  the  present  time,  and  has  met 
with  continued  success,  enjoying  a rapidly  growing  patronage  all  the  while. 
He  and  his  brother  practice  together. 

Dr.  Oscar  N.  Carter  married  Anna  Hovey,  a daughter  of  Judge  Hovey, 
a prominent  man,  a successful  lawyer  and  jurist.  Mrs.  Carter  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools.  She  has  borne  her  husband  four  children, 
namely:  Oscar.  Mary  E.,  Virginia  and  Helen. 


HENRY  S.  ANDERSON. 

The  western  part  of  Greene  county  can  boast  of  few  more  progressive 
farmers  and  stock  raisers  than  the  well-known  gentleman  whose  name 
furnishes  the  caption  of  this  article.  His  progenitors  were  among  the  pio- 
neers who  reclaimed  the  land  in  the  vicinity  of  Elwood  from  the  wild  state, 
and  Mr.  Anderson  has  spent  his  life  in  this  vicinity,  and  the  last  three 
decades  on  the  fine  farm  he  now  occupies  and  owns,  and  while  laboring 
for  material  success  he  has  not  neglected  his  duties  as  a public-spirited 
citizen,  always  being  willing  to  aid  in  such  movements  as  made  for  the 
betterment  of  his  township  and  county,  and  it  has  been  fortunate  that 
such  men  as  he  have  been  contented  to  remain  in  their  native  locality 
instead  of  locating  in  other  countries. 

Henry  S.  Anderson  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  November 
7,  1856.  He  is  a son  of  Peter  L.  and  Sarah  (Hazelton)  Anderson,  and 
he  has  a brother  and  sister  living,  namely:  George  W.,  of  San  Antonio, 
Texas,  and  Martha  J.  Short,  of  Greene  county,  Missouri.  The  father  of 
our  subject  was  three  times  married.  He  was  a native  of  Tennessee,  from 
which  state  he  came  to  Missouri  when  young  and  located  in  Greene  county, 
where  he  followed  general  farming.  His  death  occurred  in  the  year  1903. 
The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York,  and  she 
accompanied  her  family  to  southwest  Missouri  when  young.  Her  death 
occurred  in  1883. 

Henry  S.  Anderson  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  worked 
hard  when  a boy  and  under  his  father  gained  a knowledge  of  agriculture 
that  stood  him  well  in  hand  in  later  life.  He  received  his  education  m 
the  rural  schools  of  his  district,  and  when  a young  man  took  up  farming 
for  himself.  He  was  born  and  reared  within  a mile  of  the  old  homestead 
of  his  maternal  grandfather,  Mr.  Hazelton  having  entered  the  place  from 


1 7oo' 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


the  government  and  developed  it.  Our  subject  lias  lived  on  his  present 
farm  twenty-nine  years.  It  consists  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
productive  and  valuable  land,  on  which  he  has  made  such,  improvements 
as  were  needed  to  make  it  the  equal  of  any  in  the  vicinity,  and  here  he 
has  made  a success  as  a general  farmer  and  has  always  kept  a good  grade 
of  live  stock.  He  has  a good  set  of  buildings  and  keeps  everything  in 
ship-shape  about  the  place. 

Mr  .Anderson  has  been  twice  married,  first,  to  Jessie  Wiley,  by  whom 
four  children  were  born,  namely:  George  E.,  who  is  farming  in  this  county, 
married  Elsie  Henshaw,  and  they  have  one  child,  Mary ; Bertha  married 
H.  B.  Morton,  a merchant  of  Brookline,  this  county;  Ardo  D.,  who  is 
engaged  in  farming  in  Greene  county,  married  Leota  Pickering;  Maud 
married  Frank  Blanton,  a farmer  of  Brookline  township,  and  they  have 
two  children.  The  death  of  our  subject's  first  wife  occurred  in  1890,  and 
he  subsequently  married  on  October  28,  1894,  Mary  C.  McCullough,  of 
Christian  county,  Missouri,  and  a daughter  of  William  F.  McCullough,  a 
farmer.  To  this  second  union  three  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Earl  R.,  born  in  1895,  lives  at  home;  Lynn  T.,  born  in  1903,  is  also  with 
his  parents;  Claude  died  in  infancy. 

Politically,  Mr.  Anderson  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs 
to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


JOHN  S.  C.  JACKSON. 

Horticulture  is  one  of  the  most  profitable  as  well  as  pleasant  vocations, 
and  Greene  county  has  won  a high  place  among  her  one  hundred  and  thir- 
teen sister  counties  as  a favored  section  of  Missouri  for  the  successful  carry- 
ing on  of  this  calling.  But  it  requires  brains  as  well  as  industry  to  succeed 
as  a horticulturist ; one  must  study,  observe  closely,  experiment,  investigate 
and  know  a little  about  many  things;  must  exercise  patience  and  caution; 
must  know  how  to  select  the  proper  soil  and  right  kind  of  nursery  stock, 
when  and  how  to  fertilize,  must  watch  for  frosts,  freezes,  insect  pests  and 
diseases  of  plants,  and  know  what  they  are  when  they  appear  and  how  to 
properly  combat  them.  But  the  results  are  worth  the  cost  in  money  and 
pains,  and  it  is  a healthful,  independent  and  interesting  business.  One  of 
the  successful  horticulturists  of  Greene  county  is  John  S.  C.  Jackson,  of 
Republic  township,  a man  who  is  well  up  in  the  various  phases  of  his  work. 

Mr.  Jackson  was  born  in  Knox  county,  Tennessee,  August  1,  1845. 
He  is  a son  of  John  PI.  and  Christiana  (Chanabary)  Jackson,  both  natives 
of  Tennessee,  where  they  were  reared  and  married.  His  father  moved  from 
Virginia  to  that  state  in  a very  early  day.  The  mother’s  parents  were  of 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1701 


German  and  Irish  descent.  The  parents  of  our  subject  devoted  their  active 
lives  to  farming  in  Tennessee  and  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  died  in 
the  latter  place.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  four  sons  and  one 
daughter,  namely:  James  is  deceased;  George  W.,  a sketch  of  whom 

appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume;  John  S.  C.,  of  this  sketch;  Edward  L. 
and  Mary  Jane,  twins. 

John  S.  C.  Jackson  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  he  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools.  He  left  his  native  state  in  1867,  and  he  and  two 
brothers  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  locating  in  Republic  township 
on  a prairie  farm,  purchasing  railroad  land,  where  they  still  live,  the  place 
consisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which  they  have  kept  well  tilled 
and  well  improved  during  their  residence  here  of  nearly  a half  century. 
But  our  subject  has  prospered  and  now  owns  four  hundred  acres.  Their 
parents  came  to  this  place  after  the  sons  had  settled  it,  taking  up  their  resi- 
dence here  in  1870,  and  here  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  the  father 
dying  in  1872  and  the  mother  in  1879,  and  were  buried  here.  Our  subject 
makes- a specialty  of  horticulture,  in  which  he  is  regarded  as  an  authority. 
He  is  growing  no  less  than  nine  varieties  of  blackberries,  and  is  now  mak- 
ing a feature  of  a berry  new  to  Missouri — the  “Himalaya,”  also  the  “Star 
of  the  World." 

Mr.  Jackson  was  married  on  March  5,  1871,  to  Nancy  J.  Idles,  a 
native  of  Kentucky  and  a daughter  of  Green  and  Nancy  (Collins)  Liles, 
who  spent  their  active  lives  engaged  in  farming.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jackson 
nine  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Marshall,  a farmer  of  Republic  town- 
ship, married  Ira  Guiott  and  they  have  three  children ; Glapha  married  Will- 
iam Robertson,  a farmer  in  Republic  township,  has  been  twice  married,  first 
to  May  Brown,  and  after  her  death  he  married  Gertie  Finley,  and  he  had 
five  children  by  his  first  wife;  Quinn  Kelly,  who  is  farming  near  Plano, 
Missouri,  married  Miss  Claude  Taylor,  and  they  have  one  child;  Alfred, 
who  is  engaged  in  merchandising  at  Plano,  married  Pearl  Batson,  and  they 
have  one  child ; Molly,  who  received  a business  college  education  in  Spring- 
field,  is  at  home;  William,  who  is  farming  in  Republic  township,  married 
Kate  Crum,  and  they  have  one  child ; Carlos  lives  at  home ; Hattie  is  also 
with  her  parents. 

Politically,  Mr.  Jackson  is  a Republican.  He  was  school  director  of 
his  district  for  a period  of  twelve  years.  Religiously,  he  is  a member  of 
the  Christian  church.  He  is  well  and  favorably  known  throughout  the 
western  part  of  Greene  county,  where  he  is  regarded  as  one  of  our  most 
extensive,  substantial  and  progressive  farmers,  stockmen  and  horticulturists. 
He  has  gained  and  retained  the  undivided  respect  of  all  who  knew  him. 
He  is  always  to  be  found  on  the  right  side  of  all  questions  looking  to  the 
betterment  of  his  community. 


1702 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


HUGH  B.  INGLER. 

There  is  something  admirable  in  the  German  character,  something  of 
wondrous  gentleness  and  keen  appreciation  in  the  beauty  which  life  holds, 
something  line  and  high.  In  music  the  Germans  have  given  the  world  a 
magic  gamut  of  sound,  from  the  soft  lullaby  of  the  young  mother  crooning 
to  her  pink-cheeked  babe  to  the  mighty  thunders  of  dynamic  masterpieces. 
In  art,  the  German  school  is  easily  first,  at  least  so  considered  by  many  of 
the  world's  competent  critics,  with  the  wonderful  galaxy  of  painters  and 
sculptors  whose  frame  is  as  broad  as  the  earth,  while  in  science  and  in  litera- 
ture, in  poetry  and  in  the  sweet  pastoral  beauty  of  their  folk  lore  the  sons 
and  daughters  of  the  Fatherland  stand  almost  without  an  equal.  And  what 
fathers  and  mothers  they  make ! What  homes  they  build ! What  garden- 
like farms  they  till!  “This  is  a German  settlement,’’  we  say,  and  behold!  on 
every  hand  are  clean,  fertile  fields,  neat  hedge-rows,  great  barns  bursting 
with  plenty,  grunting  droves  of  fat  swine,  great  herds  of  sleek  cattle,  and 
everywhere  a scene  of  bounty  and  fruition,  to  say  nothing  of  homes  re- 
splendent with  good  will,  good  health  and  honest  contentment. 

A large  number  of  Germans  live  in  Greene  county,  a number  in  the 
vicinity  of  Republic,  and  of  this  nationality  the  Ingler  family  is  deserving 
of  mention,  one  of  the  best-known  members  of  which  is  Hugh  B.  Ingler, 
the  present  efficient  postmaster  at  that  place.  He  was  born  in  Jo  Daviess 
county,  Illinois,  July  7,  1870.  He  is  a son  of  John  and  Lucinda  (Saxon) 
Ingler.  He  has  a sister,  Addie,  who  married  A.  A.  Pierce,  a farmer  of 
Christian  county,  Missouri,  and  they  have  one  child,  Leo. 

John  Ingler,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Germany,  and  when 
five  years  of  age  he  immigrated  with  his  father’s  family  to  the  United 
States,  the  family  locating  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  where  the  grandfather 
of  our  subject  followed  his  trade  of  tailor,  however,  he  purchased  a farm 
near  that  city,  on  which  he  located  his  family.  John  Ingler  grew  to  man- 
hood there  and  received  a common  school  education.  When  a young  man 
he  went  to  Carroll  county,  Illinois  where  he  followed  general  farming  for 
many  years,  then  removed  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  purchasing  a good 
farm  near  Republic,  which  he  sold  later  and  is  now  living  retired  from 
active  work.  He  has  a well-improved  place  and  has  made  a success  as 
an  agriculturist.  He  was  married  in  Carroll  county,  Illinois,  and  he  and 
his  wife  are  now  advanced  in  years,  but  are  comparatively  hale  and  hearty. 

Hugh  B.  Ingler  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  the  home  farm  in  Illinois 
and  there  he  remained  with  his  parents  until  about  eight  years  of  age,  when 
they  moved  to  near  Republic,  and  at  the  latter  place  he  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools.  He  worked  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1703 


years  of  age.  Learning  the  trade  of  decorating  and  painting,  he  became 
quite  expert  and  followed  the  same  for  a period  of  twenty  years.  He 
worked  as  an  expert  in  a canning  factory  for  a number  of  years,  also 
worked  in  Louisiana  for  the  Chicago  Building  and  Manufacturing  Company. 
Finally  returning  to  Republic  he  served  as  deputy  sheriff  of  Greene  county 
for  two  years,  1911  and  1912.  He  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Republic 
May  6,  1913,  and  is  still  incumbent  of  this  office,  the  duties  of  which  he 
has  discharged  in  a manner  entirely  satisfactory  to  the  department  and 
the  people. 

Politically,  Mr.  Ingler  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  the  Woodmen  of  the  World,  and 
Knights  of  the  Maccabees,  and  he  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian church. 

Mr.  Ingler  was  married  in  Lawrence  county,  Missouri,  November  14, 
1894,  to  Alice  Ragsdale.  She  is  a daughter  of  Branson  Ragsdale,  who 
died  when  she  was  four  years  of  age.  His  family  consisted  of  four  chil- 
dren, two  sons  and  two  daughters.  He  devoted  his  active  life  to  farming. 
Mrs.  Ingler  grew  to  womanhood  in  her  native  community  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools. 

Nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  deceased,  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ingler.  Those  living  are  named  as  follows : Charles  W.,  born  Sep- 
tember 14,  1896;  Ayo  Recktor,  born  October  4,  1903;  Louese,  born  June 
1,  1909. 


JOSHUA  L.  JONES. 

Farmers  come  nearer  being  their  own  business  masters  than  any  other 
class  of  workers.  It  takes  considerable  capital  these  days  to  go  into  farming 
properly,  but  a farmer  nowadays  does  not  need  so  much  land  as  he  has 
been  taught  to  believe  he  should  have.  Where  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  has  been  considered  a necessity  for  a good  farm,  forty  acres  will 
soon  he  regarded  as  plenty;  and  for  some  kinds  of  crops  ten  acres  is  all 
a man  can  properly  care  for.  Intensive  cultivation  with  modern  methods 
makes  a successful  farm  out  of  few  acres  of  land.  Ownership  and  proper 
development  of  even  a few  acres  will  amply  provide  for  the  unproductive 
period  in  the  lives  of  farmers. 

One  of  the  capable  farmers  of  Republic  township,  Greene  county,  is 
Joshua  L.  Jones,  who  was  born  in  this  township  and  county,  on  the  old 
Jones  homestead,  March  23,  1872.  He  is  a son  of  Isaac  N.  and  Martna 
(McClure)  Jones,  both  natives  of  Monroe  county,  Tennessee,  where  they 
spent  their  earlier  years.  Isaac  N.  Jones  was  twenty-three  years  of  age 


1/04 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


when  he  left  his  native  state  and  immigrated  to  Greene  county,  Missouri. 
He  received  a fairly  good  education  for  a country  boy  in  those  days,  and 
he  taught  school  after  coming  to  the  Ozarks,  continuing  as  a teacher  until 
the  commencement  of  the  Civil  war,  during  which  period  of  strife  between 
his  fellow  citizens,  he  acted  as  deputy  sheriff  under  Elisha  White.  He  was 
also  county  suveyor  at  one  time.  He  devoted  the  latter  part  of  his  life  to- 
general  farming  in  Republic  township,  where  his  death  occurred  in  1883. 
His  widow  survived  until  1902,  outliving  him  nineteen  years.  They  were 
the  parents  of  ten  children,  an  equal  number  of  sons  and  daughters,  four 
of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing,  one  son  and  five  daughters  being  de- 
ceased. 

Joshua  L.  Jones  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  there  he 
worked  hard  when  a boy.  He  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools- 
of  his  neighborhood,  and  he  also  studied  at  Marionville  Collegiate  Insti- 
tute, Marionville,  Missouri.  His  brother,  Ben  G.  W.  Jones,  who  is  in 
partnership  with  him  farming,  and  who  is  three  years  younger,  was  edu- 
cated in  the  local  public  schools  and  later  was  graduated  from  the  Marion- 
ville Collegiate  Institute. 

Joshua  L.  Jones  began  life  for  himself  as  a farmer  when  a young 
man  and  this  has  continued  to  claim  his  constant  attention.  He  and  his 
brother,  Ben  G.  W.  Jones,  own  a good  farm  of  forty  acres  in  Republic 
township  and  here  they  are  obtaining  very  gratifying  results  as  general 
farmers  and  stock  raisers,  being  very  close  students  of  modern  methods  of 
agriculture  and  not  afraid  to  experiment  and  adopt  advanced  ideas  in  hus- 
bandry. Both  he  and  his  brother  have  remained  unmarried. 

Politically  our  subject  is  a Democrat  and  active  in  local  party  affairs. 


WILLARD  MAJOR  BARRON. 

In  placing  the  name  of  Willard  Major  Barron,  of  Republic,  in  the. 
front  rank  of  Greene  county’s  business  men,  simple  justice  is  done  to  a 
biographical  fact,  recognized  throughout  this  section  of  the  Ozark  region 
by  those  at  all  familiar  with  his  history,  for  he  was  the  founder  of  the  ex- 
tensive manufacturing  industry  which  bears  his  name.  A man  of  wise  dis- 
cretion and  business  ability  of  a high  order,  he  manages  with  tactful  success 
an  important  enterprise  and  has  so  impressed  his  individuality  upon  the 
community  as  to  gain  recognition  among  its  leading  citizens  and  public- 
spirited  men  of  affairs.  What  of  the  man  and  what  of  his  work?  This  is 
the  dual  query  which  represents  the  interrogation  at  least  nominally  enter- 
tained whenever  that  discriminating  factor,  the  public,  would  pronounce 
on  the  true  worth  of  the  individual.  The  career  of  Mr.  Barron  indicates 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1705 


the  clear-cut,  sane  and  distinct  character,  and  in  reviewing  the  same  from 
an  unbiased  and  unprejudiced  standpoint,  interpretation  follows  fact  in  a 
straight  line  of  derivation.  In  this  publication  it  is  consistent  that  such 
a review  be  entered,  and  that  without  the  adulation  of  ornate  praise. 

Mr.  Barron  was  born  in  Northhampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  March 
24,  1854.  He  is  a son  of  Samuel  C.  and  Sallie  (Major)  Barron.  Samuel 
C.  Barron  was  reared  in  Pennsylvania  and  received  a good  practical  educa- 
tion, partly  in  the  schools  of  Easton,  that  state,  and  later  in  life  started  in 
the  retail  cigar  business  for  himself,  which  he  continued  until  his  death, 
in  1906.  Pie  and  his  wife  were  both  natives  of  Northampton  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  were  reared  and  married  there.  The  Major  family  were 
in  the  cooperage  business  in  that  locality  and  were  well  known  and  highly 
respected,  as  were  also  the  Barrons.  During  the  war  between  the  states 
Samuel  C.  Barron  served  three  years  as  a soldier  in  the  Union  army,  as  a 
member  of  a regiment  from  his  native  state.  For  some  time  after  the  close 
of  the  war  he  followed  blacksmithing,  but  later  took  up  the  cigar  business. 
Toward  the  latter  part  of  his  life  his  eyesight  failed  and  he  finally  went 
blind. 

Willard  M.  Barron  was  the  only  child  of  his  parents.  He  grew  to 
manhood  in  Pennsylvania,  remaining  there  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of 
age,  and  there  he  was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  Leaving  his  native 
state  he  went  to  Michigan,  locating  twelve  miles  south  of  Kalamazoo, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  for  himself,  later  took  in  partners, 
the  firm  name  becoming  Barron,  Frank  Boner  & Company,  continuing  for 
two  years.  During  those  early  years  in  Michigan  our  subject  learned  the 
cooperage  business,  for  which  he  seemed  to  have  a natural  bent.  His 
grandfather  had  operated  a cooper  shop  many  years  at  Martin’s  Creek, 
Pennsylvania,  near  the  city  of  Easton,  and  there  young  Barron  often 
visited  and  watched  the  workmen  at  their  tasks,  however  he  did  not  attempt 
the  work  himself  at  that  time.  He  worked  under  John  B.  Major,  an  uncle, 
who  was  engaged  in  this  line  of  endeavor  in  Michigan.  Mr.  Major  is  now 
deceased.  He  was  foreman  of  the  cooperage  plant  owned  by  Jacob  Johnson, 
who  had  married  the  mother  of  our  subject  and  was  therefore  at  that 
time  our  subject’s  step-father.  When  twenty-two  years  old  Willard  M. 
Barron  went  to  Winona,  Minnesota,  where  he  worked  at  the  cooper's  trade 
three  years,  then  returned  to  Michigan  and  worked  two  years  for  his  step- 
father, then  located  in  Schoolcraft,  that  state,  and  started  a grocery  store,, 
which  he  conducted  two  years,  then  sold  out  and  came  to  Missouri,  buying 
a farm  in  Jasper  county,  in  1880.  In  1887  he  came  to  Springfield  and 
worked  for  the  Springfield  Lumber  and  Cooperage  Company  about  six  years, 
then  went  to  Mammoth  Spring,  Arkansas,  where  he  had  charge  of  the- 
Mammoth  Spring  Roller  Mills  cooper  shop,  which  position  he  held  seven 


1706 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


years,  then  went  to  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  took  charge  of  the  H.  C. 
Mocker  cooperage  plant,  which  employed  on  an  average  of  forty-five  men. 
After  spending  two  years  there  he  returned  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and 
took  charge  of  the  Wunderlich  cooperage  shop  here,  which  he  operated  a 
year,  which  ended  his  work  for  other  people.  In  all  the  above  responsible 
positions  he  gave  eminent  satisfaction  in  every  respect,  being  an  exceptionally 
highly  skilled  workman,  energetic,  reliable  and  handled  the  men  under  him 
in  a manner  to  get  the  best  results  possible  and  retain  their  good  will  at 
the  same  time.  He  continued  learning  the  various  ins  and  outs  of  the 
business  until  he  felt  eminently  qualified  to  manage  a plant  of  his  own, 
and  thus  he  went  to  Republic  and  began  in  the  cooperage  business  for 
himself.  He  was  successful  from  the  first  and  his  business  grew  by  leaps 
and  bounds  under  his  able  management  and  wise  foresight  until  it  has 
now  reached  enormous  proportions  and  he  has  thriving  factories  in  a num- 
ber of  other  cities  besides  his  main  plant  at  Republic.  Upon  establishing 
his  plant  in  the  last  named  place  he  contracted  to  make  the  barrels  for  the 
Becker,  Langerberger  Milling  Company  of  Republic,  which,  however,  was 
even  at  that  time  owned  by  the  R.  C.  Stone  Milling  Company.  He  has 
three  other  plants,  one  at  Joplin,  one  at  Carthage,  one  at  Aurora  and,  form- 
erly, he  operated  similar  plants  at  Mt.  Vernon  and  Marionville.  His  main 
plant  and  head  office  are  at  Republic,  and  the  combined  output  of  all  his 
plants  averages  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  barrels  per  year,  all  hand- 
made and  of  a superior  quality  and  workmanship.  The  Barron  Cooperage 
Company  has  a splendid  financial  rating  and  has  from  the  first  stood  high  in 
the  industrial  circles  of  the  Southwest.  Each  factory  is  modern  in  every 
detail,  equipped  with  up-to-date  machinery  and  only  the  most  highly  skilled 
artisans  are  employed  and  the  best  material  used.  The  various  plants  give 
employment  to  a large  number  of  men. 

Mr.  Barron  was  married,  first,  to  Mary  Tweedy,  a daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Sarah  Tweedy.  Mr.  Tweedy  was  a native  of  Ireland  from  which 
country  he  emigrated  to  New  York,  where  he  married  a native  of  that  state. 
He  was  a tailor  by  trade.  Mrs.  Barron  was  born  in  Constantine,  Michigan, 
and  was  one  of  five  children.  She  died  three  years  after  her  marriage, 
without  issue.  Mr.  Barron  was  married  on  January  5,  1879,  to  Sarah  Jane 
Baldy,  who  was  a daughter  of  Paul  R.  and  Jane  (Finley)  Baldy,  natives 
of  Pennsylvania  and  Michigan,  respectively.  They  were  the  parents  of  two 
children — Frank  Baldy,  who  lives  in  Flint,  Michigan;  and  Sarah  Jane, 
wife  of  Mr.  Barron.  The  latter  was  quite  small  when  her  mother  died, 
and  when  her  father  married  again  he  took  her  into  his  new  home,  she 
having  spent  about  four  years  after  her  mother’s  death  with  an  aunt  in 
Pennsylvania.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Barron  is  living  near  Carthage,  Jasper 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1/07 


county,  Missouri,  where  she  owns  about  three-quarters  section  of  very 
valuable  land. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  Barron  and  his  last  wife,  named 
as  follows:  Sallie  Annette  is  the  wife  of  Edward  Huckins  and  they  live 

in  Republic;  Willard  B.  lives  in  Aurora,  Missouri;  Flora  J.  is  the  wife  of 
J.  C.  McCleary,  of  Seattle,  Washington;  Lewis  Whitfield  lives  in  Joplin, 
Missouri. 

These  children  all  received  good  educational  advantages  and  are  well 
situated  in  life. 

We  quote  the  following  paragraph  from  the  leading  newspaper  of 
Aurora,  this  state,  which  article  recently  appeared,  and  we  deem  it  in 
keeping  with  the  rest  of  this  chronicle : 

“There  may  be  some  persons  in  Aurora  and  this  section  of  the  state 
who  do  not  know  that  Willard  M.  Barron  has  one  of  his  largest  cooperage 
plants  in  this  city,  but  everyone  who  is  in  the  market  for  these  goods  has 
long  since  learned  that  Aurora  supports  one  of  the  largest  plants  of  this 
kind  in  southwest  Missouri.  The  branch  of  the  W.  M.  Barron  Cooperage 
Company,  which  is  established  in  Aurora  is  under  the  personal  direction 
of  Willard  B.  Barron,  who  is  a stockholder  in  the  concern.  He  is  the  son 
of  Willard  M.  Barron,  who  is  known  throughout  this  country  as  being  the 
pioneer  in  cooperage  works.  The  Barrons  are  a family  of  coopers.  The 
father  came  to  this  country  fourteen  years  ago  and  located  in  Springfield. 
After  remaining  there  for  one  year  he  saw  an  opening  at  Republic  and 
moved  there.  He  has  been  established  in  that  town  for  thirteen  years, 
now.  As  he  remained  there  he  saw  the  development  of  the  wronderful 
orchards  throughout  Missouri.  It  was  at  this  time  that  Aurora  became 
the  center  of  large  orchards  and,  knowing  that  great  opportunities  awaited 
him,  he  established  his  plant  here.  Willard  B.  Barron,  who  has  been  in 
charge  of  the  plant  for  a number  of  years,  has  long  since  demonstrated  that 
he  is  one  of  the  true,  live  ones  of  Aurora.  He  is  for  everything  that  will 
develop  the  city,  and  progress  is  the  motto  of  the  plant  which  he  manages. 
With  a number  of  young  men  of  Mr.  Barron’s  type  in  this  city,  Aurora 
would  soon  forge  to  the  front  ranks  of  the  cities  of  Missouri. 

“Lewis  W.  Barron,  youngest  son  of  Willard  M.  Barron,  is  soon  to 
take  charge  of  the  cooperage  plants  in  Joplin  and  Carthage.  These  plants 
were  established  in  July,  1913.  The  Barrons  have  been  spreading  out 
until  they  are  now  the  ‘barons’  of  the  cooperage  business  in  southwest 
Missouri.  From  twelve  to  fifteen  men  are  employed  at  the  plant  here  whose 
salaries  run  from  eighteen  to  thirty  dollars  a week.  The  coopers  work 
mostly  by  piece.  As  in  the  other  Barron  cooperage  plants,  the  workmen 
in  this  city  are  highly  skilled  and  are  ranked  among  the  high-class  laborers 
of  the  city.  Despite  the  adverse  conditions  of  last  year,  the  plant  here  has 


1708 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


done  a very  nice  business  the  present  season.  Thirteen  cars  of  material 
have  been  shipped  into  Aurora  and  fifteen  cars  of  barrels  and  other  prod- 
utcs  of  the  cooperage  plants  have  been  shipped  to  points  throughout  the 
country.  The  products  are  not  confined  to  this  territory,  but  are  sent  to 
many  of  the  neighboring  states.  Only  recently  a carload  of  the  products 
was  sent  to  Oswego,  Kansas.  Aurora  is  fortunate  in  having  a large  branch 
of  such  a concern.  It  means  much  to  the  city.  Men  are  employed  and 
money  is  brought  here.  It  is  such  establishments  as  W.  M.  Barron  Cooper- 
age Company  that  have  put  Aurora  on  the  map  as  a commercial  center.” 

Politically,  Willard  M.  Barron  is  a Republican  and  is  well-informed 
on  current  public  matters.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order, 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Knights 
of  the  Maccabees,  Woodmen  of  the  World  and  Woodmen's  Circle.  Mrs. 
Barron  is  a member  of  the  Ladies  of  Maccabees  and  the  Woodmen’s  Circle. 
Both  belong  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  which  they  are  active 
workers,  he  being  president  of  the  board  of  stewards  and  is  also  a trustee 
of  the  church.  He  was  formerly  leader  in  the  Sunday  school. 

We  close  this  article  by  quoting  the  last  lines  in  an  account  of  our 
subject  and  his  large  business  interests,  which  appeared  some  time  ago  in 
a newspaper  at  Republic : 

“Mr.  Barron  is  a fervent  Christian,  being  a member  of  the  Hood 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Fie  has  been  Sunday  school  superintendent 
for  four  years.  He  is  a member  of  nearly  all  the  lodges  in  Republic.  No 
better  neighbor  or  honest  man  lives  today  than  Willard  Barron,  of  the 
city  of  Republic.” 


JACOB  WARREN  CARTON. 

Among  the  things  which  the  modern  farmer  has  to  become  familiar 
with  is  the  nature  of  the  soil  with  which  he  is  working,  if  he  would  reap 
the  maximum  results  for  his  toil  and  pains.  Since  the  soil  varies  so  much 
in  regard  both  to  its  organic  and  inorganic  constituents,  marked  differences 
in  character  must  necessarily  result  from  the  almost  indefinite  number  of 
combinations  which  may  be  found.  All  these  differences,  however,  may  be 
traced  to  two  sets  of  factors:  First,  the  character  of  the  rock  or  material 

from  which  the  soil  has  been  derived;  and,  second,  the  processes  or  agencies 
by  means  of  which  this  material  has  been  changed  from  mere  rock  or  rock 
debris  into  a medium  suitable  for  the  growth  of  plants.  The  former  has 
to  do  with  soil-forming  material,  the  latter  with  soil-forming  agencies.  To 
these  two  groups  of  factors  are  to  be  attributed  the  numerous  varieties  in 
soil  conditions  found  over  various  parts  of  the  earth.  One  of  the  farmers 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I709 


•of  Greene  county  who  makes  a study  of  soils  and  advanced  methods  of 
agriculture  is  Jacob  Warren  Garton  of  Wilson  township. 

Mr.  Garton  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  February  18,  1862. 
He  is  a son  of  Jacob  W.  and  Elizabeth  (Rainey)  Garton,  both  natives  of 
middle  Tennessee,  where  they  grew  up,  received  common  school  educations 
and  were  married.  Shortly  thereafter  they  immigrated  to  Greene  county, 
Missouri,  locating  in  Wilson  township,  on  a farm  now  owned  by  R.  Steury. 
They  remained  on  this  place  three  years,  then  the  elder  Garton  homesteaded 
a place  in  this  township,  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which  he  cleared, 
improved  and  farmed  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1902.  His  family, 
by  our  subject’s  mother,  consisted  of  five  children,  namely:  Alice,  who 

married  George  McElhany,  is  deceased;  John  is  deceased;  George  lives  in 
Springfield;  J.  Warren,  of  this  review,  and  James,  deceased.  The  mother 
of  the  above  named  children  died  in  1865,  and  in  1874  Jacob  W.  Garton 
married  for  his  second  wife  Missouri  A.  Wallace,  a daughter  of  Wash 
Wallace,  who  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Greene  county,  and  to  this 
second  union  seven  children  were  born,  four  of  whom  are  still  living,  and 
are  named,  xWtie,  who  is  the  wife  of  Alfred  Carden;  Cordy,  Ruby  is  the 
wife  of  Lee  Blanton,  and  Ella. 

J.  Warren  Garton,  of  this  sketch,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm 
and  worked  hard  when  a boy.  During  the  winter  months  he  attended  the 
district  schools  of  his  township,  first  the  old-fashioned  subscription  schools, 
then  went  as  far  as  the  eighth  grade  in  the  public  schools,  and  when  about 
seventeen  years  old  entered  high  school  in  Springfield,  which  he  attended  a 
little  over  two  )rears,  then  he  took  a course  in  the  Marionville  Collegiate 
Institute,  which  he  attended  a little  over  two  years,  and  later  took  a business 
course  in  Springfield,  embracing  bookkeeping  and  business  forms.  Thus  he 
received  an  exceptionally  good  general  and  practical  education  which  well 
prepared  him  for  life’s  serious  work.  After  leaving  school  he  returned  to 
the  old  homestead,  where  he  remained  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  r.ge, 
then  launched  out  on  his  own  account,  buying  ten  acres  of  the  old  homestead, 
later  purchasing  twenty-six  acres  adjoining,  and  for  many  years  lived  in  a 
small  home  he  had  built  on  his  land,  keeping  bachelor  apartments  with  his 
brother  George.  They  worked  their  land  during  the  crop  seasons  and  there- 
by earned  money  with  which  to  defray  their  expenses  in  school.  Our  sub- 
ject is  now  owner  of  an  excellent  farm  of  one  hundred  and  eighty-five  acres 
on  which  he  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  successfully,  his 
place  being  known  as  “Rainbow  Farm,”  a name  which  his  oldest  daughter 
gave  it.  He  handles  a great  deal  of  live  stock  and  when  he  and  his  brother 
farmed  together  they  bought  and  shipped  stock  quite  extensively  to  the  St. 
Louis  and  Kansas  City  markets.  Mr.  Garton  built  a new  dwelling  on  his 
farm  in  1914.  It  is  modernlv  appointed  and  appropriately  furnished.  It  has 


1710 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


as  nearly  up-to-date  conveniences  as  can  be  installed  in  a house  in  the 
country. 

Mr.  Garton  was  married,  September  4,  1893,  to  Alwilda  Medora  Owen, 
a daughter  of  Charles  B.  and  Nancy  C.  Owen,  her  father  being  a native 
of  Tennessee,  from  which  state  he  came  to  Greene  county  when  a young 
man.  He  was  a son  of  Solomon  H.  Owen,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Greene 
county,  and  who  became  one  of  the  most  extensive  land  owners  and  prom- 
inent citizens  here.  A complete  chronicle  of  this  worthy  old  family  will  be 
found  under  the  caption  of  Charles  J.  Owen,  appearing  on  another  page 
of  this  volume.  Our  subject’s  wife  was  one  of  eight  children,  namely: 
Charles  J.,  Bettie,  deceased;  George,  Frank,  Edward,  Susie  is  the  wife  of 
Gary  Martin,  Alwilda,  who  married  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  Joseph, 
who  is  the  youngest. 

Nine  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Garton,  namely:  Lee, 

Urith,  Owen,  Howard,  Cleo,  Rollie,  Lester,  Sterling  and  Thelma.  They 
are  all  at  home  with  their  parents  at  this  writing. 

Politically,  Mr.  Garton  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  church. 


WALTER  B.  YOUNG. 

The  farmer  who  succeeds  must  plan  his  planting  well  ahead.  He  must 
sub-divide  his  crop  area  into  sections  of  a size  to  suit  his  requirements,  and 
in  such  manner  as  to  keep  his  ground  fully  occupied  by  a continued  succes- 
sion of  crops,  throughout  the  growing  season,  and  thus  obtain  the  maximum 
of  produce  from  his  soil  with  no  loss  of  fertility  and  with  the  minimum  risk 
of  loss  from  insect  attacks,  drought,  flood  or  from  disease.  One  of  the 
successful  young  farmers  of  Wilson  township,  Greene  county,  who  seems 
to  have  a comprehensive  grasp  of  the  above  phases  of  agriculture  and  a 
myriad  of  others  of  importance,  is  Walter  B.  Young. 

Mr.  Young  was  born  near  Greenville,  in  eastern  Tennessee,  Decem- 
ber 8,  1882.  He  is  a son  of  J.  H.  and  Mary  J.  (Walker)  Young,  both 
natives  of  Tennessee  also,  where  they  grew  to  maturity  and  were  married. 
The  father  was  a shoemaker  in  his  earlier  life,  but  later  devoted  his  atten- 
tion to  farming,  purchasing  a farm  in  Greene  county,  Tennessee,  when  our 
subject  was  about  six  years  old,  and  lived  on  the  place  three  years,  when  he 
sold  out  and  removed  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  settling  on  the  Walter 
Bray  farm  near  Bois  D’Arc,  where  he  resided  six  years,  then  purchased 
twenty  acres  near  that  town.  Lie  is  now  making-  his  home  in  Bois  D’Arc. 
His  wife  died  in  1909.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  namely: 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I7II 


John  lives  on  a farm  in  Murry  township;  Mrs.  Mollie  Bean,  Mrs.  Lee  Lock- 
wood,  Charles  is  deceased,  Walter  B.  of  this  sketch,  and  Mrs.  Bertha  Peck 
lives  near  Kansas  City,  Missouri. 

Walter  B.  Young  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  and  assisted  his 
father  with  the  general  farm  work.  He  received  his  education  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  of  Tennessee  and  at  Bois  D'Arc,  Missouri.  He  remained  with 
his  parents  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  began  farming  for  him- 
self when  but  a boy  and  has  continued  in  this  vocation  with  gratifying 
success.  He  has  for  the  past  five  years  been  operating  two  hundred  acres  in 
Wilson  township  and  has  been  well  repaid  for  his  labor  and  careful  atten- 
tion to  it. 

Mr.  Young  married  on  March  17,  1901,  Eva  Robinson,  a daughter  of 
Marion  and  Cornelia  (Carter)  Robinson,  both  natives  of  Greene  county, 
this  state,  where  our  subject’s  wife  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools.  She  is  the  oldest  of  six  children,  the  others  being 
named  as  follows:  the  second  child  died  in  infancy;  William  and  Walter, 
twins;  Mrs.  Bertha  Arbuckle,  who  was  next  in  order,  and  Gertie,  who  is 
at  home  with  her  parents,  who  live  on  a farm  near  Elwood,  this  county. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Young,  namely:  Virgil 
Ray,  Lorena  Essie  and  Velma. 

Politically,  Mr.  Young  is  a Republican.  Mrs.  Young  is  a member  of 
the  Baptist  church. 


THOMAS  T.  CRENSHAW. 

Success  is  only  achieved  by  the  exercise  of  certain  distinguishing  quali- 
ties and  it  can  not  be  retained  without  effort.  Those  by  whom  great  epoch 
changes  have  been  made  in  the  political  and  industrial  world  began  early  in 
life  to  prepare  themselves  for  their  peculiar  duties  and  responsibilities,  and 
it  was  only  by  the  most  persevering  and  continuous  endeavor  that  they  suc- 
ceeded in  rising  superior  to  the  obstacles  in  their  way  and  reaching  the 
goal  of  their  ambition.  Judging  from  the  record  Thomas  T.  Crenshaw, 
president  of  the  Greene  County  Lumber  Company,  is  making,  while  still  a 
young  man,  he  has  carefully  laid  the  foundation  for  large  future  success, 
some  of  which  he  has  already  achieved. 

Mr.  Crenshaw  was  born  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  February  15,  1881. 
He  is  a son  of  L.  A.  D.  and  Fannie  (Smith)  Crenshaw.  The  father  was 
born  in  Tennessee,  from  which  state  he  came  to  Missouri  in  1845  and  lo- 
cated on  a farm  four  miles  south  of  Springfield,  where  he  carried  on  general 
farming  and  stock  raising  successfully,  making  a specialty  of  raising  mules 
and  horses,  being  thus  engaged  until  his  death  in  1884,  comparatively  early 


1712 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


in  life.  His  widow  has  survived  him  thirty  years  and  is  now  living  on 
Market  street,  Springfield,  being  advanced  in  age.  To  these  parents  seven 
children  were  born,  named  as  follows:  Sue  E.  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  Joseph 

Love;  Anne  W.  is  the  wife  of  C.  C.  Sheppard;  D.  W.  lives  on  a farm; 
Smith  S.  was  next  in  order;  Aileen  S.  is  the  wife  of  J.  H.  Hoffman; 
Thomas  T.,  of  this  review;  Clara  C.  is  the  wife  of  Allen  Earley. 

Thomas  T.  Crenshaw  spent  his  childhood  on  the  farm,  and  he  received 
a good  education  in  the  common  schools  which  he  attended  until  1895,  then 
went  to  Culver,  Indiana,  and  entered  the  Culver  Military  Academy,  where 
he  remained  three  years.  When  the  war  with  Spain  broke  out  he  enlisted  in 
Company  Iv,  Second  Missouri  Infantry,  and  was  sent  with  other  troops  to 
the  large  military  camps  at  Chickamauga  Park  and  Albany,  both  in  Georgia, 
and  Lexington,  Kentucky.  He  remained  in  the  service  one  year,  and  was 
mustered  out  at  Albany,  Georgia.  He  then  returned  to  Springfield,  where 
he  remained  a year,  then  went  to  the  Pacific  coast,  where  he  began  his 
career  as  a lumberman  and  there  gained  his  first  knowledge  of  the  business. 
After  remaining  in  the  far  West  three  years  he  went  to  Columbus,  Ohio, 
and  became  sales  manager  in  an  eastern  territory  for  a large  lumber  concern, 
the  Missouri  Lumber  and  Land  Exchange  Company,  of  Kansas  City,  and 
remained  in  the  East  about  nine  years,  doing  much  to  increase  the  prestige 
of  his  firm  in  that  territory,  and  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  firm’s  most 
capable  and  trustworthy  employees.  In  the  meantime  he  had  mastered  the 
various  phases  of  the  lumber  business,  and  in  1912,  returned  to  Springfield, 
Missouri,  and  helped  organize  the  Greene  County  Lumber  Company,  being- 
incorporated  under  the  state  laws  of  Missouri.  Mr.  Crenshaw  is  president 
and  general  manager  and  his  close  application,  able  management  and  wise 
foresight  has  made  this  one  of  the  most  successful  firms  of  its  kind  in 
Greene  county,  its  business  and  prestige  rapidly  increasing  with  the  years. 
All  grades  of  lumber  are  handled,  all  kinds  of  building  materials — every- 
thing to  be  found  in  an  up-to-date  twentieth  century  lumber  establishment. 
Their  extensive  yards  are  located  at  447  South  Campbell  street. 

Mr.  Crenshaw  was  married.  May  12,  1906,  to  Mabel  C.  Noggle,  a 
daughter  of  Ira  and  Allie  E.  (Erickson)  Noggle,  both  natives  of  Union- 
ville,  Missouri.  The  father  died  about  twenty-five  years  ago,  but  the  mother 
survives.  Mrs.  Crenshaw  has  a brother,  John  R.  Noggle,  who  makes  his 
home  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Crenshaw  received  a good  edu- 
cation. She  is  a member  of  various  clubs,  in  all  of  which  she  is  popular. 
She  is  also  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crenshaw  one  child  has  been  born,  Thomas  T.,  Jr., 
who  is  now  five  years  of  age. 

Politically,  our  subject  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Christian 
church.  He  belongs  to  the  Springfield  Club,  the  Country  Club  and  the 
Young  Men’s  Business  Club. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1713 


milton  c.  McConnell. 

The  life  of  Milton  C.  McConnell,  for  many  years  a prominent  farmer 
and  grain  dealer  in  Campbell  township,  Greene  county,  who  is  now  a deputy 
sheriff  of  this  county  and  living  in  Springfield,  has  been  such  as  to  bear 
aloft  the  high  standard  which  has  been  maintained  by  his  father,  who  was 
one  of  the  early  residents  of  this  section  of  the  Ozarks,  and  whose  life  was 
signally  noble  and  upright,  one  over  which  falls  no  shadow  of  wrong  in 
word,  thought  or  deed.  Such  was  the  type  of  men  who  laid  the  foundation 
and  aided  in  the  development  of  this  locality,  and  to  their  memories  will 
ever  be  paid  a tribute  of  reverence  and  gratitude  by  those  who  have  profited 
by  their  well-directed  endeavors  and  appreciated  the  lesson  of  their  lives. 

Mr.  McConnell  was  born  in  Giles  county,  Tennessee,  November  24, 
1856.  He  is  a son  of  James  A.  and  Nancy  C.  (Knox)  McConnell,  both 
natives  of  Tennessee,  the  date  of  the  father’s  birth  being  October  10,  1825. 
These  parents  grew  to  maturity  in  their  native  state  and  were  married  there 
and  spent  their  earlier  years.  The  mother  of  our  subject  died  when  he  was 
quite  young  and  he  has  little  recollection  of  her.  James  A.  McConnell  re- 
ceived a good  education  of  his  day  and  he  devoted  his  life  to  teaching  and 
farming.  He  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  with  his  family  in  1857 
and  located  in  the  western  part  of  the  county  on  a farm  and  there  spent  the 
rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  1899.  His  family  consisted  of  seven  children,  all 
sons,  namely:  John  K.  lives  in  Greene  county;  George  H.  makes  his  home 

in  Prairie  county,  Arkansas:  James  C.  of  Spring-field;  Milton  C.,  of  this 
sketch;  Henry  D.,  of  St.  Louis;  Albert  A.  lives  in  Oklahoma,  and  Josephus 
is  a resident  of  Fayetteville,  Arkansas. 

Milton  C.  McConnell  grew  up  on  the  farm  and  he  received  a common 
school  education,  which  was  limited  for  lack  of  opportunities,  as  the  war 
between  the  states  was  in  progress  during  his  boyhood  days.  He  remained 
with  his  father  until  he  was  about  twenty-four  years  of  age  and  then  went 
to  farming  for  himself.  In  1880  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  forty-five 
acres  in  Brookline  township,  which  he  improved  until  it  ranked  with  the 
best  farms  of  the  township,  and  here  he  carried  on  a general  farming  busi- 
ness successfully,  and  also  did  a large  and  lucrative  grain  business  for  years, 
maintaining  an  elevator  at  Brookline.  He  also  devoted  considerable  atten- 
tion to  handling  live  stock.  He  removed  to  Springfield  a few  years  ago  and 
now  lives  in  a good  home  on  West  Walnut  street.  I11  January,  1913,  he  was 
appointed  deputy  sheriff  of  Greene  county  and  is  discharging  the  duties  of 
that  office  at  this  writing.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat,  and  has  long  been 
more  or  less  active  in  the  ranks  of  his  party.  He  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

( 108) 


1714 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mr.  McConnell  was  married  in  1884  to  Mattie  E.  Firestone,  a daugh- 
ter of  James  H.  and  Mary  J.  Firestone,  natives  of  Tennessee,  where  they 
grew  up  and  from  which  state  they  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  an 
early  day.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  Mrs.  McConnell  being 
next  to  the  oldest. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McConnell  five  children  have  been  born,  named  as 
follows : Mrs.  Gertrude  Crowe  lives  in  Lebanon,  this  state ; Thomas  T.  is 

a graduate  of  Purdue  University,  Lafayette,  Indiana,  and  is  now  director 
of  athletics  and  teaches  agriculture  in  the  University  of  Arkansas,  at  Fay- 
etteville; Milton  Lee  lives  in  San  Francisco,  California;  Lucile  died  in  in- 
fancy, and  Ethel,  who  is  at  home.  Mrs.  Mary  J.  Firestone  is  still  living 
and  is  making  her  home  with  our  subject  and  wife.  Mr.  Firestone  has  been 
deceased  a number  of  years. 


DAVID  MICHAEL  DIFFENDERFFER. 

The  man  who  gains  success  in  this  age  of  materialism  is  he  who  can 
see  and  utilize  the  opportunities  that  come  in  his  path — seize  them  at  the 
right  time  and  use  them  properly.  To  do  so  requires  innate  tact,  keen 
discrimination  and  sound  judgment;  but  after  all  the  basic  conditions  of 
human  life  are  ever  the  same,  the  surroundings  of  individuals  differing  but 
slightly,  and  whether  we  achieve  positions  of  wealth  and  influence  or 
whether  we  are  underlings  throughout  our  earthly  span  of  years  depend, 
according  to  Shakespeare,  “Not  in  our  stars  but  in  ourselves.”  Realizing 
this  at  the  outset  of  his  career,  David  Michael  Diffenderffer,  one  of  Spring- 
field's  successful  business  men,  has  sought  to  advance  himself  along  legiti- 
mate lines  by  hard  work  and  persistent  effort. 

Mr.  Diffenderffer  was  born,  August  30,  1870,  in  Ft.  Bliss,  Texas.  He 
is  a scion  of  a Pennsylvania  family  of  German  ancestry,  and  is  a son  of 
David  R.  and  Margaret  (Dunham)  Diffenderffer.  The  father  was  born 
in  New  Holland,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  grew  to  man- 
hood and  was  educated  in  Franklin-Marshall  College  in  the  city  of  Lan- 
caster. Shortly  after  his  graduation  he  went  to  Mexico  and  was  appointed 
United  States  consul  to  that  country  by  President  James  Buchanan.  After 
serving  his  term  in  this  responsible  office  in  a manner  that  reflected  credit 
upon  himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  government,  he  returned  to  Lan- 
caster, Pennsylvania,  and  there  engaged  in  the  banking  business  with  grati- 
fying success  until  1874,  when  he  came  to  Lebanon,  Missouri,  and  there 
continued  in  the  banking  business  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  the 
spring  of  1900.  He  enjoyed  the  good  will  and  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1715 


was  associated.  Margaret  Dunham,  also  a representative  of  an  old  family 
of  the  Keystone  state,  was  reared  and  educated  in  Lancaster  and  there  they 
were  married.  She  is  still  living  in  Lebanon,  this  state.  To  these  parents 
seven  children  were  born,  namely:  William,  who  lives  in  Lebanon;  Mary 
has  remained  at  the  old  home  in  Lebanon;  Harry  W.  is  associated  in  the 
carriage  and  implement  business  with  our  subject  in  Springfield;  Jennie  is 
the  wife  of  Carl  Morris,  and  they  live  in  Springfield;  John  is  cashier  of  the 
bank  in  Lebanon;  Grace  is  the  wife  of  William  Owen  and  they  live  in 
Lebanon;  David  M.,  of  this  sketch. 

Harry  W.  Diffenderffer  was  but  two  years  old  when  his  parents  estab- 
lished the  family  home  in  Lebanon,  Missouri,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood 
and  attended  the  public  schools,  later  was  a student  in  the  University  of 
Missouri.  Leaving  school  in  1891  he  went  to  St.  Louis  and  engaged  with 
the  Kansas  & Texas  Coal  Company  as  assistant  superintendent,  remaining 
in  the  employ  of  this  firm  three  years,  then  went  to  Galveston,  Texas,  and 
took  a position  as  a reporter  on  the  News,  later  went  to  Phoenix,  Arizona, 
and  after  working  there  two  years  went  to  Alaska  in  newspaper  work  and 
a general  prospecting  expedition.  He  spent  five  years  in  that  country,  one 
year  of  which  was  spent  in  carrying  the  United  States  mail  from  Dawson 
to  Circle  City,  over  the  ice,  down  the  Yukon  river,  a distance  of  three  hun- 
dred miles.  He  walked  this  six  hundred  miles  each  month,  driving:  six  does 

o > o 

to  a sled.  He  was  also  a member  of  the  famous  mounted  Canadian  police 
force,  and  assisted  in  running  down  many  criminals,  including  a gang  that 
had  murdered  three  prospectors.  He  captured  one,  who  was  subsequently 
hanged. 

Returning  to  the  United  States  in  1902,  Mr.  Diffenderffer  located  at 
Caddo,  Oklahoma,  where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits.  He  also  en- 
tered politics  there  and  in  1908  he  was  assistant  secretary  at  the  national 
Democratic  convention  in  St.  Louis,  when  William  J.  Bryan  was  nominated 
for  a third  time  for  President.  Mr.  Diffenderffer  was  subsequently  national 
committeeman  of  the  Independent  political  part  of  Oklahoma.  In  1910  he 
went  to  New  York  City  and  was  employed  by  William  R.  Hurst  on  the 
New  York  American  and  the  New  York  Journal,  handling  principally  poli- 
tical assignments,  being  sent  all  over  the  United  States.  He  was  regarded 
as  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  versatile  writers  on  the  Hurst  papers  and  most 
conversant  with  the  political'  situation  of  the  country.  Finally  tiring  of 
newspaper  work  and  and  desiring  to  re-enter  business,  he  came  to  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  in  the  fall  of  1911  and  engaged  in  the  buggy  and  implement 
business  with  his  brother,  Dave  Diffenderffer,  under  the  firm  name  of  D.  M. 
Diffenderffer,  the  name  being  later  changed  to  the  Diffenderffer  Buggy  & 
Implement  Company.  On  April  24,  1902,  he  married  Edith  Kirk,  and  their 
union  has  been  without  issue. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I7l6 


David  M.  Diffenderffer  was  about  four  years  old  when  his  parents 
removed  with  him  to  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1876  the  family  came  to  Mis- 
souri. Ide  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Laclede 
county,  this  state,  finishing  his  education  at  Drury  College,  Springfield.  He 
was  with  W.  H.  Owens  Mercantile  establishment  in  Lebanon  while  re- 
ceiving his  early  schooling.  After  leaving  Drury  College  he  went  to  Port- 
land, Oregon,  where  he  was  employed  by  a produce  concern  one  year,  after 
which  he  returned  to  Greene  county  and  went  to  work  for  the  McGregor- 
Noe  Hardware  Company  in  Springfield,  and  after  working  about  a year 
for  this  firm  he  took  a position  as  traveling  salesman  for  a hardware  firm 
in  Chicago  and  remained  with  it  one  year,  then,  in  1897,  he  began  in  the 
implement  business  in  Springfield,  under  the  firm  name  of  D.  M.  Diffen- 
derffer, located  at  the  corner  of  Walnut  and  Campbell  streets,  where  he 
remained  about  three  years,  during  which  he  got  well  established,  then  re- 
moved to  the  corner  of  Pearl  and  Walnut  streets  on  what  is  known  as  the 
Stewart  and  Cowan  building,  which  was  erected  especially  for  Mr.  Diffen- 
derffer. After  remaining  here  about  six  years  it  became  necessary  to  seek 
larger  quarters,  and  our  subject  purchased  property  at  the  corner  of  Walnut 
and  Market  streets,  where  he  erected  a two-story,  modern  and  convenient 
brick  building,  with  twenty-one  thousand  feet  of  floor  space,  where  the 
business  has  since  been  located. 

This  is  the  oldest  implement  company  in  this  section  of  the  state.  A 
large  and  well-selected  stock  of  buggies,  carriages  and  implements  is  car- 
ried at  all  times.  The  business  has  been  established  over  eighteen  years  and 
is  one  of  the  most  widely  and  favorably  known  of  its  kind  in  southwestern 
Missouri.  The  volume  of  business  has  constantly  increased  with  advancing 
years  until  it  has  assummed  vast  proportions,  an  extensive  jobbing  business 
being  carried  on  over  the  Southwest,  including  a large  portion  of  this  state, 
eastern  Oklahoma,  and  northern  Arkansas. 

David  M.  Diffenderffer  was  married,  June  14,  1900,  to  Mabel  Dunning, 
who  is  a daughter  of  A.  C.  and  Laura  (Crothers)  Dunning,  the  mother 
being"  a daug’hter  of  Colonel  Crothers,  formerly  oi  Indiana.  Both  the 
colonel  and  his  Avife  are  deceased.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  children, 
Mrs.  Mabel  Diffenderffer  being  the  oldest ; the  other,  Mrs.  Edith  Sheppard, 
is  also  living  in  Springfield.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject 
and  Avife,  namely:  Margaret  Jane,  born  July  17,  1902;  Katherine  Louise, 

born  February  21,  1904;  Mabel,  born  February  1,  1906,  and  David  Ritten- 
house,  born  May  24,  1909. 

Politically,  Mr.  Diffenderffer  is  a Republican.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  Calvary  Presbyterian  church.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Masonic  Order  and  the  Royal  Arcanum  lodge ; he  belongs  to  Solomon  lodge, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1717 


Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  He  is  one  of  the  charter  members 
of  the  Springfield  Club. 

Mr.  Diffenderffer  has  recently  organized  the  Overland  Motor  Car  Com- 
pany, of  Joplin,  Missouri,  which  has  been  incorporated  by  D.  M.  and  J.  L. 
Diffenderffer.  The  object  of  the  firm  is  to  distribute  the  Overland  auto- 
mobile in  a territory  of  about  fifty  counties  tributary  to  the  city  of  Joplin. 
Harry  W.  Diffenderffer  will  be  in  charge  of  this  new  enterprise,  with  head- 
Cjuarters  in  Joplin. 


JAMES  H.  MASON. 

One  of  the  old  and  honored  families  of  Greene  county  is  the  Masons, 
and  no  history  of  this  locality  would  be  complete  without  mention  of  the 
same,  one  of  the  best  known  members  of  the  present  generation  being 
James  H.  Mason,  who,  in  the  practice  of  law,  in  Springfield,  has  attained 
to  a laudable  position  in  his  profession,  while  yet  a young  man;  and  his 
reputation  for  integrity,  stability  of  character,  and  fidelity  to  his  clients, 
and  trusts  committed  to  him,  whether  professional  or  otherwise,  is  firmly 
established.  His  pathways  are  along  the  moral  levels  of  the  world,  and  he 
preserves  the  symmetry  of  a true  moral  life  by  emphasizing  his  attachment 
to  it ; by  defending  the  truth,  the  right,  and  by  right  acting  and  living,  and 
especially,  by  aiming  to  preserve  the  perfect  proportions  of  truth. 

Mr.  Mason  was  born,  February  19,  1874,  near  Ash  Grove,  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  on  a farm.  He  is  a son  of  Robert  T.  and  Lavina 
(Thomas)  Mason.  The  father  was  a native  of  Loudon  county,  Tennessee, 
and  was  a son  of  Daniel  Mason,  a native  of  Massachusetts,  who  emigrated 
to  Loudon  county,  Tennessee,  in  1800,  and  there  established  his  home  on  a 
farm,  and  he  enlisted  in  a Tennessee  regiment  during  the  War  of  1812 
and  saw  considerable  service.  His  family  consisted  of  nine  children.  His 
death  occurred  in  Loudon  county  in  the  thirties,  and  in  1841,  when  Robert 
T.  Mason  was  ten  years  old,  the  widow  of  Daniel  Mason  removed  with  her 
family  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  took  up  a farm  from  the  govern- 
ment, and  this  they  improved  and  established  their  home  on  it,  Robert  T. 
Mason  continuing  to  work  the  home  place  until  he  was  twenty-two  years 
of  age,  when  he  came  to  Springfield  and  began  learning  the  saddlery  busi- 
ness, which  he  continued  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war,  when  he 
and  three  of  his  brothers  enlisted  in  the  Union  army.  The  father  of  our 
subject  was  a private  in  the  Eighth  Missouri  Volunteer  Infantry,  one  of  the 
most  efficient,  bravest  and  most  feared  of  the  regiments  from  this  state,  and 
he  served  four  years  in  a faithful  and  gallant  manner,  seeing  much  hard 
service  and  taking  part  in  many  engagements,  being  mustered  out  a lieuten- 


I 


I7l8  GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 

ant.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Pea  Ridge  and  all  the  important  ones  of  the 
West.  He  was  honorably  discharged,  and  after  returning  home  he  taught 
school  in  Greene  county  and  in  Arkansas  for  a number  of  years,  and  was  a 
successful  teacher  for  those  days.  He  had  received  his  education  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  and  by  home  study.  The  latter  part  of  his  life  was  devoted 
to  general  farming  near  Ash  Grove,  where  he  was  esteemed  as  a good 
citizen  in  every  respect,  and  there  his  death  occurred,  August  4,  1893. 
Lavina  Thomas,  mother  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Roane  county,  Tennes- 
see. She  is  the  oldest  daughter  of  George  and  Sarah  Thomas,  who  emi- 
grated from  Tennessee  to  Greene  county  in  1854  and  located  on  a large 
farm  near  Cave  Spring.  George  Thomas  and  two  of  his  sons,  James  and 
Caswell,  were  soldiers  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  war.  Caswell 
was  wounded  and  died  during  the  service.  The  mother  of  our  subject  is 
still  living  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years,  and  she  is  beloved  by  her 
friends  for  her  kindness  and  Christian  sentiment.  Of  her  brothers  and 
sisters,  of  whom  there  were  ten,  all  still  survive,  except  two,  Caswell,  men- 
tioned above,  and  a sister,  who  died  in  1913. 

Six  children,  three  sons  and  three  daughters,  were  born  to  Robert  T. 
Mason  and  wife,  namely:  George,  a farmer  of  near  Claremore,  Oklahoma, 

married  Margaret  Christian,  and  they  have  nine  children;  Daniel  C.  died  in 
1905;  James  H.,  of  this  review;  Lillie  married  Thomas  Toombs,  a farmer 
and  stock  dealer  of  Dallas  county,  Missouri,  and  her  death  occurred  in 
1897,  leaving  two  children;  Martha,  wife  of  John  Christian,  a farmer  of 
Dallas  county,  has  eight  children ; Mary,  who  married  Lon  Wheelis,  who 
is  in  the  employ  of  the  United  States  Express  Company,  of  St.  Louis,  has 
three  daughters. 

James  H.  Mason  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  there  and  did  his 
full  share  of  the  work  when  a boy.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Greene  and  Dallas  counties  and  at  the  Marionville  Colle- 
giate Institute,  then  took  the  course  in  the  law  department  of  the  University 
of  Missouri  at  Columbia,  where  he  made  a splendid  record.  Soon  there- 
after he  came  to  Springfield  and  opened  an  office  for  the  practice  of  his 
profession  and  has  been  very  successful,  having  built  up  a large  and  con- 
stantly growing  clinetage  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  promising  of 
our  younger  members  of  the  Greene  county  bar. 

Mr.  Mason  was  married,  August  31,  1899,  to  Susie  O.  Alexander,  a 
daughter  of  Dr.  William  O.  and  Mary  E.  Crumley)  Alexander,  of  Pulaski, 
county,  Missouri,  a highly  respected  family  there.  She  received  a good 
education  in  the  common  schools.  She  has  four  brothers  and  two  sisters. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mason  three  sons  have  been  born,  named  as  follows: 
Robert  Oliver,  born  August  29,  1900;  James  Floyd,  born  January  7,  1903, 
and  William  Chauncey,  born  March  26,  1905. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1719 


Politically,  Mr.  Mason  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member 
of  the  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 
-of  Elks.  Religiously,  he  is  a member  of  the  Christian  church.  He  has 
been  active  in  public  affairs  for  a number  of  years.  He  was  postmaster  at 
Phillipsburg,  Missouri,  from  1898  to  1903.  In  1908  he  was  elected  city 
attorney  of  Springfield,  and  in  1910  he  was  elected  prosecuting  attorney 
•of  Greene  county.  As  a public  servant  he  has  ever  discharged  his  duties 
in  an  able,  conscientious  and  commendable  manner,  and  to  the  satisfaction 
•of  all  concerned.  It  can  not  be  denied  that  his  abilities  are  equal  to  the 
attainment  of  still  greater  ends  than  he  has  accomplished.  Such  talents  as 
he  has  shown  lie  upon  the  borders  of  many  provinces  of  thought,  but  in  the 
•exclusive  province  of  the  law,  there  would  be  no  border-land,  but  an  entire 
realm,  without  limit  to  the  ecstacies  and  activities  of  the  intellect. 


GEORGE  N.  HAUN. 

There  are  many  things  which  the  modern  husbandman  is  learning  that 
his  ancestors  also,  mayhap,  tillers  of  the  soil,  did  not  know,  or  think  they 
needed  to  know.  We  of  today,  in  order  to  get  the  greatest  results  from  our 
labor,  must  know,  among  other  things,  what  kind  of  soil  we  are  working, 
must  know  the  difference  between  soil-forming  material  and  soil-forming 
agencies.  The  importance  of  distinguishing  between  these  two  groups  of 
factors  is  apparent  to  the  close  observer.  The  tendency  in  the  past  has 
heen  to  attach  great  importance  to  the  former  to  the  neglect  of  the  latter, 
and  this  has  resulted  in  classifying  together  soils  of  very  dissimilar  char- 
acter, simply  because  they  were  derived  from  the  same  rocks  or  from  rocks 
which  have  been  formed  in  the  same  manner.  One  of  the  younger  farmers 
of  Greene  county  who  is  making  an  effort  to  properly  understand  advanced 
problems  of  agriculture  in  all  its  phases  is  George  N.  Haun,  of  Wilson 
township,  and  as  a result  he  is  making  a pronounced  success  as  a general 
farmer. 

Mr.  Haun  was  born  at  Willard,  Murray  township,  Greene  county, 
Missouri,  November  2,  1881.  .He  is  a son  of  Newton  W.  and  Nellie  (Beal) 
Haun.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  a native  of  Tennessee  from  which 
state  he  emigrated  to  Missouri  in  an  early  day  and  began  farming  in  Law- 
rence county,  but  remained  there  only  a short  time,  when  he  sold  out  and 
purchased  a farm  in  Greene  county,  near  Willard  The  mother  of  our  sub- 
ject was  born,  reared  and  educated  near  Springfield,  and  the  parents  of  our 
subject  were  married  in  Greene  county.  To  this  union  nine  children  were 


1720 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


born,  namely:  Andrew,  deceased;  Daniel  lives  in  Willard;  Mattie  is  de- 

ceased; William  lives  near  Willard;  May  is  the  wife  of  H.  F.  Emerson; 
Walter  lives  at  Willard;  Ella  is  the  wife  of  William  Tatum ; George  N.,  of 
this  review;  Laura  is  deceased.  Newton  W.  Haun,  father  of  the  above 
named  children,  grew  to  manhood  in  Tennessee,  where  he  attended  school 
and  where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  for  a while  and  there  he  was 
first  married,  but  his  wife  survived  only  a short  time,  and  it  was  not  long 
thereafter  until  he  came  to  Missouri. 

George  N.  Haun  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  received 
his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  Murray  township,  and  when  nineteen 
years  of  age  he  entered  the  State  Normal  school,  taking  a two  years’  course 
in  the  common  branches,  after  which  he  went  to  Kansas  and  spent  a sum- 
mer on  a farm,  returning  to  his  home  at  Willard  the  following  year  and 
began  his  career  as  farmer  in  Murray  township  on  the  estate  left  by  his 
father  who  died  in  1890.  This  place  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  sixteen 
acres,  being  a part  of  the  old  homestead.  He  got  a good  start  here  and  in 
February,  1910,  sold  out  and  purchased  one  hundred  acres  in  Wilson  town- 
ship, where  he  now  resides  and  is  making  a success  as  a general  farmer  and 
stock  raiser,  having  a productive  and  well-kept  farm  and  a good  set  of 
buildings. 

Mr.  Haun  was  married,  December  22,  1907,  to  Juanita  Staley,  a daugh- 
ter of  Weldon  E.  and  Angie  (Evans)  Staley.  Her  father  was  a son  of 
Alfred  and  Lucinda  (Brower)  Staley,  and  was  born  in  Randolph  county, 
North  Carolina,  July  9,  1840.  Llis  father  represented  his  county  in  me 
Legislature  of  North  Carolina,  and  was  a very  prominent  member  of  that 
body.  In  1847  his  parents  moved  westward,  making  the  long  overland  jour- 
ney to  Clinton  county,  Missouri,  and  in  1849  settled  in  Greene  county,  this 
state,  where  Weldon  E.  grew  to  manhood  and  has  since  resided.  His 
father  died  in  1852.  Weldon  E.  Staley  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  the  farm 
and  he  began  life  for  himself  as  a merchant  at  Cave  Spring,  which  business 
he  followed  successfully  there  until  1878,  and  since  that  time  has  devoted 
himself  exclusively  to  farming  and  stock  raising,  starting  in  Cass  township 
with  one  hundred  and  ninety  acres,  and,  prospering  by  good  management 
and  close  application,  he  has  added  to  his  holdings  until  he  now  owns  about 
three  hundred  acres  of  valuable  land,  constituting  one  of  the  most  desirable 
farms  in  the  northern  part  of  Greene  county,  where  he  is  regarded  as  a 
substantial  and  worthy  citizen  and  is  a man  of  influence  for  the  general 
good  of  his  community.  He  and  Angie  C.  Evans  were  married,  January 
21,  1861.  She  is  a daughter  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Evans,  a honored  old 
family  of  Greene  county.  Her  parents  were  also  natives  of  North  Carolina, 
and  were  among  the  early  immigrants  to  Greene  county.  To  Weldon  E. 
Staley  and  wife  ten  children  have  been  born,  named  as  follows:  William 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1721 


W.,  commonly  known  as  “Major;”  Mollie,  Dollie,  Fannie,  J.  Horace,  Joseph 
A.,  Katherine,  Bunch  E.,  Effie,  and  Jaunita,  the  latter  the  youngest  and  the 
wife  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haunt  two  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Edward  Staley,  and  George  Robert. 

Politically,  Mr.  Haun  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Walnut  Springs. 


JOHN  A.  STEINERT. 

A farmer  when  he  has  raised  his  crop  has  performed  only  half  his 
duty;  the  other  half  is  selling,  which  determines  his  profit  for  the  year’s 
work.  It  is  just  as  important  for  the  agricultural  producer  to  know  what 
the  markets  are  as  it  is  for  the  lumberman,  the  coal  and  ore  producers,  or 
the  manufacturer  to  know  what  his  goods  are  worth  in  the  market  and 
what  competition  he  must  meet  in  his  selling.  In  some  places  it  has  been 
found  possible  to  organize  farming  territories  into  zones  of  distribution  and 
to  control  the  output  in  such  a way  as  to  prevent  congestion  and  wasteful 
prices  by  overcrowding  the  markets  and  in  other  ways.  It  stands  to  reason 
that  such  associations  have  unlimited  power  compared  to  the  individual. 
One  of  the  farmers  of  Wilson  township,  Greene  county,  who  is  not  only  a 
man  who  knows  how  to  make  his  land  produce  well,  but  how  to  find  ready 
markets  for  his  varied  products,  is  John  A.  Steinert. 

Mr.  Steinert  was  born  in  Stone  county,  Missouri,  January  28,  1876. 
He  is  a son  of  Charles  A.  and  Mattie  (Cantrell)  Steinert,  the  father  a 
native  of  Germany  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Dade  county,  Missouri. 
Charles  A.  Steinert  spent  his  boyhood  in  his  native  land,  immigrating  to 
America  when  sixteen  years  of  age.  After  spending  a short  time  in  New 
York  he  came  on  to  Dade  county,  Missouri,  where  he  was  married  and  later 
located  in  Stone  county,  where  he  engaged  in  general  farming,  owning  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres.  His  family  consisted  of  four  children,  namely: 
Thomas  lives  in  Greene  county;  Tinie  is  the  wife  of  Silas  Price  and  they 
live  in  Stone  county;  William  L.  lives  in  Greene  county,  and  John  A.,  of 
this  sketch.  The  parents  of  these  children  are  both  deceased. 

John  A.  Steinert  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Stone  county, 
and  received  a limited  education  in  the  district  schools.  When  fifteen  years 
of  age  he  went  to  work  for  Lewis  Hendrix,  a farmer,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained four  years,  then  hired  to  a Mr.  Cox  for  a year,  then  worked  for 
John  Inman  on  his  farm  for  a period  of  twelve  years.  He  saved  his  money 
and  finally  purchased  the  old  Yarbrough  farm  in  Wilson  township.  It  con- 


1722 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


sists  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  and  he  has  placed  it  under  excellent 
improvements  and  a fine  state  of  cultivation.  On  it  may  be  seen  a good 
home  and  numerous  outbuildings.  The  place  is  free  from  all  indebtedness. 
The  prosperity  that  has  attended  Mr.  Steinert's  efforts  has  been  well  de- 
served. He  is  a hard  worker  and  takes  a delight  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising. 

On  March  24,  1897,  Mr.  Steinert  was  married  to  Rosie  Yarbrough,  a 
native  of  Greene  county,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated. 
She  is  a daughter  of  Jerome  B.  Yarbrough,  who  was  a well-known  citizen 
of  this  county.  He  was  a veteran  of  the  Civil  war.  He  served  four  years 
as  a member  of  Company  B,  Twenty-fourth  Missouri  Volunteer  Infantry, 
was  a brave  and  faithful  soldier  and  rose  to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant. 
He  served  two  terms  as  deputy  sheriff  of  Greene  county.  Mr.  Yarbrough 
has  been  deceased  for  several  years. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Steinert  four  children  were  born,  named  as  follows: 
Mamie  is  attending  the  State  Normal  school  at  Springfield;  Edreal,  Sylvia 
and  Paul  are  all  at  home  and  are  studying  agriculture. 

Politically,  Mr.  Steinert  is  a Democrat  in  national  affairs,  but  often 
votes  independently  in  local  elections.  His  wife  is  a member  of  the  Christ- 
ian church. 


FRANKLIN  T.  BISHOP. 

There  are  few  more  inspiring  aphorisms  in  our  tongue  than  Emerson’s 
famous  “Hitch  your  wagon  to  a star."  Posterity  is  indebted  to  the  Sage 
of  Concord  for  the  crisp  and  noble  counsel  so  universally  needed.  The 
privilege  belongs  to  us  all  of  gearing  our  lives  up  to  lofty  motives,  of  glorify- 
ing our  commonplace  and  prosaic  days  with  ideal  sentiments  and  aspirations. 
There  is  happy  suggestion  likewise  in  reversing  the  good  advice,  to  sense  its 
truth  from  a slightly  different  angle.  It  is  just  as  good  philosophy,  and  in 
many  ways  even  more  helpful,  to  read  the  words  “Hitch  your  stars  to  your 
wagon.”  In  other  terms  let  the  infinite  forces  help  you.  join  with  you  in 
tugging  your  particular  load  up  the  hill,  harness  the  mightiest  power  in  the 
world  to  your  human  necessities.  The  life  of  Franklin  T.  Bishop,  proprie- 
tor of  beautiful  “Clover  Dale  Farm”  in  Wilson  township,  Greene  county, 
would  indicate  that  he  has  ever  striven  to  live  up  to  high  ideals  and  direct 
his  efforts  along  well  regulated  lines,  and  therefore  material  success  has  at- 
tended his  efforts  and  at  the  same  time  he  has  established  a reputation  for 
right  thinking  and  wholesome  living,  and  what  necessarily  follows — good 
■•citizenship. 

Mr.  Bishop  was  born  in  Cumberland  county.  New  Jersey,  March  7, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I723 


1862.  He  is  a son  of  Horace  and  Phoebe  (Housted)  Bishop.  The  father 
was  for  many  years  engaged  extensively  in  oyster  raising  on  the  Atlantic 
coast,  and  owned  an  interest  in  a large  oyster  vessel,  with  a crew  of  six  men. 
He  also  owned  a farm  in  that  state. 

Mr.  Bishop,  of  this  sketch,  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  state  and 
received  his  education  in  Cedar ville,  New  Jersey,  attending  school  during 
the  winter  months  and  during  the  crop  season  worked  on  the  home  farm 
until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  left  home  to  seek  his  fortune 
in  the  great  West.  He  selected  the  state  of  Nebraska,  where  he  took  up 
a claim  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  which  he  homesteaded  and  on 
which  he  spent  twenty-three  years,  developing  it  into  a fine  farm  and  there 
he  prospered  with  advancing  years,  and  added  to  his  original  holdings 
until  he  owned  one  thousand  acres.  He  traded  the  entire  amount  for  an 
excellent  farm  of  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  in  Kansas,  and  removed 
to  the  Sunflower  state,  continuing  general  farming  with  his  former  success 
for  two  years,  then  traded  his  farm  there  for  Missouri  land,  in  Mercer 
county,  which  he  subsequently  sold,  and  moved  to  Greene  county,  this  state, 
where  he  now  resides,  and  is  now  owner  of  a finely  improved  and  produc- 
tive farm  of  two  hundred  acres  in  Wilson  township,  on  which  he  has  an 
attractive  residence  and  numerous  substantial,  convenient  and  modernly 
appointed  outbuildings.  He  raises  a diversity  of  crops  common  to  this 
latitude,  but  in  connection  with  general  farming  he  specializes  in  dairying,  in 
poultry  raising  and  handling  blooded  horses,  and  in  one  of  the  best-known 
and  most  successful  stockmen  in  the  western  part  of  the  county.  His  place 
is  known  as  “Clover  Dale  Farm.”  He  has  a large  herd  of  cows  of  an  ex- 
cellent quality,  and  he  keeps  his  barn  in  a sanitary  condition,  and  looks  to 
the  well-being  and  comfort  of  his  stock  at  all  seasons.  His  dairy  products 
are  all  taken  by  a Springfield  concern.  Mr.  Bishop  also  specializes  in  poul- 
try raising,  and  does  an  extensive  business  in  this  line,  keeping  a large  number 
of  best  breed  of  chickens,  in  the  proper  care  of  which  he  is  well  versed  and 
is  properly  equipped  for  this  work,  and  he  also  finds  a very  ready  market  for 
all  his  products  in  this  department  in  Springfield.  He  is  an  admirer  of 
good  live  stock  of  all  kinds,  especially  horses,  and  he  keeps  a very  fine  herd 
of  registered  Percherons,  including  at  this  writing  a stallion  and  four  mares. 
His  fine  stock  is  greatly  admired  by  all  who  sees  it. 

Mr.  Bishop  has  been  twice  married,  first,  in  Mediapolis,  Iowa,  to  Mary 
Bridges,  and  to  this  union  eight  children  were  born,  seven  of  whom  are 
living  in  Greene  county,  Missouri.  The  wife  and  mother  passed  away  on 
May  7,  1910,  and  October  11,  1911,  he  married  Etta  Huffman,  a daughter 
of  Frank  and  Mary  Huffman,  formerly  of  Kentucky. 

The  following  are  our  subject’s  children,  all  by  his  first  wife:  Phoebe 


1/24 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


A.,  Gladys  M.,  Ora  M.,  Floy,  Frank  T.,  Laura  K.,  Chester  and  Casper  (de- 
ceased). 

Politically,  Mr.  Bishop  is  a friend  of  prohibition,  and  religiously  he 
and  Mrs.  Bishop  are  Christian  Scientists. 


MARVIN  H.  SOUTH  WORTH. 

Industry,  uprightness  and  intelligence  are  characteristics  which  will 
advance  the  interests  of  any  man,  and  will  tend  to  the  prosperity  to  which 
all  aspire.  Such  are  some  of  the  traits  of  Marvin  H.  Southworth,  for  forty 
years  a well  known  contractor  of  Springfield  and  one  of  the  most  successful 
in  southwest  Missouri  in  his  vocation.  He  has  lived  to  see  and  take  part  in 
the  latter  day  development  of  the  Queen  City  in  which  he  has  ever  mani- 
fested a just  pride,  and  although  he  is  now  past  his  allotted  three  score  and 
ten  he  is  still  active  and  in  full  possession  of  his  faculties,  as  everyone  should 
be  in  old  age,  if  they  have  been  fortunate  enough  to  escape  the  untoward 
accidents  which  fate  sometimes  sends.  He  hails  from  the  old  Empire  state 
and  has  evidently  inherited  many  of  the  sterling  characteristics  of  his 
Yankee  ancestors. 

Mr.  Southworth  was  born,  May  io,  1842,  in  Gowanda,  Cattaraugus 
county,  New  York.  He  is  a son  of  Aaron  and  Deborah  (Barnes)  South- 
worth.  The  father  was  a native  of  Steuben  county,  New  York,  where  he 
grew  to  manhood,  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  there  began  life 
as  a farmer  which  vocation  he  followed  through  life.  Leaving  New  York 
state  he  came  west  in  1848  and  located  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  here 
continued  farming  with  his  usual  success  until  his  death  in  1850.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in  the  state  of  Vermont,  from  which  state 
she  removed  with  her  parents  when  a child  to  Gowanda,  New  York,  where 
she  and  Aaron  Southworth  were  married.  Her  death  occurred  in  1851. 
To  these  parents  the  following  children  were  born:  Mary  Louisa,  widow 

of  Isaac  Davis,  she  died  in  Springfield,  April  16,  1912;  Helen,  who  married 
Byron  Van  Vleit  of  western  New  York,  died  in  1889,  leaving  one  chiid, 
Roy;  Finette,  who  lives  in  Silver  Creek,  New  York,  married,  first  Edwin 
Brooks,  by  whom  she  had  one  child,  Burk,  and  later  married  Byron  Van 
Vleit,  who  had  first  married  her  sister,  Helen,  and  two  children  were  born 
to  her  second  marriage,  Lovie  and  Bessie;  Marion  H.,  of  this  review. 

Mr.  Southworth,  of  this  sketch,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in 
the  old  Empire  state  and  there  assisted  with  the  general  work  in  the  summer, 
and  during  the  winter  months  he  attended  the  common  schools  of  his 
vicinity.  He  was  first  married  in  1863  to  Maria  Welch,  of  western  New 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


WAS 

York,  and  one  of  his  school  mates;  her  death  occurred  in  1909.  To  this 
union  one  child  was  born,  Nellie,  whose  death  occurred  on  August  1,  1895, 
at  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  On  March  29,  1911,  our  subject  married 
Mrs.  Carrie  L.  Hevern,  of  Plymouth,  Indiana,  widow  of  Charles  Hevern. 
She  is  a daughter  of  William  R.  Haskett,  a farmer  of  that  community,  but 
he  and  his  wife  are  both  deceased;  their  family  consisted  of  ten  children. 

Mr.  Southworth  was  twenty-five  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  about  the  close  of  the  Civil  war,  and  this  has  been  his  home 
ever  since,  consequently  he  has  seen  and  taken  part  in  the  development  of 
the  city  from  a small  town  to  the  capital  of  the  Ozarks.  He  here  took  up 
the  trade  of  stone  mason,  and  has  been  a city  contractor  for  a period  of 
forty  years,  being  associated  in  this  business  with  John  Cowell,  a well- 
known  citizen  here  for  twenty  years.  He  is  one  of  the  most  widely  known 
contractors  in  southwest  Missouri  and  he  has  laid  the  foundations  of  most 
of  the  important  buildings  in  Springfield.  Besides  the  court  house  there  was 
but  one  brick  building  in  the  city  when  he  came  here.  After  the  building 
season  was  over  and  during  his  first  winter  in  Springfield,  he  sawed  wood 
for  Prof.  J.  Fairbanks,  the  supervising  editor  of  this  history.  He  was  for 
a time  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  in  later  years,  a member  of  the 
firm  of  Hirsch,  Southworth  & Mack.  He  has  been  very  successful  as  a 
business  man  and  now  in  his  old  age  he  finds  himself  in  possession  of  a 
comfortable  competency  and  also  enjoying  the  esteem  of  all  who  know  him 
as  a result  of  his  industrious,  public-spirited  and  honorable  life. 

Politically,  Mr.  Southworth  is  a Republican.  He  is  a charter  member 
of  the  local  lodge  of  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  has  been  a member  of  Grace 

Methodist  Episcopal  church  for  a period  of  forty  years,  and  has  been  active 

in  its  affairs.  He  was  for  some  time  chairman  of  its  building  committee, 

and  has  been  honored  with  most  all  the  offices  of  this  church. 


ERNST  KEMMLING. 

Greene  county  has  furnished  comfortable  homes  for  many  of  the 
enterprising  citizens  hailing  from  the  great  German  empire,  who  have  been 
settling  within  her  borders  since  early  pioneer  days  when  the  land  was  still 
the  home  of  various  tribes  of  Indians,  the  Osages.  Delawares  and  Ivicka- 
poos,  and  also  the  haunts  of  many  specie  of  wild  denizens  of  the  far- 
stretching  forests.  We  have  always  welcomed  the  Germans  or  any  of  the 
people  from  her  provinces,  and  this  has  been  as  it  should  lie,  for  they  have 
been  courageous  and  not  afraid  of  hard  work  and  have  been  of  untold 
assistance  to  us  in  clearing  the  fertile  soil  of  its  heavy  timber  of  oak,  hickory, 


1726 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


walnut,  ash  and  other  hardwoods;  and  they,  too,  have  helped  build  our 
substantial  dwellings,  convenient  business  blocks  and  imposing  public  build- 
ings. One  of  this  sturdy  class  is  Ernst  Kemmling,  who  has  resided  on  the 
outskirts  of  Springfield  for  a period  of  thirty-seven  years,  where  he  started 
in  a modest  way  and  in  due  course  of  time  became  owner  of  a vast  tract  of 
valuable  land. 

Mr.  Kemmling  was  born  in  Germany,  November  6,  1846.  He  is  a son 
of  Henry  and  Caroline  (Hinkle)  Kemmling,  both  natives  of  Germany  also, 
where  they  grew  up,  were  married  and  established  their  home,  and  there 
the  father  engaged  in  sheep  raising  for  wool,  principally. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Kemmling  seven  children  were  born,  namely : 
Henry  and  Augusta  are  both  deceased ; Carroll  lives  in  Germany ; Minnie 
is  deceased;  Ernest,  subject  of  this  sketch;  Lena  lives  in  Germany;  and 
the  youngest  died  in  infancy. 

Our  subject  remained  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-one  years, 
of  age,  at  which  time  he  was  drafted  into  the  Prussian  army,  and  he  served 
three  years  in  the  regular  army,  and  was  a soldier  for  a year  in  the  great 
Franco-Prussian  war,  seeing  a great  deal  of  hard  service,  including  the 
sanguinary  battle  of  Cravalett,  which  lasted  two  days  in  the  middle  of  a 
hot  August,  and  in  which  engagement  the  Prussians  lost  thirty  thousand 
men  and  the  French  thirty-two  thousand  men.  Our  subject  was  also  before 
Metz  for  six  weeks,  where  the  French  surrendered  to  the  Prussians.  The 
war  was  concluded  July  4,  1871;  Mr.  Kemmling  was  honorably  discharged 
from  the  service.  He  remained  in  his  native  land  until  December  27,  1871, 
when  he  sailed  from  the  Fatherland  for  the  New  World,  coming  straight 
to  Steubenville,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  five  years,  during  which  he  was. 
employed  by  the  Jefferson  Iron  Company.  Leaving  there  he  came  to 
Springfield,  Missouri,  in  March,  1877,  and  bought  eighty  acres  of  railroad 
land  on  which  he  settled  and  went  to  work.  By  close  application,  economy 
and  good  management  he  prospered  with  advancing  years  and  added  to  his. 
original  purchase  from  time  to  time  until  he  became  owner  of  five  hundred 
acres  of  good  land,  and  ranked  among  the  most  enterprising  and  successful 
agriculturists  of  Greene  county.  He  has  been  living  on  his  present  place 
many  years,  near  the  north  end  of  Campbell  street,  but  of  late  years  he  has 
not  been  so  active  as  formerly,  merely  overseeing  his  estate  and  engaging 
in  trucking  and  gardening  on  a small  scale  and  is  now  practically  retired. 
He  has  accumulated  considerable  other  property  which  he  looks  after,  in- 
cluding a splendid  home.  He  is  certainly  deserving  of  a great  deal  of  credit 
for  what  he  has  accomplished  since  coming  here,  alone  and  unaided  and  with 
but  little  capital  with  which  to  start. 

Mr.  Kemmling  was  married  in  his  native  province  on  September  4, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I727 


1867,  to  Minnie  Meke,  a native  of  Germany  and  a daughter  of  Louis  and 
Charlotte  (Henze)  Meke,  both  natives  of  Germany,  where  they  grew  up, 
married  and  settled,  and  to  them  seven  children  were  born,  all  of  whom 
are  now  deceased  except  the  wife  of  our  subject. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ernst  Kemmling  four  sons  were  born,  named  as 
follows : Ernest  L.,  Henry  and  August,  all  prosperous  farmers  of  Greene 
county;  and  John,  who  lives  in  Oregon  on  a farm,  where  he  is  doing  well 
also. 

Mr.  Kemmling  was  for  many  years  a member  of  the  German  Veterans. 
He  has  been  a Democrat  for  the  past  thirty-seven  years,  and  he  and  his  wife 
belong  to  the  German  Evangelical  church.  They  are  well  liked  in  their 
neighborhood,  being  hospitable,  neighborly  and  honest  in  all  their  intercouse 
with  the  world. 


HENDRY  BAXTER. 

Diversified  farming  in  its  truest  sense  calls  for  a methodical  practice 
of  a thorough  rotation  of  crops,  and  three  main  points  are  to  be  kept  in  mind. 
First,  the  raising  of  paying  crops;  that  is,  crops  that  will  of  themselves  return 
good  revenues  to  the  farmer.  Secondly,  good  crops  must  be  raised  with 
which  to  feed  the  live  stock  of  whatever  nature  it  may  be.  Thirdly,  it  is 
necessary  to  keep  up  a rotation  of  crops  to  meet  these  needs  during  the  whole 
year,  and  consideration  must  be  given  also  in  this  rotation  to  the  improve- 
ment and  maintenance  of  the  fertility  of  the  soil  of  the  farm.  All  this  is. 
clearly  understood  and  successfully  carried  out  by  Hendry  Baxter,  of  Wilson 
township,  Greene  county,  who,  with  thrift  and  foresight  characteristic  of 
the  Scotch  wherever  they  cast  their  lot,  has  by  his  own  efforts  become  one 
of  our  best  tillers  of  the  soil  and  leading  dairymen. 

Mr.  Baxter  was  born  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  December  16,  1867.  He 
is  a son  of  David  and  Love  (Cuthbertson ) Baxter,  both  also  natives  of 
that  city  and  country,  where  they  grew  to  maturity,  were  educated,  married 
and  established  their  home.  To  them  eleven  children  were  born,  six  sons 
and  five  daughters. 

Hendry  Baxter  was  reared  in  his  native  city  and  there  received  fairly 
good  educational  training.  He  first  came  to  America  and  a year  later  the 
entire  family  finally  set  sail  for  our  shores,  when  our  subject  was  nineteen 
years  of  age.  The  parents  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  settled 
on  the  farm  of  J.  Peachers,  which  place  consisted  of  eighty  acres  and  here 
became  well  established  through  their  industry  and  economy.  Our  subject 
first  went  to  Eureka  Springs,  Arkansas,  where  he  spent  a year,  then  joined 
the  rest  of  the  family  in  Greene  county,  where  he  worked  at  farming,  and 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


when  twenty-six  years  old  he  made  the  long  trip  back  to  Scotland  for  the 
sweetheart  of  his  boyhood  and  in  the  city  of  Edinburg  was  married  to  Ellen 
Russell  Gibson,  a daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  Gibson,  both  natives  of 
Scotland,  and  there  Mrs.  Baxter  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  her  edu- 
cation. Our  subject  stayed  seven  and  one-half  years  in  the  United  States 
before  going  back  to  Scotland.  After  his  return  from  Scotland,  he  rented 
for  nine  years  and  then  purchased  the  place  where  he  now  resides.  He 
has  worked  hard,  managed  well  and  has  made  a good  living  and  brought 
his  farm  up  to  a fine  state  of  productivity  and  has  a comfortable  home.  He 
is  making  a specialty  of  dairy  farming  and  is  now  milking  twenty-eight  cows 
of  a good  grade  of  Jerseys.  All  his  products  are  of  a high  quality  and  are 
sold  direct  to  one  concern  in  Springfield.  He  understands  thoroughly  the 
various  phases  of  dairying  and  keeps  his  cows  healthy  and  well  cared  for, 
everything  about  his  place  is  sanitary  and  he  believes  in  a “place  for  every- 
thing and  everything  in  its  place."  He  has  made  all  his  own  improvements. 

To  Mr.  Baxter  and  wife  five  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Eliza- 
beth, David,  James,  William,  all  living  at  home;  and  one  who  died  in 
infancy.  Our  subject’s  father  and  mother  are  both  deceased;  the  mother  of 
his  wife  is  living,  but  the  father  died  when  our  subject’s  wife  was  quite 
young.  Our  subject  and  family  are  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
church,  and  they  stand  high  in  the  community  throughout  which  they  are 
well  known. 


CLAUDIUS  ELSBERRY  TREVITT. 

In  presenting  the  biographical  memoir  of  this  well-remembered  gentle- 
man, whose  life  was  that  of  a high-grade  man,  of  noble  ideals  and  laudable 
ambitions,  it  is  believed  that  the  youthful  reader,  whose  destinies  are  yet 
matters  for  future  years  to  determine,  will  be  much  benefited  and  encour- 
aged, for  his  was  a life  that  made  for  success  because  of  the  honorable 
principles  he  employed  in  dealing  with  his  fellow  men  and  because  of  the 
many  admirable  qualities  he  possessed  which  made  his  daily  walk  one  worthy 
to  be  emulated.  It  is  no  easy  matter  to  achieve  a high  degree  of  success 
in  any  calling  in  this  age  of  strenuous  endeavor  and  sharp  competition,  and 
when  an  individual  succeeds  in  several  vocations,  as  did  the  late  C.  E. 
Trevitt,  for  many  years  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Ash  Grove,  Greene 
county,  he  wins  the  admiration  of  all. 

Mr.  Trevitt  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Tennessee,  November  3,  1857, 
and  was  a son  of  James  F.  and  Locaddie  (Ripley)  Trevitt.  The  father  was 
a man  of  influence  in  public  affairs.  He  spent  his  earlier  life  in  Tennessee, 


CLAUDIUS  E.  TREVITT,  Deceased. 


• . 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I729 


but  removed  to  Georgia  in  the  latter  sixties  and  represented  his  county  in 
the  state  Legislature. 

Claudius  E.  Trevitt  grew  to  manhood  in  the  South  and  received  a very 
good  education  in  the  public  schools  and  Tecumseh  College  in  Tennessee. 
He  went  to  Georgia  when  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  remained  in  that 
state  three  years.  In  1878  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  locating  on 
a farm  just  east  of  Ash  Grove  and  worked  on  various  farms  for  about  three 
years,  then  engaged  in  the  furniture  business  in  Ash  Grove  for  about  ten 
years,  after  which  he  devoted  his  attention  to  the  grocery  and  hardware 
business,  also  dealt  in  real  estate.  He  was  very  successful  in  all  these  lines 
of  endeavor  and  built  up  a large  business  in  each,  having  the  confidence  of 
the  community  by  reason  of  his  honest  and  straightforward  dealings.  He 
continued  a very  busy  man  until  1912  when  he  was  compelled  to  retire  from 
active  life  on  account  of  failing  health,  and  he  continued  to  decline  until 
he  was  summoned  to  close  his  eyes  on  earthly  scenes  on  April  21,  1914. 

Mr.  Trevitt  was  married  on  January  25,  1880,  to  Nora  McCrory,  who 
was  born  in  Louisiana,  July  12,  1861,  a daughter  of  James  and  Mary  E. 
(Moss)  McCrory.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Trevitt  was  born  in  Wilkinson 
•county,  Mississippi,  in  1829,  and  was  a son  of  William  and  Mary  (Hub- 
bard) McCrory.  His  father  was  born  in  Ireland,  December  25,  1792, 
and  from  that  country  emigrated  to  America  in  an  early  day,  finally 
establishing  his  home  in  Wilkinson  county,  Mississippi,  where  his  death 
occurred  in  1843.  His  mother  was  a native  of  Tennessee  and  died  in  1829 
wrhen  he  was  an  infant.  James  McCrory  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native 
•state  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  there,  and  was  engaged  in 
farming  until  he  removed  to  Louisiana.  He  remained  there  until  1867, 
most  of  the  time  farming  in  Catahoula  parish.  He  then  came  to  Illinois  but 
•soon  thereafter  came  on  to  Missouri  and  stayed  a year  in  Saline  county, 
and  then  removed  to  Greene  and  located  on  a farm  where  he  spent  the 
balance  of  his  life,  three  miles  east  of  Ash  Grove.  His  fine  farm  consisted 
«of  one  hundred  and  seventy  acres.  He  was  one  of  the  successful  general 
farmers  and  stock  raisers  of  this  section  of  the  county.  He  was  one  of  the 
first  in  his  section  of  the  county  to  help  organize  a grange  in  1874.  Mr. 
McCrory  was  married  in  1855  to  Mary  E.  Moss,  daughter  of  George  Moss, 
Escp,  of  Wilkinson  county,  Mississippi.  Mrs.  McCrory  died  February  14, 
1868.  They  reared  a family  of  three  children  all  of  whom  grew  to  maturity, 
married  and  located  in  Greene  county.  Mr.  McCrory’s  death  occurred  in 
1902.  Mrs.  Trevitt  grew  to  womanhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Greene  county 
and. received  her  education  in  the  public  schools. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Trevitt  nine  children  were  born,  seven  of  whom  are 
living,  namely:  Ada,  deceased;  Claude  McCrory  is  an  assayer  for  a gold 

(109) 


i/3° 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


mining  company  in  the  state  of  Washington;  Cle  F.  died  when  six  years  of 
age;  Fannie  L.  is  the  wife  of  L.  L.  Dyer,  of  Springfield;  Carl  L.  is  farming 
in  Alberta,  Canada;  Clyde  V.  lives  in  Washington;  James  F.,  Helen  and 
Roger  P.  are  all  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Trevitt  was  a Republican,  and  was  a worker  for  the 
general  improvement  of  his  community  in  which  he  was  influential  and  held 
in  the  highest  esteem. 


JOHN  F.  UNDERHILL. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  belongs  to  that  class  of  men  who  win  in 
life’s  battles  by  sheer  force  of  personality  and  determination,  and  in  what- 
ever he  has  undertaken  he  has  shown  himself  to  be  a man  of  ability  and 
honor.  Mr.  Underhill  hails  from  “ye  merrie  isle  of  old  England,”  and  has 
the  commendable  characteristics  of  the  people  of  that  great  kingdom,  and 
since  coming  in  our  midst  in  Greene  county  fifteen  years  ago  he  has  won  a 
host  of  friends  as  a result  of  his  even  tenored  life,  and  he  ranks  among  the 
enterprising  husbandmen  of  Wilson  township. 

John  F.  Underhill  was  born  in  the  southern  part  of  England,  February 
27,  1864.  He  is  a son  of  John  and  Susan  Underhill,  both  born  and  reared 
in  England,  where  they  married  and  established  their  home  and  always 
resided.  The  death  of  the  mother  occurred  on  January  31,  1901,  but  the 
father  survives  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  His  active  life 
was  spent  as  a carpenter,  and  he  was  a very  highly  skilled  and  honest  work- 
man. His  family  consists  of  eight  children,  all  surviving  and  all  residing 
in  England  except  the  subject  of  this  review.  They  were  named,  John  F., 
our  subject;  Henry,  James,  Mary,  Willie,  Richard,  Sarah,  and  Thersa. 

John  F.  Underhill  spent  his  boyhood  in  England  and  there  received  a 
common  school  education.  He  lived  on  a farm  where  fine  blooded  live  stock 
was  raised,  and,  having  a natural  bent  toward  this  industry,  learned  a great 
deal  about  it.  When  seventeen  years  of  age  he  immigrated  to  America, 
making  a trip  through  Canada  and  the  great  Northwest,  and  finally  settled 
in  Chicago,  where  he  worked  at  laboring  for  six  months,  but  not  taking  very 
kindly  to  this  kind  of  work,  he  longed  for  rural  scenes  instead  and  accord- 
ingly went  to  Pmtler  county,  Iowa,  and  took  a position  with  K.  S.  Green 
on  his  large  stock  farm  and  remained  there  about  eighteen  years,  this  being 
the  kind  of  work  in  which  he  delighted.  He  saved  his  earnings  and  on 
February  21,  1899,  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  purchased  a farm 
in  Wilson  township,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  on  which 
h * still  resides,  and  which  he  has  carefully  tilled  and  kept  well  improved  and 
now  has  a very  attractive  place.  In  connection  with  general  farming  he  had 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 73* 

carried  on  stock  raising  in  a successful  manner,  and  has  dealt  extensively 
in  horses  and  mules,  his  registered  Percheron  horses  being  admired  by  ail 
who  have  seen  them,  and  are  among  the  best  in  this  section  of  the  state.  He 
has  prospered  by  his  judicious  methods  of  farming  and  handling  live  stock 
and  is  deserving  of  a great  deal  of  credit  for  his  large  material  success  in 
view  of  the  fact  that  he  began  life  single  handed  and  alone  and  has  never 
had  assistance  from  any  source.  He  has  never  married  and  in  connection 
with  carrying  on  the  work  of  his  farm,  he  attends  to  his  own  household 
duties  . 

Politically,  Mr.  Underhill  is  a Republican  in  national  affairs,  but  he 
votes  independently  in  local  elections,  preferring  to  cast  his  ballot  for  the 
candidates  whom  he  deems  best  suited  for  the  offices  sought.  He  takes  an 
interest  in  all  movements  having  for  their  object  the  general  improvement 
of  his  vicinity,  such  as  good  roads,  etc.,  and  is  regarded  as  a good  neighbor 
and  good  citizen  in  every  respect. 


JOSEPH  A.  M.  TILLMAN. 

During  the  sixty-four  years  of  his  residence  in  Greene  county,  Joseph 
A.  M.  Tillman,  a retired  farmer  of  Clay  township,  has  noted  many  im- 
portant changes  in  this  locality  in  which  he  is  well  and  favorably  known 
and  in  which  nearly  all  his  life  has  been  spent,  and  here  he  has  made  a suc- 
cess as  a general  agriculturist  because  he  has  been  both  industrious  and  a 
close  observer.  He  is  a descendant  o fa  prominent  old  Southern  family, 
and  is  a second  cousin  of  Benjamin  Tillman,  the  noted  United  States  senator 
from  South  Carolina.  Many  of  the  commendable  qualities  of  his  ancestors 
are  noticeable  in  our  subject. 

Mr.  Tillman  was  born  in  McNeary  county,  Tennessee,  July  7,  1848. 
He  is  a son  of  Samuel  Taylor  Tillman  and  Mary  (Perry)  Tillman.  The 
father  was  born  in  Chatham  county,  North  Carolina,  in  November,  1800, 
and  the  mother  was  born  in  the  same  county,  in  May,  1810,  and  there  they 
grew  to  maturity.  The  father  moved  to  Tennessee  when  a young  man, 
locating  in  Bedford  county,  where  he  married  and  bought  a farm,  also 
owned  a mill  on  Duck  river.  After  living  in  Bedford  county  for  some  time 
he  located  in  McNeary  county,  and  remained  there  until  1850,  when  he 
brought  his  family  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  purchasing  a farm  a mile 
east  of  where  his  son,  our  subject,  now  resides,  the  place  having  contained 
one  hundred  and  forty-six  acres.  Later  the  elder  Tillman  entered  forty 
acres  from  the  government  here,  and  had  a good  farm.  He  cleared  most 
of  his  land  and  kept  it  in  good  condition.  He  was  an  extensive  stock  raiser 


J732 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


and  trader  and  was  a very  successful  general  farmer.  He  took  much  inter- 
est in  public  affairs  and  before  leaving  Tennessee  was  justice  of  the  peace 
for  a period  of  fourteen  years  and  also  served  in  this  capacity  after  coming 
to  Greene  county  for  a period  of  sixteen  years.  After  buying  a place  in 

Greene  county  he  went  back  to  Tennessee  where  he  remained  fifteen  years 

before  returning  to  Greene  county,  Missouri.  He  died  on  his  farm  here  in 
1864.  His  wife  was  reared  in  North  Carolina  on  a farm  and  moved  with 
her  parents  to  Tennessee.  She  was  a member  of  the  Christian  church.  The 
father  of  our  subject  was  twice  married,  his  second  wife  being  a sister  of 
his  first  wife,  and  to  his  first  union  five  children  were  born,  namely:  Louisa, 
Lidia,  Calvin,  Wesley,  Newton,  all  deceased,  the  two  latter  having  been 
killed  while  soldiers  during  the  Civil  war.  The  mother  of  these  children 
was  Clara  Perry.  His  children  by  his  second  wife,  Mary  Perry,  were  ten 

in  number  and  were  named  as  follows : Margaret,  Oram,  both  deceased ; 

Newton  was  killed  while  serving  in  the  Civil  war;  Stanley,  Martha  W., 
Caroline  and  Pearlee,  all  deceased:  Joseph  A.  M.  of  this  sketch,  is  the  only 
survivor  of  the  fourteen  children ; Lucy,  deceased ; Samuel,  deceased. 

The  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch  was  two  years  old  when  his  par- 
ents brought  him  over  the  rough  roads  from  Tennessee  to  Missouri.  He 
was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  a common  school  education  in  the 
schools  of  Greene  county.  He  remained  on  the  homestead  until  his  father’s 
death,  and  he  then  operated  the  farm  for  his  mother  until  he  was  married, 
on  March  22,  1868,  to  Rebecca  J.  (Cunningham).  He  remained  on  the 
home  farm  about  seven  years,  then  rented  land  for  five  years,  which  he 
cultivated,  and  in  March,  1881,  bought  one  hundred  acres,  later  adding 
twenty  acres.  He  cleared  and  improved  most  of  his  land  and  built  a cozy 
home  on  it  and  here  he  has  since  resided  and  has  been  successful  as  a general 
farmer,  although  he  has  been  taking  life  easy  for  some  four  years,  renting  his 
land  and  merely  overseeing  it  in  a general  way. 

Mr.  Tillman  was  born  in  Obion  county,  Tennessee,  September  12,  1850. 
She  is  a daughter  of  Charles  M.  and  Mary  P.  (Hubbard)  Cunningham. 
The  father  was  a native  of  middle  Tennessee,  where  he  was  reared  on  a 
farm  and  received  a common  school  education,  and  he  became  owner  of 
a two  hundred  acre  farm  in  his  native  state.  He  removed  to  Fulton  county, 
Kentucky,  in  1859,  where  he  remained  about  two  years,  then  went  to  Car- 
roll  county,  Arkansas.  When  the  Civil  war  broke  out  he  came  to  Missouri 
and  joined  the  Federal  army  in  1861,  but  died  of  measles  soon  after  his 
career  as  a soldier  began. 

Eleven  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tillman,  namely: 
John  W.  lives  in  Greene  county  and  during  the  campaign  of  1914  was  a 
candidate  from  two  districts  for  associate  judge;  Samuel  is  deceased;  Mrs. 
Mary  J.  Climer  lives  at  Mentor,  this  county;  Joseph’s  home  is  in  Spring- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1733 


field;  Fred  is  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Rogersville;  Bertha  is 
deceased;  Mrs.  Viola  Wills  lives  in  Springfield;  Mrs.  Minnie  Hunt  was  a 
teacher  in  the  Greene  county  schools  for  six  years ; Mrs.  Pearl  Chaffin  lives 
in  Ozark,  Missouri;  Mattie  is  deceased;  Ross  E.  lives  in  Springfield.  The 
wife  of  our  subject  was  thirteen  years  old  when  she  came  to  Greene  county. 
She  received  a common  school  education.  She  often  recalls  the  trip  from 
Tennessee,  which  the  family  made  in  an  ox  wagon.  She  is  a member  of  the 
Christian  church. 

Politically,  Mr.  Tillman  is  a Democrat  and  has  long  been  an  active 
worker  in  the  party.  He  has  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  for  four  terms, 
also  as  notary  public  four  terms,  discharging  his  duties  in  an  eminently 
satisfactory  manner.  He  was  appointed  by  the  governor.  While  incum- 
bent of  the  first  office  he  married  forty-eight  couples.  Fraternally,  he  be- 
longs to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  has  been  a consistent 
member  of  the  Christian  church  since  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  is 
one  of  the  leading  citizens  in  Clay  township. 


RICHARD  H.  BENSON. 

It  is  not  the  weaklings  that  accomplish  worthy  ends  in  the  face  of  oppo- 
sition but  those  with  nerve  and  initiative  whose  motto  is,  “He  never  fails 
who  never  gives  up,”  and  with  this  terse  aphorism  ever  in  view,  emblazoned 
on  the  pillar  of  clouds,  as  it  were,  before  them,  they  forge  ahead  until  the 
sunny  summits  of  life  are  reached  and  they  can  breathe  a breath  of  the 
purer  air  that  inspires  the  souls  of  men  with  respite.  Such  has  been  the 
history  of  Richard  H.  Benson,  of  Springfield,  whose  career  has  been  a varied 
one,  and  the  earlier  part  of  which  was  as  a deep  sea  sailor,  but  the  latter  years 
of  his  life  has  been  more  prosaic. 

Mr.  Benson  was  born  in  Belle  Haven,  Accomac  county,  Virginia,  July 
12,  1850.  He  is  a son  of  James  S.  and  Catherine  (Mears)  Benson,  both 
natives  of  Virginia,  where  they  grew  up,  were  married  and  established  their 
home.  The  father  was  one  of  four  children,  John  S.,  Edward,  James  S„, 
and  Iveeley,  all  now  deceased.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  one  of  five 
children,  Margaret,  Richard,  Thomas,  Sally,  and  Catherine.  Richard 
Mears  was  a sea  captain  and  in  his  service  rescued  many  crews,  anion?  them 

- o 

was  a Canadian  crew,  for  which  act  he  was  rewarded  by  the  Canadian  <mv- 
ernment,  Secretary  of  State  Everetts  presenting  him  with  a fine  watch,  set 
with  diamonds.  James  S.  Benson  and  wife  spent  the  latter  years  of  their 
lives  in  North  Hampton,  Virginia,  where  the  father’s  death  occurred  De- 
cember 8,  1876. 


1734 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Richard  H.  Benson  spent  his  boyhood  days  in  Belle  Haven,  Virginia, 
where  he  received  a public  school  education.  When  but  a lad  his  inclina- 
tion was  to  the  sea,  and,  leaving  home  when  about  seventeen  years  of  age, 
he  made  a sea  voyage. on  the  ship  Edwin  Rowe  to  the  west  coast  of  Africa, 
under  Captain  Miller,  of  Portland,  Maine,  and  was  gone  seven  months, 
during  which  he  visited  Siereleone,  in  the  western  part  of  the  Dark  Conti- 
nent, and  passed  in  sight  of  Monrovia,  stopped  at  Bassa,  Grand  Bassa,  Cape 
Palmas,  Dixcove,  the  River  Gaboon,  then  returned  to  America,  the  voyage 
to  New  York  requiring  fifty-one  days,  and  he  was  recpiired  to  lay  aboard 
the  vessel  in  Brooklyn  two  months.  On  February  26,  1868,  he  landed  in 
Lacon,  Marshall  county,  Illinois,  stopping  with  his  uncle,  John  Benson, 
who  owned  a farm  there,  and  in  the  fall  of  1869  the  uncle  came  to  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  and  our  subject  joined  him  here  in  the  summer  of  1872; 
leaving  here  the  last  of  September  of  that  year,  Mr.  Benson  went  to  Chicago 
and  remained  there  until  Christmas,  then  went  back  to  Belle  Haven,  Vir- 
ginia, and  remained  with  his  father  until  in  June,  1873,  when  he  went  to 
Baltimore,  Maryland  and  shipped  as  a seaman  in  the  government  survey, 
remaining  in  the  service  until  the  spring  of  1875,  when  he  came  to  St. 
Louis,  Missouri,  and  took  a position  as  solicitor  for  the  printing  house  of 
John  McKitrick  & Company,  but  after  a short  time  he  went  to  Chicago 
and  entered  the  hotel  business,  which  he  followed  until  he  came  to  Spring- 
field  to  make  his  permanent  home  in  1886,  and  thus  he  has  been  a resident 
of  this  city  twenty-eight  years,  during  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in 
the  sewing  machine  business  as  an  agent  for  the  Singer  Manufacturing 
Company,  remaining  in  their  service  for  about  eighteen  years,  and  then 
took  up  life  insurance  business,  staying  in  this  line  for  one  year,  then  took 
up  the  sewing  machine  business  again. 

Mr.  Benson  was  married,  July  3,  1888,  to  Ella  V.  Berry,  a daughter 
of  P.  Jesse  and  Eliza  (Cowling)  Berry.  The  father  was  a minister  in 
the  Christian  church,  and  had  charge  of  churches  in  different  states,  and 
was  an  able  and  popular  preacher.  His  family  consisted  of  four  children, 
namely:  Ella  V.,  wife  of  Mr.  Benson;  Maggie,  who  married  W.  J.  Bills; 
Gertrude,  who  married  Dr.  M.  Ney  Smith;  the  youngest  child,  died  in 
infancy. 

Mrs.  Ella  V.  Benson  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  from  which  state  she 
later  moved  to  New  York  state,  then  to  Maryland,  Iowa,  Ohio,  Missouri, 
and  Illinois,  and  she  received  part  of  her  education  in  the  college  at  Eureka, 
the  latter  state.  She  came  with  her  parents  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  first  in 
1879,  and  the  second  time  they  came  to  this  state  was  in  1881. 

Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benson,  namely : James 
Berry,  John  E.,  and  Richard  Iv.,  all  living  in  Springfield. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1735 


Politically,  Air.  Benson  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  his  whole  family 
are  members  of  the  South  Street  Christian  church.  They  have  a pleasant 
home  on  the  Bolivar  road,  near  Talmage  street. 


GABRIEL  McCRAW. 

When  Greene  county  was  covered  with  primeval  forests  and  tall  prairie 
grass  and  when  wild  animals  of  many  species  roamed  the  then  little  de- 
veloped lands,  over  which  wound  Indian  trails,  the  Me  Craw  family  came 
here  and  began  carving  a home  from  the  far-stretchmg  woods,  and  assisted 
in  building  schools  and  churches  and  assisting  in  the  general  introduction 
of  the  customs  of  civilization  in  the  wilderness,  giving  vent  to  that  mys- 
terious quality  in  the  blood  of  primitive  people  to  push  on  to  the  edge  of 
things.  They  were  genuine  pioneers,  willing  to  take  the  hardships  that  they 
might  acquire  the  soil  and  the  home  that  was  sure  to  rise.  Gabriel  McCraw, 
well  known  citizen  of  Taylor  township,  who  has  lived  beyond  the  allotted 
barrier  of  three  score  and  ten  years,  all  of  which  have  been  spent  in  this 
locality,  can  relate  many  interesting  things  that  have  transpired  here  since 
the  country  was  first  settled.  He  has  witnessed  with  his  own  eyes  the  many 
changes  that  have  taken  place  and  in  which  he  has  taken  no  inconspicuous 
part  himself. 

Mr.  McCraw  was  born  on  the  farm  which  he  now  occupies,  April  3, 
1843.  He  is  a son  of  John  L.  and  Elizabeth  (Kenner)  McCraw.  The 
father  was  born  in  Hawkins  county,  Tennessee,  December  8,  1808,  and 
there  he  grew  up  on  a farm.  The  mother  was  also  born  in  that  county 
and  state,  in  1806  and  was  reared  on  a farm.  They  both  attended  the  dis- 
trict schools,  and  were  married  there  in  1835.  They  immigrated  to  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  in  1836.  Here  John  L.  McCraw  prospered  and  became 
owner  of  a fine  farm  of  three  hundred  and  thirty  acres,  and  here  he  and 
his  wife  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  his  death  occurred  April  2,  1882.  She 
preceded  him  to  the  grave  many  years,  dying  in  1854.  Politically,  he  was 
a Republican,  and  for  a number  of  years  be  was  county  surveyor.  He 
was  well  known  and  was  influential  in  public  affairs.  His  wife  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  church.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children, 
namely:  Susan  is  deceased,  Josephine,  Elizabeth  is  deceased,  John  L..  Ga- 
briel William,  deceased:  Joseph  P.,  deceased;  and  James  E. 

Gabriel  McCraw  was  reared  on  the  homestead  here,  where  he  worked 
when  he  became  of  proper  age,  and  in  the  winter  time  he  attended  the 
district  schools.  In  1862,  when  only  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  L.,  Eighth  Missouri  Cavalry,  under  Captain  Keller,  and  served 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 736 

faithfully  for  the  Union  until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  was  honorably 
discharged  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas.  He  saw  considerable  hard  service,, 
and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Prairie  Grove,  where  he  was  taken  prisoner 
and  held  for  three  weeks,  when  he  was  exchanged,  in  April,  1863,  re- 
joining his  regiment  at  Rolla,  Missouri.  He  participated  in  the  battle  and 
capture  of  Little  Rock  in  that  year,  die  was  in  a number  of  skirmishes. 
After  his  discharge  he  returned  home  and  has  since  been  actively  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  stock  raising  on  the  home  place,  which  consists  of 
four  hundred  and  ten  acres,  in  which  his  brother,  James  E.,  has  one-half 
interest.  They  have  kept  the  place  well  tilled  and  well  improved  and  the 
buildings  in  good  repair. 

Mr.  McCraw  was  married  on  April  27,  1877,  to  Columbia  E.  Watter- 
son,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee,  near  the  town  of  Rogersville,  but  her 
parents  brought  her  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  when  she  was  a child  and 
here  she  was  reared  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  this  county.  She  was  a daughter  of  Francis  E.  and  Martha  (Ga- 
braith ) Watterson,  both  long  since  deceased.  Mrs.  McCraw’s  death  oc- 
curred in  California,  August  26,  1882. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  two  children  were  born,  namely:  Mrs.  Susan 
E.  Potter,  and  James  G. 

Politically,  Mr.  McCraw  is  a Republican.  He  is  a member  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic. 


WILLIAM  H.  A.  McGINTY. 

With  the  higher  prices  for  land  and  increase  in  labor  cost  we  must 
produce  more  per  acre  and  get  a larger  proportion  of  the  cost  to  the  con- 
sumer. The  young  men  who  are  using  scientific  methods  today  will  hasten 
the  solution  of  many  agricultural  problems  and  it  will  pay  those  interested 
to  keep  up  with  the  methods  of  the  young  men.  One  of  the  successful 
farmers  of  Jackson  township,  Greene  county  who  is  an  advocate  of  modern 
methods  of  farming  is  William  H.  A.  McGinty. 

Mr.  McGinty  was  born  at  Marshfield,  Webster  county,  Missouri,  De- 
cember 12,  1856.  He  is  a son  of  Abner  C.  and  Mary  S.  (Haden)  McGinty. 
The  father  was  born  in  Tennessee,  June  28,  1833.  He  came  to  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  when  a small  boy,  and  began  his  career  working  in  the 
general  store  of  John  Debruin  on  the  west  side  of  the  Public  Square  in 
Springfield,  later  entering  the  mercantile  field  for  himself,  and  finally  went 
to  West  Plains,  Howell  county,  this  state,  where  he  was  in  business  for 
a while.  During  the  war  he  had  a general  merchandise  store  in  Rolla, 
Missouri,  and  was  postmaster  there  for  a short  time.  The  last  twenty 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1737' 


years  of  his  life  was  devoted  to  the  ministry  of  the  Methodist  church,  in 
which  he  ranked  high  and  did  a great  deal  of  good.  He  became  owner  of  a 
valuable  farm  in  Greene  county  and  was  a very  successful  and  influential 
man,  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him.  Politically,  he  was  a Re- 
publican. His  death  occurred  in  Springfield,  June  26,  1S93.  The  mother 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  Greene  county,  where  her  birth 
occurred  May  10,  1837,  and  here  she  received  a common  school  education. 
She  was  a member  of  the  Christian  church.  Her  death  occurred  in  Spring- 
field,  February  16,  1882.  To  these  parents  eleven  children  were  born, 
namely:  Mary  V.,  born  August  14,  1854,  married  John  B.  Foster,  of 
Marshfield,  Missouri;  William  H.  A.,  of  this  review;  Elizabeth,  born  Jan- 
uary 10,  1859,  married  M.  C.  Vinton,  of  Strafford,  Missouri;  Sarah  G.,  born 
September  13,  1861,  married  George  E.  Dillard,  of  Springfield;  Abner  J., 
born  March  7,  1864;  Freddie,  born  November  14,  1866;  Clara,  born  No- 
vember 7,  1868,  married  Dr.  W.  L.  Smith,  of  Springfield,  Missouri,  he  is 
deceased;  Abner  C.,  Jr.,  a merchant  of  Neosho,  Missouri,  born  February- 
17,  1872;  James,  a merchant  in  Neosho,  Missouri,  born  March  13,  1874;, 
Ralph,  born  November  23,  1876,  a farmer  of  Neosho,  Missouri ; and  Susan, 
born  February  12,  1882,  died  in  childhood. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  grew  to  manhood  in  Webster  county,  re- 
ceiving his  education  in  the  schools  of  Marshfield.  He  was  in  the  mer- 
chandise business  in  Marshfield  with  his  father  for  four  years.  When 
about  thirty-five  years  of  age  he  inherited  the  homestead  consisting  of 
eighty  acres,  and  he  soon  took  up  general  agricultural  pursuits,  which  he 
has  since  followed  with  success.  He  now  owns  a "well-kept  farm  of  eighty 
acres  in  Jackson  township. 

Mr.  McGinty  was  married  on  April  28,  1879,  to  Catherine  Pritchard,, 
who  was  born  in  Stone  county,  Missouri,  March  28,  i860.  She  is  a daughter 
of  John  and  Mary  (Sallee)  Pritchard.  The  father  was  a soldier  in  the 
Union  army  and  died  in  Arkansas  while  in  the  service.  The  mother  died 
in  Greene  county  on  May  14,  1906.  Mrs.  McGinty  was  reared  in  this 
county  and  educated  in  the  public  schools.  She  is  a member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church. 

Five  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McGinty,  named  as 
follows:  Mrs.  Myrtle  May  Gillespie,  born  January  4,  1880,  lives  in  this 

county;  Mrs.  Catherine  F.  Galloway,  born  July  22,  1882,  lives  in  Spring- 
field;  Charles  W.,  born  February  16,  1884,  lives  in  this  county;  Susan  E., 
born  March  23,  1888,  died  December  23,  1891;  Abner  P.,  born  january  27. 
1892,  lives  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  McGinty  is  a Democrat.  Fie  is  a member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1 738 


WILLIAM  P.  CAMP. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  one  of  the  Greene  county  inhabitants 
who  has  had  the  good  judgment  to  remain  in  his  native  locality  and  devote 
Ins  energies  to  the  things  with  which  he  is  the  most  familiar,  hence  he 
has  had  a better  chance  of  ultimately  attaining  the  ever-sought-for  guerdon 
— success,  m the  quest  for  which  a very  large  percentage  of  men  leave  their 
native  localities  and  go  out  into  strange  countries  among  people  of  different 
habits  and  costumes,  consequently  many  of  them  fail  who  would  have  suc- 
ceeded if  they  had  remained  at  home. 

Mr.  Camp,  who  owns  and  operates  a good  farm  in  Taylor  township, 
near  the  village  of  Strafford,  was  born  in  this  county,  January  17,  1857. 
He  is  a son  of  John  H.  and  Susan  PI.  (Anderson)  Camp.  The  father 
was  born  near  Petersburg,  Virginia,  which  place  was  destined  to  become 
world-famous  for  the  memorable  siege  there  during  the  Civil  war.  The 
date  of  his  birth  was  December  25,  1826.  He  grew  up  on  farms  in  his 
native  state  and  in  Tennessee,  and  received  a common  school  education. 
He  immigrated  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1851,  entering  a farm  from 
the  government  which  he  improved  and  on  which  he  prospered,  and  later 
became  owner  of  a valuable  farm  of  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres  and 
was  one  of  the  successful  general  farmers  of  this  county  a generation  ago. 
During  the  Civil  war  he  joined  the  Home  Guards,  under  Captain  Coleman, 
but  was  in  the  service  only  a short  time.  Before  leaving  Tennessee,  he 
was  married  in  Rogersville,  that  state  in  1850,  to  Susan  H.  Anderson,  who 
was  born  near  that  town,  reared  and  educated  there.  These  parents  died 
on  the  home  farm  in  Greene  county,  the  father  in  the  year  1898,  and  the 
mother  a few  years  prior  to  that  time.  He  was  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  and  she  belonged  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church. 
To  John  H.  Camp  and  wife  ten  children  were  born,  namely:  Mrs.  Martha 

Vaughn,  Charles  A.  is  deceased;  William  P.,  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Mary 
Danforth  is  deceased;  Mrs.  Lucy  Cunningham,  Mrs.  Francis  Barnett,  Mrs. 
Laura  Barnett,  Eliza  Saddler,  Mrs.  Lennie  Cunningham  and  one  who  died 
in  infancy,  unnamed. 

William  P.  Camp  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  near  where  he  now 
resides  and  there  he  assisted  with  the  work  in  the  summer  months  and  in 
the  winter  time  attended  the  district  schools.  He  remained  at  home  until  he 
was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  then  began  life  for  himself  by  hiring  out  on 
different  farms  for  several  years.  He  saved  his  earnings  until  he  was  able 
to  purchase  the  place  where  he  now  lives,  in  1894.  He  has  a productive 
and  well-kept  farm  of  eighty-five  acres  and  is  making  a good  living  and 
laying  by  something  each  year  for  the  proverbial  “rainy  day”  which  is  sup- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1/39 


posed  to  be  ahead  for  everyone,  which,  however,  is  not  necessarily  true,  as 
observation  would  teach. 

Mr.  Camp  was  married  in  1880  to  Martha  Bristow,  who  was  born  in 
Greene  county,  December  21,  1863,  and  was  reared  on  a farm  here  and  at- 
tended the  rural  schools.  She  is  a daughter  of  William  H.  and  Lavina  D. 
Bristow.  The  mother  died  some  tige  ago,  but  the  father  is  living  in  Greene 
county  and  is  still  active. 

Twelve  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Camp,  namely:  Mrs. 
Columbus  Dykes,  Mrs.  Maggie  Potter,  John  H.,  Mrs.  Bessie  Mann  is  de- 
ceased ; Mary,  Cora  is  teaching  school ; Mattie,  Ruth,  Mark,  Edith,  Ruby 
is  deceased,  and  Lois,  who  is  also  deceased. 

Politically,  Mr.  Camp  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
Order  and  to  the  Anti-Horse  Thief  Association.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbvterian  church. 


JOHN  IvINSER. 

One  of  Clay  township’s  enterprising  farmers  is  John  Kinser.  He  has 
made  a success  in  his  calling  very  largely  because  he  has  been  willing  to 
give  up  many  of  the  old  and  anticpiated  ideas  of  farming  and  adopted  such 
new  ones  as  were  practicable  here.  He  is  one  of  those  farmers  who  never 
loses  sight  of  the  fact  that  the  soil  must  be  well  supplied  with  organic  mat- 
ter; that  humus  is  absolutely  necessary  to  the  soil  to  make  plant  food  avail- 
able; that  if  one  practices  crop  rotation,  one  must  not  fail  to  include  one 
or  more  of  the  legumes.  These  and  many  other  similar  ideas  of  successful 
farming  have  long  been  known  to  him  and  it  is  a pleasure  to  look  over  his 
well  tilled  place. 

Mr.  Kinser  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  about  two  miles  from 
his  present  residence,  October  11,  1852,  and  here  he  has  been  content  to 
spend  his  life.  He  is  a son  of  Jefferson  and  Sarah  (Lee)  Kinser.  The 
father  was  born  in  Virginia  and  grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  educa- 
tion in  that  state,  being  a young  man  when  he  immigrated  overland  to  Mis- 
souri with  his  parents,  making  the  trip  in  wagons  drawn  by  oxen.  The 
family  settled  in  Greene  county,  the  father  entering  a large  amount  of  land 
from  the  government  which  he  cleared  and  improved,  and  carried  on  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock  raising  successfully  here  in  the  pioneer  days.  Dur- 
ing the  Civil  war  he  joined  the  Federal  army,  under  Col.  John  S.  Phelps, 
and  most  of  his  service  was  confined  to  Greene  county.  He  was  a partici- 
pant in  the  battle  of  Springfield,  when  General  Brown’s  forces  were  at- 
tacked by  General  Marmaduke,  January  8,  1863.  He  was  honorably  dis- 


1740 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


charged  at  Rolla,  Missouri,  at  the  close  of  the  war.  After  the  war  he  re- 
turned home  and  resumed  farming,  which  he  followed  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  Politically,  he  was  a Republi- 
can. Pie  belonged  to  the  Christian  church.  He  was  a well  known  and  in- 
fluential man  in  his  locality,  and  had  a great  many  friends  wherever  he  was 
known.  The  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Virginia, 
and  she  received  a common  school  education.  She  was  young  in  years 
when  she  came  to  Missouri  with  her  parents,  the  family  locating  on  a farm 
in  Greene  county.  She  was  a great  help1  to  her  husband  on  the  farm,  was 
industrious,  spun  and  wove  most  of  her  cloth  in  the  early  days,  and  raised 
cotton  for  this  purpose.  She  was  a member  of  the  Christian  church.  Her 
death  occurred  prior  to  that  of  her  husband. 

To  Jefferson  Kinser  and  wife  eight  children  were  born,  namely: 
Joseph,  deceased;  Ephraim  lives  in  Greene  county  on  an  adjoining  farm  to 
our  subject;  John,  of  this  review;  Mrs.  Sarah  Davis,  deceased;  Mrs.  Mary 
Fulton,  deceased;  Mrs,  Anna  Dykes  lives  in  Webster  county;  Nancy,  de- 
ceased; William  is  engaged  in  the  livery  business  in  Oklahoma. 

John  Kinser  was  reared  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  where  he  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  community.  He  worked 
for  his  father  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age,  when  he  was 
married  to  Sarah  Cloud  and  began  farming  for  himself.  His  father  gave 
him  a good  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  to  which  our  subject  has 
added  eighty  acres.  He  cleared  part  of  his  land,  making  many  improve- 
ments of  a substantial  and  permanent  nature,  built  a comfortable  home, 
several  convenient  barns  and  his  excellent  place  of  two  hundred  acres  is 
entitled  to  rank  among  the  best  in  this  part  of  the  county  in  every  respect. 
About  thirty  acres  is  in  timber.  He  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising.  He  has  lately  moved  to  Menter,  where  he  now  resides,  going  to 
and  from  his  farm  as  necessity  requires. 

Mrs.  Kinser  was  reared  to  womanhood  in  Greene  county,  and  here  she 
received  her  education  in  the  common  schools.  She  proved  to  be  a most 
faithful  helpmeet  and  was  a woman  who  was  a favorite  with  her  many 
friends,  and  her  untimely  death  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-eight  years  , was 
deeply  deplored.  She  was  a daughter  of  Calvin  and  Elizabeth  Cloud.  Her 
father  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  Greene  county  and  he  owned  an 
excellent  farm  here  and  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  on  the  home  place,  and 
there  his  wife  died  also. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kinser  four  children  were  born,  namely:  Mrs. 

Laura  Estes  lives  in  Greene  county;  Mrs.  Lula  Patterson  is  living  at  home 
with  her  father;  Mrs.  Lenni.e  White  lives  in  Greene  county;  James  E.  is 
living  on  the  home  farm. 

Politically,  Mr.  Kinser  is  a Republican,  and  is  loyal  in  his  support  of 
the  party,  although  is  no  office  seeker  or  public  man. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1741 


JOHN  C.  CHAFFIN. 

Conditions  are  so  widely  varied  in  the  vast  area  in  the  Middle  West 
that  is  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits  on  a more  or  less  extensive  scale ; 
the  results  desirable  by  both  individuals  and  communities  are  so  widely 
divergent,  and  the  fact  that  most  profitable  results  to  one  would  mean 
positive  loss  to  another,  make  any  general  rules,  laid  down  to  cover  the 
entire  country,  unsuited  to  many  farmers ; so,  it  is  necessary  for  each 
to  use  his  brains  as  well  as  his  brawn  and  decide  for  himself  the  problems 
that  are  most  vital  to  him  personally.  Such  methods  have  been  adhered 
to  by  John  C.  Chaffin,  a farmer  of  Washington  township,  Greene  county, 
and  he  has,  therefore,  been  successful  in  his  chosen  vocation. 

Mr.  Chaffin  was  born  in  this  county  on  September  25,  1859,  and  he 
has  been  contented  to  spend  his  life  in  his  native  community.  He  is  a son 
of  Joseph  and  Eliza  (Day)  Chaffin.  The  father  was  born  in  Hawkins 
county,  Tennessee,  September  21,  1824,  was  a boy  when  he  was  brought 
to  Missouri  by  his  parents,  was  reared  on  a farm  and  educated  in  the  earlv- 
day  schools  of  Greene  county,  where  the  family  settled  upon  arriving  here, 
after  a journey  of  hardships  in  wagons  from  the  state  of  Tennessee.  Joseph 
Chaffin  worked  for  his  father  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  then  entered  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  from  the 
government,  to  which  he  later  added  two  hundred  acres,  cleared  most  of 
his  land  and  developed  a good  farm,  which  he  kept  in  first-class  condition 
in  every  way.  He  was  a very  industrious  man  and  made  a great  success  as 
a general  farmer  and  stock  raiser.  In  1869  he  went  to  Montana  for  his 
health  and  remained  there  four  months,  and  died  at  Corvallis,  that  state, 
January  27,  1870.  He  was  a man  noted  for  his  liberality  and  kind  deeds, 
helping  the  poor  and  needy  whenever  occasion  demanded,  and  he  was  in- 
influential  and  highly  esteemed  in  his  community.  He  was  a member  of 
the  Christian  church,  and,  politically,  was  a Republican.  In  the  early  days 
he  hauled  goods  from  Rolla  to  Springfield  with  an  ox  team.  He  worked 
for  Governor  Phelps  for  some  time  as  overseer  on  the  governor’s  farm. 
His  wife,  Eliza  Day,  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  May  4,  1837, 
was  reared  on  a farm  and  educated  in  the  early-day  schools.  She  was  a 
fine  type  of  the  industrious,  self-sacrificing  women  of  her  day  (different 
from  the  majority  of  women  of  this  generation).  She  was  willing  to  as- 
sist her  husband  get  a start  in  life,  raised  cotton,  from  which  she  spun  and 
wove  cloth  for  her  family  and  did  much  hard  work  that  the  average  woman 
of  today  would  not  do.  But  there  were  few  in  her  day  who  did  not  do  the 
same  things.  She  was  a worthy  member  of  the  Christian  church  and  set 
a good  example  among  her  neighbors  and  acquaintances.  Her  death  oc- 


1742 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


curred  in  Christian  county,  Missouri,  March  i,  1913,  when  nearly  seventy- 
six  years  of  age. 

To  Joseph  Chaffin  and  wife  six  children  were  born,  namely:  James 

E.,  who  lives  in  Greene  county;  Mrs.  Nancy  S.  Samuels  lives  in  Greene 
county;  John  C.,  of  this  review;  Mrs.  Emma  J.  Everly  lives  in  Montana; 
Mrs.  Mary  Frances  Summers  lives  in  Montana;  Mrs.  Orlena  A.  Stow  lives 
in  Christian  county. 

John  C.  Chaffin  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  where  he  is  now  living. 
He  received  a common  school  education  in  this  vicinity.  He  was  eleven 
years  old  when  his  father  died,  and  our  subject  and  his  elder  brothers 
operated  the  farm  after  that  until  the  mother  married  again.  When  twen- 
ty-three years  old  our  subject  bought  forty  acres  of  the  homestead,  to  which 
he  later  added  one  hundred  and  forty  acres.  He  went  in  debt  for  the  place, 
but  paid  for  it  in  due  time  by  hard  work,  good  management  and  economy, 
often  depriving  himself  of  many  things  in  order  to  do  so.  He  sold  eighty 
acres  of  his  land  some  time  ago,  and  now  operates  one  hundred  acres.  He 
cleared  about  thirty-five  acres  of  his  land.  He  has  a well-improved  and  pro- 
ductive farm  and  has  made  a success  as  a general  farmer  and  stock  raiser. 
Twelve  acres  of  his  land  is  timbered.  This  farm  was  known  to  the  old 
settlers  at  the  “Bill  Jessup”  farm. 

Mr.  Chaffin  was  married,  August  13,  1879,  to  Winnie  Stephens,  who 
was  born  in  Wright  county,  Missouri,  February  19,  1861.  She  is  a daugh- 
ter of  John  G.  and  Cynthia  (Beattie)  Stephens.  The  father  was  born  in 
middle  Tennessee,  and  there  grew  up  on  a farm  and  received  a meager 
education  in  the  early-day  schools.  He  immigrated  to  Missouri  prior  to 
the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war,  and  settled  in  Wright  county  on  a rented 
farm.  During  the  war  he  was  a member  of  the  Sixth  Missouri  Cavalry 
and  saw  service  in  the  Union  army,  was  honorably  discharged  at  the  close 
of  the  war,  but  came  home  sick,  and  died  a few  days  later.  He  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  same  company  in  which  “Uncle  Jeff  Watts,”  of  Rogersville, 
served.  His  wife,  Cynthia  Beattie,  was  born  in  middle  Tennessee,  July 
4,  1837,  was  reared  on  a farm  and  received  limited  educational  advantages 
in  her  native  community.  When  young  she  came  to  Missouri  with  her 
father,  the  trip  being  made  in  ox  wagons.  She  was  a member  of  the 
Methodist  church.  Her  death  occurred  on  December  8,  1906. 

Airs.  Chaffin  was  reared  on  a farm  in  Greene  county  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools,  walking  three  miles  to  attend  school  in  an 
old  log  house.  She  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  church. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chaffin,  namely:  Ar- 

manda  D.,  born  September  1,  1880,  died  October  9th  of  the  same  year; 
John  H.,  born  July  11,  1889,  died  on  March  5,  1890;  Eunice  J.,  born  on 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1743 


May  12,  1893,  is  living  at  home;  Stewart  C.,  born  June  30,  1895,  lives 
at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Chaffin  is  a Republican,  and  while  he  has  never  sought 
political  honors,  is  always  ready  to  do  his  part  in  furthering  any  good  move- 
ment for  the  general  welfare  of  the  community  in  which  he  lives  and  in 
which  he  is  well  and  favorably  known. 


LEE  CASPER  KENNEDY. 

This  is  often  called  the  age  of  young  men,  and  it  is  no  doubt  true  that 
more  men  of  tender  years  are  filling  responsible  positions  than  ever  in  the 
history  of  the  world.  One  has  only  to  look  about  a little  in  any  commercial 
center  to  find  that  this  is  true.  In  these  rushing,  “iron  clanging  days"  young 
and  vigorous  blood  is  required,  although,  of  course,  were  it  not  for  the 
sagacious  counsel  of  the  gray-haired  element  in  the  business  arena,  there 
would  be  many  more  financial  catastrophes  than  there  are,  great  though  the 
number  already  is,  owing  to  a degree  of  feverish  recklessness  that  has  crept 
into  the  twentieth  century  way  of  doing  things. 

Among  the  young  men  of  Springfield  who  hold  positions  of  trust  is  Lee 
Casper  Kennedy,  a descendant  of  an  Irish  ancestry.  He  was  born  in  Stock- 
bridge,  Michigan,  February  11,  1885,  and  is  a son  of  William  S.  and  Eliza- 
beth (Doyle)  Kennedy.  The  father  was  born  at  St.  Thomas,  Ontario,  Can- 
ada, in  1858,  of  Irish  extraction,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  was 
educated,  and  in  his  earlier  years  he  followed  lumbering  and  race  horse 
raising,  being  successful  in  both  lines,  and  at  present  he  is  making  his  home 
in  Detroit,  Michigan,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business.  Politi- 
cally he  is  a Democrat,  and  in  religion  a Catholic.  He  and  Elizabeth  Doyle 
were  married  in  Dexter,  Michigan,  in  1878.  She  was  born  in  Pinckney, 
that  state,  about  1861  and  there  reared  and  educated.  The  Doyle  family 
were  also  originally  of  Ireland. 

Lee  C.  Kennedy  spent  his  boyhood  days  at  Stockbridge,  Michigan,  and 
there  received  a good  education  in  the  common  and  high  schools,  being- 
graduated  from  the  latter  in  1903.  He  began  life  for  himself  as  a teacher 
which  he  followed  two  years  in  Ingham  county,  Michigan,  and  although  he 
gave  promise  of  becoming  a highly  successful  educator,  he  did  not  see  an 
encouraging  future  to  this  line  of  endeavor  and  so  turned  his  attention  to 
the  world  of  industry.  After  working  a year  as  foreman  of  a basket  fac- 
tory, he  accepted  a position  as  bookkeeper  and  cashier  of  a poultry  house 
where  he  worked  one  year,  then,  in  1908,  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and 
clerked  in  the  Frisco  offices  for  three  years,  after  which  he  became  book- 


^744 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  • 


keeper  and  cashier  with  the  Quinn-Barry  Tea  & Coffee  Company,  where  he 
remained  two  and  one-half  years.  In  all  these  positions  he  gave  eminent 
satisfaction,  being  faithful,  alert  and  painstaking  in  all  his  work  and  at  the 
same  time  he  was  broadening  his  general  knowledge  of  business  forms  and 
customs,  and  in  the  year  1912  he  went  with  the  Tegarden  Packing  Company, 
now  known  as  the  Welsh  Packing  Company,  as  treasurer,  which  responsible 
post  he  still  occupies  in  his  usual  able  manner. 

Politically,  Mr.  Kennedy  votes  independently,  however  he  supports  the 
Democratic  ticket  in  national  elections.  He  was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the 
Catholic  church  and  from  this  he  has  not  departed.  Fraternally,  he  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  and  to  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose. 

Mr.  Kennedy  has  remained  unmarried. 


GENERAL  COLLEY  B.  HOLLAND. 

No  name  in  the  annals  of  Springfield  and  of  Greene  county,  occupies 
a more  enviable  position  than  that  of  Colley  B.  Holland;  and  no  history  of 
either  city  or  county  would  be  complete  without  a sketch  of  his  life  and 
work. 

Mr.  Holland,  like  a large  majority  of  the  pioneers  of  this  region,  was 
a native  of  Tennessee,  being  born  in  Robertson  county  in  that  state  on  the 
24th  of  August,  1816.  While  yet  a mere  lad  he  was  left  fatherless,  and, 
boy  as  he  was,  being  the  eldest  of  four  children,  found  himself  with  the 
responsibility  of  the  support  of  his  widowed  mother,  and  the  younger  chil- 
dren. Evidently  the  industry  and  business  acumen  that  were  to  prove  his 
strong  characteristics  all  through  life,  were  even  at  that  early  age  strongly 
developed.  For  we  find  that  not  only  was  the  family  kept  in  comfort,  but 
that  before  he  left  home  to  seek  his  own  ..fortune,  he  had  bought  for  his 
mother  a home  for  her  old  age,  and  when  he  started  in  life  for  himself  she 
was  left  well  provided  for. 

The  educational  advantages  in  Tennessee  in  those  early  times  were  of 
the  scantiest,  and  the  young  man  owed  but  little  to  their  aid.  However,  he 
was  gifted  with  an  active  and  retentive  mind,  and  few  indeed  of  those  who 
have  had  a regular  collegiate  training  could  compete  in  their  store  of  practi- 
cal information  with  this  self-taught,  and  self-made  man. 

Early  in  life  he  had  determined  to  learn  some  good  trade,  and  having 
chosen  that  of  tailoring  he  applied  himself  to  it  with  earnestness  until  he 
had  mastered  it  in  all  its  details.  With  his  occupation  as  his  only  capital, 
he  felt  himself  justified  in  establishing  a home  for  himself,  and  he  was 
married  to  his  boyhood’s  sweetheart,  Miss  Emeline  H.  Bigbee,  daughter  of 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1745 


a neighbor  in  his  Tennessee  home,  and  with  whom  he  had  been  acquainted 
from  their  mutual  childhood.  At  the  age  of  twenty-five,  in  the  year  1841, 
with  his  mother  provided  for,  and  seeking  a wider  field  for  his  own  efforts, 
Mr.  Holland  emigrated  from  Tennessee  to  southwest  Missouri. 

' With  his  young  wife,  and  his  brother,  John  L.  Holland,  he  reached 
Springfield,  and  at  once,  with  his  brother  as  a partner,  opened  a tailor  shop. 
It  is  interesting  to  look  back  for  a moment  to  the  little  frontier  town  to 
which  the  young  man  had  come,  and  in  the  future  of  which  he  was  to  have 
so  important  a part.  It  was  then  but  little  over  ten  years  since  the  Indians 
had  been  sent  out  of  the  region,  and  it  was  less  than  three  years  since  the 
town  had  been  incorporated.  The  record  says  that  when  thus  made  into  an 
incorporation  Springfield  had  “About  two  hundred  and  fifty  people.”  The 
place  was  then,  as  it  has  always  been,  the  commercial  center  of  a vast  region, 
but  in  1841  that  region  was  but  thinly  populated,  and  it  is  probable  that  the 
entire  trade  of  the  little  town  did  not  exceed  fifty  thousand  dollars  per 
annum.  In  the  census  of  1840  Greene  county  is  credited  with  a population 
of  five  thousand  three  hundred  and  seventy-two,  and  this  small  number,  it 
must  be  remembered,  was  scattered  over  an  area  out  of  which  more  than 
a score  of  counties  were  afterward  carved. 

There  is  little  to  tell  of  Mr.  Holland’s  life  for  the  next  few  years.  Cer- 
tain it  is  that  he  was  busy  and  successful,  for  the  records  in  the  office  of 

the  recorder  of  deeds  for  Greene  county,  show  that  from  time  to  time  he 
was  putting  his  earnings  into  Springfield  realty,  a habit  which  was  laying 
strong,  wide  and  deep  the  foundations  of  the  success  the  future  was  to 
bring  him.  General  Holland  was  indeed  gifted  with  that  faculty,  possessed 
by  few  men,  and  not  to  be  acquired,  but  is  born  in  its  possessor,  of  knowing 
at  a glance  the  right  piece  of  real  estate  in  which  to  invest.  It  would  be 
wholly  safe  to  wager  that  Colley  B.  Holland  never  bought  a piece  of  realty 
on  which  he  lost  money. 

With  all  his  other  interests  we  find  that  he  found  time  for  doing  his 
part  in  public  matters.  In  1845  the  Springfield  branch  of  the  Missouri 
State  Bank  was  established,  and  Mr.  Holland  was  one  of  the  directors. 
Here  he  soon  showed  those  qualifications  of  business  integrity  and  sagacity 
that  were  to  lead  him  in  later  years,  to  such  a high  place  in  the  banking 

business.  In  1852  he  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Springfield,  but  resigned 

at  the  end  of  a year.  Having  felt  the  deprivation  of  a school  training  him- 
self, he  was  always  glad  to  lend  a hand  to  the  promotion  of  educational  ad- 
vantages for  others.  Thus  we  find  that  he  was  one  of  the  incorporators,  in 
1859.  of  the  Springfield  Male  Academy,  and  was  a liberal  contributor 
toward  its  establishment,  and  a member  of  the  building  committee.  This 

(no) 


1746 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


school  at  once  took  a front  rank  in  the  Southwest,  but  was  destined  to  but 
a short  life,  for  it  died  never  to  be  resurrected,  when  the  Civil  war  broke  out. 

In  the  spring  of  1861  the  storm  of  war  between  the  states  struck  the 
land,  and  Springfield,  holding  a position  that  was  strategic  in  war  as  it 
was  in  commerce,  became  at  once  a center  of  strife.  During  the  four  bloody 
years  that  were  to  follow  Colley  B.  Holland  was  to  show  a new  and  sur- 
prising side  of  his  strong  character.  Looking  over  his  previous  life  one 
would  hardly  consider  it  as  the  training  school  for  a soldier.  Those  who 
had  known  the  man  all  his  life  would  hardly  have  selected  him  as  the  suc- 
cessful leader  in  desperate  battle  ; but  this  man  proved  himself  both. 

Ouiet,  unobstrusive,  attending  strictly  to  his  own  affairs,  there  was 
nevertheless  a strain  of  iron  in  his  blood;  a stalwart  determination  to  stand 
for  those  things  which  he  believed  to  be  right,  a calm  personal  courage  that 
never  failed  him,  even  when  men  were  falling  on  every  side,  and  when  the 
battle  seemed  lost  to  all  but  himself.  He  had  as  a young  man,  served  as 
a non-commissioned  officer  in  the  Seminole  war  in  the  swamps  of  Florida, 
in  1836-7,  and  the  experience  then  gained  proved  invaluable  to  him  in  the 
great  conflict  now  pending.  From  the  first  whisper  of  secession  Mr.  Hol- 
land had  openly  declared  himself  an  uncompromising  Union  man;  and  when 
Sumter  was  fired  upon,  and  Lincoln  issued  his  call  for  seventy-five  thou- 
sand men,  he  was  one  of  the  first  to  volunteer. 

In  gathering  data  for  this  sketch  the  writer  naturally  turned  to  a for- 
mer history  of  Greene  county  published  in  1883,  and  which  contains  much 
valuable  information  compiled  from  county  and  other  records.  To  his 
surprise  he  found  that  the  name  of  Colley  B.  Holland  is  not  to  be  found  in 
the  book ! Such  an  omission  can  only  have  been  intentional  on  the  part  of 
those  responsible  for  the  publication,  and  tends  to  lessen  the  confidence  of 
future  writers,  in  the  correctness  of  the  whole  work. 

In  this  connection  it  is  recalled  that  the  late  Dr.  E.  T.  Robberson,  him- 
self a resident  of  Springfield  before,  during,  and  after  the  war,  once  said 
to  me:  “General  Llolland  has  never  received  half  the  credit  due  him  for  his 

war  record.  Especially  for  the  part  he  played  in  the  defense  of  Springfield 
at  the  time  of  the  Marmaduke  raid.”  Doctor  Robberson  was  the  very  soul 
of  probity  and  honor  and  such  words  from  him  carry  weight  with  all  who 
knew  him  in  life. 

In  this  short  sketch  the  only  desire  of  the  writer  is  to  “Give  honor  to> 
whom  honor  is  due,”  and  that  the  story  of  the  part  General  Holland  acted 
in  those  stormy  years  may  receive  truthful  and  permanent  record.  In  that 
sterling  and  authoritative  work,  “The  Encyclopedia  of  Missouri  History,” 
printed  in  1901,  is  an  outline  sketch  of  General  Holland’s  life,  and  from  it 
and  local  sources  have  been  drawn  the  statements  herein  made,  of  his  part  in 
the  Civil  war. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1747 


The  work  above  named  states  that  Mr.  Holland  was  made  captain  of 
Company  D,  in  the  famous  Phelps  Regiment,  organized  in  the  summer  of 
1861.  Whether  General  Holland  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Wilson’s  Creek 
or  not,  we  are  unable  to  state,  but  he  was  in  the  great  engagement  at  Pea 
Ridge,  Arkansas,  the  heaviest  battle  west  of  the  Mississippi  during  the 
entire  war. 

General  Holland  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  lieutenant  colonel  of 
the  reorganized  Phelps  Regiment,  and  in  the  fall  of  1862  he  aided  in  recruit- 
ing the  Seventy-second  Regiment,  of  Missouri  State  Militia,  and  was  com- 
missioned colonel  of  that  organization,  his  commission  bearing  date  of 
September  9,  1862.  In  about  six  weeks  from  that  date  he  received  a com- 
mission from  Governor  Gamble,  as  brigadier  general  of  Missouri  Militia, 
bearing  date  of  October  29,  1862. 

After  this  he  made  his  headquarters  at  Springfield,  and  held  the  respon- 
sible office  until  the  end  of  the  war.  His  district  included  all  of  southwest 
Missouri,  and  all  the  militia  in  that  region  were  under  his  command. 

It  was  while  acting  in  this  capacity  that  General  Holland  was  called 
upon  to  take  part  in  the  defense  of  Springfield  against  the  attack  of  a Con- 
federate force  under  Gen.  John  S.  Marmaduke,  on  the  8th  day  of  January, 
1863.  The  forces  defending  the  town  were  officially  stated  to  number  one 
thousand  five  hundred  and  sixty-six  men,  while  the  Confederates  were  said  to 
number  “about  two  thousand." 

It  is  not  the  province  of  this  sketch  to  describe  the  battle  of  Springfield, 
except  so  far  as  to  give  the  part  taken  by  General  Holland  in  that  fight.  In 
the  Missouri  history  mentioned  above,  we  are  told : “He  acquitted  him- 

self as  a true  soldier,  and  at  critical  times  restored  confidence  when  the 
fight  was  well  nigh  hopeless.’’  Surely  no  higher  tribute  need  be  asked  than 
those  words.  The  same  authority  continues : “Particularly  was  this  the 

case  when  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  Gen.  E.  B.  Brown  (ranking 
officer,  and  in  chief  command)  was  wounded,  and  he  (Holland)  became 
the  commander.’’ 

So  the  battle  was  fought  and  won,  and  Springfield  with  its  vast  stores 
for  the  Federal  army  was  saved  to  the  Union.  And  to  no  one  man  was 
the  result  more  attributable  than  to  Colley  B.  Holland.  He  was  never  the 
man  to  sound  his  own  praises,  and  he  had  no  publicity  bureau,  then  or  since, 
to  publish  abroad  his  fame,  thus  it  is  only  simple  fairness  that  at  this  late 
clay,  more  than  half  a century  after  the  event  justice  be  done  the  quiet,  effi- 
cient man  who  commanded  the  Missouri  Militia  on  that  fateful  day. 

At  last  the  war  was  ended,  and  to  General  Holland  it  ended  at  once 
and  forever.  He  was  not  the  man  to  exult  over  a defeated  and  despairing 
foe.  Rather  was  it  now  his  part  to  help  in  building  up  the  waste  places, 
to  bind  up  the  wounds  left  by  the  conflict,  and  to  give  his  potent  aid  to 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1748 


rehabilitate  the  little  city  that  was  his  home,  and  which  he  had  so  well 
defended. 

He  entered  actively  into  the  financial  and  manufacturing  interests  of 
this  place.  He  was  one  of  the  men  who  organized  the  Springfield  Cotton 
Mills,  and  he  served  as  president  of  that  enterprise  for  several  years.  In 
1875  he,  with  his  two  sons,  T.  B.  and  W.  C.  Holland,  established  the  Hol- 
land Banking  Company,  an  institution  which  was  to  prove  the  greatest  of 
all  his  successful  ventures.  In  the  panic  of  1893  s'x  out  °f  tfie  ten  banks 
of  Springfield  failed,  and  meanwhile  the  deposits  of  the  Holland  Banking 
Company  more  than  doubled.  Comment  is  needless. 

And  so,  known  and  honored  of  all  men,  Colley  B.  Holland  drew  near 
the  end  of  his  long  and  useful  life.  He  had  helped  to  organize  the  First 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  church  of  Springfield,  and  had  served  as  its  stated 
clerk  for  nearly  forty  years;  he  had  reached  a helping  hand  to  struggling 
educational  institutions;  he  had  served  his  country  at  the  risk  of  his  own 
life  upon  the  battlefield.  He  had  “acted  well  his  part,"  and  on  the  fifth  day 
of  May,  1901,  when  nearly  eighty-five  years  of  age,  “an  old  man  and  full 
of  years,”  he  closed  his  eyes  upon  earthly  scenes,  to  open  them  upon  a 
fairer  world. 


JAMES  C.  DEEDS. 

If  there  is  any  man  who  needs  to  be  neat  in  his  work  it  is  the  dairy 
farmer.  Remember  that  the  dairyman  is  producing  human  food  every 
day  and  it  should  be  produced  under  the  best  of  conditions  if  he  is  going 
to  make  a first-class  product.  Interest  in  dairying  is  greater  than  it  has 
ever  been  before  and  it  will  continue  to  grow  as  long  as  the  present  prices 
for  dairy  products  continue.  The  chances  are  that  there  will  be  no  reduc- 
tion in  these  for  years  to  come.  A successful  dairyman  and  general  farmer 
of  Greene  county  is  James  C.  Deeds,  whose  well-kept  place  is  to  be  found 
in  Franklin  township. 

Mr.  Deeds  was  born  on  July  22,  1862,  in  the  above  named  township 
and  county.  He  is  a son  of  James  M.  and  Drusella  M.  (Davis)  Deeds.  The 
father  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1829,  and  he  was  but  a child  when  his 
parents  brought  him  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  early  pioneer  days,  and 
here  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  which  was  located  near  where 
our  subject  now  resides,  and  was  educated  in  the  local  district  schools.  He 
devoted  his  life  to  general  farming,  and  died  in  1862  at  the  early  age  of 
thirty-three  years.  He  was  a member  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Liberty. 
His  wife  was  born  in  Tennessee,  in  1834,  and  died  in  February,  1906,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-two  years.  To  these  parents  five  children  were  born,  one  of 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1749 


whom  died  in  infancy:  Mrs.  Alice  J.  Gaston  is  deceased;  Joseph  R.  lives 

in  Oklahoma;  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Jones  is  deceased;  James  C.  of  this  sketch. 

James  C.  Deeds  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools.  On  January  28,  1886,  he  married  Martha  A.  Latta, 
a daughter  of  John  and  Emeline  (Ross)  Latta.  The  father  was  born  in 
Tennessee  and  his  death  occurred  in  1866.  Leaving  his  native  state  when 
young  he  located  in  Illinois  where  he  farmed  the  rest  of  his  life.  His  wife 
was  born  in  Tennessee  and  she  is  now  living  in  Springfield,  Missouri.  The 
wife  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Illinois  on  December  13,  1865. 
She  received  a common  school  education. 

To  Air.  and  Mrs.  Deeds  seven  children  have  been  born,  one  of  whom 
died  in  infancy;  the  others  are  Airs.  Grace  Ward,  who  lives  in  Springfield; 
Elzie,  Lizzie,  Ora,  Fleta  and  Alarks,  all  live  at  home. 

James  C.  Deeds  still  lives  on  the  farm  on  which  he  was  reared,  owning 
sixty-five  acres  of  the  homestead,  twenty  acres  adjoining,  and  forty  acres 
north  of  where  he  lives.  It  is  nearly  all  under  cultivation  and  is  well 
improved  and  has  been  well  cultivated  so  that  it  has  retained  its  original 
fertility.  In  connection  with  general  farming  he  is  now  engaged  in  the 
dairy  business,  owning  a large  number  of  excellent  cows.  He  keeps  his  dairy 
barn  in  a thorough  sanitary  condition  and  is  making  a success. 

Politically,  he  is  a Republican ; however,  is  an  advocate  of  Roosevelt’s 
policies.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Alethodist  church  at  Pleas- 
ant Valley. 


JAMES  B.  BRAZILL. 

One  of  the  best  known  citizens  of  the  southern  part  of  Greene  county 
is  James  Buchanan  Brazill,  a general  farmer  and  fine  stock  grower  living 
near  Galloway  Station,  southeast  of  Springfield. 

Air.  Brazill  is  a native  of  Sharon,  Pennsylvania,  having  been  born 
there,  December  14,  1856.  His  father,  H.  L.  Brazill,  was  a farmer  and 
small  store  keeper  in  Sharon  and  Meadville  for  a number  of  years.  He  was 
a stanch  Democrat  and  great  admirer  of  President  Buchanan  and  for  that 
reason  named  the  subject  of  our  sketch  after  the  man  who  had  just  been 
elected  President. 

Young  Brazill  was  given  a good  education  in  the  local  schools  and 
graduated  from  what  was  then  known  as  the  Harrisburg  Academy  in  June, 
1875.  For  three  years  he  worked  in  his  father’s  store  and  then,  having 
married  Lorrie  Steele,  he  moved  to  the  Western  Reserve  in  Ohio,  where  his 
wife’s  father  was  farming  and  remained  there  until  October,  1884,  when  he 


175° 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


moved  to  Greene  county,  Missouri.  He  at  once  went  to  farming  and  has 
succeeded  to  a remarkable  degree. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brazil!  have  three  daughters,  Hester,  Lorrie  and  Martha, 
all  married  except  Martha.  The  Brazill  farm  is  known  throughout  the 
county  for  its  high  state  of  cultivation  and  for  the  fine  cattle  and  hogs  raised 
there,  it  being  the  motto  of  the  owner,  “If  it  is  worth  doing,  it  is  worth 
doing  right.”  Mr.  Brazill  and  all  his  family  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
church  of  which  communion  he  is  a deacon.  He  has  served  nine  years  as 
school  trustee  and  was  some  twenty  years  ago  justice  of  the  peace  for  one 
term.  He  takes  great  interest  in  Democratic  politics  and  is  a great  admirer 
of  Champ  Clark,  speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  Mr.  Brazill  was 
elected  several  times  to  state  Democratic  conventions  as  a delegate. 


MARTIN  VAN  BUREN  WOLF. 

Although,  doubtless,  most  people  would  like  to  remain  on  the  old 
homestead  where  they  “played  away  the  happy  hours  of  innocent  child- 
hood,” but  few  are  permitted  to  do  so,  from  one  cause  or  another;  but 
there  is  always  a sentiment  about  the  hearthstone  where  the  family  gath- 
ered when  we  were  children  that  cannot  he  replaced.  So  one  who,  like 
Martin  Van  Buren  Wolf,  one  of  the  venerable  farmers  of  Washington 
township,  Greene  county,  and  one  of  the  oldest  native-born  citizens  of  this 
locality,  is  fortunate  enough  to  spend  his  life  at  his  birthplace,  is  to  be 
envied,  and,  no  doubt,  being  a fair-minded  man,  he  fully  appreciates  the 
privilege.  He  has  labored  hard  to  keep  the  old  farm  well  tilled  and  im- 
proved, so  that  it  has  retained  rather  than  lost  its  original  strength  of  soil, 
and  the  dwelling  has  been  carefully  looked  after  and  guarded. 

Mr.  Wolf  was  born  in  the  above-named  township  and  county,  on  the 
spot  where  he  now  lives,  December  21,  1840,  nearly  seventy-four  years 
ago.  He  is  a son  of  David  and  Nancy  (McCoy)  Wolf.  The  father  was 
a native  of  Hawkins  county,  Tennessee,  and  was  reared  on  a farm  in  that 
state,  and  there  received  a common  school  education  and  married  there, 
and  in  an  early  day  he  made  the  overland  journey  in  a wagon  to  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  experiencing  a number  of  hardships  en  route.  Here  he 
entered  forty  acres  from  the  government,  which  he  cleared  and  farmed, 
and,  prospering  with  the  years,  he  added  to  his  original  holdings  until  he 
owned  a fine  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres,  having  cleared  most 
of  his  land  and  improved  it  himself.  Here  he  became  an  influential  citizen. 
For  some  time  he  served  the  people  of  his  community  as  justice  of  the 
peace.  Early  in  the  war  between  the  states  he  joined  Company  E,  Third 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1751 


Missouri  Cavalry,  under  Captain  Thorson  and  Colonel  Green,  and  served 
gallantly  as  a soldier  in  the  Confederate  army,  but  unfortunately  took  sick 
about  the  close  of  the  war,  and- died  in  Arkansas,  after  having  seen  con- 
siderable hard  service,  including  a number  of  engagements  and  a few  of 
the  important  battles.  Politically,  he  was  a strong  Democrat,  and  relig- 
iously he  belonged  to  the  Baptist  church.  The  mother  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  born,  reared  and  educated  in  eastern  Tennessee.  She  was 
a member  of  the  Baptist  church.  Her  death  occurred  at  the  home  of  our 
subject  some  thirty  years  ago. 

To  David  Wolf  and  wife  seven  children  were  born,  named  as  follows: 
Mary  M.,  who  is  living  in  Webster  county,  Missouri;  Martin  V.,  of  this 
sketch;  James  Huston,  who  was  a soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  was  taken  pris- 
oner and  killed:  Mrs.  Louisa  Jane  Goskill  is  deceased;  Robert  Marion,  who 
was  a soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  was  captured  and  killed;  Mrs.  Margaret  E. 
Bateman  lives  in  Webster  county,  this  state;  Lafayette  Jefferson  is  mak- 
ing his  home  in  Christian  county,  Missouri. 

Martin  V.  Wolf  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  and  he  received  his 
education  in  the  district  schools.  He  joined  the  Confederate  army  in  the 
fall  of  1861,  in  the  same  regiment  and  company  as  his  father — Company 
E,  Third  Missouri  Cavalry,  in  which  he  served  most  faithfully  and  effi- 
ciently until  the  close  of  the  war,  taking  part  in  a number  of  important 
Campaigns  and  battles,  including  that  of  Jenkin’s  Ferry,  and  the  battle  of 
Independence,  Missouri,  in  which  he  was  wounded.  He  was  with  the 
troops  that  surrendered  at  Jackson  Fort,  Arkansas,  where  he  was  dis- 
charged, and  about  a year  later  he  returned  to  the  old  home  place,  and  he 
and  his  brothers  ran  the  same  for  their  mother  until  her  death.  Our  sub- 
ject then  bought  the  farm,  which  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres, 
but  later  sold  eighty  acres.  He  has  made  a success  as  a general  farmer 
and  stock  raiser. 

Mr.  Wolf  was  married  on  September  8,  1867,  in  Arkansas  to  Lydia 
E.  Suttle.  She  was  born  in  Virginia  on  October  20,  1845,  a daughter  of 
Edward  J.  and  Minty  (Whitsel)  Suttle,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Vir- 
ginia and  died  in  Arkansas.  The  father  was  a farmer.  He  served  a few 
months  in  the  Civil  war  but  died  of  measles  while  in  the  service. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wolf  six  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Nancy 

M.  is  deceased;  Mrs.  Alice' Jane  Johnson  lives  in  California;  Mrs.  Mary 
Susan  Hooper  is  living  in  Montana ; Minty  M.  is  deceased ; David  E.  is 
deceased;  William  Martin  is  living  in  Greene  county. 

Politically,  Mr.  Wolf  is  a Democrat,  and  he  is  a member  of  the  Baptist 
church.  He  has  lived  to  see  his  community  develop  from  the  wilds  to  a 
fine  farming  section,  and  he  is  one  of  the  most  widely  known  men  in  the 
township. 


1752 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


HARRY  U.  DURST. 

It  is  not  an  easy  task  to  adequately  describe  the  character  of  a man 
who  has  led  an  eminently  active  and  busy  life  in  connection  with  the  great 
legal  profession  and  who  has  stamped  his  individuality  on  the  plane  of  defi- 
nite accomplishment  in  one  of  the  most  exacting  fields  of  human  endeavor. 
Yet  there  is  always  full  measure  of  satisfaction  in  adverting,  even  in  a 
casual  way,  to  the  career  of  an  able  and  conscientious  worker  in  any  line 
of  human  endeavor.  Among  the  truly  self-made  and  representative  men 
of  Greene  county,  none  ranks  higher  than  Harry  D.  Durst,  who  stands  in 
the  front  rank  of  the  bar  in  Springfield,  and  he  has  become  a conspicuous 
figure  in  the  civic  life  of  this  locality.  A man  of  tireless  energy  and  indom- 
itable courage,  he  has  won  and  held  the  unqualified  esteem  of  his  fellow 
citizens.  With  the  law  as  his  profession  from  young  manhood,  he  has 
won  a brilliant  reputation  and  the  future  gives  promise  of  still  much  greater 
things  for  him. 

Mr.  Durst  was  born  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  August  27,  1869.  He 
is  the  only  child  of  David  H.  and  Annie  E.  (Julian)  Durst.  He  grew  to 
manhood  in  his  native  city  and  received  his  education  in  the  local  schools, 
which,  however,  has  been  greatly  supplemented  in  later  years  by  wide  read- 
ing, home  study  and  contact  with  the  world,  until  he  is  today  an  exception- 
ally well  informed  man  on  current  affairs,  as  well  as  all  phases  of  jurispru- 
dence and  the  world’s  best  literature.  In  his  youth  he  took  an  apprentice- 
ship as  an  iron  moulder  and  mastered  that  trade  before  reaching  his  major- 
ity. He  was  too  ambitious  to  accomplish  something  worth  while  in  the 
world  to  be  contented  to  spend  his  life  in  the  routine  work  of  a foundry, 
and  began  studying  law  while  working  at  his  trade  and,  making  rapid  prog- 
ress, was  admitted  to  the  bar  on  January  16,  1892.  He  has  since  that 
time  practiced  this  profession  successfully,  and  is  one  of  the  best  known 
lawyers  in  southwest  Missouri.  For  years  his  name  has  been  prominently 
connected  with  the  important  cases  in  all  the  Springfield  courts,  and  in  cases 
in  other  parts  of  the  Ozark  country.  He  has  kept  well  abreast  of  the  times 
in  all  that  pertains  to  his  profession,  is  not  only  a thorough  and  indefatiga- 
ble student  of  the  law,  but  a strong,  vigorous,  logical  and  effective  advocate, 
earnest  and  eager,  combining  in  a singular  manner  general  equanimity  and 
a certain  nervous  energy.  He  always  carefully  studies  his  cases,  and  is 
therefore  well  prepared  to  try  them  when  he  enters  court.  He  is  a force- 
ful debater,  clear  in  his  logic,  convincing  in  his  argument,  courteous  to  his 
associates  and  opponents,  and  always  dignified  in  his  deportment  to  the 
court  as  well  as  witnesses,  avoiding,  as  far  as  possible,  wounding  the  feel- 
ings of  anyone.  He  is  regarded  as  able,  reliable,  honest  and  safe.  In  earlier 
years,  Mr.  Durst  went  to  the  Indian  Territory  when  immigration  was  seeth- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1753 


ing  in  strongly  to  that  portion  of  the  Southwest,  and  was  a resident  there 
for  three  years. 

In  1898,  when  the  Spanish- American  war  broke  out,  Mr.  Durst 
answered  the  first  call  for  volunteers  by  President  McKinley,  and  served 
as  a lieutenant  in  Company  K,  Second  Missouri  Infantry,  United  States 
Volunteers.  He  is  a very  active  member  of  the  Spanish  War  Veterans, 
and  has  been  twice  elected  judge  advocate  of  the  department  of  Missouri 
in  that  organization  and  is  at  present  the  state  commander  of  that  organ- 
ization. Mr.  Durst  was  married  on  January  10,  1900,  to  Eva  Dickerson, 
only  daughter  of  Jerome  and  Susan  (Geary)  Dickerson,  a prominent  family 
of  Springfield,  formerly  of  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan,  where  Mrs.  Durst 
was  born,  reared  and  given  the  advantages  of  an  excellent  education.  She 
is  a lady  of  culture  and  genial  address.  The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Durst 
has  been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  three  children,  namely : Robert  D.  was 

graduated  from  the  ward  schools  with  the  class  of  1914;  Dorothy  D.  and 
Harry  D.,  Jr. 

Politically,  Mr.  Durst  is  an  uncompromising  Democrat  and  has  long 
been  a worker  in  the  interest  of  the  party,  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  same 
in  southwest  Missouri.  He  was  for  many  years  a member  of  the  city  coun- 
cil of  Springfield,  during  which  time  he  did  much  for  the  general  good  of  the 
municipality.  He  was  a candidate  for  Democratic  nomination  for  Con- 
gress in  1914.  He  made  a splendid  campaign,  but  was  defeated.  He  is  a 
man  of  steadfast  purpose,  studious  habits,  gentlemanly  manners  and  an  ora- 
tor of  no  mean  ability.  He  has  contributed  of  his  time  and  means  to  help 
the  cause  of  Democracy,  and  is  a tireless  worker  for  clean  government, 
advocating  honesty  in  politics  as  well  as  wholesome  living  in  social  and  pri- 
vate life.  He  has  filled  numerous  positions  of  trust  with  marked  fidelity  and 
with  credit  to  his  party.  His  broad  experience,  obliging  disposition,  his  ready 
wit,  keen  intellectual  discernment  and  unassuming  personality  pre-eminently 
qualify  him  for  high  office.  His  unfailing  good  judgment,  correct  sense  of 
fairness  and  courage  in  his  stand  for  the  right  in  all  relations  of  life  has 
been  proven.  His  frankness,  his  tenacity  in  dinging  to  high  ideals  and  his 
indomitable  fighting  qualities  have  won  the  confidence  and  respect  of  a host 
of  stanch  friends  who  will  continue  to  stand  by  him  regardless  of  party 
alignment. 

He  is  now  in  the  prime  of  life,  with  a will  and  constitution  that  enable 
him  to  make  possible  his  strongest  professional  achievements.  He  is  pos- 
sessed of  the  warmest  sympathies  and  charities,  is  held  in  the  highest  esteem 
by  members  of  the  bar  throughout  southern  Missouri,  and  by  friends  and 
neighbors,  who  entertain  the  profoundest  regard  for  his  character  and  vir- 
tues. Mr.  Durst  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  St.  Paul  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  South. 


a 754 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ROBERT  H.  WALKER. 

A worthy  example  of  the  progressive  twentieth  century  business  man 
is  Robert  EL  Walker,  president  of  the  Globe  Clothing  Company  of  Spring- 
field,  Missouri.  He  is  one  of  the  potent  factors  in  the  upbuilding  of  the 
greater  Queen  of  the  Ozarks,  which  has  been  forging  ahead  at  such  notice- 
able strides  during  the  past  decade.  As  in  the  performance  of  his  industrial 
duties,  he  leaves  the  impression  of  his  individuality  on  his  work,  in  like 
manner  and  degree  he  impresses  his  associates.  He  delights  in  good  com- 
panionship, and  his  greetings  are  uniform  and  friendly.  In  his  ordinary 
relations  and  contacts  with  his  fellow  men  he  is  quiet  and  modest;  with 
his  intimate  friends  he  is  frank,  genial  and  confiding.  Mr.  Walker’s  char- 
acter is  strong,  deliberate,  candid,  truthful  and  he  is  punctilious  in  his  adher- 
ence to  obligations.  He  is  a kind  and  generous  hearted  man,  an  inheritance 
-of  his  sterling  father,  who  never  turns  the  unhearing  ear  to  those  who  should 
be  heard,  whose  acts  of  benevolence  are  not  performed  in  an  ostentatious 
manner,  but  with  quiet  and  kindness,  following  the  Divine  injunction  not 
to  let  the  left  hand  know  what  the  right  hand  doeth.  Of  Celtic  blood,  he 
has  inherited  many  of  the  winning  traits  of  that  noble  people. 

Mr.  Walker  was  born  in  Liverpool,  England,  December  1 8,  1864.  He 
is  a son  of  Ralph  and  Fanny  J.  ( Wilson ) Walker,  the  father  born  in  the 
northern  part  of  Ireland  and  the  mother  in  the  Isle  of  Man.  It  was  in  the 
historic  Cloncanon  House,  November  27,  1831,  that  the  late  Judge  Ralph 
Walker  first  saw  the  light  of  day.  He  was  a member  of  one  of  the  oldest 
families  of  that  section  of  the  Ifimerald  Isle.  There  he  grew  to  manhood 
and  received  excellent  educational  advantages,  attending  the  preparatory 
schools,  later  Ranella  College  and  afterwards  studied  in  the  city  of  London- 
derry. He  immigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1859,  locating  in  Philadel- 
phia, but  subsequently  came  on  west  to  St.  Louis  to  join  his  brother,  and 
in  the  latter  city  he  accepted  a position  in  the  office  of  the  Adams  Express 
Company.  In  1854  he  became  clerk  on  a river  steamer  which  plied  between 
St.  Louis  and  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  later  he  served  in  similar  capacity  on  a 
steamer,  which  plied  between  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  New  Orleans,  Lou- 
isiana. From  1852  to  1862  he  was  general  freight  and  passenger  agent  of 
the  Wabash  Railroad  Company  in  St.  Louis.  In  1862  he  took  over  the 
first  cargo  of  petroleum  that  was  ever  sent  across  the  Atlantic  ocean,  return- 
ing to  St.  Louis  in  1865  about  the  close  of  the  Civil  war.  He  came  to 
Greene  county  soon  thereafter,  and  in  1866  laid  out  the  town  of  Ash  Grove. 
He  was  elected  county  judge  in  1870.  In  the  early  seventies  he  performed 
one  of  his  greatest  services  to  the  locality  in  assisting  in  the  reorganization 
of  the  Kansas  City,  Fort  Scott  & Memphis  railroad,  thus  securing  a new 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1755 


railroad  for  Springfield.  Pie  became  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  county  in 
public  affairs,  and  one  of  the  most  influential  and  popular  men  of  this  sec- 
tion of  the  Ozark  region.  Pie  served  as  mayor  of  Springfield  three  different 
times,  and  gave  the  city  splendid  administrations,  doing  much  for  the  gen- 
eral welfare  of  the  same  and  winning  the  hearty  commendation  of  all 
parties.  He  was  a leader  in  a number  of  important  enterprises  here  for 
years,  and  his  memory  will  long  be  revered  by  a very  wide  circle  of  friends 
and  acquaintances.  In  1859  he  was  married  in  Dublin,  Ireland,  to  Fanny 
J.  Wilson,  a daughter  of  Major  Plenry  Wilson.  She  is  a lady  of  culture  and 
strong  mentality,  and  is  now  making  her  home  in  New  York  City.  To 
these  parents  eight  children  were  born,  seven  sons  and  one  daughter,  four 
of  whom  are  deceased;  those  living  are  Harry  Wilson,  who  is  a prominent 
newspaper  man  and  author  of  New  York  City;  Rev.  Ralph  J.,  Albert  E., 
and  Robert  H.,  of  this  sketch.  The  death  of  Judge  Ralph  Walker  occurred 
at  Paris  Springs,  Lawrence  county,  Missouri,  in  July,  1907,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-six  years,  thus  closing  a long,  useful  and  successful  life. 

Robert  H.  Walker  was  brought  to  America  by  his  parents  when  but  a 
child.  He  received  a good  education  in  the  common  schools  and  Drury 
College.  He  began  his  business  career  by  starting  in  the  clothing  business 
in  1880  with  Jake  Rothschilds,  where  the  Holland  Bank  now  stands,  corner 
St.  Louis  street  and  the  Public  Square.  Later  he  was  in  the  same  busi- 
ness with  Jake  Marx,  then  was  associated  with  the  Nathan  Clothing  Com- 
pany on  the  north  side  of  the  Public  Square  for  a period  of  twenty  years. 
Three  years  ago  he  began  business  for  himself  and  at  the  present  time  is 
president  of  the  Globe  Clothing  Company,  one  of  the  largest  clothing  stores 
in  the  Southwest,  occupying  a large  and  conveniently  located  building  at  the 
corner  of  South  street  and  the  Public  Square,  and  he  is  enjoying  a rapidly 
growing  business,  carrying  a complete  and  carefully  selected  stock  of  goods, 
standard  brands  of  manufacture  and  is  up  to  date  at  all  seasons.  He  employs 
a large  number  of  assistants,  and  courteous,  prompt  and  honest  treatment  is 
his  aim. 

Mr.  Walker  was  married  in  March,  1891,  in  Springfield,  to  Lottie  A. 
Levitt,  a native  of  Iowa,  a daughter  of  the  late  Col.  C.  F.  Levitt,  for  many 
years  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  influential  Masons  in  the  state  of 
Missouri.  Mrs.  Walker  was  educated  in  the  Springfield  schools,  having 
removed  to  this  city  with  her'  parents  when  a child. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walker  one  child  was  born,  Helen  Marie  Walker, 
whose  birth  occurred  on  December  20,  1891.  She  received  an  excellent  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  Springfield  and  Belmont  College,  Nashville,  Ten- 
nessee. 

Politically,  Mr.  Walker  has  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his  honored 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I756 

father  and  is  a stanch  Democrat,  although  he  has  never  been  active  in  polit- 
ical affairs.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 
of  Elks  and  the  Royal  Arcanum  lodge.  Ide  holds  membership  in  the  Epis- 
copal church. 


GUSTAVUS  F.  BERRY. 

Gustavus  F.  Berry  is  the  president  of  the  Berry  Land  and  Investment 
Company  at  Springfield,  in  which  connection  he  has  a wide  acquaintance 
throughout  the  Southwest.  Greene  county,  Missouri,  numbers  him  among 
her  native  sons,  his  birth  having  occurred  on  July  23,  1876,  upon  the  farm 
of  his  father,  James  A.  Berry,  who  is  a native  of  North  Carolina,  born  in 
1843.  The  latter  was,  however,  but  nine  years  of  age  when,  in  1852,  he 
was  brought  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home, 
and  where  he  has  been  identified  with  agricultural  pursuits  throughout  the 
period  of  his  manhood.  On  the  18th  of  December,  1861,  he  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  E.  McCurdy  and  they  became  the  parents  of  nine  sons  and  five 
daughters,  of  whom  five  sons  and  two  daughters  are  still  living,  while  the 
parents  also  survive  and  are  well  known  and  highly  respected  residents  of 
their  locality. 

In  the  country  schools  Gustavus  F.  Berry  began  his  education,  which 
he  continued  in  the  Southwest  Baptist  College  at  Bolivar,  Missouri.  He 
started  out  in  the  business  world  as  a salesman  for  the  Champion  Harvester 
Company  and  subsequently  represented  the  International  Harvester  Com- 
pany, being  thus  employed  for  four  years.  He  then  turned  his  attention 
to  the  real  estate  business  and  for  two  years  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the 
Ozark  Land  Company  before  he  purchased  the  Berry  Land  and  Investment 
Company.  He  now  stands  at  the  head  of  that  concern,  and  as  such  is 
thoroughly  informed  in  regard  to  realty  values  and  the  market  conditions 
of  real  estate.  What  he  undertakes  he  accomplishes,  for  his  energy  is  un- 
faltering and  his  persistency  of  purpose  has  enabled  him  to  overcome  many 
difficulties  and  obstacles  in  his  path.  As  he  advances  step  by  step  there 
opens  before  him  broader  opportunities,  and  his  ready  recognition  of  possi- 
bilities points  out  to  him  the  ways  of  success. 

On  the  22d  of  April,  1902,  in  Springfield,  Mr.  Berry  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Clara  Lloyd,  and  unto  them  has  been  born  a daughter. 
Hazel  T.  The  family  attends  the  Presbyterian  church  and  in  social  circles 
they  are  well  known,  the  hospitality  of  many  of  the  best  homes  of  the  city 
being  freely  accorded  them.  Mr.  Berry  belongs  to  several  fraternal  organ- 
izations and  clubs,  holding  membership  with  the  Masons  and  Elks,  with  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1757 


Springfield  Club,  the  Country  Club,  and  the  Young  Men’s  Business  Club. 
He  has  had  military  experience  and  training  through  three  years'  service 
as  a member  of  Company  Iv,  Second  Regiment  of  the  Missouri  State  Guard. 
His  political  indorsement  is  given  to  the  Democratic  party,  but,  while  he 
votes  for  its  men  and  measures  at  the  polls,  he  does  not  seek  office.  His 
primary  interest  is  in  his  business,  with  the  opportunity  it  gives  him  of 
providing  well  for  his  family  and  doing  his  part  in  the  world's  work. 


S.  R.  STAFFORD. 

It  is  a pleasure  to  write  the  biography  of  a man  of  unusual  personal 
merit — the  possessor  of  a combination  of  gifts  so  comprehensive  that  hap- 
piness and  success  in  any  enterprise  is  bound  to  follow  the  application  of 
his  qualities  to  the  solution  of  almost  any  reasonable  problem  in  life.  The 
career  of  S.  R.  Stafford,  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  a pioneer  and  for  a long 
period  a farmer,  stock  man,  miller  and  merchant  of  this  section  of  the 
Ozarks,  would  indicate  that  he  is  the  possessor  of  those  characteristics  that 
make  for  success  in  almost  any  walk  of  life,  and  it  also  shows  that  he  has 
not  used  these  traits  entirely  for  self  aggrandizement,  but  that  he  has  been 
a public-spirited  and  helpful  citizen,  doing  what  he  could  all  along  the  line  to 
promote  the  general  welfare  of  the  various  communities  in  which  he  has 
resided. 

Mr.  Stafford  was  born  in  Dallas  county,  Missouri,  November  6,  1843, 
the  son  of  a pioneer  family.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  Dallas  county,  and 
when  a boy  assisted  his  father  with  the  general  work  about  the  farm  and 
blacksmith  shop,  attending  the  rural  schools  in  the  winter  time.  When  a 
young  man  he  began  life  for  himself  by  trading  and  handling  cattle  and  other 
live  stock.  He  made  several  trips  to  California  and  back  in  the  early  days, 
taking  cattle  to  the  Western  markets.  When  the  Civil  war  came  on  he 
enlisted  in  the  Federal  army,  serving  very  creditably  for  three  years  as  a 
member  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  participated  in  numer- 
ous battles  and  skirmishes,  including  Wilson’s  Creek,  Pea  Ridge,  Lone  Jack 
and  Springfield.  He  was  honorably  discharged,  and  soon  thereafter  began 
farming  in  Webster  county,  later  working  in  a flouring  mill,  finally  becom- 
ing owner  of  a good  mill  there ; later  he  engaged  in  general  merchandising 
at  Hurley,  Stone  county,  Missouri.  Having  accumulated  a competency  for 
his  old  age  he  retired  from  active  life  some  time  ago  and  is  now  making  his 
home  at  Eureka  Springs,  Arkansas. 

On  March  8,  1865,  he  was  married  in  Webster  county  to  Anna  Eliza- 
beth Turner,  the  daughter  of  an  old  Webster  county  family.  To  our  subject 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


175s 

and  wife  the  following  children  were  born,  namely:  John  C.  is  engaged  in 
farming  near  Green  Forest,  Arkansas;  William  D.,  deceased;  Viola  is  the 
wife  of  L.  A.  Logan  and  they  live  in  Hurley,  Missouri;  Bertha  is  teaching 
in  the  Pickwick  school  in  Springfield;  Adella  is  the  wife  of  R.  W.  Swart 
and  they  live  at  Crane,  Missouri ; Bessie  is  the  wife  of  E.  M.  Fite  and  they 
reside  at  Marionville,  this  state;  Arch  lives  at  Hurley,  Missouri. 

Bertha  Stafford,  mentioned  above,  and  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for 
this  biographical  data,  was  given  good  educational  advantages,  which  she 
made  the  most  of,  being  ambitious  to  do  something  worth  while  in  the  world. 
After  completing  the  work  in  the  common  schools  at  Marionville,  Lawrence 
county,  she  specialized  in  kindergarten  work,  after  which  she  taught  in  the 
Marionville  schools  for  a period  of  twelve  years,  then  engaged  in  general 
merchandising  for  one  year,  but  finding  teaching  more  to  her  liking  she 
came  to  Springfield  and  began  teaching  in  the  primary  department  of  the 
McDaniel  school,  later  being  transferred  to  the  Pickwick  school  as  principal 
of  the  primary  department,  where  she  has  since  remained;  she  is  giving 
eminent  satisfaction.  As  a teacher  she  has  kept  well  abreast  of  the  times 
in  her  line  and  is  alert,  painstaking,  energetic  and  sets  a commendable  exam- 
ple before  her  pupils.  She  is  an  active  member  of  the  First  Baptist  church 
of  Springfield  and  is  superintendent  of  the  junior  department  in  the  Sunday 
school.  She  is  a lady  of  pleasing  personality  and  has  made  many  friends 
since  coming  to  Springfield. 


GEORGE  W.  FERGUSON. 

The  art  of  photography  has  shown  wonderful  development  during  the 
past  decade  or  two,  more  perhaps  than  during  all  previous  times  since  it 
first  became  known  as  an  art.  It  would  seem  that  it  has  attained  the  zenith 
of  perfection  and  that  the  “last  word"  has  been  said  regarding  photography, 
but  the  future  is  not  within  the  horoscope  of  mortals,  and  who  knows  but 
that  the  coming  years  will  reveal  still  greater  wonders  in  this  branch  of 
science.  Only  a cursory  glance  at  the  modern  and  tastily  kept  studios  of 
George  W.  Ferguson  on  South  street,  Springfield,  Missouri,  is  required  to 
show  that  he  has  kept  fully  abreast  of  the  times  in  his  vocation  and  that 
he  deserves  to  rank  in  the  forefront  of  his  profession. 

Mr.  Ferguson  was  born  in  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  April  4,  1856.  He 
is  a son  of  Isaac  and  Mary  E.  (Harrison)  Ferguson,  natives  of  Kentucky 
and  Indiana,  respectively.  After  spending  several  years  in  Indianapolis 
the}-  removed  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  finally,  in  1882,  they  came  to 
Greene  county,  Missouri,  located  on  a farm  three  miles  east  of  Springfield,. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


:759 


and  there  became  well  established  through  their  industry.  The  mother  is 
still  living  and  making  her  home  with  subject.  The  father  died  about  twelve 
years  ago.  They  were  popular  with  their  neighbors  as  a result  of  their 
honesty  and  hospitality.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children : 
Subject  being  the  eldest  ; Sarah,  who  married  Charles  E.  Lodge,  of  Greene 
county,  both  now  deceased;  Jennie,  who  married  David  Repass  of  Den- 
ver, Colorado;  James  E.,  deceased;  John,  of  Fayette,  Missouri,  who  is  in  the 
photography  business;  Charles,  deceased;  Ella  (Mrs.  Ross  Askins) , in 
Springfield;  Dora,  now  Mrs.  Louis  Funk,  of  Grand  Junction,  Colorado. 

George  W.  Ferguson  was  a small  boy  when  he  removed  with  his  par- 
ents from  Indianapolis  to  Louisville,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  the  latter  city,  including  a course  in  the  Spencerian  Business 
College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1876.  After  leaving  school  he 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business  for  three  years,  and  although  he  was  making 
a success  as  a merchant,  this  field  seemed  somewhat  prosaic  to  one  of  his 
imagination  and  esthetic  tastes,  and  he  abandoned  it  and  took  up  the  study 
of  photography  in  one  of  the  best  known  photograph  galleries  of  Louis- 
ville, where  he  made  rapid  progress  and  soon  gave  evidence  of  becoming 
exceptionally  skilled  in  the  work.  Leaving  the  Blue  Grass  state  in  1882,  he 
came  to  Springfield  and  opened  a gallery  here.  For  many  years  his  studio 
was  on  Boonville  street,  but  later  he  moved  in  the  arcade  southeast  of  the 
Public  Square,  and  finally  to  his  present  location  on  South  street.  He  has 
thus  been  in  the  business  in  Springfield  over  thirty  years,  his  success  grow- 
ing with  advancing  years  until  he  has  long  since  become  known  over  the 
Ozark  region,  his  splendid  work  being  pronounced  by  those  well  capable  to 
judge  the  same  to  be  inferior  to  none  in  the  country,  and  many  of  his  cus- 
tomers come  from  remote  cities  for  sittings,  for  he  has  become  celebrated 
throughout  southwest  Missouri  for  securing  to  sitters  before  the  camera  a 
natural,  life-like  and  graceful  pose,  and  the  master  hand  and  thoroughly 
expert  artist  is  readily  seen  in  all  his  work. 

Mr.  Ferguson  was  married  in  1884  at  Rising  Sun,  Indiana,  to  Mary 
Bedgood.  Her  death  occurred  in  1885  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  leaving  one 
son,  Clarence,  who  is  now  in  St.  Louis,  with  the  Frisco  railroad,  in  the 
engineering  department.  Mr.  Ferguson's  second  marriage  was  celebrated 
in  1888  to  Louise  Leetsch,  pf  Helena,  Arkansas,  and  to  this  union  a son 
was  born,  Gussie,  who  is  now  at  home  in  Springfield. 

Politically,  Mr.  Ferguson  is  a Democrat  and  has  been  more  or  less 
active  in  party  affairs.  Soon  after  coming  to  Springfield  he  became  a mem- 
ber of  the  city  fire  department,  and  his  work  was  so  well  done  that  he  was 
elected  to  every  position  in  the  company.  In  1892  he  was  elected  chief 
of  department  No.  1,  and  held  the  same  for  some  time,  taking  an  abiding 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  department  and  not  infrequently  manifesting 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1760 

unusual  courage  and  presence  of  mind  in  emergencies.  He  was  recognized 
as  an  expert  fireman  and  had  complete  control  of  his  men,  whom  he  kept 
well  trained ; in  fact,  he  did  as  much  as  any  one  ever  did  to  give  Spring- 
field  an  up-to-date  and  efficient  fire  department. 

Fraternally,  Mr.  Ferguson  is  a member  of  Royal  Arcanum  Lodge  No. 
418,  the  Knights  of  Pythias  Lodge  No.  213,  and  the  Uniform  Rank  No.  21, 
and  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  Fie  and  his  family  are 
members  of  the  Christian  church. 


BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN  DENNIS. 

The  office  of  biography  is  not  to  give  voice  to  a man’s  modest  estimate 
of  himself  and  his  accomplishments,  but  rather  to  leave  upon  the  record 
the  verdict  establishing  his  character  by  the  consensus  of  opinion  on  the  part 
of  his  neighbors  and  fellow  citizens.  The  life  of  Benjamin  Franklin  Dennis, 
president  of  the  Bank  of  Rogersville,  for  many  years  a leading  agriculturist 
and  business  man  of  the  eastern  part  of  Greene  county,  has  been  such  as  to 
elicit  just  praise  from  those  who  know  him  best,  owing  to  the  fact  that  he 
has  always  been  loyal  to  the  trusts  reposed  in  him  and  has  been  upright 
in  his  dealings  with  his  fellow  men,  at  the  same  time  lending  his  support 
to  the  advancement  of  any  cause  looking  to  the  welfare  of  the  community 
at  large.  No  man  has  been  better  known  or  more  influential  in  this  section 
of  the  county  during  the  past  quarter  of  a century  or  more,  and  yet  he  is  a 
plain,  easily  approached  and  unassuming  gentleman,  contented  to  lead  a 
quiet  life  and  be  regarded  only  as  a good  citizen. 

Mr.  Dennis  was  born  near  Gainesboro,  Jackson  county,  Tennessee,  on 
July  22,  1839,  and  is  therefore  nearly  seventy-six  years  of  age,  but  is  still 
hale  and  hearty  and  as  capable  a business  man  as  ever  in  his  career.  This 
is  all  due  very  largely  to  the  fact,  no  doubt,  that  he  has  led  a well-regulated 
life,  free  from  bad  habits  and  worry.  He  is  a son  of  William  R.  and  Sarah 
(Chaffin)  Dennis.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1813,  but 
removed  to  Tennessee  at  an  early  age,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and 
received  a limited  education  in  the  pioneer  schools.  He  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  but  when  young  learned  the  shoemaker’s  and  carpenter’s  trades,  at 
both  of  which  he  was  quite  skilled.  He  remained  in  Tennessee  until  1850, 
when  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  making  a 
tedious  trip  by  boat  and  wagon  and  encountered  considerable  hardships  and 
exciting  experiences  on  the  way.  Upon  reaching  his  destination,  William 
R.  Dennis  rented  a farm  for  three  years.  He  did  not  live  long  to  enjoy  the 


MR.  AND  MRS.  B.  F.  DENNIS. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1761 


new  country,  dying  in  January,  1853.  He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife 
dying  in  Tennessee.  In  that  state  he  married  the  mother  of  our  subject,  who 
was  born  in  that  state  in  1818,  near  the  town  of  Gainesboro,  Jackson  county, 
and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  attended  the  old-time  subscription 
schools,  taught  near  her  father’s  farm.  Her  death  occurred  in  Texas 
in  1876. 

William  R.  Dennis’  family  consisted  of  six  children,  namely:  Nancy, 

deceased;  Benjamin  F.,  of  this  review;  James  William,  deceased;  Martha 
Jane,  deceased;  Narvell  A.,  deceased;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Brickey  lives  in  New- 
ton county,  Missouri. 

Benjamin  F.  Dennis  spent  his  early  boyhood  in  Tennessee,  being  eleven 
years  old  when  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and 
here  he  grew  to  manhood  and  has  continued  to  reside  for  a period  of  nearly 
sixty-five  years,  during  which  he  has  been  not  only  a most  interested  spec- 
tator to  the  wonderful  development  that  has  taken  place  here,  but  has  played 
well  his  part  in  the  same.  He  received  a limited  education  in  the  early-day 
schools  of  Tennessee  and  Missouri,  but  he  had  by  nature  an  inquiring  and 
plastic  mind,  and  eventually  became  a well-informed  man  by  wide  miscella- 
neous reading  and  contact  with  the  business  world,  and  today  no  one  is 
better  informed  on  current  events  in  this  community  as  well  as  questions  of 
business  and  civic  affairs.  He  is  a fine  type  of  the  successful  self-made  man. 
He  worked  on  the  farm  as  a hired  hand  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age. 
In  1856  he  made  the  long  and  hazardous  trip  across  the  great  western  plains  to 
California  and  engaged  in  farming  near  Sacramento  for  awhile,  then  returned 
home,  but  went  back  to  California  a little  later.  However,  he  did  not  remain 
long,  returning  to  Missouri  in  1864,  twenty-nine  days  of  the  trip  being  made 
by  stage.  He  had  numerous  unusual  experiences  in  the  West  and  talks  most 
interestingly  of  them.  Mr.  Dennis  was  successful  as  a man  of  business  from 
the  first,  and  he  was  only  a young  man  when  he  purchased  a farm  of  two 
hundred  acres  in  the  eastern  part  of  Greene  county.  This  he  managed  judi- 
ciously and  added  to  his  possessions  until  he  owned  eight  hundred  acres  of 
valuable,  productive  and  desirable  land.  Being  a man  of  progressive  ideas, 
he  has  always  kept  his  land  well  improved  and  under  a high  state  of  culti- 
vation, and  farmed  on  a general  plan  and  raised  large  herds  of  all  kinds  of 
live  stock,  making  a specialty  of  handling  mules,  and  no  small  portion  of 
his  income  for  years  was  derived  from  this  source.  He  has  long  been 
regarded  as  one  of  the  best  judges  of  mules,  if  not  all  kinds  of  live  stock, 
m the  county.  On  his  farm  is  to  be  seen  a commodious  residence  in  the 
midst  of  attractive  surroundings,  and  numerous  substantial  outbuildings — 
everything  about  the  place  denoting  good  management,  thrift  and  prosperity. 

(m) 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I /62 


Air.  Dennis  continued  agricultural  pursuits  until  three  years  ago,  when  he 
retired  from  his  farm,  renting  his  lands  since  then,  and  making  his  home 
in  Rogersville,  Webster  county,  where  he  has  a modernly  appointed  and 
pleasant  residence.  He  has  also  built  several  new  buildings  in  Rogersville, 
and  has  done  much  toward  the  general  material  and  civic  improvement  of 
the  town.  He  has  for  some  time  been  the  principal  factor  in  the  Bank  of 
Rogersville,  of  which  he  is  president,  and  its  pronounced  success  has  been 
due  in  no  small  measure  to  his  efforts,  it  is  one  of  the  safe  and  popular 
banks  of  southern  Missouri.  A general  banking  business  is  carried  on.  It 
is  well  equipped  with  a modern  safe  and  other  necessary  furnishings,  and  is 
managed  under  a conservative  and  sound  policy.  It  was  organized  in  1892, 
and  its  capital  stock  is  $10,000.00  and  $10,000.00  surplus.  The  other  officers 
of  the  bank  besides  Mr.  Dennis  are  George  M.  McHaffie,  vice-president; 
L.  H.  McHaffie,  cashier,  and  H.  E.  Dennis,  assistant  cashier.  It  is  the  sec- 
ond oldest  bank  in  Webster  county. 

Mr.  Dennis  has  been  twice  married,  first,  in  April,  1864,  to  Margaret 
Anne  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1843,  and  here 
grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  Her  death  occurred  in  1876,  leav- 
ing four  children,  all  of  whom  survive  at  this  writing,  namely;  John  E., 
a sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work;  Clara  B.,  William  A., 
and  George  F.  Mr.  Dennis  was  married  a second  time,  in  1877,  1°  Martha 
G.  Ferrell,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1861  and  there  spent  her  early 
girlhood,  removing  with  her  parents  when  thirteen  years  of  age  to  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  and  here  she  received  a common  school  education  and 
lived  on  the  home  farm  until  her  marriage,  which  occurred  when  she  was 
seventeen  years  of  age.  She  has  proven  to  be  a faithful  helpmate,  is  indus- 
trious, kind-hearted  and  genial  and,  like  her  husband,  has  a host  of  warm 
friends  throughout  this  locality. 

Mr.  Dennis  is  the  father  of  five  children  by  his  second  wife,  named  as 
follows:  Henry  E.  is  assistant  cashier  in  the  Bank  of  Rogersville;  Cora  A. 
is  deceased;  Grover  C.  is  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  in  Rogersville; 
Shirley  V.  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years;  Ben  Elmer  is  at  present  a sol- 
dier in  the  regular  United  States  army,  and  is  stationed  in  California. 

Mr.  Dennis  has  traveled  extensively  and,  being  a keen  observer,  has 
profited  much  by  what  he  has  seen.  In  1898  he  was  a member  of  the  adven- 
turous and  hardy  band  of  prospectors  that  invaded  the  Alaska  gold  fields 
and  experienced  the  usual  hardships  and  privations  of  such  an  expedition, 
and  from  a financial  standpoint  the  venture  was  not  successful.  He  was 
absent  in  the  rugged  and  picturesque  Northland  made  famous  by  London, 
Beach,  Curwood  and  other  noted  authors,  about  a year,  returning  to  his 
farm  in  Greene  county.  But,  unlike  many  who  returned  from  that  precari- 
ous country  of  the  mighty  Yukon,  having  lost  their  all  in  practically  a game 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1763 


of  chance,  Mr.  Dennis  had  plenty  to  return  to,  and  despite  the  fact  that  he 
brought  back  no  sacks  of  gold  dust,  is  rated  among  the  well-to-do  men  of 
Greene  county,  and,  having  honestly  earned  every  dollar  in  his  possession 
through  his  individual  efforts,  he  is  eminently  entitled  to  his  fortune  and 
also  to  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  is  universally  held. 

Politically,  Mr.  Dennis  is  an  ardent  Democrat  and  has  long  been  influ- 
ential in  party  affairs,  although  not  seeking  to  become  a political  leader  him- 
self, preferring  to  devote  his  attention  exclusively  to  his  extensive  business 
affairs  and  his  home.  Religiously  he  is  a worthy  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  and  fraternally  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  includ- 
ing the  Knights  Templars  and  the  Ancient  Orabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  stands  high  in  all  circles  in  which  he  moves,  being  an 
honest,  obliging,  courteous  and  hospitable  gentleman  at  all  times. 


RANSOM  S.  LAFOLLETTE. 

Some  farmers  seem  to  forget  that  a worn  soil  is  a hungry  soil  whose 
breathing  is  difficult  because  its  organic  matter  is  exhausted,  and  whose  nat- 
ural mineral  elements  of  plant  food  have  been  depleted  by  constant  cropping 
— a soil  that  does  not  furnish  a suitable  home  for  the  manufacturing  bac- 
teria— a soil  that  constantly  pleads  through  its  stunted,  scrawny,  half-nour- 
ished plant  growth,  for  material  with  which  to  satisfy  its  hunger,  and  from 
which  its  bacteria  may  manufacture  food  for  the  support  of  its  vegetation. 
One  hundred  bushels  per  acre  crops  are  never  grown  on  such  soil,  and  a 
resort  to  stimulants  in  the  form  of  so-called  “complete  fertilizers”  only 
hastens  land  ruin.  These  things  are  well  understood  bv  Ranson  S.  LaFol- 
lette,  a farmer  of  Pond  Creek  township,  Greene  county,  and  he  has  been 
careful  to  prevent  his  soil  from  becoming  thin  by  proper  rotation  and  fertili- 
zation and  therefore  his  productive  and  well-kept  place  yields  abundant 
harvest  annually. 

Mr.  LaFollette  was  born  on  June  28,  1861,  in  Christian  county,  Mis- 
souri. He  is  a son  of  Amos  M.  Lafollette,  who  was  born  on  March  22, 
1833,  in  Tennessee,  from  which  state  he  emigrated  with  his  parents  to 
Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  an  early  day.  He  grew  up  on  the  farm  and 
received  a limited  education  in  the  rural  schools.  After  spending  his  boy- 
hood days  on  his  father's  farm  he  began  life  for  himself  by  entering  forty 
acres  of  land  from  the  government  in  Christian  county,  which  he  cleared 
and  improved  in  a general  way.  When  the  Civil  war  came  on  he  cast  his  lot 
with  the  Federal  army,  soon  after  the  outbreak  of  hostilities,  being  a private 
in  the  Eighth  Missouri  Cavalry.  He  proved  to  be  a gallant  soldier  and  was 


1764 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


promoted  to  the  rank  of  corporal.  He  was  attacked  by  the  measles  and  a 
fever  from  which  he  had  not  fully  recovered  when  he  joined  his  regiment 
in  a march  in  Arkansas,  during  which  he  took  cold  which  resulted  in  his 
death  at  Devall  Bluff,  that  state,  September  1,  1863.  On  September  9,  i860, 
he  had  married  Nancy  E.  Blades,  a daughter  of  R.  D.  Blades,  Sr.  She  was 
born  on  August  2,  1843,  ’n  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  her  death  occurred 
on  February  25,  1863.  Thus  these  parents  died  in  early  life  within  a few 
months  of  each  other,  thereby  leaving  two  small  children  orphans,  namely: 
Ransom  S.,  of  this  sketch;  and  Samuel  M.,  who  lives  in  Greene  county 
on  a farm.  The  father  was  a Republican,  and  belonged  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 

When  eighteen  months  old  Ransom  S.  LaFollette  was  taken  into  the 
home  of  his  Grandfather  Blades  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  remained 
until  reaching  his  majority.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  Greene  county.  He  began  life  for  himself  by  renting  one  of  his 
grandfather’s  farms,  which  he  operated  two  years,  then  rented  another  place 
for  a year.  His  grandfather  gave  him  and  his  brother  fifty-five  acres,  which 
they  operated  in  partnership  until  our  subject  bought  the  interest  of  his 
brother,  and  he  lived  on  this  place  for  seventeen  years,  when  he  sold  out 
and  moved  to  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  which  he 
has  placed  under  excellent  improvements  and  he  has  a good  home.  He  car- 
ries on  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 

Mr.  Lafollette  was  married  on  October  1,  1882,  to  Sophronia  Foun- 
tain, who  was  born  in  1858  at  Granby,  Newton  county,  Missouri.  She  grew 
up  on  a farm  and  received  a common  school  education.  When  a young  man 
Mr.  Fountain  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  which  he  followed  a number 
of  years,  but  devoted  his  later  life  to  farming.  Politically,  he  was  a Repub- 
lican, and  he  belonged  to  the  Missionary  Baptist  church.  His  death  occurred 
on  March  1,  1883.  His  wife,  who  was  Sarah  Crickmur  before  her  marriage, 
died  on  July  1,  1902,  having  survived  him  nearly  twenty  years. 

Seven  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  LaFollette,  namely: 
One  died  in  infancy;  Ella  married  C.  T.  Dean  and  they  live  on  a farm  in 
northwestern  Kansas;  Mattie  is  the  wife  of  R.  R.  Brown  and  they  live  on 
a farm  in  Greene  county;  Florence  is  the  wife  of  Joe  Bell,  a farmer  of 
northwestern  Kansas;  Marion  H.  is  at  home;  Pearl  is  teaching  school  in 
Pond  Creek  township,  this  county;  Grace  is  attending  high  school  in  Billings. 

Politically,  Mr.  LaFollette  is  a Republican  and  has  long  been  more  or 
less  active  in  the  work  of  the  party  in  his  community.  For  a period  of  six 
years  he  filled  very  ably  and  successfully  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  in 
Pond  Creek  township.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of  the  Woodmen  lodge 
at  Billings.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Protestant  church,  in  which  he  has 
been  a director  at  different  times. 


v GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1765 


JAMES  EDWIN  DEWEY,  M.  D. 

The  desire  to  be  remembered  is  inherent  in  the  human  race,  hence  the 
necessity  for  biographical  and  memorial  works  of  the  nature  of  the  one  in 
hand.  Dr.  James  Edwin  Dewey,  who  is  a distant  relative  of  Admiral 
George  Dewey,  one  of  America’s  greatest  naval  heroes,  is  a descendant  of  a 
long  line  of  French  ancestry,  many  of  his  progenitors  having  been  men  of 
prominence.  History  shows  that  the  ancient  Deweys  were  compelled  to 
flee  from  France,  owing  principally  to  ecclesiastical  and  political  reasons. 
They  accordingly  established  homes  in  England,  and  subsequently  one  of 
the  number,  William  Dewey,  immigrated  to  America,  landing  at  Dorchester, 
Massachusetts,  in  the  year  1650.  ITe  was  one  of  the  older  members  of  the 
English  colony  of  that  name,  and  from  him  descended  the  numerous  fami- 
lies of  Deweys  in  the  United  States  at  present.  He  had  five  sons,  who  dis- 
persed to  various  localities,  establishing  homes.  From  one  of  them  our 
subject  is  descended.  They  remained  in  the  Atlantic  states  for  some  three 
centuries,  finally  penetrating  to  the  Middle  West  and  the  plains  beyond  the 
Father  of  Waters,  our  subject’s  immediate  family  locating  in  the  state  of 
Kansas. 

Dr.  James  E.  Dewey  was  born  near  Stockton,  Kansas,  November  1, 
1879.  He  is  a son  of  Charles  Holt  Dewey  and  Mary  E.  (Lyon)  Dewey. 
The  latter  was  a native  of  western  New  York.  The  father  was  one  of  the 
early  pioneers  of  Stockton,  Kansas,  and  there  has  become  well  to  do  through 
farming  and  other  business  operations,  and  is  a well  known  and  influential 
man  in  that  locality,  and  although  he  is  now  sixty  years  of  age  is  still  an 
active  man  of  affairs.  The  mother  is  also  still  living.  Dr.  Samuel  C. 
Dewey,  our  subject’s  paternal  grandfather,  spent  his  life  in  the  practice  of 
medicine  in  Iowa  and  Wisconsin,  principally  in  the  town  of  Fairbanks,  Iowa. 

To  Charles  IT.  Dewey  and  wife  a son  and  two  daughters  were  born, 
namely:  Dr.  James  Edwin,  of  this  sketch;  Marion,  who  is  single  and  is  still 
with  her  parents  at  Stockton,  Kansas ; and  Mrs.  Gertrude  Welch,  who  resides 
at  Coffeyville,  that  state. 

Dr.  James  E.  Dewey  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  the  Sun- 
flower state  and  there  he  assisted  his  father  with  the  general  work  when  he 
became  of  proper  age,  and  in  the  winter  time  he  attended  the  public  schools 
in  his  vicinity,  later  took  the  course  of  study  at  the  Stockton  Academy,  after 
which  he  entered  the  Rush  Medical  College  in  Chicago  in  1899,  and  was  gradu- 
ated from  that  institution  with  the  class  of  1903.  Soon  thereafter  he  came 
to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  and 
has  remained  to  the  present  time  with  ever-increasing  success.  He  was 
house  surgeon  at  the  Frisco  Hospital  here  for  a period  of  three  years,  filling 


1766 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


this  responsible  position  in  a manner  that  reflected  much  credit  upon  his 
ability  as  a surgeon  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  He  is 
now  making  a specialty  of  genito-urinary  diseases.  He  has  spent  consider- 
able time  in  post-graduate  work  in  Chicago  and  Philadelphia,  and  is  now 
well  prepared  for  his  special  line  of  practice. 

Doctor  Dewey  is  a member  of  the  Greene  County  Medical  Society,  the 
Missouri  State  Medical  Association,  the  American  Medical  Association,  is 
an  honorary  member  of  tbe  Lawrence-Stone  Medical  Society,  and  the  South- 
west Missouri  Medical  Society.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Modern 
Woodmen  and  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat,  and 
in  religious  matters  a Roman  Catholic. 

Doctor  Dewey  was  married  to  Estella  Whaley,  of  a well  family  of 
Springfield  where  she  was  long  popular  with  the  best  social  circles.  She 
was  a native  of  Mt.  Vernon,  Missouri.  She  was  summoned  to  an  untimely 
grave  on  November  17,  1912.  The  union  of  Doctor  Dewey  and  wife  was 
without  issue. 

Our  subject  is  a young  man  of  genial  address  and  is  well  liked  by  all 
who  know  him,  having  made  a host  of  friends  since  coming  to  the  Queen 
City  of  the  Ozarks. 


SAMUEL  L.  ESLINGER. 

It  is  in  such  countries  as  the  United  States  that  full  swing  can  be  given 
to  the  energies  of  the  individual.  A man  may  choose  any  business  or  pro- 
fession he  desires,  and  he  is  limited  only  by  competition.  He  must  meet 
the  skill  of  others  and  give  as  good  service  as  they  or  he  will  not  get  the 
positions,  will  not  attain  a place  in  the  front  ranks  of  the  men  of  affairs. 
Such  adaptation  to  any  work  or  business  is  well  shown  in  the  career  of 
Samuel  L.  Eslinger,  vice-president  of  the  Springfield  Bakery  Company. 
He  has  turned  his  hand  to  various  things  and  proved  that  there  were  more 
than  one  occupation  which  he  could  make  successful. 

Mr.  Eslinger  was  born  on  June  18,  1866,  at  Sullivan,  Sullivan  county, 
Indiana.  He  is  a son  of  James  E.  Eslinger,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee, 
from  which  state  he  removed  to  Indiana  when  a young  man,  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade  and  he  has  devoted  his  active  life  to  carpentering,  con- 
tracting and  building  houses,  bridges,  etc.  He  is  now  living  in  retirement 
in  Sullivan  county,  Indiana,  having  attained  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
three  years.  Politically  he  is  a Republican.  He  is  a member  of  the  Chris- 
tian church.  He  has  always  been  a quiet,  unassuming  home  man,  one  who 
attends  strictly  to  his  own  affairs.  He  married  Elizabeth  Allen,  who  was 
born  and  reared  in  Kentucky.  Her  death  occurred  thirty-nine  years  ago, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1767 


in  1876  when  she  was  a comparatively  young  woman.  To  these  parents 
three  children  were  born,  namely : Gus  and  Thomas  are  farming  in  Sul- 

livan county,  Indiana;  and  Samuel  L.  of  this  sketch. 

William  Eslinger,  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a resident 
of  Tennessee  in  the  early  days  of  that  state,  finally  removed  to  Sullivan 
county,  Indiana,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  reaching  the  unusual 
age  of  ninety-eight  years.  For  many  years  he  was  a large  planter  in  Ten- 
nessee and  owned  many  slaves.  He  was  also  interested  in  river  commerce. 

Samuel  L.  Esling'er  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  county  and  there  he 
received  a common  school  education,  also  attended  school  in  Shelby  county, 
Indiana.  He  was  ten  years  old  at  the  death  of  his  mother,  and  soon  there- 
after he  went  to  live  with  his  uncle,  Capt.  T.  M.  Allen,  with  whom  he 
remained  until  he  was  thirteen  years  old.  He  then  came  to  Springfield, 
Missouri,  with  his  uncle,  and  here,  in  1885  he  entered  the  retail  grocery 
business  for  himself  in  the  five  hundred  block  on  Boonville  street,  renting 
a room  there  the  second  day  he  was  in  Springfield.  Although  he  started  out 
on  a very  small  scale,  he  managed  well  and  soon  had  an  increasing  trade 
and  finally  his  quarters  were  outgrown  and  he  moved  a block  farther  north 
on  the  same  street  in  more  commodious  quarters,  occupying  a store  fifty 
by  one  hundred  feet,  and  here  he  remained  for  some  twenty  years,  enjoy- 
ing a large  and  lucrative  business,  ranking  among  the  leading  grocers  of  the 
city.  Some  idea  of  the  gain  in  his  sales  may  be  had  when  we  learn  that  his 
first  day’s  sales  in  the  grocery  business  in  Springfield  amounted  to  only  two 
dollars,  and  when  he  sold  out  in  1907  his  last  day's  sales  totalled  nearly 
two  hundred  dollars.  He  first  entered  the  bakery  business  in  1905,  in  the 
Springfield  Bakery  Company,  of  .which  he  is  now  vice-president  and  with 
which  he  has  been  connected  for  ten  years  during  which  period  he  has  been 
the  principal  motive  force  and  has  assisted  in  making  it  one  of  the  largest 
and  most  successsful  enterprises  of  its  kind  in  the  state.  He  has  been  a 
large  stockholder  in  the  same  all  the  while.  An  article  regarding  this  con- 
cern will  be  found  on  another  page  of  this  work.  Our  subject  is  actively 
engaged  at  the  company’s  large  plant,  taking  care  of  the  shipping  end  of 
the  business.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  a business  way  and  owns  con- 
siderable property,  including  a valuable  residence  on  North  Jefferson  street. 

Politically,  Mr.  Eslinger  is  a Republican,  and  has  been  active  in  party 
affairs  for  some  time.  For  two  years  he  was  a member  of  the  city  council. 
Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  is  a member  of  the  Springfield 
Club,  and  belongs  to  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Mr.  Eslinger  was  married  first  to  Belle  Lippman,  a daughter  of  Tacob 
Lippman.  This  union  was  without  issue.  He  subsequently  married  Clara 
Danforth,  a daughter  of  Joseph  Danforth,  of  Greene  county,  Missouri. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1/68 

Leonard  D.  Eslinger  is  now  twelve  years  of  age.  Our  subject’s  present 
wife  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Lula  Knotts,  daughter  of  Col.  Rob- 
ert Knotts.  This  union  has  been  without  issue. 


DUDLEY  CASS. 

Cass  was  formerly  spelled  Casse.  It  is  said  to  have  been  derived  from 
the  name  of  a Celtic  tribe  or  class  located  in  what  is  now  central  France, 
bordered  by  ancient  Germany  and  ancient  Britain.  These  people  lived  in  the 
latter  country  at  the  time  of  the  invasion  of  Julius  Caesar,  when  he  led  his 
Roman  legions  to  the  far  north.  The  tribe  located  on  the  banks  of  the 
Thames  river,  and  fruitlessly  resisted  the  Roman  invaders.  The  tribe  con- 
tinued to  reside  in  England  for  centuries  until  some  of  those  bearing  the 
name  immigrated  to  America  in  the  early  Colonial  period  and  from  them 
the  present  numerous  family  of  Cass  in  the  United  States  descended.  We 
first  have  definite  record  of  John  Cass,  who  was  an  English  Puritan  by 
birth,  born  at  St.  Alban,  England,  date  not  known,  but  he  emigrated  from 
that  country  to  America  in  1640,  locating  at  Hampton,  New  Hampshire. 
The  lineage  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  may  be  traced  directly  to  him, 
back  nearly  four  centuries.  Records  show  that  he  married  Martha  Philbrick 
in  July,  1647,  that  ^ie  Ted  April  7,  1675,  and  that  his  family  consisted  of 
the  following  children:  Joseph,  born  in  1656;  Samuel,  born  in  1659;  Mary, 
born  about  1661;  Jonathan,  born  in  1663,  an<d  who  died  in  1745,  was  the 
next  in  line  of  our  subject’s  progenitors;  Elizabeth,  born  in  1666;  Marcy, 
born  in  1668;  Martha,  born  in  1669;  Abigail,  born  in  1674;  and  Ebenezer, 
born  in  1676.  The  great-grandfather  of  our  subject  was  Mason  Cass,  and 
the  grandfather  was  Capt.  Mason  Cass,  Jr.,  who  was  born  at  Spring,  New 
Hampshire,  May  24,  1751,  and  died  at  Alexandria,  New  Hampshire,  Octo- 
ber 15,  1777. 

Mason  Cass,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  at  Alexandria,  Grafton 
county,  New  Hampshire,  in  1788,  but  he  moved  to  New  York  state  when 
young,  located  near  Syracuse  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  was 
a carpenter  by  trade,  also  engaged  in  farming,  and  for  some  time  was  a 
manufacturer  of  coffins.  At  the  time  of  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of 
1812  he  lived  in  Canada  and,  being  an  American,  was  forced  to  leave  that 
country.  In  1810  he  married  Mary  Merrell,  who  was  born  in  Endfield, 
Vermont,  in  1793.  She  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  Her  death  occurred 
at  Sheboygan.  Wisconsin,  in  1884,  at  an  advanced  age,  and  there  she  was 
buried.  His  death  occurred  at  Chenango,  New  York,  in  1837,  forty-seven 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1769 


years  prior  to  the  death  of  his  wife,  who  was  much  younger  than  he.  To 
these  parents  seven  children  were  born. 

Dudley  Cass  was  born  on  March  21,  1811,  in  New  Hampshire.  He 
grew  to  manhood  in  the  East  and  received  a common  school  education.  He 

o 

worked  with  his  father  until  the  latter’s  death,  and  thus  learned  to  be  both 
a carpenter  and  farmer.  He  then  moved  to  the  state  of  Wisconsin,  making 
the  long  journey,  through  wilderness  a large  part  of  the  way,  on  horseback, 
in  1840,  when  Wisconsin  was  still  in  the  wilds  and  little  improved.  He 
located  at  what  is  now  the  town  of  Salem,  where  he  purchased  a farm  which 
he  conducted  until  1873,  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock 
raising.  He  was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  the  state,  and  was  a man  of 
much  courage  and  force  of  character,  a man  whom  hardship  could  not  con- 
quer. He  cleared  and  developed  his  land  by  hard  and  persistent  work,  in 
due  time  establishing  a comfortable  home.  He  was  a stanch  Democrat,  and, 
taking  a leading  part  in  political  affairs,  was  for  some  time  a member  of 
the  general  assembly  of  Wisconsin.  He  was  for  four  years  president  of 
the  fair  association  in  his  county.  He  held  many  county  offices  in  Wiscon- 
sin, in  fact,  was  active  in  public  affairs  all  his  mature  life,  was  known 
throughout  the  Badger  state,  and  did  much  for  its  early  development.  He 
remained  in  that  state  until  1873  when  he  removed  to  Springfield,  Missouri, 
and  here  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  with  his  son,  Lewis  Cass.  They 
started  in  with  a capital  of  only  five  hundred  dollars,  locating  their  store  on 
Campbell  and  College  streets.  They  managed  well,  dealt  honestly  and  cour- 
teously with  their  customers  and,  increasing  their  stock  from  time  to  time  as 
they  prospered,  became  one  of  the  largest  grocery  merchants  in  this  city, 
and  at  the  time  of  his  death  our  subject  was  considered  one  of  the  wealthy 
men  of  Springfield.  A part  of  his  competency  was  gained  through  judi- 
cious and  extensive  speculation  in  real  estate. 

Dudley  Cass  was  married  in  1835  to  Martha  L.  Robbins,  who  was  born 
on  March  4,  1816,  at  Deerfield,  Massachusetts.  She  was  reared  in  the  East 
and  received  her  education  in  the  common  schools.  She  came  of  a sterling 
old  New  England  family,  and  she  was  a woman  of  many  praiseworthy 
attributes,  and  she  proved  to  be  a most  suitable  helpmeet  for  her  husband, 
her  sympathy  and  counsel  contributing  much  to  his  success  in  life.  Her 
death  occurred  on  October  13,  1894.  The  death  of  Dudley  Cass  occurred 
ten  years  previously,  on  October  28,  1884. 

Politically  Dudley  Cass  was  an  ardent  Democrat  all  his  life.  Frater- 
nally he  belonged  to  the  Masonic  order.  He  was  a member  of  the  Baptist 
church  and  a large  contributor  to  its  support.  While  living  in  Wisconsin 
he  and  three  other  men  alone  supported  the  church  of  this  denomination  in 
his  community. 

To  Dudley  Cass  and  wife  the  following  children  were  born:  Louis  S., 


1770 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


born  on  November  3,  1837,  in  the  state  of  New  York,  died  June  12,  1906; 
in  early  life  he  was  a school  teacher,  later  engaged  in  the  grocery  business 
in  Springfield,  as  noted  above,  with  his  father;  he  married  Charlotte  Collier, 
who  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York,  June  14,  1839,  and  died  in  March, 
1897;  she  was  a daughter  of  John  and  Ann  Collier,  natives  of  Buckingham, 
England.  To  Louis  S.  Cass  and  wife,  who  were  married  on  September  17, 
1862,  seven  children  were  born.  Thressa  A.,  second  child  of  Dudley  Cass 
and  wife,  was  born  on  September  27,  1844,  at  Syracuse,  New  York,  and  she 
was  nine  months  old  when  her  parents  took  her  to  Sheboygan,  Wisconsin; 
there  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  her  education  in  the  common 
and  high  schools,  later  took  a course  in  the  Seminary  at  Evanston,  Illinois. 
She  is  a well-educated,  cultured  and  affable  lady,  who'  preferred  to  remain 
unmarried  in  order  that  she  might  devote  her  active  life  to  the  care  of  her 
parents  in  their  declining  years.  She  is  a devout  member  of  the  Baptist 
church,  in  which  she  was  a Sunday  school  teacher  for  many  years.  She 
resides  in  Springfield  in  a comfortable  and  neatly  kept  home,  and  it  is  to 
her  that  we  are  indebted  for  the  data  in  this  sketch  of  this  interesting  fam- 
ily. Kimball  K.,  the  youngest  of  the  three  children  born  to  Dudley  Cass 
and  wife,  first  saw  the  light  of  day  on  April  20,  1846,  in  Sheboygan,  Wis- 
consin, where  he  grew  up,  and  he  has  devoted  his  life  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits, living  now  in  retirement  at  Bristol,  Wisconsin. 

Members  of  the  Cass  family  have  been  known  as  law-abiding,  intelli- 
gent and  good  citizens  wherever  they  have  dispersed. 


ROBERT  A.  KIRKPATRICK. 

It  is  an  unwritten  law  that  the  secret  of  success  in  life  in  all  individual 
cases  is  the  common  property  or  heritage  of  all  unfortunates  of  the  human 
race.  It  is  therefore  eminently  proper  for  the  historian  or  delineator  of 
characer  to  review  the  lives  of  those  individuals  who  have  not  only  been 
successful  in  the  various  enterprises  in  which  they  have  engaged,  but  as 
citizens  and  neighbors  have  won  the  lasting  regard  ot  all.  Robert  A.  Kirk- 
patrick, an  expert  machinist,  who  is  now  timekeeper  at  the  north  side  Frisco 
shops,  Springfield,  is  deserving  of  the  admiration  of  his  friends  in  view  of 
the  fact  that  he  has  made  a success  in  life  through  his  individual  efforts 
and  despite  obstacles,  having  come  to  our  shores  from  a foreign  strand  with- 
out influential  friends  or  capital,  and  began  his  career  in  a land  where  every- 
thing was  quite  different  to  what  he  had  been  used  to  in  his  earlier  years. 

Mr.  Kirkpatrick  was  born  in  Londonderry,  Ireland,  and  grew  to  man- 
hood in  his  native  land.  He  was  given  excellent  educational  advantages  in 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1771 

a school  under  the  auspices  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  When  twenty  years 
of  age  he  set  sail  for  America,  landing  in  due  time  in  New  York  City. 
Penetrating  into  the  interior,  he  located  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  where  he 
worked  at  the  machinist's  trade  for  five  years,  then  went  to  Keokuk,  Iowa, 
where  he  followed  his  trade  two  years.  From  there  he  went  to  Mount 
Vernon,  Illinois,  where  he  worked  as  machinist  six  or  seven  years,  then 
came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  secured  employment  at  once  in  the 
Frisco’s  north  side  shops,  where  he  has  remained  to  the  present  time.  He 
had  a natural  taste  and  talent  for  his  trade,  and  has  given  eminent  satisfac- 
tion to  the  various  companies  for  which  he  has  worked.  After  following 
his  trade  a number  of  years  here  he  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  time- 
keeper, which  he  still  holds.  He  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  trustworthy  and 
faithful  employees  of  this  plant. 

Mr.  Kirkpatrick  was  united  in  marriage  in  Keokuk,  Iowa,  with  Julia 
E.  Mills,  who  was  a native  of  Southampton,  England,  from  which  country 
she  immigrated  to  the  Cmited  States  with  her  parents  when  five  or  six 
years  old,  and  here  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  her  education. 
The  Mills  family  lived  for  a number  of  years  in  Keokuk. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kirkpatrick  seven  children  were  born,  three  of  whom 
died  in  infancy;  those  who  grew  to  maturity  are:  Harry,  who  resides  at 
Thayer,  Missouri;  Nellie,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  the  data  for  this 
biography,  is  one  of  Springfield’s  popular  teachers;  she  grew  to  maturity 
in  this  city  and  received  an  excellent  education  in  the  ward  and  high  schools, 
graduating  from  the  latter  with  the  class  of  1897,  and  in  1910  she  was 
graduated  from  the  local  State  Normal.  She  began  teaching  two  years  after 
graduating  from  high  school,  and  for  a period  of  nine  years  taught  in  the 
Waddili  school,  doing  extension  and  summer  work  at  the  normal  school 
during  vacations.  After  teaching  in  the  second,  fifth  and  sixth  grades  she 
was  made  principal  of  the  Powerman  school  in  1908,  which  responsible  posi- 
tion she  still  holds.  She  has  always  been  a close  student  and  has  kept 
fully  abreast  of  the  times  in  all  that  pertains  to  her  work ; that  she  has  given 
the  highest  satisfaction  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  she  has  been  retained 
so  long  in  Waddili  and  Bowerman  schools.  She  is  a lady  of  pleasing  per- 
sonality and  is  popular  with  her  pupils.  Dimple  Kirkpatrick,  sixth  of  our 
subject's  children,  was  the  wife  of  James  Sawyer,  and  her  death  occurred 
in  [910;  Virginia,  youngest  of  the  children,  is  the  wife  of  W.  S.  Nelson, 
and  they  reside  at  Cleburne,  Texas. 

Politically,  Mr.  Kirkpatrick  is  a Republican,  and  fraternally  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  having  passed  the  chairs  in  the  local 
lodge  of  the  same,  and  he  is  also  a member  of  the  Masonic  order.  He  and 
his  wife  are  active  members  of  the  First  Congregational  church,  in  which 


i 77“ 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


lie  has  been  trustee  and  in  which  she  is  deaconness.  They  have  both  long- 
been  influential  in  the  affairs  of  this  church  and  are  highly  regarded  by  all 
who  know  them. 


JOHN  ROSBACK. 

John  Rosback,  veteran  harness  maker,  and  for  thirty  years  a resident 
of  Springfield,  was  born  on  January  15,  1844,  in  the  River  Rhine  country, 
Germany.  He  was  a son  of  Peter  and  Magdalene  Rosback,  both  natives 
of  Germany,  where  they  grew  to  maturity,  attended  school  and  were  mar- 
ried. They  continued  to  reside  in  their  native  land  until  1852,  when  they 
immigrated  to  the  United  States,  and  for  many  years  lived  at  Springfield, 
Illinois,  where  the  mother  of  our  subject  died,  after  which  the  father  remar- 
ried and  in  January,  1879,  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  spent 
the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  some  thirty-four  years  ago.  While  living  in 
Springfield,  Illinois,  he  was  employed  by  the  Wabash  Railroad  Company. 
His  family  consisted  of  three  children,  namely:  Margaret,  who  died  in 
Memphis,  Tennessee;  John,  of  this  sketch;  and  Fred,  who  makes  his  home 
in  Benton  Harbor,  Michigan. 

John  Rosback  was  eight  years  old  when  his  parents  brought  him  to 
America.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  there  received 
a common  school  education,  and  when  a boy  learned  the  saddle  maker's 
trade,  which  he  made  his  life  work  and  in  which  he  became  an  exceptionally 
skilled  workman.  He  worked  at  this  trade  fifty-six  years.  When  he  first 
came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  he  worked  as  foreman  at  the  old  Moore 
Saddlery  concern,  then  worked  for  the  Steineger  Saddlery  Company  as 
foreman  for  fifteen  years.  He  was  next  employed  by  the  Herman  Sanford 
Saddlery  Company,  continuing  as  foreman  for  this  firm  until  his  death. 
He  gave  eminent  satisfaction  in  the  three  firms  mentioned  above  and  did 
much  toward  making  each  successful.  He  was  not  only  thoroughly  familiar 
with  every  phase  of  the  business,  but  was  a man  of  good  executive  ability, 
sound  judgment  and  foresight,  and  knew  how  to  handle  his  men  so  as  to 
get  the  best  results  possible  and  at  the  same  time  retain  their  good  will  and 
friendship.  He  was  an  artist  at  stamping  leather  and  made  many  beautiful 
designs  in  leather  work. 

Mr.  Rosback  was  married  on  October  9,  1865,  in  Springfield,  Illinois, 
to  Louise  Pletz,  who  was  born  near  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  February 
3,  1844.  She  is  a daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Witce)  Pletz,  both 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  where  they  grew  up,  attended  school  and  were 
married.  Later  in  life  they  removed  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  where  they 
spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  and  died  there.  Mr.  Pletz  was  a shoemaker 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1773 


by  trade  and  an  accomplished  workman.  Mrs.  Rosback  was  a small  child 
when  her  parents  removed  with  her  from  Pennsylvania  to  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  her  education. 

Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rosback,  namely:  Ira,  born 
on  August  23,  1866,  is  a candy  maker  and  lives  in  Chicago;  Oscar,  born 
on  August  12,  1870,  is  engaged  in  the  harness  business  on  West  Walnut 
street,  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  resides  on  South  Market  street;  he  mar- 
ried Flora  McClure,  a representative  of  an  old  family  of  Greene  county. 
Frank  E.,  born  on  November  9,  1875,  lives  in  this  city  and  is  engaged  in 
the  clothing  business;  John,  born  on  April  2,  1879,  died  when  a small  boy. 

Politically,  Mr.  Rosback  was  a Republican.  * He  belonged  to  the 
Masonic  order  and  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.  In  his  earlier  life  he 
took  an  active  interest  in  Masonry  and  always  tried  to  live  by  its  high  and 
noble  precepts,  which  constituted  his  daily  religion,  and  for  this  reason  he 
was  known  as  a man  of  exemplary  character. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Rosback  occurred  after  a brief  illness  on  November 
6,  1914,  at  the  cozy  family  residence  on  South  Jefferson  street,  where  he 
had  resided  sixteen  years.  He  was  seventy-one  years  of  age.  Mrs.  Ros- 
back is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church,  and  is  known 
as  a neighborly,  kind  and  hospitable  woman  who  has  a very  wide  circle 
of  friends. 


WILLIAM  RILEY  SELF. 

Among  the  professional  and  public  men  of  Springfield  and  Greene 
county  the  name  of  William  Riley  Self  occupies  a conspicuous  position. 
In  his  earlier  years  he  was  a successful  banker,  later  popular  politician  and 
servant  of  the  people,  and  for  many  years  he  has  ranked  among  the  leading 
lawyers  of  this  section  of  the  state.  When  in  court  he  is  prepared;  if  he 
fails  and  must  go  higher,  or  if  he  wins  and  is  forced  up,  he  leaves  no  weak 
or  broken  links  in  the  chain  that  begins  where  he  starts  and  ends  where 
he  must  go.  As  an  advocate  he  may  not  have  the  fascinations  and  gifts 
that  “universities  can  bestow,”  or  the  poet’s  blooming  fancy,  or  the  “fine 
phrensy”  of  passionate  declamation.  We  know  that  the  dangerous  bril- 
liancy of  genius  may  attract,  and  the  melody  of  eloquent  words  may  charm 
for  the  moment,  but  the  voice  of  reason,  the  sturdy  legal  sense,  the  plain 
language,  the  stern,  unerring  logic  of  the  law,  which  are  a strong  part  in 
the  contentious  force  of  Mr.  Self,  are  powerful  weapons  in  the  hands  skilled 
in  the  use  of  them. 

Mr.  Self  was  born  at  Buffalo,  Dallas  county,  Missouri,  January  15, 
!863.  He  is  a son  of  William  J.  and  Cynthia  (Cowden)  Self.  The  father 


1774 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI 


was  born  in  Dallas  county  on  January  26,  1839.  His  father,  one  of  the 
first  settlers  of  that  county,  emigrated  from  Tennessee  in  pioneer  days;  in 
fact,  was  among  the  very  first  settlers.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born 
in  Georgia  in  1844,  her  parents  having  been  natives  of  that  state.  She  was 
young  in  years  when  she  came  to  Dallas  county,  Missouri,  and  there  she 
married  William  J.  Self,  and  died  on  the  home  farm  near  Buffalo,  in  July, 
1863,  and  there  the  father  of  our  subject  is  still  living.  He  has  devoted  his 
life  to  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  is  one  of  the  well  known  and 
esteemed  citizens  of  that  county.  During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  1861, 
in  the  Fifteenth  Missouri  Cavalry,  and  served  three  years  in  the  Union 
army  in  a gallant  and  faithful  manner,  being  honorably  discharged  during 
the  latter  part  of  the  war.  His  family  by  his  second  marriage  consists  of 
three  children,  namely:  James  PI.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  hardware  busi- 

ness at  Crowell,  Texas;  Francis  M.  is  a banker  at  Buffalo,  Missouri;  and 
William  R.,  of  this  sketch. 

Mr.  Self,  of  this  review,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  his 
native  county  and  there  he  worked  hard  when  a boy,  and  received  a com- 
mon school  education  in  the  district  schools,  later  attended  the  Buffalo  high 
school,  then  took  a scientific  course  at  the  Valparaiso  University  at  Val- 
paraiso, Indiana,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  1887,  having 
made  an  exceptionally  good  record  and  was  president  of  his  class.  Return- 
ing to  Buffalo,  Missouri,  he  began  reading  law  in  the  office  of  Thomas  M. 
Brown,  with  whom  he  remained  until  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1888, 
but  he  did  not  begin  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  once,  entering  the 
banking  business  in  Buffalo  instead,  becoming  cashier  of  the  Dallas  County 
Bank,  holding  that  position  from  1890  until  1897  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
stockholders  and  patrons  of  the  bank.  Taking  an  active  interest  in  politics, 
he  was  elected  on  the  Republican  ticket  to  the  lower  house  of  the  Legisla- 
ture from  Dallas  county  in  1892,  serving  one  term.  On  June  30,  1897, 
he  located  in  Springfield,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home,  practicing 
law  without  a partner  all  the  while.  He  was  elected  city  attorney  in  April, 
1902,  and  served  in  this  office  until  April,  1904,  then  was  elected  representa- 
tive from  Greene  county  to  the  Legislature,  serving  one  term  of  two  years. 
He  was  elected  prosecuting  attorney  of  Greene  county  in  1906  and  served 
one  term  of  two  years.  As  a public  servant  he  gave  in  all  these  offices  the 
highest  grade  of  service,  his  ability,  fidelity  and  honesty  and  unquestioned 
public  spirit,  winning  not  only  the  hearty  commendation  of  his  constitu- 
ents, but  of  all  concerned.  He  is  now  engaged  in  the  active  practice  of 
the  law,  maintaining  an  office  at  304 College  street.  He  is  vice-president 
of  the  Bank  of  Greene  County,  located  in  Springfield. 

Mr.  Self  was  married  on  November  8,  1889,  in  Valparaiso,  Indiana, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1775 


to  Frances  E.  Bost,  who  was  born  in  central  Illinois,  November  17,  1862. 
She  received  a common  school  education,  later  attended  high  school  and 
the  University  of  Valparaiso.  The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  been 
without  issue. 

Mr.  Self  has  been  loyal  to  the  Republican  party  since  attaining  his 
majority.  He  is  a member  of  the  South  Street  Christian  church,  of  which 
he  is  an  elder,  and  is  also  Sunday  school  superintendent,  and  takes  an  abid- 
ing interest  in  church  and  Sunday  school  work.  His  record  from  boyhood 
up  has  been  that  of  a scrupulously  honest,  conservative  and  safe  man  in 
business,  professional  and  public  affairs  and  he  has  ever  enjoyed  the  implicit 
confidence  and  the  good  will  of  all  with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact. 


ROBERT  MINTO. 

One  of  the  best-known  railroad  men  of  Springfield  during  the  past 
generation  was  the  late  Robert  Minto,  who  maintained  his  residence  in 
Greene  county  for  a period  of  nearly  three  decades,  during  which  time  he 
formed  a very  wide  acquaintance  and  was  rated  among  our  best  citizens, 
and  his  unfortunate  death  occasioned  wide-spread  regret.  Like  all  men  of 
positive  character  and  independence  of  mind,  he  was  outspoken  in  what  he 
considered  right,  and  his  convictions  were  such  that  his  neighbors  and  fel- 
low citizens  knew  well  his  position  on  all  questions  of  a political,  social  or 
religious  nature.  His  private  life  was  exemplary  and  his  amiable  disposi- 
tion and  many  virtues  made  him  widely  popular. 

Mr.  Minto  hailed  from  England  and  he  was  the  possessor  of  the  many 
admirable  traits  of  the  great  Anglo-Saxon  people.  His  birth  occurred  in 
Durham,  England,  June  22,  1853,  but  he  spent  practically  all  of  his  life  in 
America,  having  been  but  six  months  old  when  he  was  brought  to  the 
United  States  by  his  parents,  Thomas  and  Sarah  Minto,  both  of  whom 
were  born,  reared,  educated  and  married  in  Durham,  England,  the  birth  of 
the  father  having  occurred  in  1830  and  the  mother  was  born  in  1831. 
Thomas  Minto  was  educated  for  a bookkeeper  in  which  he  became  quite 
expert.  After  immigrating  to  America  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1853 
became  a mine  owner  in  Illinois,  but  while  he  remained  in  his  native  land 
he  followed  mercantile  pursuits.  He  is  now  living  in  retirement  on  a fine 
farm  near  Shelbyville,  Illinois,  having  accumulated  a comfortable  compe- 
tency through  his  good  management.  He  has  reached  his  eighty-fifth 
year.  His  wife  also  attained  a ripe  old  age,  and  was  called  to  her  eternal 
rest  at  the  homestead  at  Shelbyville  in  1913.  Politically  he  is  a Republican, 
and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order.  He  is  a grand  old  man  and  is  highly 
respected  in  his  community. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1776 


Twelve  children  were  born  to  Thomas  and  Sarah  Minto,  but  only  two 
survive  at  this  writing,  namely:  Elizabeth,  Thomas,  Robert  (subject); 

Clement,  are  all  deceased ; Henry  lives  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  Mrs.  Bertha 
Cook  still  makes  her  home  in  Shelbyville,  Illinois ; the  other  six  children 
died  in  infancy  or  early  life. 

Robert  Minto  spent  his  early  childhood  in  Alton,  Illinois,  where  his 
parents  resided  until  he  was  about  ten  years  old.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  Shelbyville,  that  state,  and  by  wide  home  reading 
in  later  life.  He  was  married  in  Shelbyville  on  December  24,  1874,  to  Annie 
Lane,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  February  27,  1857.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Marcus  D.  and  Colista  (Benadum)  Lane,  both  natives  of  Baltimore,  Ohio, 
the  birth  of  the  father  having  occurred  in  1833,  and  that  of  the  mother 
in  1834.  There  they  grew  to  maturity  and  received  good  educations.  Mr. 
Lane  followed  teaching  and  became  a well-known  educator  in  Shelbyville, 
Illinois,  and  there  his  death  occurred  in  1880,  and  there  his  widow,  now 
advanced  in  years,  is  still  living,  having  survived  him  thirty-four  years. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lane  thirteen  children  were  born,  nine  of  whom  are  still 
living.  Mrs.  Minto  grew  to  womanhood  in  Shelbyville,  Illinois,  and  there 
received  a good  education. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Minto  one  child  was  born,  Robert  Minto,  Jr.,  whose 
birth  occurred  in  Shelbyville,  Illinois,  October  11,  1880.  There  he  spent  his 
early  childhood,  being  six  years  of  age  when  he  removed  with  his  parents 
to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  grew  up  and  was  educated.  He  married 
Belle  Keet  in  Springfield.  They  now  reside  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  and 
to  their  union  two  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Virginia  Lane,  and 

Robert  Keet. 

Robert  Minto,  of  this  memoir,  first  began  his  railroad  career  in  Beards- 
town,  Illinois,  soon  after  his  marriage,  as  brakeman  on  the  Baltimore  & 
Ohio,  later  was  promoted  to  freight  conductor  on  this  road.  He  removed 
with  his  family  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  1886,  and  went  to  work  as 
freight  conductor ' on  the  Kansas  City,  Fort  Scott  & Memphis  Railroad, 
which  is  now  operated  under  lease  by  the  Frisco  System.  His  run  was  from 
Springfield  to  Thayer  and  that  continued  to  be  his  run  until  his  death.  He 
could  have  become  passenger  conductor  but  preferred  to  remain  on  a freight 
train.  He  performed  his  duties  most  faithfully  and  stood  high  in  the  esti- 
mation of  the  company  and  his  fellow  employees. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Minto  at  St.  Joseph’s  Hospital,  Springfield,  on  June 
13,  1914.,  was  the  result  of  an  unfortunate  accident  at  Cabool,  Missouri, 
while  on  his  regular  run.  He  was  injured  while  assisting  in  unloading 
freight,  receiving  a severe  blow  on  the  head;  however,  he  lingered  for  seven 
weeks  before  death  came  to  his  relief.  He  was  sixty-one  years  of  age,  and 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I 777 


had  been  a resident  of  Springfield  twenty-eight  years,  during  which  time 
he  had  been  a freight  conductor  on  the  Ozark  division  continuously. 

The  pleasant  Minto  home,  where  Mrs.  Minto  still  resides,  is  on  Guy 
street,  Springfield. 

Politically,  Mr.  Minto  was  a Republican.  He  belonged  to  the  Masonic 
order  and  to  the  Order  of  Railway  Conductors.  Religiously  he  held  mem- 
bership with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  which  he  was  an  active 
worker,  and  was  a trustee  of  one  of  the  local  churches  for  a period  of 
twenty  years,  and  was  one  of  the  most  active  and  influential  members  of 
the  congregation  that  built  the  Daly  Methodist  church  in  this  city.  When 
such  men  are  removed  from  any  community  their  loss  can  not  but  be  keenly 
felt  for  a long  time  to  come. 


ISAAC  NEWTON  SMITH. 

In  many  respects  the  career  of  the  late  Isaac  Newton  Smith,  for  a 
period  of  thirty  years  one  of  the  progressive  business  men  of  Springfield, 
is  peculiarly  instructive  in  that  it  shows  what  a well  defined  purpose,  sup- 
plemented by  correct  principles  and  high  ideals,  can  accomplish  when  rightly 
and  intelligently  applied,  even  in  the  face  of  obstacles.  A native  of  the 
Hoosier  state,  he  spent  the  major  portion  of  his  life  in  Missouri,  where  he 
devoted  over  thirty  years  to  the  insurance  business  and  became  one  of  the 
most  efficient  and  widely  known  insurance  men  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
state.  The  last  days  of  his  busy  career  were  devoted,  in  a large  measure, 
to  the  promoting  of  the  electric  railway  between  Springfield  and  Joplin  and 
he  was  president  of  this  company.  But  he  was  a man  who  was  not  only  noted 
for  his  large  success  in  material  affairs,  having  found  time  to  take  an  active 
interest  in  church  work  and  was  one  of  the  most  potent  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  denomination  in  this  section  of  the  state.  In  short,  he  was 
a successful,  useful  and  honorable  man  and  his  record  might  be  studied  with 
profit  by  many. 

Mr.  Smith  was  born,  February  27,  1847,  'n  Miami  county,  Indiana. 
He  was  a son  of  George  and  Rosa  (Dilsaver)  Smith,  the  father  a native  of 
Virginia  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Ohio,  and  there  she  grew  to  woman- 
hood. George  Smith  was  brought  to  Ohio  by  his  parents  when  he  was  a 
child  and  grew  up  in  that  state  and  he  and  his  wife  were  educated  in  the 
rural  subscription  schools  and  were  married  and  established  their  home,  but 
later  removed  to  Miami  county,  Indiana,  on  a farm  and  devoted  their  lives 
to  agricultural  pursuits.  Their  family  consisted  of  twelve  children,  three 
of  whom  are  still  living. 

( 1 12) 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1778 


Isaac  N.  Smith  grew  up  on  the  farm  and  he  had  little  chance  to  obtain 
an  education,  but  improved  such  as  he  had  and  in  later  life  became  a well 
informed  man  through  contact  with  the  world  and  much  home  reading;  in 
fact,  he  was  a fine  sample  of  the  self-made  man  for  which  America  is  noted. 
He  left  home  when  about  seventeen  years  old,  being  compelled  to  make 
bis  own  way.  He  was  ambitious  to  go  through  school  and  obtain  a high 
education,  but  the  opportunity  never  presented  itself.  At  the  age  of  nine- 
teen he  came  to  St.  Louis  where  he  worked  at  different  employments  in  order 
to  get  a start,  later  became  a bridge  builder.  Then  he  came  to  Webster 
county,  this  state,  purchasing  a farm  near  Marshfield,  and  while  operating 
this  he  studied  architecture  and  made  some  advancement,  drawing  plans  for 
buildings  and  in  the  general  preliminary  work  of  an  architect.  About  thirty- 
two  years  ago  he  went  into  the  insurance  business  and  this  proved  to  be  his 
chief  life  work.  He  started  at  Marshfield  and  remained  there  until  1884, 
when  he  removed  to  Springfield,  continuing  the  same  business.  He  was  with 
the  Mutual  Life  all  the  while,  and  he  was  district  manager  of  this  company 
the  rest  of  his  life.  He  was  very  successful  from  the  first  and  the  com- 
pany regarded  him  as  one  of  their  most  faithful,  industrious  and  trust- 
worthy employees.  About  twenty  years  ago  he  received  a handsome  cup, 
given  by  the  company,  for  writing  the  most  insurance  in  a given  period. 
This  was  won  over  hundreds  of  competitors  and  it  shows  his  ability  in  this 
field  of  endeavor.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  president  of  the  new 
traction  line  between  Springfield  and  Joplin  and  was  doing  much  to  make 
the  project  a success;  in  fact,  his  close  application  in  this  enterprise  hastened 
the  closing  of  his  earthly  career. 

Mr.  Smith  was  married,  November  25,  1875,  1°  Margaret  E.  Butcher, 
a native  of  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  her  birth  occurring  February  9,  1852. 
She  is  a daughter  of  Stephen  and  Maria  '(LeKeux)  Butcher.  The  father 
was  born  in  England,  near  London,  in  the  year  1802,  and  there  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  married  Maria  LeKeux  in  1847,  and  they  subsec[uently  immi- 
grated to  America,  locating  in  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania.  His  wife  was 
also  a native  O'f  England.  Mr.  Butcher  received  a good  education  in  his 
native  land,  traveled  extensively  and  followed  the  sea  for  six  years.  Mr. 
Butcher  enlisted  in  the  Civil  war,  in  1861,  serving  the  full  time  enlisted  in 
a Missouri  calvary  regiment.  He  was  in  several  battles,  including  the  battle 
of  Wilson’s  Creek,  was  a very  faithful  soldier  and  a strong  Union  man.  His 
family  consisted  of  five  children,  three  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely: 
Margaret  E.,  who  became  the  wife  of  Mr.  Smith  of  this  memoir;  Mrs.  Mary 
F.  King,  and  Stephen  H.  Mrs.  Smith  grew  to  womanhood  in  Pittsburgh, 
where  she  was  given  excellent  educational  advantages,  and  she  engaged  in 
teaching  for  a while  after  leaving  school. 

Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith,  named  as  follows : 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1779 


Lucian  L.,  who  married  Lallah  Smith,  is  claim  agent  for  the  Frisco  railroad  ; 
Mable  married  Charles  F.  Bishop,  and  they  live  in  Quincy,  Illinois;  Ada 
married  John  J.  Tooker,  and  they  live  in  Boonville,  Missouri. 

Politically,  Mr.  Smith  was  a Republican  and  a great  worker  for  his 
party.  Fraternally  he  belonged  to  the  Masonic  Order.  Ffe  was  one  of  the 
leading  members  of  Calvary  Presbyterian  church  for  many  years  and  was 
active  in  church  work.  He  was  chairman  of  its  board  of  trustees  and  was 
most  efficient  in  this  capacity.  He  was  a devoted  Christian,  with  marked 
administrative  ability  and  was  enthusiastically  devoted  to  the  service  of  the 
church. 

The  substantial  Smith  residence  is  on  Benton  avenue,  and  there  the 
summons  came  for  Mr.  Smith  to  close  his  earthly  account  and  take  up  his 
work  on  a higher  plane  of  being,  March  10,  1914. 


GEORGE  E.  DILLARD. 

One  of  the  well-known  railroad  men  of  Springfield  is  George  E.  Dillard, 
assistant  superintendent  of  locomotive  performance  for  the  Frisco  lines. 
He  is  a scion  of  one  of  the  old  and  respected  families  of  Greene  county, 
and  for  reasons  which  are  too  apparent  to  enumerate  here  should  be  given 
a place  in  this  volume. 

Mr.  Dillard  was  born  in  Taylor  township,  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
September  12,  i860.  He  is  a son  of  George  A.  and  Eliza  J.  (Gibson)  Dil- 
lard. The  father  was  born  in  Tennessee,  in  1827,  and  his  death  occurred 
on  the  old  homestead  in  this  county  in  1903.  The  mother  was  born  in 
Tennessee  in  1835  and  died  on  the  home  place  here  in  1911.  They  grew 
up  on  farms  and  received  limited  educational  advantages.  They  came  to 
Greene  county,  Missouri,  when  young  and  were  married  here,  each  emi- 
grating here  with  their  parents  about  the  year  1837.  William  Dillard,  our 
subject’s  paternal  grandfather,  was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  where  he 
was  born  on  May  1,  1782,  removing  from  that  state  to  Tennessee,  where 
he  lived  for  some  time  before  coming  on  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  where 
he  spent  his  last  years,  dying  here  on  April  13,  1877.  His  wife  was  known 
in  her  maidenhood  as  Sarah  Gregory.  The  maternal  grandfather  was  John 
H.  Gibson,  who  was  a native  of  Tennessee.  He  died  in  this  county  in  the 
early  eighties.  Flis  wife  was  Isabelle  Buchanan  before  her  marriage.  She 
was  a native  of  Tennessee,  and  her  death  occurred  in  this  county  in  1863. 
George  A.  Dillard  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil  war  in  the  spring  of 
1861,  becoming  captain  of  Company  E,  Twenty-second  Enrolled  Missouri 
Militia,  and  his  father  was  a member  of  the  Home  Guards.  The  former 


1780 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


saw  little  service  outside  of  Greene  county,  taking  an  active  part  in  the 
defense  of  Springfield  during  General  Marmaduke’s  raid.  He  spent  his 
life  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  His  family  consisted  of  nine 
children,  five  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely : William  C.,  who  lives  in 

Springfield,  is  clerk  in  the  office  of  the  circuit  court  clerk's  office;  Mrs. 
Margaret  Turner;  Mrs.  Isabelle  Demar;  James  L.  lives  on  the  farm;  and 
George  E.,  of  this  sketch. 

Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  he  received  his 
education  in  the  district  schools,  remaining  on  the  homestead  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  old,  then  came  to  Springfield  and  began  working  for 
McGregor-Noe  Hardware  Company  as  clerk  for  a short  time,  then  began 
railroading,  which  he  has  continued  ever  since,  first  as  fireman  on  the  Frisco 
between  Springfield  and  Dixon.  He  was  firing  a freight  locomotive  when 
the  road  extended  no  farther  than  Pacific,  Missouri.  Later  he  fired  a pas- 
senger engine,  and  in  1886  was  promoted  to  freight  engineer.  In  1910  he 
was  promoted  to  the  position  of  road  foreman  of  equipment,  and  he  is 
now  assistant  superintendent  of  locomotive  performance  for  the  Ozark 
division,  from  Springfield  to  Memphis,  Tennessee.  The  fact  that  he  has 
been  with  the  same  company  so  long  and  that  his  rise  has  been  steady  would 
indicate  that  he  has  given  entire  satisfaction  and  that  he  is  capable  and 
trustworthy  as  well  as  thoroughly  understanding  his  work  and  diversified 
duties. 

Mr.  Dillard  was  married  on  November  29,  1883,  to  Sarah  G.  McGinty, 
who  was  born  in  Howell  county,  Missouri,  September  13,  1861.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  A.  C.  and  Susan  (Hayden)  McGinty. 

Politically,  Mr.  Dillard  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  order,  including  the  Blue  Lodge,  also  the  Royal  Arcanum  and 
Knights  and  Ladies  of  Security.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


ELISHA  B.  MADDOX. 

It  is  a noticeable  thing,  to  people  who  have  formed  habits  of  compari- 
son, that  the  people  of  the  various  states  are  somewhat  individualistic,  each 
having  peculiar  traits  of  their  own,  and  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the 
same  language  is  spoken  in  all  our  forty-eight  states,  each  state  has  local- 
isms of  its  own.  Thus  it  is  easy  to  single  out  the  true  Kentuckian,  princi- 
pally because  of  his  gallantry  and  unfailing  courtesy,  his  thoughtfulness 
of  the  welfare  of  his  friends  and  those  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact. 
The  late  Elisha  B.  Maddox,  for  many  years  a faithful  employee  of  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I/Si 


Frisco  system,  was  a typical  son  of  the  Blue  Grass  state,  and  he  was  a man 
of  praiseworthy  traits  of  character  and  he  was  always  well  liked  by  those 
who  knew  him. 

Mr.  Maddox  was  born  in  Campbell  county,  Kentucky,  May  16,  1803. 
He  was  a son  of  Charles  and  Barbara  (Vaughn ) Maddox,  both  natives  or 
Kentucky  also,  the  father  being  born  in  1833  and  died  there  in  1891.  The 
mother  was  born  in  1840  and  died  in  1882  in  that  state.  They  had  spent 
their  lives  there  on  a farm,  and  were  the  parents  of  the  following  named 
children:  William,  Elisha  B.  (our  subject),  Ida,  Lucy,  Hettie  H.  and 

Hubbard. 

Elisha  B.  Maddox  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  his  native  state, 
where  he  did  his  share  of  the  general  work  when  growing  up,  and  he 
received  his  education  in  the  rural  schools  of  his  community.  He  farmed 
in  Campbell  county,  Kentucky,  until  he  was  about  twenty-six  years  old, 
then  went  to  Covington,  that  state,  and  began  working  on  the  Louisville 
& Nashville  railroad,  in  the  coach  department  of  the  company's  shops, 
and  there  learned  his  trade — coach  carpenter — at  which  he  became  quite 
expert.  He  remained  there  eleven  years,  and  removed  from  Covington  to 
Springfield,  Missouri,  in  the  fall  of  1901  and  at  once  secured  employment 
in  the  coach  department  of  the  Frisco  road,  in  the  north  side  shops,  where 
he  worked  until  the  new  shops  were  opened,  when  he  was  transferred  to 
them  and  worked  there  the  rest  of  his  life. 

Mr.  Maddox  was  married  on  April  16,  1890,  in  Covington,  Kentucky, 
to  Jennie  Culvertson,  who  was  born  in  Kenton  county,  that  state,  April  16, 
1863.  She  is  a daughter  of  George  A.  and  Melissa  (Rusk)  Culvertson, 
both  natives  of  Kentucky,  the  father  born  in  1822,  and  the  mother  in  1820. 
They  grew  to  maturity  in  Kentucky,  attended  the  common  schools  and  were 
married  there.  The  father  died  in  Ohio  on  August  8,  1894,  after  spending 
his  active  life  in  farming,  and  the  death  of  the  mother  occurred  in  Cov- 
ington, Kentucky,  in  1892.  They  spent  most  of  their  lives  in  their  native 
state,  but  moved  to  Ohio  eventually.  They  became  the  parents  of  twelve 
children,  named  as  follows : Lafayette,  Isabelle,  Joanna  and  Thomas  are 
all  living;  Jennie,  widow  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Michael  and  Cath- 
erine are  both  living ; the  other  five  are  deceased.  Mrs.  Maddox  grew  to 
womanhood  in  Kentucky  and  received  a common  school  education. 

Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Maddox,  namely : Stella, 
born  on  August  7,  1891,  is  a successful  school  teacher,  and  she  lives  with 
her  mother  in  the  Maddox  home,  just  outside  the  limits  of  Springfield  on 
the  Fremont  road;  Byron,  born  on  May  27,  1893,  lives  at  home;  and  Joan, 
born  on  December  19,  1897,  is  with  her  mother  also.  These  children  have 
received  good  educations  in  the  local  schools. 

Politically,  Mr.  Maddox  was  a Democrat  and  was  a member  of  the 


1782 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Robberson  Avenue  Baptist  church,  of  which  he  was  a deacon,  and  an  active 
worker.  His  family  are  also  members  of  this  church. 

The  tragic  death  of  Mr.  Maddox  occurred  on  July  16,  1914,  at  the 
age  of  fifty-one  years.  He  died  at  the  Frisco  hospital  from  injuries  he 
received  a few  minutes  after  going  to  his  work  that  morning,  having  been 
knocked  from  the  top  of  a coach  by  a crane,  falling  twelve  feet  to  the  floor, 
which  injured  him  internally,  never  having  regained  consciousness.  He  was 
warned  by  his  fellow  workers,  but  the  din  in  the  shops  prevented  him  hear- 
ing the  shouts  of  the  onlookers. 


WALTER  H.  HENDERSON. 

Books  keep  us  from  yielding  to  the  commonplace.  They  equip  us  not 
only  for  more  serious  tasks  in  the  daily  tread-mill  of  existence,  but  also  for 
an  appreciation  of  the  things  about  us,  nature  in  her  varied  forms,  'for 
hearing  the  music  of  the  spheres  and  for  seeing  the  beautiful  in  life.  Every- 
one, from  the  poorest  to  the  richest,  may  find  in  literature  a rich  and  large 
life.  Walter  IT.  Henderson,  city  treasurer  of  Springfield,  is  a man  who 
regards  his  books  as  among  his  best  friends  and  spends  much  of  his  spare 
time  among  them,  therefore  is  a well  rounded  man  mentally. 

Mr.  Henderson  was  born  on  September  16,  1877,  in  Laclede  county, 
Missouri.  He  is  a son  of  C.  C.  and  Mary  A.  (McFarland)  Henderson, 
natives  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  respectively,  but  when  young  in  years 
they  removed  with  their  parents  to  Missouri  and  were  married  in  this  state, 
after  receiving  limited  educations  in  the  common  schools.  C.  C.  Henderson 
has  spent  his  active  life  in  general  farming  pursuits,  making  a specialty  of 
cattle  raising,  also  owned  a general  merchandise  store  at  Phillipsburg  for 
several  years.  He  and  his  wife  are  now  living  on  a farm  near  that  town 
and  are  well  known  throughout  that  locality.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat, 
and  has  long  been  qctive  in  party  affairs.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  Order.  His  family  consisted  of  nine  children,  namely:  Maude, 

the  eldest,  is  deceased;  Walter  H.,  of  this  sketch;  Ethel  is  married  and  living 
in  Laclede  county;  Ona  is  married  and  lives  in  Laclede  county;  Glynn  is 
living  at  home;  Rosa  is  married  and  lives  at  Phillipsburg,  Missouri;  Freda 
lives  at  home ; Byrle  is  also  a member  of  the  family  circle,  and  Mabel  is 
with  her  parents. 

Walter  H.  Henderson  spent  his  boyhood  years  in  Laclede  county  and 
he  received  his  education  in  the  rural  schools  and  the  high  school  at  Lebanon, 
this  state.  He  worked  in  his  father’s  store  at  Phillipsburg  for  some  time 
when  a boy.  In  1904  he  came  to  Springfield  and  engaged  in  the  grocery 


GREENE  COUNTY.,  MISSOURI. 


1783 

business,  but  not  long  thereafter  he  went  to  work  for  Edward  V.  Williams 
in  his  clothing  store  on  Commercial  street,  remaining  with  him  until  1909, 
proving  to  be  an  excellent  clerk,  being  alert,  polite  and  trustworthy.  Upon 
leaving  the  employ  of  Mr.  Williams  he  was  made  manager  of  the  Springfield 
Security  Company,  with  which  he  remained  until  August  1,  1914,  giving 
satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  He  is  at  this  writing  vice-president  of  the 
Murry  Farm  Loan  and  Title  Company.  He  is  also  filling  the  position  of  city 
treasurer  of  Springfield,  to  which  he  was  elected  in  the  spring  of  1914  and 
is  discharging  his  duties  in  a faithful  and  capable  manner. 

Mr.  Henderson  was  married  on  January  11,  1903,  in  Phillipsburg,  Mis- 
souri, to  Dora  Barnes,  who  was  born  in  Laclede  county,  this  state,  and 
reared  and  educated  there.  She  is  a daughter  of  Samuel  C.  Barnes,  for 
years  a well  known  resident  of  that  county. 

Politically,  Air.  Henderson  is  a Democrat  and  is  active  in  the  party. 
Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Woodmen  of  the 
World  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  belongs  to  the  Young 
Men’s  Business  Club,  and  is  a member  of  the  Central  Christian  church. 


WILLIAM  M.  HANSELL. 

A history  of  the  Hansell  family  shows  that  they  are  people  who  have 
ever  been  characterized  by  industry,  thrift,  foresight  and  honesty  in  deal- 
ing with  their  fellow-men,  and  when,  with  these  qualities  are  coupled  the 
attributes  of  sound  sense,  tact  and  fortitude,  which  people  of  their  blood 
universally  possess,  there  are  afforded  such  qualities  as  will  enrich  any  land 
and  place  it  at  the  top  of  the  countries  of  the  world  in  the  scale  of  elevated 
humanity.  The  career  of  William  M.  Hansell,  who  is  now  living  practi- 
cally retired  in  his  beautiful  home  in  Springfield,  is  an  interesting  and  varied 
one,  the  major  portion  of  which  has  been  devoted  to  railroad  service.  He 
has  been  a resident  of  Springfield  for  over  a quarter  of  a century  and  is 
well  known  in  railroad  and  business  circles  here. 

Mr.  Hansell  was  born  in  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  March  24,  1851.  He 
is  a son  of  Joseph  A.  and  Hannah  (Leeka)  Hansell,  the  father  having  been 
the  oldest  child  of  Michael  and  Rachael  (Adams)  Hansell,  and  he  was 
born  in  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  also,  and  there  occurred  the  birth  of  the 
mother  of  our  subject.  These  parents  grew  to  maturity,  were  educated  in 
the  common  schools  and  were  married  there.  The  Hansell  family  originally 
lived  in  Virginia,  from  which  state  they  removed  to  Ohio  in  a very  early 
day.  Joseph  A.  Hansell  was  a carpenter  by  trade  and  a very  highly  skilled 
workman.  He  moved  from  Ohio  with  his  family  in  1853  to  Linn  county, 


1784 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Iowa.  His  family  consisted  of  four  children,  all  still  living,  namely:  Frank 
M.  lives  in  Marion,  Iowa;  Mary  E.  lives  in  Marion,  Iowa;  William  M.  of 
this  sketch;  and  J.  E.,  whose  sketch  appears  in  another  part  of  this  work. 
The  father  of  these  children  was  born  in  1823,  and  the  mother  was  born  in 
1824;  they  spent  the  last  years  of  their  lives  in  Linn  county,  Iowa,  where 
the  father  died  in  1895  and  the  mother  passed  away  in  1897. 

William  M.  Hansell  received  a common  school  education  and  when  a 
boy  he  learned  the  printer’s  trade  in  the  office  of  the  Marion  Register,  in 
Iowa,  remaining  there  two  or  three  years,  then  went  back  to  Ohio,  where 
his  mother’s  people  lived  and  went  to  school  for  a year  at  Hillsboro,  High- 
land county.  Not  caring  to  follow  the  printer’s  trade  he  learned  the  sad- 
dlery trade,  and  was  working  in  Chicago  at  the  time  of  the  great  fire  in 
the  autumn  of  1871.  He  then  returned  to  Marion,  Iowa,  where  his  par- 
ents resided,  and  soon  thereafter  began  his  railroad  career  on  the  Burling- 
ton, Cedar  Rapids  & Northern  road  as  brakeman,  working  there  about  a 
year,  then  went  to  Clinton,  Iowa,  and  began  work  for  the  Chicago  North- 
western railroad  as  brakeman,  and  eight  months  later  was  promoted  to 
freight  conductor  and  worked  at  the  same  with  that  road  for  a period  of 
four  years,  then  as  passenger  conductor  for  ten  years.  He  then  went  to 
Chadron,  Nebraska,  and  ran  a passenger  train  from  that  city  to  Ft.  Casper, 
Wyoming,  this  being  a branch  road  of  the  Chicago  Northwestern.  Leaving 
the  West  in  1889  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  began  working  for 
the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & Memphis  railroad  as  freight  conductor.  A 
year  and  a half  later  he  quit  railroading  and  since  then  has  been  engaged 
in  the  real  estate  business,  handling  principally  his  own  property  and  has 
been  very  successful  in  a business  way.  He  owns  considerable  valuable 
property  here,  including  a handsome  and  modernly  appointed  residence  on 
East  Elm  street,  one  of  the  most  desirable  homes  in  the  city. 

Mr.  Hansell  was  married  in  September,  1877,  in  Clinton,  Iowa,  to 
Emma  Dickson,  to  which  union  two  children  were  born,  one  of  whom  died 
in  early  life;  Harry  Howard,  born,  October  29,  1878,  was  graduated  from 
the  high  school  at  Clinton,  Iowa,  and  is  now  living  in  Chicago,  where  he 
is  engaged  in  the  drug  business.  The  wife  and  mother  passed  to  her 
rest  in  January,  1885.  In  1888  Mr.  Hansell  married  Lucy  Torrence,  at 
Chadron,  Nebraska.  She  is  a daughter  of  John  and  Sophia  (Wilson)  Tor- 
rence. 

To  our  subject  and  his  second  wife  one  child  has  been  born,  Charles 
C.,  whose  birth  occurred  December  10,  1890.  He  received  a good  educa- 
tion in  the  Springfield  schools,  being  a graduate  of  the  high  school,  and  is 
now  living  in  Kansas  City,  where  he  is  in  the  employ  of  the  Swift  Packing 
Company. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1785 


Politically,  Mr.  Hansell  is  a Republican  and  has  long  been  active  and 
influential  in  political  affairs.  He  is  chairman  of  the  state  legislative  com- 
mittee, and  is  chief  of  Division  No.  321.  Order  of  Railway  Conductors. 
Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Order,  being  a Knight  Templar. 
He  is  an  Episcopalian  in  his  church  affiliations.  He  is  broad-minded,  and 
a gentleman  of  pleasing  personality. 


W.  ROBERT  KELLER. 

The  name  of  W.  Robert  Keller  is  a well-known  and  highly  respected 
one  in  railroad  circles  in  Springfield,  he  having  been  connected  with  the 
local  lines  for  a quarter  of  a century,  principally  as  conductor,  having  had 
a passenger  run  on  the  Ozark  division  of  the  Frisco  since  1900.  Early  in 
life  he  manifested  a natural  inclination  to  this  important  field  of  human 
endeavor  and,  being  alert,  a keen  observer  and  trustworthy,  his  rise  was 
rapid  and  he  is  one  of  the  most  efficient  conductors  that  has  ever  run  out 
of  the  Queen  City. 

Mr.  Keller  was  born  near  Marshfield,  Webster  county,  Missouri,  De- 
cember 25,  1865.  He  is  a son  of  Joseph  and  Martha  (Burks)  Keller,  both 
natives  of  Tennessee,  from  which  state  they  came  to  Webster  county  in  an 
early  day,  locating  on  a farm  and  there  the  death  of  the  father  occurred  in 
iq  1 3,  when  past  seventy  years  of  age,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  1842. 
He  was  well  known  in  WTbster  county,  was  a successful  farmer  and  a good 
citizen.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  who  was  also  born  in  1842,  is  still 
living  on  the  old  home  place  near  Marshfield.  Joseph  Keller  took  a great 
deal  of  interest  in  the  public  affairs  of  his  county  and  for  a period  of 
twenty  years  was  a judge  of  the  County  Court,  retaining  the  office  until  his 
health  failed  and  compelled  him  to  retire.  During  that  period  he  did  a 
great  deal  for  the  permanent  good  of  his  county,  always  alive  to  its  best 
interests.  He  was  a Republican  in  politics  and  a leader  in  his  party  in 
Webster  county.  During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  at  the  beginning  of  the 
struggle  in  the  Home  Guards  and  was  stationed  in  Springfield  with  a regi- 
ment of  over  one  thousand  men  during  the  time  of  the  Wilson's  Creek 
battle  and  was  wounded  at  that  time.  His  family  consisted  of  six  children, 
all  still  living,  namely:  James;  W.  Robert,  of  this  sketch;  John,  Jennie, 
Sophia  and  Catherine. 

W.  Robert  Keller  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Webster 
county  and  there  did  his  full  share  of  the  work  when  a boy.  He  received 
a common  school  education  there  and  while  yet  a mere  lad  he  began  his 
railroad  career.  He  came  to  Springfield  in  the  fall  of  1890  and  secured 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1786 

a position  as  brakeman  on  a freight  train  for  the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  & 
Memphis  road,  now  a part  of  the  Frisco  System.  His  run  was  between 
Springfield  and  Thayer.  He  proved  to  be  a hard  and  faithful  worker  and 
in  1893  was  promoted  to  freight  conductor,  at  which  he  worked  until  1900, 
when  he  was  promoted  to  passenger  conductor  and  has  remained  thus  en- 
gaged to  the  present  time,  his  run  being  from  Springfield  to  Memphis, 
Tennessee. 

Mr.  Keller  was  married  in  Springfield,  in  October,  1890,  to  Millie 
Pipkin,  a native  of  Greene  county,  where  she  was  reared  and  educated. 
She  is  a daughter  of  James  Pipkin,  who  was  a soldier  in  the  Civil  war. 

Politically,  Mr.  Keller  is  a Republican.  He  is  a member  of  Division 
No.  321,  Order  of  Railway  Conductors.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order, 
including  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and 
religiously  he  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


JOB  NEWTON. 

It  is  proper  to  judge  of  a man’s  life  by  the  estimatiton  in  which  he  is 
held  by  his  fellow  citizens.  They  see  him  at  his  work,  in  his  family  circle, 
in  church,  hear  his  views  on  public  questions,  observe  the  operations  of  his 
code  of  morals,  witness  how  he  conducts  himself  in  all  the  relations  of  so- 
ciety and  civilization  and  are  therefore  competent  to  judge  of  his  merits 
and  demerits.  After  a long  course  of  years  of  daily  observations,  it  would 
be  out  of  the  question  for  his  neighbors  not  to  know  of  his  worth,  for,  as 
has  been  often  said,  “Actions  speak  louder  than  words.”  In  this  connection 
it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  Job  Newton,  well-known  business  man  of 
Springfield,  has  ever  stood  high  in  the  estimation  of  his  acquaintances  here, 
during  his  residence  of  forty-five  years,  for  his  conduct  has  been  honorable 
in  all  the  relations  of  life  and  his  duty  well  performed  whether  in  private  or 
public  life,  and  that  he  has  ever  been  industrious,  never  waiting  for  some 
one  else  to  perform  his  tasks.  He  is  one  of  the  surviving  band  of  the  famous 
“forty-niners”  in  Greene  county,  and  his  reminiscences  of  his  various  ex- 
periences in  the  pioneer  days  when  he  was  a young  man  are  indeed  inter- 
esting. 

Mr.  Newton  was  born  five  miles  from  Georgetown,  Delaware,  July  28, 

1826.  Fie  is  a son  of  and  Mary  Ann  (Mariner)  Newton,  each 

parent  of  English  descent.  Mr.  Newton’s  father  died  when  he  was  an  in- 
fant, and  he  has  no  recollection  of  him.  His  mother  brought  him  overland 
through  a long  stretch  of  wilderness  from  Delaware  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
in  the  year  1838;  her  other  two  children  were  Ann  and  Benjamin.  Soon 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1787 


thereafter  a brother  of  our  subject’s  mother  came  to  St.  Louis  and  removed 
her  and  her  children  to  Wabash,  Indiana,  in  1839,  and  there  she  spent  the 
rest  of  her  life,  dying  in  1848. 

Job  Newton  grew  to  manhood  in  St.  Louis,  was  educated  there  in  the 
public  schools  and  married  there,  remaining  in  that  city  until  1869,  when 
he  removed  his  family  to  Springfield,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home. 
He  first  engaged  in  the  woolen  mill  and  fur  business  in  St.  Louis,  but  upon 
reaching  Springfield  he  went  into  the  dry  goods  business  in  which  he  re- 
mained about  eight  years,  enjoying  a good  trade,  then  he  started  a produce 
business  which  gradually  grew  with  advancing  years  until  it  reached  exten- 
sive proportions  and  he  is  still  thus  engaged,  with  the  exception  of  one  year 
spent  in  Kansas  City.  He  now  handles  not  only  produce  but  grain,  hay  and 
seed  under  the  firm  name  of  the  Newton  Grain  Company,  of  which  he  is 
president,  Dwight  E.  Newton  being  secretary  and  treasurer.  They  have  a 
large  substantial  building  and  their  operations  extend  over  a vast  territory. 
Although  our  subject  is  now  advanced  in  years,  being  nearly  eighty-nine 
years  old,  he  is  hale  and  hearty  and  is  still  actively  engaged  in  business. 

Mr.  Newton  was  married  in  the  fall  of  1856  to  Minerva  C.  Ault,  a 
native  of  Ohio,  from  which  state  she  removed  with  her  parents  to  Missouri 
when  she  was  a child.  Five  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  New- 
ton, three  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  Harry  C.  is  the  eldest;  Joseph 

and  Jefferson  are  both  deceased;  Emmitt  and  Dwight  E.  are  the  two  young- 
est, the  latter  being  associated  with  his  father  in  business,  and  the  former 
is  manager  of  the  Lander  theater  of  this  city. 

Mr.  Newton  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  Lmited  Lodge  No.  5, 
Royal  Arch  Chapter  No.  15,  is  past  commander  of  St.  John's  Commandery, 
No.  20,  and  is  also  a member  of  the  Chapter,  also  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order 
of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  is  past  grand  patron  of  the  Eastern 
Star  of  Missouri;  he  has  long  been  prominent  in  Masonic  circles.  Politic- 
ally, he  is  a Democrat  and  has  been  more  or  less  active  in  public  affairs,  and 
has  been  a member  of  the  city  council  twice,  and  in  the  earlier  years  of  his 
residence  here  he  was  chairman  of  the  Democratic  committee. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  chapters  in  Mr.  Newton’s  life  is  that  relat- 
ing to  his  trip  to  the  far  West,  when  he  crossed  the  plains  with  the  gold- 
seekers  in  1849,  and  had  the  distinction  of  taking  the  first  goods  into  Salt 
Lake  City,  LItah,  after  the  Mormons  had  settled  there.  He  started  on  his 
long  journey  from  St.  Louis  on  March  17,  of  that  year,  and  arrived  in  Cali- 
fornia the  following  October,  going  the  Truckee  route,  and  he  built  the 
second  house  in  the  city  of  Grass  Valley,  California.  He  returned  to  St. 
Louis  in  1851  by  the  Nicaragua  route,  on  a Vanderbilt  vessel,,  the  first  line 
run  in  opposition  to  the  Pacific  Mail  route,  Mr.  Newton  being  one  of  the 
first  passengers  to  come  over  this  route.  He  crossed  the  Isthmus  of  Panama 


1788 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


in  1855  en  rente  to  San  Francisco,  California,  and  in  the  spring  of  1856  he 
returned  to  St.  Louis,  coming  back  via  the  Nicaragua  route.  In  the  spring 
of  1868  he  came  to  Springfield,  having  sold  his  business  interests  in  St. 
Louis.  He  immediately  took  up  activities  in  the  dry  goods  business,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1869  he  moved  his  family  here,  where  they  have  since 
remained  with  the  exception  of  one  year,  which  was  spent  in  Kansas  City. 
In  the  spring  of  1854  he  again  crossed  the  arid  and  wild  lands  of  the 
western  territories,  freighting  to  Salt  Lake  City,  having  charge  of  about 
twenty-five  wagons,  and  he  took  a large  herd  of  cattle  on  into  California. 


EDWIN  L.  FAY. 

Among  the  best  known  railroad  men  of  Springfield  is  Edwin  L.  Fay, 
who  has  been  railroading  for  nearly  a half  century,  and  for  over  forty  years 
connected  with  the  Frisco  system,  at  one  time  being  superintendent  of  a 
division,  and  for  the  past  quarter  of  a century  has  been  a passenger  con- 
ductor. His  long  and  honorable  record  is  one  of  which  he  may  be  justly 
proud.  He  has  been  regarded  all  the  while  as  one  of  the  most  trustworthy 
and  able  of  the  employees  of  the  Frisco,  and  his  services  have  shown  him 
to  be  a man  of  ability,  fidelity  and  sobriety,  thus  meriting  the  confidence 

reposed  in  him  and  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  is  universally  held  among 

railroad  men. 

Mr.  Fay  is  a descendant  of  an  old  New  England  family,  of  which 
country  he  himself  is  a native,  having  been  born  in  Orange  county,  Ver- 
mont, August  5,  1849.  He  is  a son  of  Lorenzo  D.  and  Levina  (Chamber- 
lin) Fay.  The  father  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York  in  1809,  and  died 
in  1893  in  Illinois;  the  mother  was  born  in  Vermont  in  1822  and  died  in 
1902.  They  both  received  good  common  school  educations,  and  for  a 

number  of  years  the  mother  engaged  in  teaching.  Lorenzo  D.  Fay  was  a 

mason,  plasterer  and  building  contractor  and  was  very  successful  in  his 
vocation.  He  was  twice  married,  our  subject  being  the  eldest  of  four 
children  by  his  second  marriage. 

Edwin  L.  Fay  spent  his  early  boyhood  in  Vermont  and  received  most 
of  his  education  in  the  public  schools  there.  When  he  was  twelve  years  of 
age  the  family  removed  to  the  state  of  Iowa,  where  they  lived  three  years, 
then  located  in  Illinois,  where  they  established  their  permanent  home.  Our 
subject  began  his  railroad  career  in  1867,  when  he  took  a position  with 
the  Chicago  Northwestern  railroad  as  brakeman,  between  Chicago  and 
Janesville,  Wisconsin;  continuing  as  brakeman  until  1870,  he  went  with  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  & Quincy  railroad,  his  return  being  between  Rock  Island 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1789 


and  Bridgeport,  Illinois.  In  March,  1871,  he  came  to  Springfield.  Missouri, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  He  went  to  work  soon  thereafter  as  brakeman 
on  the  Frisco  and  four  months  later  was  given  a train,  and,  showing  that 
he  was  a man  of  ability  in  this  line  of  endeavor,  he  was  rapidly  promoted 
and  was  made  superintendent  in  1889  of  the  eastern  division,  with  head- 
quarters at  Newburg,  Missouri,  this  being  one  of  the  most  important  divi- 
sions on  the  system;  although  he  was  an  efficient  superintendent,  he  preferred 
active  service  on  the  road  and  was  given  a position  as  passenger  conductor 
in  1890.  A part  of  the  time  his  run  was  between  Springfield  and  St.  Louis. 
During  the  past  fourteen  years  he  has  been  running  between  Monett,  Mis- 
souri, and  Oklahoma  City,  Oklahoma.  He  has  been  very  fortunate  in 
handling  his  trains  and  is  one  of  the  most  reliable  conductors  on  the  system. 

Mr.  Fay  has  a good  home  on  Robberson  avenue,  Springfield,  the  pre- 
siding spirit  of  which  is  a lady  of  pleasant  manners,  known  in  her  maiden- 
hood as  Lydia  E.  Kern,  whom  he  married  in  St.  James,  Missouri,  August 
27,  1873.  She  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  is  a daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Hannah  Kern.  When  she  was  a young  girl  her  parents  removed  with  her 
from  Pennsylvania  to  Missouri. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fay  two  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Grade 

E.  and  Ethelyn  I. 

Politically,  Mr.  Fay  is  a Republican.  He  is  a member  of  No.  415 
Division,  LTnited  Railway  Conductors.  Fraternally,  he  is  a prominent 
Mason,  having  attained  the  thirty-second  degree  in  that  order,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He 
also  belongs  to  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 


JAMES  O.  ATTEBERRY. 

Cultivation  of  the  soil  began  with  the  desire  on  the  part  of  the  culti- 
vator to  destroy  weeds  or  plants  not  desired  that  were  likely  to  crowd  out 
and  injure  the  ones  in  which  he  was  interested.  But  we  now  know  that 
the  destruction  of  weeds  is  a matter  of  very  secondary  importance.  We 
now  cultivate  to  conserve  moisture  and  to  promote  chemical  and  biological 
activity.  Our  viewpoint  has  changed  greatly  with  increased  knowledge,  yet 
it  is  a fact  that  we  do  not  do  all  we  might  in  this  direction.  We  do  not 
stir  the  soil  during  rainless  periods  as  frequently  as  we  should,  or  we  do 
not  do  it  at  the  time  we  should  and  allow  valuable  moisture  to  escape.  It 
must  be  borne  in  mind  that  it  is  often  quite  as  important  to  do  a thing  at 
the  right  time  as  it  is  to  do  it  at  all.  One  of  the  successful  farmers  of  Clay 
township,  Greene  county,  is  James  O.  Atteberry,  who  not  only  seems  to 


1790 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


know  how  to  carry  on  the  various  departments  of  modern  agriculture,  but 
when  to  do  a thing  and  when  not  to  do  it. 

Mr.  Atteberry  was  born  in  Cassville,  Barry  county,  Missouri,  January 
30,  1861.  He  is  a son  of  John  B.  and  Mary  E.  (Bills)  Atteberry.  The 
father  was  born  in  Tennessee,  January  30,  1830,  on  the  banks  of  the  famous 
Cumberland  river,  and  there  he  spent  the  first  nine  years  of  his  life,  then 
his  parents  brought  him  to  Dallas  county,  Missouri,  where  he  grew  to  man- 
hood on  a farm  and  there  received  a common  school  education.  He  worked 
for  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  then  bought  a farm 
of  eighty  acres.  He  learned  the  blacksmith’s  trade,  which  he  followed  in 
connection  with  farming.  Then  went  to  Barry  county,  where  he  owned  a 
blacksmith  shop  for  some  time.  Later  he  went  to  Springfield  where  he 
followed  his  trade  and  at  which  he  was  engaged  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil 
war,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Federal  army  and  was  kept  busy  as  a black- 
smith for  some  time  by  his  general  and  later  drove  a team  for  his  regiment. 
After  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Dallas  county,  where  he  lived  until 
his  son  James  O.  was  fourteen  years  old,  then  came  back  to  Springfield  and 
resumed  blacksmithing,  at  which  he  was  quite  expert.  About  five  years  later 
he  moved  back  to  Dallas  county  and  bought  a farm  of  eighty  acres,  which 
he  operated  about  seven  years,  then  moved  back  to  Springfield,  where  he 
has  resided  to  the  present  time,  and  is  still  active.  Politically,  he  is  a Demo- 
crat. He  is  a member  of  the  Christian  church.  He  had  natural  talent  as  a 
musician  and  when  a young  man  taught  vocal  music,  conducting  singing 
schools.  His  wife,  Mary  E.  Bills,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  October  8,  1836, 
and  was  reared  in  that  state  and  in  Missouri,  having  been  seven  years  of  age 
when  her  parents  brought  her  to  Dallas  county,  making  the  overland  jour- 
ney in  wagons,  experiencing  numerous  hardships.  The  family  located  on  a 
farm  and  there  Mrs.  Atteberry  was  reared.  She  has  known  what  hard 
work  meant,  wove  and  spun  in  her  earlier  years  and  made  clothes,  the  last 
suit  she  made  having  been  for  the  sheriff  of  Greene  county.  She  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  church  and  has  long  been  a great  church  worker.  To 
these  parents  thirteen  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Mrs.  Eliza  Jane 

Woodle  is  deceased;  Mrs.  Ruth  Davidson  lives  in  Springfield;  James  O. 
of  this  sketch,  and  George,  who  lives  in  Christian  county,  Missouri,  are  twins; 
Elsie  is  living  in  the  West;  Daniel  lives  in  Springfield;  Mrs.  Francis  Welch 
lives  in  Christian  county;  Mrs.  Laura  Fishel  lives  in  Springfield;  Mrs. 
Etta  Lawing  lives  in  St.  Joseph,  Missouri ; Mrs.  Blanche  Pritchard  lives  in 
Oklahoma  City  ; the  three  youngest  children  died  in  infancy. 

James  O.  Atteberry  spent  his  early  boyhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Dallas 
county,  where  he  worked  during  the  crop  seasons  and  in  the  winter  time 
attended  the  common  schools.  When  fourteen  years  of  age  he  hired  out 
on  farms  in  Greene  county,  working  thus  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1791 

age,  when  he  married  Mary  E.  McCorkle,  and  rented  a farm  for  several 
years,  then  moved  to  Christian  county,  where  he  rented  land  for  fourteen 
years,  also  bought  a farm  of  one  hundred  and  ten  acres  which  joined  the 
farm  he  rented.  In  connection  with  general  farming  he  raised  cattle  and 
hogs  in  large  numbers,  also  sheep.  Finally  selling  out,  he  bought  the  farm 
where  he  is  now  living  in  Clay  township,  Greene  county,  which  consists  of 
one  hundred  and  forty-five  acres  and  is  well  improved  and  productive,  one 
of  the  best  in  this  part  of  the  county.  In  connection  with  general  farming 
he  is  successfully  operating  a dairy. 

Mr.  Atteberrv’s  wife  was  born  in  Greene  county,  October  8,  1859. 
When  three  years  old  her  parents  brought  her  to  the  place  where  she  is 
now  living.  She  received  a good  common  school  education,  and  when 
eighteen  years  old  began  teaching  and  taught  two  years  in  the  rural  schools. 
She  is  a daughter  of  Neely  and  Catherine  (Rainey)  McCorkle.  She  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  church. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Atteberry  eight  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
George  A.  is  living  in  Greene  county;  Elmer  is  deceased;  Neely  J.  lives  in 
Springfield ; ; Mrs.  Mary  Snyder  lives  in  Greene  county ; Stanley  lives  at 
home;  Lemuel  lives  in  Greene  county;  Mrs.  Birdie  Jones  lives  at  home  with 
her  parents;  Nellie  is  married  and  lives  in  Clay  township,  Greene  county, 
Missouri. 

Politically,  Mr.  Atteberry  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 
the  Woodmen  of  the  World,  the  Modern  Woodmen,  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Maccabees.  He  belongs  to  the  Christian  church. 


SILAS  M.  JOHNSON. 

Silas  M.  Johnson  was  born  in  Tennessee,  August  30,  1855.  He  is  a 
son  of  John  A.  and  Nancy  (Ferguson)  Johnson.  The  father  was  a son  of 
Benjamin  and  Betsy  Johnson,  the  former  a native  of  Scotland,  from  which 
country  he  immigrated  to  North  Carolina  in  an  early  day,  and  in  that  state 
his  son  John  was  born,  and  was  four  years  of  age  when  the  family  removed 
to  Tennessee  where  he  grew  up  and  married.  Nancy  Ferguson  was  a native 
of  Tennessee,  in  which  state'  she  spent  her  early  life.  Benjamin  Johnson 
spent  the  rest  of  his  life  in  Tennessee,  dying  there  after  an  active  life  on 
the  farm.  John  A.  Johnson  spent  his  boyhood  on  the  farm,  and  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools  at  Pulaski,  Giles  county,  Tennessee, 
and  began  his  career  as  a farmer  in  that  vicinity.  He  married  in  Macon 
county,  that  state.  During  the  Seminole  Indian  war  in  Florida  he  enlisted 
in  a Tennessee  regiment  and  served  with  credit.  Politically,  he  was  a Re- 


1792 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


publican,  and  he  belonged  to  the  Christian  church.  His  family  consisted 
of  twelve  children,  namely:  Benjamin,  deceased;  William,  who  was  a 

soldier  in  the  Union  army,  was  killed  in  battle;  James  was  also  a soldier  in 
the  Federal  ranks  during  the  Civil  war ; Mrs.  Clarissa  E.  Powell  was  next 
in  order;  Louis  lives  on  the  Carthage  road  in  this  county;  Agnes  is  de- 
ceased; John  is  railroading  in  California;  Neil  owns  and  operates  a ranch 
in  Colorado;  Mary  makes  her  home  with  our  subject;  Silas  M.  of  this  re- 
view; Nannie  is  deceased;  one  child  died  in  infancy. 

John  A.  Johnson,  the  father,  left  Tennessee  in  1854  and  lived  in  Texas 
a year  ; then  moved  to  Arkansas,  where  he  lived  until  1863,  in  which  year  he 
located  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  purchasing  a farm  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty-eight  acres,  and  on  this  spent  the  rest  of  his  life. 

Silas  M.  Johnson  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father’s  farm  and  he  re- 
ceived his  early  education  in  the  district  schools,  and  he  has  devoted  his  life 
to  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  owns  sixty-six  acres  in  Campbell 
township,  where  he  has  a substantial  home,  with  many  modern  conveniences, 
large  barns  and  well-kept  surroundings. 

Mr.  Johnson  has  remained  unmarried.  Politically,  he  is  a Democrat. 
Pie  belongs  to  the  old  brick  Christian  church  in  his  vicinity.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Anti-Horse  Thief  Associatiton.  He  leads  a cjuiet  life,  and  per- 
sonally, is  a very  accommodating  gentleman  and  is  therefore  well  liked  by 
all  who  know  him. 


WILLIAM  R.  WATSON. 

One  of  the  most  enterprising  of  Greene  county  agriculturists  is  William 
R.  Watson,  now  living  practically  retired  in  Springfield.  He  believed  from 
the  outset  of  his  career  that  the  “wisdom  of  yesterday  is  sometimes  the 
folly  of  today,’’  and  that  while  the  methods  of  our  ancestors  in  tilling  the 
soil  were  all  right  in  their  day,  yet  in  the  twentieth  century  we  have  been 
compelled  to  adopt  new  methods  and  farm  along  different  lines,  in  view  of 
the  fact  that  conditions  of  climate,  soil,  grains,  etc.,  have  changed  since  the 
days  of  the  pioneers.  Mr.  Watson  has  been  a close  observer  of  modern 
methods  and  is  a student  at  all  times  of  whatever  pertains  to  his  chosen  life 
work  and  he  has  therefore  met  with  encouraging  success  all  along  the  line, 
and  while  comparatively  young  took  his  place  among  the  leading  farmers 
and  stock  raisers  of  a locality  noted  for  its  fine  farms  and  adroit  hus- 
bandmen. 

Mr.  Watson  was  born  in  Robberson  township,  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
July  11,  1854.  He  is  a son  of  Spencer  and  Margaret  (Holloway)  Wat- 
son, both  natives  of  Tennessee.  The  mother  was  a daughter  of  Minter  Hoi- 


\VM.  R.  WATSON. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1793 


loway,  an  old  settler  in  Tennessee.  The  parents  of  our  subject  grew  to 
maturity  in  their  native  state  and  there  received  the  usual  limited  educations 
in  the  country  schools  of  those  early  days  and  they  were  married  in  their 
home  locality,  continuing  to  reside  there  until  the  spring  of  1852,  when  they 
made  the  overland  journey  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  arriving  here  on 
May  10th.  They  bought  and  entered  land  111  Robberson  township,  which 
they  developed  into  a good  farm  by  hard  persistent  work  and  there  they 
resided  until  December  5,  1866,  when  they  removed  to  Cass  township,  this 
■county, 'and  there  the  death  of  the  father  occurred  on  June  20,  1887,  being 
born  on  December  9,  1823.  He  was  a Southern  sympathizer  during  the 
war  between  the  states  but  he  was  not  in  the  service.  Politically  he  was  a 
Democrat,  and  he  held  membership  in  Wesley  Chapel  Methodist  Episcopal 
■church,  South. 

William  R.  Watson,  of  this  sketch,  grew  h>  manhood  on  the  home  farm 
where  he  worked  hard  when  a boy,  and  during  the  winter  months  he  attended 
the  district  schools,  entered  Drury  College  in  1877  and  in  1878  took  up  his 
studies  at  Morrisville  College  in  Polk  county.  xATter  leaving  school  he  began 
his  life  work  as  a teacher  and  for  ten  consecutive  years  followed  this  profes- 
sion with  much  success  in  the  schools  of  Greene  county,  then  began  his 
career  as  farmer  on  his  own  land  in  Cass  township.  Working  hard,  look- 
ing well  to  details  and  being  on  the  alert  for  new  and  better  methods  of  doing 
things  he  prospered  with  advancing  years  and  he  is  now  owner  of  a well- 
improved  and  productive  farm  of  six  hundred  and  ninety  acres  in  Cass  town- 
ship, on  which  is  to  be  seen  a large  residence  and  a group  of  substantial 
outbuildings.  Here  he  has  long  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing on  an  extensive  scale,  making  a specialty  of  the  mule  business.  He  is  at 
present  making  his  home  on  Benton  avenue,  Springfield,  owning  a cozy 
residence  there.  He  left  the  farm  on  August  26,  1911,  his  object  being  that 
his  children  might  have  better  school  facilities. 

Mr.  Watson  was  married  on  October  12,  1884,  to  Laura  Boston,  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  Y.  Boston,  an  old  settler  of  Cass  township,  and  a pros- 
perous farmer  and  well-known  citizen  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county. 
Our  subject  began  housekeeping  on  a sixty-two-acre  farm  near  Harold, 
November  6,  1884.  Our  subject’s  first  wife  died  on  March  3,  1889;  she 
was  the  mother  of  two  children,  the  second  of  whom  died  in  infancy;  it  was 
named  Olga;  the  other,  Nannie,  was  born  December  26,  1885,  who  married 
Ray  Chumm,  lives  in  Carthage.  On  September  25,  1890,  Mr.  Watson  took 
for  his  second  wife  Clara  Boston,  a sister  of  his  first  wife.  To  this  second 
union  six  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Agatha,  born  on  August  9, 

1891,  who  lives  at  home,  was  graduated  from  Drury  College  in  June,  1915, 
with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts;  Minnie,  born  on  February  10,  1893. 

(113) 


1794 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Willie,  born  on  December  16,  1895;  Pauline,  born  October  7,  1897,  and 
Florence,  born  on  February  19,  1899,  are  all  attending  the  Springfield  high 
school;  Plelen  E.,  born  on  July  12,  1906,  died  when  four  years  old. 

Politically,  Mr.  Watson  is  a Democrat  but  has  never  been  especially 
active  in  public  affairs.  Fie  is  a Royal  Arch  Mason,  a member  of  Ash  Grove 
Chapter,  Blue  Lodge  membership,  O’Sullivan  Lodge  No.  7,  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  at  Walnut  Grove;  he  also  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen 
lodge  at  Cave  Spring.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church,  South,  at  Pearl,  Cass  township.  Personally,  he  is  a well-educated, 
well-read  gentleman,  with  correct  views  in  all  the  relations  of  life. 

Mr.  Watson  is  especially  proud  of  the  time  spent  in  the  interest  of  the 
public  schools  of  Greene  county.  He  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being  the 
oldest  member,  in  point  of  service,  of  any  school  board  in  Greene  county. 
Fie  has  always  been  a man  to  whom  any  deserving  teacher  could  come  for 
advice  and  sympathy,  for,  being  an  old  teacher  he  has  always  known  the 
needs  and  ambitions  of  those  in  this  profession.  As  chairman  of  the  school 
board  he  put  his  energy  and  zeal  into  the  work  and  placed  the  Pearl  dis- 
trict school  at  the  head  of  the  list  of  schools  of  Greene  county,  which  posi- 
tion it  held  until  he  left  the  district  and  ceased  giving  his  attention  to  the 
rural  schools. 

Although  Mr.  Watson  paid  more  taxes  than  any  other  citizen  of  his 
school  district  he  always  advocated  and  voted  for  the  constitutional  limit 
for  school  purposes. 


HENRY  C.  YOUNG. 

Henry  C.  Young,  descended  from  a family  of  pioneers,  was  born  near 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  in  1835,  being  brought  to  southwest  Missouri  as  an 
infant  in  the  early  settlement  of  this  country.  His  father,  Gabriel  Richard- 
son Young,  born  a generation  before  in  the  same  place,  inherited  a change 
of  name  from  his  father  whose  family,  in  Wales,  had  borne  the  name  of 
Yong.  The  emigrant  ancestor,  cherishing  the  memory  of  wrongs  resulting 
from  the  iniquity  of  the  entail  system,  sought  forgetfulness  in  the  border- 
land, taking  part  with  the  followers  of  Daniel  Boone  in  the  conquest  of 
“The  Dark  and  Bloody  Ground,”  since  known  as  Kentucky.  He  married 
a Miss  Stillwell.  Their  children  went  in  different  directions  on  leaving  the 
Kentucky  home.  Gabriel  Richardson  Young,  who  had  married  Nancy  Mc- 
Kenzie, of  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  followed  the  immigration  of  his 
kinsman,  Alexander  McKenzie,  to  this  country.  McKenzie  sojourned  two 
years  on  a place  three  and  a half  miles  south  of  where  the  town  of  Spring- 
field  was  afterward  laid  out,  being  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  this  vicinity. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1795 


removing,  when  neighbors  became  numerous,  to  the  Spring  river  country, 
west  of  the  present  site  of  Mount  Vernon.  Mrs.  Nancy  McKenzie-Young, 
who  was  the  only  daughter  of  her  family,  had  ten  brothers  who  came  to 
southwest  Missouri  with  the  early  settlers,  all  of  them  eventually  moving 
on,  with  the  continuous  emigration  of  pioneers  seeking  larger  freedom,  to 
locations  in  Texas,  where  the  MeKenzies  are  well  known.  Gabriel  Rich- 
ardson Young  was  well  along  in  years  when  he  arrived  in  the  Spring  river 
country  and  began  preparations  for  the  establishment  of  his  new  home  and 
he  did  not  long  survive  the  event,  leaving  his  family  to  meet  the  difficulties 
which  beset  pioneers,  in  somewhat  straitened  circumstances.  Henry  C.  was 
the  oldest  of  three  boys,  his  .brothers  being  J.  Mansil  Bonaparte  and  Rich- 
ardson. The  sisters  were,  Gabrella,  afterward  Mrs.  Bennett  Wellman ; 
Amanda,  Mrs.  Stone-Hardin;  and  Mary  Ellen,  Mrs.  T.  A.  Sherwood.  Two 
other  sisters,  Sarah  and  Pauline,  died  in  their  youth.  Henry  worked  and 
studied  by  turns,  as  a farmer  boy,  and  this  he  continued  by  turns  while  en- 
gaged in  different  occupations  in  which  he  contributed  to  the  support  of  the 
family.  He  was  about  half  grown  when  Mr.  Wellman,  who  had  opened  a 
store  at  Cape  Fair,  in  Stone  county,  took  the  boy  in  as  a clerk,  which  was 
his  initiation  in  commercial  pursuits,  which  he  followed  successfully  while 
completing  his  education. 

He  attended  the  Arkansas  College  at  Fayetteville,  making  great  prog- 
ress in  a short  time  and  altogether  utilizing  his  advantages  in  a manner  which 
qualified  him  for  important  undertakings  and  won  him  favor  with  Robert 
Graham,  president  of  the  institution,  and  other  men  of  note  whom  he  met  at 
that  time.  His  energy  and  perseverance  in  the  face  of  difficulties  attracted 
general  attention  and  he  was  known  throughout  his  life  for  the  pertinacity 
with  which  he  adhered  to  his  purposes  and  carried  out  his  work.  While  in 
St.  Louis  on  his  first  trip  to-  the  city  he  was  introduced  in  the  house  of 
Hargadine  & Company  and  was  by  them  intrusted  with  some  important  col- 
lections. He  attended  to  this  business  with  such  promptness  and  diligence 
that  he  became  their  permanent  representative  in  this  section. 

He  married,- at  Mount  Vernon,  in  1858,  Isabella  Robinson,  daughter 
of  William  and  Nancy  (Kelsy)  Robinson,  related  to  the  Robinson  family 
of  Troupe  county,  Georgia,  and  the  Kelseys,  of  Napa,  California.  After 
living  in  Mount  Vernon  a short  time  the  couple  moved  to  St.  Louis  and 
made  their  home  in  Cote  Brilli'ante,  a suburb  of  that  city.  Four  sons  were 
born  to  them,  namely:  Charles  Graham  and  Henry  C.  Jr.,  in  Mount  Vernon; 
Robert  E.  Lee  and  Gabriel  Richardson,  in  Cote  Brilliante. 

In  the  meantime,  Henry  C.  Young  read  law,  and,  after  being  admitted 
to  the  bar,  formed  a partnership  with  T.  A.  Sherwood.  Beginning  practice 
at  Mount  Vernon,  the  firm  of  Sherwood  & Young  soon  became  widely 
known,  afterward  moving  their  office  to  Springfield.  Mr.  Young  took  a 


GREENE  COUNTY;  MISSOURI. 


1796 


prominent  part  in  what  has  been  called  “The  Missouri  Movement,”  one  of 
the  initial  steps  in  the  beginning  of  the  reaction  against  the  ascendancy  of 
radicalism  in  the  North  which  followed  the  close  of  the  Civil  war.  B. 
Gratz  Brown  was  elected  governor,  a new  constitution  was  written  for  Mis- 
souri, the  Democrats  came  into  power  in  this  state  and  soon  afterward 
throughout  the  entire  South.  Judge  Sherwood  was  elected  as  one  of  the 
justices  of  the  Supreme  Court.  Mr.  Young  was  named  as  one  of  the  first 
board  of  railroad  commissioners  by  Governor  Charles  H.  Hardin,  whose 
cause  of  reform  he  had  championed  early,  but  declined  in  favor  of  General 
Marmaduke,  for  whom  he  had  solicited  the  position.  President  Peirce,  of 
the  Atlantic  & Pacific  railroad,  then  building  into  the  Southwest  under  diffi- 
culties, had  heard  of  the  indefatigable  Henry  Young  and  he  was  employed 
at  the  munificent  salary  of  three  thousand  dollars  to  do  as  much  work  as  is 
now  ordinarily  allotted  to  several  railroad  attorneys.  Among  the  conces- 
sions which  he  secured  at  that  time  was  a grant  of  ten  thousand  acres  for 
every  mile  of  a branch  line  to  be  built  from  Red  river  through  eastern  Texas 
to  Sabine  Pass,  a distance  of  four  hundred  miles,  and  another  grant  to  a 
subsidiary  company  of  the  Atlantic  & Pacific  for  a branch  from  Central 
Texas  to  Laredo  on  the  Rio  Grande.  In  the  selection  of  these  routes  the 
building  of  important  lines  which  have  since  materialized  was  anticipated, 
but  the  promoters  of  the  pioneer  projects  were  robbed  of  all  benefits  by  the 
hard  fate  which  precipitated  the  panic  of  Black  Friday  in  1873,  just  as  their 
projects  were  getting  under  way,  Mr.  Young  then  being  in  New  York  on 
his  way  to  London  to  negotiate  the  sale  of  the  bonds.  He  was  interested  in 
a number  of  important  enterprises  in  Springfield  and  the  Southwest  in 
those  days.  Later  he  formed  a partnership  with  Col.  C.  W.  Thrasher  and 
the  firm  of  Thrasher  & Young  held  a leading  place  in  the  practice  here  for 
a number  of  years.  Notable  among  the  matters  which  they  had  in  hand  in 
the  course  of  an  extensive  practice  was  the  litigation  in  connection  with  the 
issuance  of  bonds  in  aid  of  the  Hannibal  & Saint  Joe  railroad  in  which  they 
won  for  taxpayers  contesting  the  legality  of  the  bonds  in  a series  of  suits 
extending  through  about  twenty  years  until  a decision  was  finally  rendered 
in  a Federal  court  in  favor  of  the  bondholders  as  innocent  purchasers. 

Mr.  Young  was  a member  of  the  Christian  church  and  a Master  Mason. 
He  died  at  his  home  here  in  1886.  Among  those  who  hold  him  in  kindly 
remembrance  is  Professor  Jonathan  Fairbanks,  who  says:  “Lie  was  a gen- 
tleman in  every  sense  of  that  word,  urbane  and  full  of  cheerfulness,  courte- 
ous to  everyone,  dignified  and  well  poised,  big  hearted  and  generous,  even 
to  his  enemies,  of  whom  he  had  but  few.  He  was  a man  of  large  calibre, 
capable  of  grasping  any  situation,  making  the  most  of  every  opportunity. 
As  his  opponents  learned  to  know  him  they  became  his  friends.  His  person- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1797 


ality  won  the  hearts  of  all.  It  was  my  pleasure  to  know  him  intimately.  If 
I needed  a friend  in  any  matter  I knew  that  I could  find  one  in  him.  He  was 
a man  to  be  remembered  for  his  rare  qualities,  one  of  those  whose  life  is  a 
blessing  to  any  community.  I loved  him  as  a brother.” 


WILLIAM  S.  MILLER. 

One  of  the  best  methods  to  keep  the  soil  from  becoming  depleted  of  its 
natural  strength  is  by  proper  rotation  of  crops.  Some  of  our  farmers  grow 
too  much  grain  and  not  enough  grass  on  their  land,  especially  if  it  is  old 
land.  With  a little  study  and  experience  it  is  always  possible  to  determine 
exactly  what  particular  crop  should  succeed  another.  This  problem  seems 
to  be  well  understood  by  William  S.  Miller,  who  is  engaged  in  general 

farming  in  the  western  part  of  Greene  county.  He  has  spent  his  life  in  this 

vicinity  and  has  watched  closely  the  best  methods  of  farming. 

Mr.  Miller  was  born  in  Pond  Creek  township,  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
March  27,  1851.  He  is  a son  of  James  and  Ellen  (McDaniel)  Miller,  and 
is  the  youngest  of  two  children;  his  sister,  Sarah  T.  Miller,  married  Edward 
Potts,  of  Republic,  and  they  have  five  children.  James  Miller,  the  father, 
was  born  in  Tennessee  where  he  spent  his  early  life  on  a farm  and  was 
educated  in  the  rural  schools.  He  remained  in  his  native  state  until  the 
breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war  when  he  removed  to  Greene  county,  Missouri. 
He  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  army  and  served  faithfully.  He  engaged  in 
farming  here  until  his  death,  which  occurred  when  our  subject  was  a child, 

and  the  mother  of  our  subject  also  died  when  he  was  young.  So  he  was 

reared  by  his  grandparents  on  the  mother's  side,  William  and  Sarah  Ann 
(Glades)  McDaniel,  who  were  also  natives  of  Tennessee,  from  which 
state  they  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1830,  among  the  earliest  set- 
tlers, and  here  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  on  a farm. 

Mr.  Miller  spent  his  boyhood  on  his  grandfather’s  farm  and  there 
worked  hard  during  the  crop  season,  and  in  the  winter  time  he  attended  the 
district  schools.  When  twenty  years  of  age  he  left  the  home  of  his  grand- 
parents and  purchased  eighty  acres  nearby  and  here  he  has  since  resided.  He 
is  making  a specialty  of  raising  shorthorn  cattle  and  keeps  a fine  herd. 

Mr.  Miller  was  married  in  April,  1880,  to  Nancy  E.  Jackson,  a daugh- 
ter of  William  Jackson,  a farmer  and  school  teacher,  who  came  from  Georgia 
to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1854,  making  the  long  overland  journey 
with  wagon  and  team,  and  began  life  here  in  typical  pioneer  fashion  as  did 
the  parents  of  our  subject,  and  his  grandparents.  Mr.  Jackson’s  death  oc- 


1798 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


curred  a number  of  years  ago,  but  Mrs.  Jackson  is  still  living  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  seventy-eight  years. 

The  following  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller:  Ritta 

Ethel,  born  November  17,  1888,  is  at  home;  Bertha  Alma,  born  September 
8,  1891,  is  at  home;  Emmet  Clarence,  born  on  July  11,  1893,  has  a taste  for 
mechanics;  Alpha  Ellen,  born  July  7,  1895,  married  William  Carter,  a 
farmer  living  in  Center  township,  Greene  county;  Tressie  Marie,  born  De- 
cember 1,  1898,  died  June  13,  1899;  Ernest  Lester,  born  October  29,  1901. 

Politically,  Mr.  Miller  is  a Republican,  and  he  is  liberal  in  his  religious 
views,  attending  no  particular  church,  being  a friend  of  all  denominations. 


JAMES  S.  COWDEN. 

James  S.  Cowden  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  September  11, 
1851.  He  is  a son  of  James  A.  and  Margaret  A.  (Steele)  Cowden,  both 
natives  of  Tennessee,  where  they  grew  to  maturity  and  were  married  and 
there  made  their  home  until  1842,  when  they  emigrated  to  Greene  county, 
Missouri,  locating  on  a farm.  Here  the  father  found  a country  little  de- 
veloped and  he  endured  the  hardships  incident  to  life  in  a new  country, 
but  was  a man  of  courage  and  a hard  worker  and  in  due  course  of  time 
established  a home  for  his  family,  but  died  in  early  life,  in  1851,  when  his 
son,  James  S.,  was  an  infant.  He  also  left  two  other  small  children,  Mary 
married  Robert  Pace,  a ranchman  of  Calexico,  California,  and  they  have 
two  sons  and  two  daughters;  John  F.,  who  is  connected  with  the  Heer  Dry 
Goods  Company,  of  Springfield,  Missouri,  married  Malissa  J.  Walsh  and 
they  have  one  child,  Cora  Lee.  The  mother  of  these  children  was  a woman 
of  rare  fortitude  and  industry  and  she  accepted  the  discouraging  situation 
with  good  grace,  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  and  reared  her  children  in 
comfort  and  respectability,  giving  them  such  educational  advantages  as  those 
early  days  in  the  rural  districts  afforded,  and  kept  them  together.  In  1861, 
she  married  again,  her  second  husband  being  W.  R.  Patterson,  and  she  lived 
to  an  advanced  age,  her  death  occurring  in  1897,  and  her  remains  repose  in 
the  cemetery  at  Pleasant  Hope,  Polk  county,  this  state. 

James  S.  Cowden  grew  to  manhood  on  the  old  homestead,  where  he 
was  born  in  a log  cabin.  Being  ambitious  to  own  the  farm  left  by  his  father, 
he  began  buying  out  the  other  heirs  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  he 
remained  there,  successfully  operating  the  farm  until  in  the  early  seventies. 
He  continued  farming  in  his  native  community  until  1893,  also  ran  a saw- 
mill for  some  time  during  this  period  and  at  the  same  time  raised  and 
handled  live  stock,  buying  and  shipping  to  the  markets.  He  made  his  home 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1799 


in  Springfield  from  1890  until  1893,  then  purchased  the  Bennett  Robinson 
farm,  ten  miles  north  of  Springfield,  to  which  he  removed  and  on  which  he 
lived  three  years,  then  located  in  Morrisville,  Polk  county,  for  the  purpose 
of  educating  his  children  in  the  college  there.  Several  years  later  he  pur- 
chased a large  farm  near  Brookline,  Greene  county,  and  moved  thereto,  where 
he  has  since  maintained  his  home,  and  he  still  owns  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  this  place,  which  is  one  of  the  best  improved  and  most  pro- 
ductive farms  in  the  township.  In  1908  he  purchased  a residence  in  Spring- 
field,  at  the  corner  of  Walnut  and  Main  streets,  which  was  subsequently 
destroyed  by  fire.  A few  years  ago  he  purchased  a tract  of  valuable  land 
in  Arizona,  where  he  spends  a part  of  his  time,  engaged  in  raising  alfalfa 
and  cattle.  He  has  been  a general  farmer  and  stock  man  all  his  life,  and 
is  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  judges  of  live  stock  in  the  western  part  of 
Greene  county,  where  the  major  portion  of  his  life  has  been  spent.  He  often 
feeds  large  herds  of  cattle  for  the  market.  He  has  also  engaged  to  some 
extent  in  road  contracting  work,  in  fact,  has  built  more  good  roads  than 
any  one  man  in  this  part  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Cowden  was  married  in  July,  1877,  to  Sarah  E.  Wallace,  who  is  a 
daughter  of  Allen  and  Mira  Wallace,  an  old  and  highly  respected  family  of 
Greene  county.  Mrs.  Cowden  is  one  of  seven  children. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cowden,  named  as 
follow:  Christy  is  living  in  Phoenix,  Arizona;  Maude  married  William  C. 
McClure,  a farmer  of  Republic,  this  county,  and  they  have  three  children, 
Dwight,  Mary  and  Marjorie;  Claude  W.,  a ranchman  and  stock  man  of 
Arizona  and  is  manager  of  the  large  Glendale  Cattle  Company;  Efton  Ray 
is  associated  with  his  brother  in  the  cattle  business  in  Arizona.  The  two 
sons  and  the  eldest  daughter  are  unmarried. 

Politically  Mr.  Cowden  is  a Democrat.  He  is  an  advocate  of  p'ood 
roads,  and  has  given  both  time  and  money  in  this  worthy  cause  in  his  vicinity. 


JOHN  BECKERLEG. 

Enjoying  the  distinction  of  being  the  oldest  engineer  on  the  Frisco 
system,  John  Beckerleg  is  deserving  of  special  mention  in  the  present  volume. 
Forty  years  is  a long-  time  to  work  for  one  company,  and  in  one  line  of 
work,  but  that  is  his  record.  It  indicates  many  things  to  the  contemplative 
mind,  among  them  being  the  fact  that  he  has  been  not  only  faithful  but 
efficient,  trustworthy  and  reliable,  for  a railroad  company  is  not  going  to 
trust  its  costly  rolling  stock,  to  saying  nothing  of  the  lives  of  its  patrons — 
the  passengers — to  men  who  are  not  true  and  tried.  It  also  indicates  stability. 


i8oo 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Some  men  fly  from  one  occupation  to  another,  go  from  one  place  to  another,, 
are  never  settled,  never  satisfied;  they  may  be  railroaders  by  profession, 
but  if  they  stick  to  the  work  forty  years  they  have  perhaps  worked  for  a 
score  of  roads. 

Mr.  Beckerleg  was  born  in  the  extreme  southern  part  of  the  Dominion 
of  Canada,  just  across  the  river  from  Detroit,  Michigan,  November  n, 
1852.  He  is  a son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Glendenning)  Beckerleg,  both 
natives  of  England,  the  father  born  April  1,  1825.  He  received  a good 
education,  learned  the  trade  of  stone  cutter  when  young,  and  followed  the 
same  the  rest  of  his  life.  When  young  he  emigrated  to  Canada,  where  he 
established  his  future  home.  He  was  twice  married,  our  subject  being  by  his. 
second  wife.  Our  subject’s  father  died  on  October  4,  1869,  and  the  mother’s 
death  occurred  in  November,  1885,  both  dying  in  Canada.  Our  subject  is. 
one  of  five  children,  three  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  John,  of  this 
review;  James  lives  in  Paris,  Texas;  William  and  George  are  deceased;. 
Joseph  lives  in  British  Columbia. 

John  Beckerleg  grew  to  manhood  in  Canada,  where  he  received  his 
education,  and  there  he  resided  until  1870,  when  he  came  to  Pacific,  Mis- 
souri, which  was  on  the  east  end  of  the  'Frisco  railroad,  and  there  he  went 
to  work,  on  March  17th,  of  that  year,  in  the  machine  shops,  and  later  became 
a blacksmith,  and  before  the  end  of  that  year  he  was  given  a run  as  fireman 
on  the  east  end  of  the  division,  later  he  ran  on  the  middle  division,  from 
Dixon  to  Springfield,  then  worked  as  extra  out  of  Springfield  and  in  various 
capacities,  until  1875,  when  he  had  a regular  run  as  engineer  on  a freight 
train.  In  1880  he  was  promoted  to  extra  passenger  engineer,  arid  in  1882, 
was  given  a regular  passenger  run  from  Pierce  City,  Missouri,  to  Van 
Buren,  Arkansas ; continuing  as  engineer  of  a passenger  he  was  given  a 
run  in  1886  out  of  Ft.  Smith,  Arkansas,  and  for  a number  of  years  he  has 
been  running  between  that  city  and  Springfield,  and  is  still  active  and  as 
good  an  engine  driver  as  at  any  time  in  his  career.  As  stated,  he  is  the 
oldest  engineer  on  the  Frisco,  in  point  of  years  of  service,  and  is  deserving 
of  a great  deal  of  credit  for  his  faithful  work. 

Mr.  Beckerleg  was  married  July  23,  1874,  near  Sullivan,  Missouri,  to 
Retta  Waits,  who  was  born  in  August,  1854,  twelve  miles  from  Rolla,  this 
state.  She  is  a daughter  of  John  F.  and  Mary  (Botoff)  Waits,  the  father 
a native  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Pittsburgh,  Penn- 
sylvania. Mr.  Waits  was  an  iron  molder  by  trade.  His  death  occurred  in 
Springfield,  Missouri,  in  March,  1888,  and  his  wife  preceded  him  to  the 
grave  in  1883.  They  had  made  their  home  in  Springfield  many  years.  They 
were  both  of  German  blood. 

Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beckerleg,  namely : John 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


i8or 


Waits,  born  on  September  8,  1875,  in  Franklin  county,  Missouri,  received  a 
common  school  education,  and  early  in  life  gave  evidences  of  a mechanical 
turn  of  mind.  He  began  working  in  the  round-house  in  Springfield,  for  the 
Frisco,  and  later  was  given  a position  as  fireman,  and  has  been  in  the  road 
service  ever  since  1898;  twelve  years  ago  he  was  given  charge  of  a switch 
engine  and  is  still  thus  employed ; he  married  V edie  May  White,  a native 
of  Greene  county,  this  state;  they  have  no  children;  he  is  a member  of  the 
Brotherhood  of  Firemen  No.  51.  The  second  child  of  our  subject  was 
Charles  Wesley,  who  was  bora  in  1877,  and  died  when  three  months  old. 
Walter  Blanchard,  the  third  child,  was  born  April  20,  1886.  He  received  a 
public  school  education,  and  he  began  railroading  as  a fireman  before  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  he  is  now  an  engineer.  On  November  2,  1908, 
he  married  Edna  Morris,  which  union  has  been  without  issue. 

Politically,  John  Beckerleg  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
Order,  is  a member  of  Division  No.  83,  Brotherhood  of  Engineers,  and 
religiously  he  is  an  Episcopalian. 


CLAYTON  R.  PICKERING. 

That  the  career  of  such  a man  as  the  late  Clayton  R.  Pickering,  for 
many  years  a popular  justice  of  the  peace  in  Greene  county,  besides  being 
treasured  in  the  hearts  of  relatives  and  friends,  should  have  its  public  record 
also,  is  peculiarly  proper  because  a knowledge  of  men  whose  substantial 
reputation  rests  upon  their  attainments  and  character  must  exert  a whole- 
some influence  upon  the  rising  generation.  While  transmitting  to  future 
generations  the  chronicle  of  such  a life,  it  is  with  the  hope  of  instilling  into 
the  minds  of  those  who  come  after  the  important  lesson  that  honor  and 
station  are  sure  rewards  of  individual  exertion. 

Mr.  Pickering  was  born  near  Greenville,  Tennesee,  May  27,  1841.  He 
was  a son  of  Samuel  Pickering  and  wife,  both  natives  of  Tennesee,  where 
they  were  reared  and  married.  Our  subject’s  mother  died  when  he  was 
quite  small  and  he  was  reared  by  his  step-mother,  who  was  Margaret  John- 
son before  her  marriage.  Samuel  Pickering  devoted  his  active  life  to  farm- 
ing. A few  years  after  the  Civil  war  he  removed  with  his  family,  including 
our  subject,  to  Missouri,  locating  in  Green  county.  He  was  the  father  of 
eight  children,  four  by  each  of  his  wives,  our  subject  being  one  of  the 
first  union,  and  was  a first  cousin  of  David  Crockett,  the  famous  scout  and 
adventurer. 

Clayton  R.  Pickering  grew  to  manhood  in  Tennesee  and  worked  on 
the  farm  when  a boy.  He  received  a limited  education  in  the  common 


i802 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


schools  there,  and  later  in  life  became  a well  informed  man  by  home  study. 
He  left  school  when  the  Civil  war  began  and  enlisted  in  the  First  Tennessee 
Cavalry,  serving  in  the  Union  army  under  Gen.  Sherman,  and  was  in  the 
Atlanta  campaign  and  on  the  march  to  the  sea,  and  was  in  many  important 
engagements  and  saw  considerable  hard  service  during  the  three  years  of 
his  enlistment.  He  narrowly  escaped  death  many  times,  once  in  particular 
when  his  horse  was  shot  from  under  him,  wounding  him  by  the  fall.  When 
a young  man  he  learned  the  carpenter’s  trade,  which  he  followed  after 
locating  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  was  regarded  as  an  exceptionally 
skilled  workman.  He  finally  located  in  the  town  of  Republic,  this  county, 
where  he  served  as  postmaster  for  some  time,  then  was  elected  justice  of 
the  peace  for  two  terms.  In  1902  he  located  in  Springfield,  where  he  spent 
the  last  years  of  his  life,  and  served  as  justice  of  the  peace,  in  which  capacity 
he  proved  to  be  an  efficient,  unbiased  and  popular  public  servant,  his  decisions 
always  being  fair  to  all  parties  and  showing  a sound  knowledge  of  the  basic 
principles  of  jurisprudence,  and  they  seldom  met  with  reversal  at  the  hands 
of  higher  tribunals. 

Mr.  Pickering  was  married  July  3,  1902,  in  Springfield,  to  Mrs.  Vassie 
(Douglass)  Morris,  who  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  on  April  1, 
1863,  and  here  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools. 
She  is  a daughter  of  Rufus  and  Caroline  (Bottom)  Douglass,  both  natives 
of  Tennessee,  where  they  grew  up  and  were  married,  and  from  there  moved 
to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  an  early  day  and  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives 
on  a farm  in  Greene  county.  Mr.  Douglass  was  also  a trader  in  live  stock, 
etc.,  and  was  a highly  respected  man.  His  political  relations  were  with  the 
Republican  party.  His  family  consisted  of  these  children:  Jonathan,  Eliza- 
beth, Jane  Vassie,  our  subject’s  wife,  and  Amanda.  Mr.  Douglass  came  to 
Greene  county,  Missouri,  on  horseback  in  an  early  day,  but  died  soon  there- 
after. The  death  of  Mrs.  Pickering’s  father  occurred  on  December  31, 
1891,  and  her  mother  died  on  August  13,  1902. 

Mrs.  Pickering  was  first  married  to  Elvis  Morris,  by  whom  she  had 
one  child.  Opal  Morris,  who  was  born  October  18,  1889,  and  she  was  reared 
in  Springfield,  where  she  received  a good  education.  She  is  living  with  her 
mother  in  their  home  on  West  Mount  Vernon  street.  The  union  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Pickering  was  without  issue. 

Politically  Mr.  Pickering  was  a Republican,  and  religiously  he  belonged 
to  the  Congregational  church.  His  death  occurred  on  November  1,  1911, 
when  past  his  three  score  and  ten. 

Mrs.  Pickering’s  uncle,  James  Douglass,  had  a good  many  slaves  before 
the  Civil  war,  but  finally  freed  them,  however,  but  not  until  one  of  them 
murdered  his  wife.  The  guilty  negro  was  hanged.  This  uncle  raised  an 
orphan  child,  Seley  Johnson,  who  was  well  known  here. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1803 


REUBEN  J.  HIATT. 

While  such  men  as  the  late  Reuben  J.  Hiatt  are  not  lauded  in  the  public 
press  as  the  leaders  of  world’s  workers,  yet  they  perform  their  roles  in  life’s 
drama  quite  as  successfully  and  are  just  as  necessary  in  the  general  scheme 
of  things  as  their  more  famous  compeers,  for  it  was  Longfellow  who  wrote 
that  “each  thing  in  its  place  is  best,”  and  might  as  well  have  said  that  each 
person  in  his  place  is  best,  for  mother  Nature  designed  each  of  us  for  a 
specific  niche  in  the  world  and  it  is  our  fault  if  we  do  not  fill  it  properly  and 
faithfully.  Mr.  Hiatt  was  a man  of  many  strong  natural  characteristics 
and  he  tried  to  do  his  best  in  whatever  capacity  he  was  placed,  and  his  life, 
which  has  been  closed  by  the  common  fate  awaiting  all  that  is  mortal,  was 
a useful  and  successful  one. 

Mr.  Hiatt  was  born,  March  27,  i860,  in  Crab  Orchard,  Kentucky, 
where  the  Hiatts  had  long  been  well  established.  He  was  a son  of  Ormstrom 
and  Elizabeth  (Roberts)  Hiatt,  both  natives  of  Kentucky  also,  where  they 
grew  to  maturity,  were  educated  in  the  old-time  schools  and  were  married 
and  established  their  home.  Ormstrom  Hiatt  has  been  engaged  in  active 
farming  from  his  boyhood  until  the  present  time,  and  is  still  living  near  the 
town  of  Crab  Orchard,  Kentucky.  His  family  consisted  of  twelve  children, 
four  of  whom  are  still  living.  He  is  now  advanced  in  years. 

Reuben  J.  Hiatt  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Lincoln  county, 
Kentucky,  near  Crab  Orchard,  and  there  assisted  his  father  with  'the  general 
work  during  the  summer  months,  when  he  became  of  proper  age,  and  in 
the  winter  time  he  attended  the  district  schools,  receiving  the  usual  educa- 
tion of  farmer  boys  of  that  period.  He  remained  in  his  native  community 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  until  he  was  about  twenty-six  years 
of  age,  then  came  to  Missouri,  first  locating  at  Liberty,  Clay  county,  where 
he  remained  until  his  removal  to  Springfield,  this  being  his  home  until  1901, 
when  he  went  to  Dallas,  Texas,  where  he  spent  five  or  six  years,  then  re- 
turned to  Springfield,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life. 

In  his  earlier  career  he  was  engaged  in  the  sewing  machine  business, 
and  was  very  successful  in  the  same;  later  he  traveled  for  a well-known 
piano  house.  He  gave  his  employers  eminent  satisfaction  in  every  respect 
and  was  regarded  as  one  of  their  most  faithful,  efficient  and  trustworthy 
employees,  and  he  remained  a traveling  salesman  the  rest  of  his  life.  He 
was  widely  known  over  the  territory  which  he  made  and  was  popular  with 
the  trade,  being  a genial,  obliging  and  friendly  gentleman  who  made  friends 
easily. 

Mr.  Hiatt  was  married  to  Minnie  Cravens,  who  was  born  in  Daviess 
county,  Missouri,  October  6,  1857.  She  is  a daughter  of  William  and  Re- 


iSc>4 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


becca  (Bryan)  Cravens.  The  father  was  born  in  1835,  died  in  1883,  and 
the  mother  was  born  in  1838  and  died  in  1888.  These  parents  spent  their 
active  lives  on  a farm.  They  removed  with  their  only  child,  Minnie  Cravens, 
who  became  the  wife  of  our  subject,  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  about  forty- 
six  years  ago,  when  the  town  was  small.  Here  Mrs.  Hiatt  grew  to  woman- 
hood and  received  her  education  in  the  common  schools. 

Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hiatt,  named  as  follows : 
Emma,  born  December  31,  1886,  married  Jerry  Cravens,  and  they  live  in 
Chicago;  Homer,  born  December  17,  1890;  Thelma,  born  September  11, 
1894,  and  Wilbur,  born  September  4,  1895;  the  last  three  children  live  with 
their  mother  at  the  family  home  on  St.  Louis  street. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hiatt  was  a Democrat.  He  was  a member  of  the 
Woodmen  of  the  World  and  the  Christian  church. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Hiatt  occurred  in  1906,  at  the  early  age  of  forty-six 
years. 


HUGH  P.  COLVIN.  • 

There  was  something  essentially  American  in  the  life  and  character  of 
the  late  Hugh  P.  Colvin.  The  United  States  has  given  rare  opportunties 
from  the  first  to  men  of  courage,  honesty  of  purpose,  integrity  and  industry, 
to  achieve  success.  The  bulk  of  our  public  men  and  those  who  have  legiti- 
mately achieved  fortune,  have  been  men  of  the  above  characteristics,  and 
Mr.  Colvin  was  essentially  one  of  that  stamp,  although  never  a man  of 
wealth  or  a holder  of  important  public  trusts,  but  his  record  shows  that  he 
was  the  possessor  of  the  traits  of  character  that  men  must  have  if  they 
achieve  much  success  in  any  field  of  human  endeavor.  He  was  a man  of 
the  people,  and  his  success  in  life  came  as  a result  of  his  devotion  to  right 
and  his  tenacity  to  purpose. 

Mr.  Colvin,  who  devoted  his  active  life  principally  to  railroading  in 
one  form  or  another,  was  born  February  4,  1861,  in  Clinton  county,  New 
Jersey.  He  was  a son  of  Bernard  and  Rose  (Mulligan)  Colvin,  both  parents 
natives  of  Ireland,  from  which  country  they  came  to  America  when  children 
with  their  parents,  each  family  settling  in  New  Jersey  in  which  state  the 
parents  of  our  subject  were  married.  Bernard  Colvin  was  a quarryman  by 
trade,  and  while  he  was  an  authority  on  political  questions  he  was  not  an 
office  seeker.  His  family  consisted  of  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  are  still 
living,  namely:  Mary,  Elizabeth,  John  is  deceased,  Bernard,  Hugh  P.  of 
this  sketch;  Alice,  Mike,  Catherine,  James  and  Ella. 

Hugh  P.  Colvin  grew  to  manhood  in  New  Jersey  and  there  received  a 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1805 


common  school  education.  He  remained  there  until  he  was  about  twenty- 
one  years  old,  when  he  came  to  southeastern  Missouri,  and  he  and  his  brother 
went  into  the  railroad  construction  work,  and  became  successful  contractors. 
They  built  part  of  the  Cotton  Belt  railroad  in  Arkansas,  also  part  of  the 
Canadian  Pacific  railroad.  Later  the  subject  of  this  sketch  became  an  employe 
of  the  former  road  and  worked  his  way  up  to  a responsible  position  in  the 
same.  In  1886  he  began  with  the  Memphis  railroad,  first  as  fireman,  and 
five  years  later  he  went  to  West  Memphis,  Tennesee,  where  he  handled  the 
trains  across  the  Mississippi  river  on  transfer  boats,  was  yard  master  and 
in  charge  of  a switch  engine.  In  the  summer  of  1890,  he  went  on  the  road  as 
engineer  in  the  freight  service,  was  twice  in  the  same  service,  and  while 
still  in  the  service  went  to  Thayer,  Missouri,  where  he  remained  in  the  same 
line  of  work  until  1893.  In  1893  he  moved  with  his  family  to  Springfield, 
and  continued  railroading  as  engineer  in  the  passenger  service  between 
Springfield  and  Thayer,  pulling  the  “Memphis  Flyer,”  the  Frisco  fast  train. 
In  1908  he  was  injured  in  a wreck,  his  fireman  being  killed  at  that  time, 
and  our  subject  was  incapacitated  for  service  for  three  months  as  a result 
of  his  injuries.  He  resumed  his  work  as  engineer  which  he  followed  until 
December  19,  1911,  when  he  and  his  fireman  were  both  instantly  killed  in  a 
wreck  two  miles  south  of  Mountain  Grove,  Missouri.  He  was  well  known 
to  railroad  men  and  was  one  of  the  Frisco’s  most  trusted  and  efficient 
engineers. 

Mr.  Calvin  was  married,  January  28,  1892,  to  Margaret  Irby,  who  was 
born  in  Memphis,  Tennessee,  May  23,  1875,  and  there  reared  to  womanhood 
and  educated.  She  is  a daughter  of  Charles  and  Drusilla  (Grant)  Irby, 
natives  of  Kentucky  and  Tennesee,  respectively.  Mr.  Irby  was  born  on 
October  15,  1845,  and  his  death  occurred  on  December  31,  1913;  his  wife 
was  born  on  January  11,  1852,  and  she  died  in  September,  1878.  Mr.  Irby 
was  a railroad  man  and  for  many  years  was  an  engineer  on  the  Memphis 
& Little  Rock  railroad,  maintaining  his  home  at  Hopeville,  Arkansas,  and 
later  he  was  master  of  mechanics  for  that  road  at  Memphis,  while  the  great 
bridge  across  the  Mississippi  river  was  being  built.  Politically  he  was  a 
Democrat.  He  was  twice  married,  and  had  two  children  by  his  first  wife, 
Mrs.  Marie  Smith,  and  Mrs.  Margaret  Colvin,  widow  of  our  subject. 

Eight  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Colvin,  all  still  living,  namely : 
Harry,  born  on  November  t,  1892;  Bonnie,  born  on  August  6,  1894;  Edith, 
born  on  August  15,  1896;  Frank,  born  on  September  13,  1902;  Hugh,  born 
on  March  3,  1905;  Margaret,  born  on  March  2,  1907;  John,  born  on  August 
28,  1910;  and  James,  born  on  July  24,  1912. 

Politically  Mr.  Colvin  was  a Democrat.  He  was  a member  of  the 
Brotherhood  of  Engineers.  Fraternally  he  belonged  to  the  Knights  of 


i8o6 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Columbus.  He  was  a Catholic  in  religious  matters.  His  widow  has  a pleas- 
ant home  on  College  street.  He  was  a man  whom  his  officials  could  always 
rely  upon  and  whom  his  acquaintances  and  friends  all  liked  for  his  friendly 
manner  and  high  character. 


JAMES  GARFIELD  CHILDRESS. 

It  is  a great  privilege  to  be  able  to  spend  our  lives  on  the  old  home 
place.  “The  roof  that  heard  our  earliest  cry”  has  a charm  and  fascination 
for  us  which  we  cannot  find  elsewhere,  and  no  matter  where  on  earth  our 
restless  footsteps  may  wander  we  ever  long  to  be  back  under  the  old  roof- 
tree  of  our  parents.  However,  this  is  by  no  means  practicable  to  many 
people.  For  various  reasons,  often  through  necessity,  we  leave  our  child- 
hood home  and  seek  our  fortunes  in  other  countries,  and  seldom  revisit  the 
hearth-stone  around  which  we  played  as  a child.  James  Garfield  Childress 
has  been  favored  by  fate  in  this  respect  and  has  always  lived  on  the  home- 
stead in  Wilson  township,  Greene  county,  with  the  exception  of  a short 
period  spent  in  the  city. 

Here  Mr.  Childress  was  born  May  i,  1880.  He  is  a son  of  William  and 
Ellen  (Tensley)  Childress,  the  former  a native  of  Kentucky  and  the  latter 
of  Illinois.  The  father  of  our  subject  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in 
1863,  and  settled  on  two  hundred  acres  in  Wilson  township,  a part  of  which 
excellent  farm  our  subject  now  owns,  and  the  elder  Childress  continued  to 
reside  here  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1883,  his  widow  surviving  un- 
til 1912,  outliving  him  twenty-nine  years.  To  these  parents  twelve  children 
were  born,  six  of  whom  survive  at  this  writing,  namely:  Mrs.  Mary  Jones, 
wife  of  John  Jones,  a farmer  of  this  township,  and  who  is  represented  in  this 
work  by  a separate  sketch;  Will  lived  in  Clever,  Missouri,  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  about  one  year  ago  by  accident;  Charles  lives  south  of 
Marionville ; Dave  lives  in  Clever,  Missouri ; Mrs.  Minnie  Campbell  lives  in 
Springfield,  Missouri;  Mrs.  Fannie  Brayfield  lives  in  Carthage,  Missouri; 
and  James  G.,  of  this  sketch,  who  is  the  youngest  of  the  family. 

James  G.  Childress  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  here  he  has 
always  lived,  with  the  exception  of  two  years  spent  in  Springfield.  He 
received  a limited  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Wilson  township. 
While  his  mother  lived  he  was  to  be  found  at  home,  being  very  attentive  to 
her  every  want,  and  since  her  death  he  has  remained  on  the  home  farm, 
and  is  doing  his  own  housework,  since  he  has  never  entered  the  marriage 
state.  He  possesses  seventy  acres  of  the  estate,  and  on  this  he  carries  on 
general  farming,  renting  twenty  acres  from  his  sister,  which  he  also  operates 
and  thus  has  a good  acreage  out  each  year  in  various  crops.  He  has  kept 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1807 

the  old  farm  well  cultivated  and  well  improved,  so  that  its  value  has  increased 
in  every  respect,  rather  than  deteriorated  as  some  negligent  farmers  allow 
their  land  to  do. 

Mr.  Childress  has  never  affiliated  himself  with  either  church  or  fraternal 
organization,  but  in  politics  his  views  are  pronounced,  and  he  adheres  to 
the  Republican  party  in  both  victory  and  defeat,  and  he  is  desirous  of  seeing 
his  locality  improve  in  material  and  civic  ways. 


JOHN  JONES. 

As  every  one  knows,  methods  of  farming  are  changing  and  we  are 
learning  many  things  that  the  husbandmen  of  half  century  ago  did  not  know 
or  at  least  did  not  attach  much  importance  to.  Among  other  things  the 
farmer  of  today  has  learned  that  the  soil  is  a mixture  of  ground  rock  frag- 
ments and  mineral  mixed  with  more  or  less  organic  material.  Some  one 
has  rightly  said,  “The  soil  is  Nature’s  dumping-ground.”  All  animal  and 
plant  refuse  not  burned  or  carried  away  by  streams,  eventually  reaches  the 
soil.  Were  it  not  for  the  fact  that  this  vast  amount  of  material  is  constantly 
decaying  and  becoming  soluable  we  would  eventually  become  polluted  in  Na- 
ture’s waste  products. 

One  of  the  farmers  of  Wilson  township,  Greene  county,  who  has  not 
been  slow  in  adopting  advanced  methods  of  tilling  the  soil  is  John  Jones, 
owner  of  “Shady  Grove  Farm.”  Mr.  Jones  was  born  in  Taney  county, 
Missouri,  September  4,  1847.  He  is  a son  of  Jabis  and  Elizabeth  Jones, 
natives  of  Missouri.  The  father  owned  eighty  acres  and  rented  the  same 
amount  of  land  in  Greene  county.  He  at  one  time  lived  near  Lebanon, 
Laclede  county.  His  death  occurred  when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
seven  years  of  age,  and  a year  later  the  mother  passed  away. 

John  Jones  received  a very  limited  education.  After  his  father's  death 
the  mother  sold  the  home  farm,  and  after  her  death  our  subject  lived  with 
his  uncle,  James  Cook,  and  later  with  an  aunt.  When  eighteen  years  of  age 
he  was  married  to  Mary  Graham,  a daughter  of  James  Graham  and  wife, 
both  of  Christian  county,  this  state,  where  they  lived  on  a farm.  After 
four  years  of  married  life,  the  wife  of  our  subject  died.  To  this  union  two 
children  were  born,  one  dying  at  the  age  of  three  years  and  the  other  in 
infancy.  Three  years  after  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Mrs.  Jones  married 
again,  choosing  as  a helpmate  Mary  Childress,  a daughter  of  William  and 
Ellen  Childress,  formerly  of  Illinois,  from  which  state  they  came  to  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  after  the  Civil  war  and  settled  in  Wilson  township  on 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  Mr.  Childress  was  born  in  Kentucky.  Our 


i8o8 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


subject’s  second  union  has  resulted  in  the  birth  of  seven  children,  named 
as  follows:  Johnnie,  Ira,  Robert,  Madeen,  Bessie  (deceased),  Mrs.  Myrtle 
Barber,  and  Vida,  the  last  named  being  at  home  with  her  parents. 

Mr.  Jones  owns  sixty  acres  of  good  land  in  Wilson  township,  which 
he  operates  together  with  twenty-two  acres  which  he  rents  from  his  brother- 
in-law,  Mr.  Childress.  He  is  making  a comfortable  living  as  a general 
farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and,  considering  his  early  environment  and  the  fact 
that  he  grew  up  without  the  protection,  advice  and  guidance  of  parents  and 
has  had  to  “hoe  his  own  row”  from  the  first,  he  is  deserving  of  a great  deal 
of  credit  for  what  he  has  acomplished.  On  his  farm  is  one  of  the  most 
splendid  wells  in  the  township,  which  is  a favorite  among  his  neighbors. 
In  connection  with  raising  general  crops,  Mr.  Jones  is  doing  a very  good 
business  raising  horses  and  mules,  also  handles  other  live  stock. 

Politically,  he  has  voted  the  Democratic  ticket  since  attaining  his  ma- 
jority. His  jovial  nature  makes  him  many  friends  wherever  he  goes. 


A.  J.  JOHNSTON. 

A forward-looking,  dynamic-energied  citizen  of  Springfield,  a man  of 
vision  and  purpose,  who  has  in  many  ways  aided  in  Missouri’s  betterment,  is 
A.  J.  Johnston. 

Mr.  Johnston  was  born  in  Washington  county,  this  state,  near  Potosi, 
on  June  14th,  in  the  year  1869,  of  English  and  German  parentage.  His 
father  was  a minister  of  the  Christian  church,  later  joining  the  Baptist 
communion.  While  still  a mere  child  he  was  brought  to  Houston,  Texas 
county,  and  was  reared  on  a farm  near  the  county-seat.  His  equipment  for 
the  affairs  of  life  in  the  way  of  an  education  came  from  the  common  schools 
and  the  training  of  a model  Christian  home.  Reaching  manhood’s  estate, 
in  1890,  he  and  Miss  Verta  Cross  were  married  and  for  twenty-five  years 
now  have  faced  sunshine  and  storm  together.  Mrs.  Johnston  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  T.  A.  Gross,  of  Marion,  Ohio. 

The  four  children  who  have  blessed  this  union  are,  Ray  Augustus, 
Floyd  Albert,  Glen  Paul  and  Beulah,  but  the  little  girl  crossed  over  the  river 
many  years  ago. 

Some  six  years  ago,  Mr.  Johnston  moved  to  Springfield  and  for  the 
last  five  years  has  been  in  the  real  estate  business.  He  has  made  a number 
-of  deals  and  always  has  on  his  books  a list  of  good  properties.  When  he 
-came  to  Springfield  he  determined  to  give  of  his  talent,  time  and  money  in 
aiding  the  upbuilding  of  Greene  county  and  its  capital,  and  has  never  failed 
to  do  his  part. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1809 

In  his  chosen  business,  Mr.  Johnston  has  always  stood  high,  for  he  is 
honest  and  careful  in  all  his  dealings.  Recently  he  has  leased  a suite  of 
rooms  in  the  Landers  building,  which  are  perfectly  adapted  to  the  business, 
fitted  up  with  every  modern  convenience. 

Mr.  Johnston  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  development  of 
southern  Missouri,  in  which  he  has  extensive  interests.  No  one  has  given 
more  time,  thought  and  effort  to  bringing  before  the  people  of  the  United 


A.  J.  JOHNSON. 


States  the  great  resources  of  the  Ozark  region  and  the  opportunities  which 
are  presented  here  for  men  of  moderate  means  to  get  a start  and  secure 
a competence  in  a few  years. 

Prominent  among  the  propositions  which  he  has  on  hand  at  the  present 
time  is  the  disposition  of  the  Springdale  ranch,  the  only  body  of  land  of  its 
kind  remaining  in  this  section.  Eight  thousand  acres  of  virgin  soil  under- 
laid with  mineral  wealth  and  covered  with  a forest  in  which  valuable  timber 
abounds,  here  await  development.  The  position  of  this  great  tract  of  land 
is  in  the  midst  of  a portion  of  the  country  in  which  important  projects  are 
(II4) 


i8io 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


on  hand  and  rapid  progress  is  being  made.  Springdale  ranch  is  inter- 
esting, not  only  in  connection  with  prospective  developments  there,  but  in 
the  fact  that  it  is  a great  reservation  in  which  the  natural  resources  of  the 
Ozark  region  are  shown  in  a remarkable  manner,  exhibiting  to  the  people 
of  this  day  and  generation  a view  of  the  land  as  it  appeared  to  the  pioneers 
who  made  their  way  into  this  country  in  the  first  quarter  of  the  nineteenth 
century,  a reminder  of  the  vision  which  excited  the  enthusiasm  of  the  French 
explorers  of  an  earlier  period,  causing  them  to  write  charming  descriptions 
of  this  portion  of  the  domains  of  the  king  of  France,  then  known  as  Louis- 
iana. Samples  of  ore  taken  from  the  Springdale  ranch  have  been  sent  to  a 
prominent  assayer  at  Denver,  Colorado,  who  reports  a value  of  $78.90  of 
gold,  silver,  lead  and  zinc  per  ton. 


JAMES  E.  LUPER-. 

All  who  have  studied  the  present-day  problems  of  supply  and  demand, 
will  agree  that  there  is  always  a market  for  what  the  farmer  raises,  but 
that  it  is  costing  him  too  much  to  “get  by  the  middle  men”  and  get  his 
products  in  the  hands  of  the  consumers.  When  this  problem  is  satisfactorily 
solved  such  careful  and  industrious  farmers  as  James  E.  Luper,  of  Wilson 
township,  Greene  county,  will  be  more  justly  rewarded  for  their  labors. 

Mr.  Luper  was  born  in  Washington  count}'',  Arkansas,  January  5,  1867. 
Lie  is  a son  of  John  and  Eliza  (Ingram)  Luper,  both  natives  of  Tennessee, 
born  on  farms  and  there  spent  their  early  lives,  but  removed  to  Arkansas 
when  young  and  established  their  future  home,  and  there  the  death  of  the 
father  occurred  in  1867,  a few  months  before  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
born.  The  mother  survived  until  in  January,  1911,  reaching  an  advanced 
age,  having  survived  her  husband  about  forty-seven  years.  To  these  parents 
six  children  were  born,  named  as  follow : Mrs.  Amanda  Luttrell,  Mrs.  Jane 
Maxie,  Simion  A.,  John  A.,  William  S.,  all  live  in  Arkansas;  and  James 
E.,  of  this  sketch. 

James  E.  Luper  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  Washington  county, 
Arkansas,  and  there  he  received  his  education  in  the  rural  schools.  When 
eighteen  years  of  age  he  left  home  and  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri, 
June  27,  1885,  and  went  to  work  for  Jonathan  Moore,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained two  years  and  four  months.  Lie  saved  his  earnings  and  finally  began 
farming  for  himself,  which  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time,  and  is 
now  owner  of  eighty  acres  of  good  land  in  Wilson  township  on  which  he  is 
making  a comfortable  living  by  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  has 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


181 1 

worked  hard  for  what  he  has  and  has  led  a quiet  life,  progressing  slowly 
with  advancing  years. 

Mr.  Luper  was  married  on  September  4,  1887,  to  Ella  Moore,  a daugh- 
ter of  S.  B.  and  Ann  (Payne)  Moore,  who  were  old  residents  of  Greene 
county,  where  they  spent  their  active  lives  in  farming,  and  they  are  now 
living  retired  in  Springfield.  The  following  children  were  born  to  them : 
Ella,  wife  of  our  subject;  J.  R.,  who  lives  in  Greene  county;  Mrs.  Ollie  Burk- 
head,  of  Springfield;  Anderson  lives  in  Kansas;  Flossie  V.,  who  lives  in 
Springfield,  is  the  widow  of  Dr.  Knowles,  deceased;  Charles  lives  in  Spring- 
field;  Bessie  has  remained  unmarried;  Fred  and  Flarvey  both  live  in  Kansas 
City.  Mrs.  Luper  grew  to  womanhood  in  Wilson  township,  this  county, 
and  received  her  education  in  the  district  schools,  and,  having  spent  her  life 
in  her  native  vicinity  has  many  friends  throughout  same. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Luper  have  but  one  child,  Lulu  May  Luper,  who  is  at 
home  with  her  parents. 

Politically  Mr.  Luper  is  a Republican  in  national  affairs,  but  often  votes 
independently  in  local  elections.  Ffe  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  church. 


WARREN  NELSON  CAMP. 

Longfellow  said,  “The  talent  of  success  is  nothing  more  than  doing  what 
you  can  do  well  and  doing  well  whatever  you  do,  without  any  thought  of 
fame.”  Illustrative  of  this  sentiment  has  been  the  life  of  the  late  Warren 
Nelson  Camp,  one  of  the  well-known  railroaders  of  Springfield,  of  a past 
generation.  Those  familiar  with  his  life  work  readily  corroborate  the  state- 
ment that  he  did  well  whatever  he  turned  his  attention  to  and  therefore  suc- 
cess attended  his  efforts. 

Mr.  Camp  was  born  at  Adrian,  Michigan,  August  5,  1843.  He  was  a 
son  of  Robert  Camp  and  wife,  and  grew  to  manhood  and  spent  his  early  life 
near  his  native  city,  and  there  received  a good  practical  education,  however, 
his  schooling  was  not  as  extensive  as  he  desired,  for  his  father  was  a farmer 
and  on  the  homestead  our  subject  found  plenty  of  work  to  keep  him  busy 
most  of  the  year  when  he  was  a boy.  He  began  life  for  himself  as  a rail- 
roader in  his  native  state,  and  he  followed  this  line  of  endeavor  the  rest  of 
his  days,  his  promotion  being  rapid  owing  to  his  faithfulness  to  duty,  his 
sober  habits  and  intelligence.  He  engaged  in  the  creamery  business  in  Michi- 
gan for  about  seven  years.  After  leaving  his  native  state,  he  went  to  Ft. 
Wayne,  Indiana,  where  he  continued  railroading  for  some  time.  On  March 
17,  1898,  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  took  a position  with  the 
Frisco  System  as  conductor  and  continued  in  the  service  until  his  death. 


l8l2 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


which  occurred  here  on  May  6,  1901.  He  accumulated  considerable  property, 
which  was  left  to  his  widow  and  children,  Mrs.  Camp  being  well  provided 
for. 

Mr.  Camp’s  marriage  was  celebrated  in  Dertoit,  Michigan,  to  Mrs. 
Marie  O.  Holmes,  widow  of  John  B.  Holmes,  a railroad  man  who  was  killed 
while  on  duty  for  the  Michigan  Central  railway.  By  her  marriage  with  Mr. 
Holmes  three  children  were  born  to  the  widow  of  our  subject,  namely: 
Walter  B.,  Charles  R.,  and  Howard  D.  Her  union  with  our  subject  was 
without  issue.  Mr.  Camp  became  the  father  of  three  children  by  his  first 
marriage,  namely:  Maude,  who  is  the  wife  of  William  Shotwell ; Major  and 
Mamie,  twins,  both  deceased. 

Mrs.  Camp  is  one  of  four  children,  she  being  the  oldest ; her  three  sisters 
are  Mrs.  Margaret  Louise  Carnley,  Mrs.  Josephine  Odell  is  a widow,  living- 
in  Detroit;  and  Mrs.  Sarah  Lanniere  lives  in  Ottawa,  Canada.  The  parents 
of  these  children  were  George  and  Oberline  (Paquette)  DeGras,  both  natives 
of  St.  Johns,  New  Brunswick,  and  all  their  ancestors  were  of  French  origin. 
In  his  earlier  career  George  De  Gras  was  a deep-sea  sailor,  and  later  went 
into  the  ship-building  business,  and  with  his  father  he  also  engaged  ex- 
tensively in  fishing,  which  is  a great  industry,  for  some  time  before  coming  to 
this  country.  Mrs.  Camp  was  twelve  years  of  age  when  her  father  died.  He 
was  a “forty-niner,”  making  the  long  journey  to  California  across  the  great 
plains.  He  never  returned ; in  fact,  was  never  again  heard  from,  and  it  is 
the  supposition  that  he  was  murdered.  Mrs.  Camp  received  a good  com- 
mon school  education.  She  is  a member  of  the  Sorosis  club. 

Mr.  Camp  joined  the  Presbyterian  church  early  in  life.  He  belonged 
to  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  the  Masonic  Order  and  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 


EMIL  O.  DAVIS. 

Though  no  land  is  richer  in  opportunities  or  offers  greater  advantages 
to  its  citizens  than  America,  success  is  not  to  be  attained  through  desire 
alone,  but  must  be  persistently  sought.  In  this  country  “labor  is  king,”  and 
the  man  who  resolutely  sets  to  work  to  accomplish  a given  purpose  is  cer- 
tain of  success  if  he  has  but  the  qualities  of  perseverance,  untiring  energy  and 
practical  common  sense.  Emil  O.  Davis,  well  known  Frisco  passenger  con- 
ductor, of  Springfield,  through  his  diligence  and  perseverance  has  attained 
definite  success  in  his  calling  and  has  won  the  respect  of  all  who  know  him 
through  his  unfailing  courtesy  and  trustworthiness. 

Mr.  Davis  was  born  at  Springfield,  Greene  county,  Missouri,  February 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1813 

i,  1870.  He  is  a son  of  Robert  Henry  and  Victoria  (Caynor)  Davis.  The 
father  was  born  in  Nashville,  Tennesee,  and  the  mother  is  a native  of  Greene 
county,  Missouri.  Robert  H.  Davis  left  his  native  state  and  located  in  this 
county  in  an  early  day  and  here  established  his  permanent  home.  He  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  in  Company  H,  Eighth  Missouri  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, under  Capt.  “Bob”  Mathias,  serving  over  four  years  in  a most  faith- 
ful manner,  taking  part  in  several  engagements,  including  the  battle  of  Wil- 
son’s Creek.  He  was  mustered  out  and  honorably  discharged  at  St.  Louis. 
After  the  war  he  returned  to  Springfield  and  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  en- 
gaged as  traveling  salesman  for  many  years  for  the  J.  Baum  Shoe  Company, 
of  St.  Louis. 

Emil  O.  Davis,  only  child  of  his  parents,  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native 
community,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Spring- 
field.  He  spent  his  boyhood  days  at  home,  but  in  early  life  took  up  rail- 
roading for  a career,  which  he  has  followed  ever  since.  In  his  early  boyhood, 
however,  he  was  employed  as  a grocery  clerk,  and  once  when  delivering 
goods  a patrol  wagon  overtook  him  and  two  policemen  climbed  into  his  de- 
livery wagon  and  were  rapidly  driven  by  young  Davis  to  a place  where  they 
desired  to  make  an  arrest,  and  in  their  haste  most  of  the  groceries  were  lost 
along  the  street.  This  resulted  in  his  employer  discharging  him  upon  his 
return  to  the  store.  This  seemingly  insignificant  incident  resulted  in  chang- 
ing the  lad's  subsecjuent  career,  for  soon  thereafter  he  took  up  railroading. 
In  1885,  he  accepted  a position  with  the  Frisco  as  caller  and  later  worked 
as  switchman  until  1899,  when  he  began  his  road  service  as  brakeman,  con- 
tinuing thus  for  three  years,  then  was  promoted  to  freight  conductor  and,, 
in  1896,  to  passenger  conductor.  Leaving  the  road  service  he  was  appointed 
yard  master  of  the  terminal  in  1900,  which  position  he  held  until  1904,  when 
he  went  back  to  a passenger  run  and  has  continued  to  the  present  time.  Dur- 
ing his  entire  service  with  the  Frisco,  covering  a period  of  nearly  thirty 
years,  he  has  never  been  discharged.  He  has  done  his  work  faithfully  and 
conscientiously  and  is  one  of  the  company’s  most  trusted  employees. 

Mr.  Davis  was  married  in  this  county,  November  23,  1890,  to  Axie 
Burford,  a daughter  of  Phillip  L.  and  Martha  (Nichols)  Burford,  both  na- 
tives of  Tennessee,  where  they  spent  their  earlier  years,  but  came  to  Missouri 
in  pioneer  days  and  settled  in  Webster  county  on  a farm,  and  became  prom- 
inent citizens  in  that  section.  In  1888  the  family  located  in  Springfield,  and 
here  made  their  permanent  home,  in  which  the  parents  spent  the  rest  of 
their  lives,  the  father  dying  in  January,  1908,  and  the  mother  in  March, 
1904.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  namely:  William  L.,  de- 
ceased; Jonathan  D. ; Daniel;  F. ; Ferdinand  L.,  deceased;  Albert  N. ; Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Callaway;  Benjamin  T. ; Morris  B. ; Mrs.  Lucy  Pipkin;  Phillip  I. ; 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1814 

Mrs.  Mattie  H.  Edwards,  deceased;  and  Axie,  wife  of  our  subject.  Mrs. 
Davis  had  the  advantage  of  an  excellent  education,  in  the  public  schools  of 
Marshfield,  Morrisville  College  and  Drury  College. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis,  namely:  Robert 
O.  and  Alma,  twins;  they  have  been  given  excellent  educational  advantages; 
the  son  is  married,  and  the  daughter  is  living  at  home. 

Mr.  Davis  is  a member  of  the  Order  of  Railway  Conductors,  Knights 
and  Ladies  of  Security;  his  wife  and  children  also  belong  to  the  latter  order, 
and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South. 


JOHN  J.  UNDERWOOD. 

Those  who  belong  to  the  respectable  middle  classes  of  society,  being 
early  taught  the  necessity  of  relying  upon  their  own  exertions,  will  be  more 
apt  to  acquire  that  information  and  those  business  habits  which  alone  can 
fit  them  for  the  discharge  of  life’s  duties,  and  indeed  it  has  long  been  a 
noticeable  fact  that  our  great  men  in  nearly  all  walks  of  life  in  America 
spring  from  this  class.  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  whose  life  history  we 
herewith  delineate,  is  a worthy  representative  of  this  class,  from  which  the 
true  noblemen  of  the  republic  spring;  but  he  has  made  no  effort  to  be 
a leader  of  men,  contented  to  lead  an  honest,  industrious  and  conservative 
life,  desiring  no  other  title  than  that  of  a good  citizen. 

John  J.  Underwood,  president  of  the  Springfield  Stone  & Fuel  Com- 
pany, was  born  near  Bolivar,  Polk  county,  Missouri,  August  25,  1872.  He 
is  a son  of  Abraham  Alexander  Underwood  and  Martha  Ellen  (Nenninger) 
Lhiderwood.  The  father  was  a native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  mother  of 
Ohio.  They  grew  up,  were  educated  and  married  in  the  East,  and  resided 
there  until  1870,  when  they  removed  to  Bolivar,  Missouri.  A.  A.  Under- 
wood was  one  of  five  children.  When  the  Civil  war  came  on  he  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  One  Hundred  and  First  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  from  Bucy- 
rus  county,  Ohio,  and  saw  considerable  hard  service,  including  the  greatest 
battle  of  modern  times,  Gettysburg,  and  he  was  also  in  a number  of  other 
important  engagements.  After  a gallant  service  of  two  and  a half  years 
he  was  mustered  out  and  honorably  discharged.  He  studied  law,  and  after 
coming  to  Bolivar,  built  up  one  of  the  largest  practices  in  southwest  Mis- 
souri and  was  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  Democratic  party  in  this  section  of 
the  state  and  prominent  in  public  affairs.  He  was  a candidate  for  Congress 
in  1876.  His  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  namely:  Mrs.  Jennie  Far- 
rer,  of  Springfield;  Gertrude  died  in  infancy;  Mrs.  Mary  West  lives  in  Ok- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


l8l 5 

lahoma  City;  Sherwood  is  deceased;  Alex  is  in  South  America;  John  J., 
■of  this  review;  Thomas  lives  in  Springfield;  and  Charles,  deceased. 

John  J.  Underwood  was  reared  in  his  native  community  and  received  his 
education  in  the  schools  of  Bolivar;  his  sisters  were  graduates  of  the  South- 
west Baptist  College  there.  Our  subject  attended  school  until  he  was  eighteen 
years  of  age,  then  moved  to  a farm  with  his  parents,  near  Bolivar,  where  he 
worked  for  a number  of  years,  then  went  to  Oklahoma  City,  and  took  up  a 
claim  near  there,  where  he  remained  a year  in  the  city  and  a year  on  the 
claim,  then  returned  to  the  home  farm  and  lived  there  until  1907,  when  he 
located  in  Springfield  and  started  in  the  feed  and  fuel  business  on  Com- 
mercial street,  and  a year  later  took  up  the  commission  business,  and  later 
helped  organize  the  Merchants  Baking  Company,  and  operated  one  of  the 
best  bakeries,  although  not  so  extensive  as  some,  in  the  state,  and  was 
Jiighly  complimented  by  the  state  inspector,  who  stated  that  our  subject's 
bakery  was  the  cleanest  and  most  sanitary  on  his  record  or  that  he  had  in- 
spected in  his  territory.  Mr.  Underwood  made  this  venture  a paying  one 
.and  operated  the  bakery  until  1911,  when  he  was  one  of  the  incorporators  of 
the  Springfield  Stone  & Fuel  Company,  which  was  capitalized  at  ten  thousand 
dollars,  and  which  has  been  a pronounced  success  under  his  able  manage- 
ment, he  being  president  and  manager  of  the  same,  and  he  now  owns  all 
the  stock  of  the  company.  The  other  two  incorporators  were  M.  H.  South- 
worth  and  A.  L.  Farrer. 

Mr.  Underwood  carries  on  a general  stone  contracting  business  and  also 
deals  in  cement,  stone  and  fuel,  but  makes  contracting  his  principal  business 
and  handles  large  jobs,  and  in  recent  years  he  has  furnished  the  materials 
for  a number  of  the  most  important  new  buildings  in  Springfield,  such  as  the 
•addition  to  the  government  building.  State  Normal  School  building,  all  the 
material  for  the  state  home  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  such  as  sand  and 
cement,  and  he  did  all  the  stone  work  on  the  State  Normal  School,  also 
many  other  of  the  best  modern  buildings  here.  His  work  has  been  eminently 
satisfactory  in  every  respect,  and  prompt  and  high-grade  work  is  his  aim, 
as  well  as  scrupulous  honesty.  He  understands  thoroughly  every  phase  of 
liis  business,  which  is  rapidly  growing,  and  he  is  one  of  the  best  known  con- 
tractors in  his  line  in  this  section  of  the  state.  He  also  enjoys  a large  trade 
in  fuel. 

Mr.  Underwood  was  'married  September  9,  1895,  to  Carrie  Farrer,  a 
daughter  of  Bucher  and  Elizabeth  (Rafferty)  Farrer.  Her  father  was  a 
native  of  Iowa  and  her  mother  of  Ohio.  They  located  in  Dallas  county, 
Missouri,  in  an  early  day  and  lived  there  until  the  father’s  death.  His  family 
consisted  of  three  children,  namely:  A.  L.,  Carrie,  who  married  Mr.  Under- 
wood : and  Charles.  Mrs.  Underwood  grew  to  womanhood  in  Dallas  county 
and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  there. 


i8i6 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Three  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Edna, 
Earl  and  Mary. 

Politically  Mr.  Underwood  is  a Democrat.  Ete  is  a member  of  the 
Christian  church,  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America.  Elis  wife  belongs  to  the  Mothers’  Club  of  the  Boys’  School,  and 
she  is  an  active  member  of  Campbell  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
South. 


THE  JOHN  F.  MEYER  & SONS  MILLING  COMPANY. 

This  corporation,  which  conducts  the  largest  flour  milling  business  in 
Springfield,  is  composed  of  a father  and  his  four  sons.  John  F.  Meyer,  the 
father,  and  the  founder  of  the  business,  began  making  flour  in  St.  Louis  in 
1864,  half  a century  ago,  and  continued  in  that  line  in  that  city  steadily 
until  1894,  a period  of  thirty  years. 

In  the  last  mentioned  year  Mr.  Meyer  took  into  partnership  with  him- 
self, his  four  sons,  Ferdinand  P.,  H.  J.,  H.  A.,  and  Louis  S.  Meyer,  and 
established  the  firm  under  the  name  of  John  F.  Meyer  & Sons.  As  soon  as 
this  partnership  was  formed  the  large  three-story  brick  milling  plant,  known 
at  the  time  as  the  “Queen  City  Mills,”  and  located  on  the  northwest  corner 
of  Booneville  street  and  Phelps  avenue,  Springfield,  was  purchased.  This 
corner  had  been  the  site  of  a mill  for  many  years  prior  to  the  date  of 
the  Meyer  purchase.  John  Schmook,  one  of  the  most  prominent  builders 
of  the  early  day  Springfield  during  and  immediately  after  the  Civil  war, 
had  here  for  years  a grist  mill,  and  a planing  mill  adjoining.  That  was 
afterward  succeeded  by  the  Queen  City  Mills,  the  first  of  the  large  flouring 
plants  of  the  city,  and  this  was  the  building  that  in  1849  was  purchased 
by  the  new  milling  partnership  of  John  F.  Meyer  & Sons. 

They  at  once  remodelled  the  whole  interior  of  the  building,  refitted  it 
with  the  latest  and  most  effective  machinery,  and  increased  its  capacity  to 
seven  hundred  barrels  of  flour  per  day.  A large  elevator  was  also  added  at 
the  east  of  the  mill  building,  and  smaller  elevators  were  built  at  different 
points  in  the  region,  where  the  soft  Missouri  wheat  for  use  in  the  mill  was 
bought  direct  from  the  farmers  who  raised  it. 

The  business  grew  and  prospered.  Every  sack  of  Meyer  flour  that 
went  to  a consumer  was  an  advertisement  more  effective  than  columns  in  the 
papers.  The  best  wheat  obtainable,  the  best  machinery  with  which  to  reduce 
it  to  flour,  and  the  most  skillful  men  in  the  trade  to  operate  that  machinery; 
these,  and  strict  business  management,  and  and  fair  treatment,  built  up,  ex- 
tended, and  established  the  business,  and  sent  its  products  not  only  in  all 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  1817 

directions  into  neighboring  states,  but  in  no  small  quantities  entered  the 
foreign  market  and  established  a demand  for  it  beyond  the  sea. 

Meanwhile  the  partnership  had  been  made  into  a corporation  under  the 
name  which  still  exists  of  the  John  F.  Meyer  & Sons  Milling  Company.  In 
1901,  after  seven  successful  years  at  the  original  Springfield  location,  the 
demands  of  the  trade  justified  large  expansion,  and  a fine  site  was  purchased 
at  the  corner  of  the  National  Boulevard  and  Pine  street,  in  the  manufactur- 
ing district  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  city.  Here  a thoroughly  modern  mill 
was  erected,  furnished  throughout  with  the  latest  machinery,  and  of  a ca- 
pacity of  eight  hundred  barrels  per  day  of  hard  wheat  flour  and  four  hundred 
barrels  of  soft  wheat  flour.  A fine  elevator  was  also  added  to  the  equipment 
of  the  new  mill,  the  combined  capacity  of  the  elevators  at  the  two  mills 
and  country  stations  aggregating  five  hundred  thousand  bushels.  The  smaller 
elevators  for  purchasing  wheat  direct  from  the  growers,  are  scattered  through 
Greene,  Dade,  Lawrence  and  Barry  counties. 

The  business  is  stocked  for  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  capitaliza- 
tion, and  has  a surplus  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  The 
company  has  some  sixty  employees,  and  a weekly  pay-roll  of  a thousand 
dollars.  The  two  most  popular  brands  of  flour  turned  out  by  the  concern, 
are  the  Albatross,  “Best  on  earth”  soft  wheat  flour,  and  the  Meyer’s  Model, 
“Always  reliable,”  hard  wheat  flour.  The  reputation  established  by  these 
brands  is  such  that  the  copyright  of  the  names  is  no  small  asset  in  such  a 
business. 

The  general  offices  of  the  company  are  in  suites  722,  723  and  724  Mer- 
chants-Laclede  Building,  St.  Louis.  The  president,  John  F.  Meyer,  and  the 
secretary,  Ferdinand  P.  Meyer,  have  charge  of  the  St.  Louis  office,  while 
the  vice-president,  Herman  J.  Meyer,  the  treasurer,  Henry  A.  Meyer,  and  the 
general  manager,  Louis  S.  Meyer,  are  residents  of  Springfield  and  attend 
to  the  manufacturing  end  of  the  business. 

In  giving  the  story  of  such  a successful  business  enterprise,  it  should 
not  close  without  some  slight  sketch  of  the  men  behind  the  concern,  who 
made  the  success  possible,  and  we  will  close  this  story  with  a few  words  of 
personal  history. 

John  F.  Meyer,  the  head  of  this  company,  was  born  in  Westphalia, 
Germany,  on  the  16th  day  of  July,  1830.  He  spent  his  boyhood  upon  his 
father’s  large  farm  in  Westphalia,  and  after  the  good  old  German  fashion, 
he  was  given  a thorough  education.  When  a young  man  he  learned  the 
milling  business,  and  followed  it  in  Germany  until  he  was  thirty  years  of 
age.  In  i860  he  joined  that  great  company  of  his  fellow  countrymen,  who 
saw  a better  outlook  for  themselves  and  their  children  in  the  great  republic  of 
the  west  than  in  their  native  land,  and  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States. 
He  located  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  For  four  years  he  was  in  the  grocery 


i8i8 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


business,  but  in  1864,  he  formed  a partnership  with  J.  F.  Imbs,  under  the 
name  of  Imbs,  Meyer  & Company,  and  entered  into  the  trade  which  he  had 
learned  in  Germany,  and  which  he  was  to  follow  for  life. 

He  married  in  St.  Louis,  in  1862,  Miss  Katherine  Fechtel,  who  was  also 
a native  of  Westphalia,  Germany.  The  St.  Louis  milling  business  prospered, 
through  the  same  means  that  have  later  made  the  Springfield  concern  one 
•of  the  institutions  of  the  Southwest.  As  Mr.  Meyer’s  sons  grew  up  they 
were  most  of  them  taught  their  father’s  trade  of  milling,  and  thus  when  the 
proper  time  came,  were  prepared  to  assume  the  responsibilities  of  the  new 
company  in  Springfield.  For  just  half  a century  John  F.  Meyer  has  followed 
his  chosen  business  of  milling.  No  man  is  better  posted  in  all  the  intricacies 
of  the  trade ; no  man  is  better  known  as  an  expert  on  all  questions  con- 
nected with  it,  and  at  eighty-four  years  of  age,  he  is  still  a clear  headed, 
and  most  highly  respected  business  man. 

Of  the  four  sons  who  with  the  father  form  the  company,  it  need  only 
be  said  that  their  twenty  years  in  Springfield  have  demonstrated  their  entire 
ability  to  meet  any  competition,  and  all  the  demands  of  trade.  Steadily  and 
without  any  parade  or  sounding  of  trumpets,  the  John  F.  Meyer  & Sons  Mill- 
ing Company  has  pursued  the  even  tenor  of  its  way.  Starting  with  the 
highest  ideals  of  furnishing  as  perfect  a product  as  was  humanly  possible, 
they  have  held  strictly  to  that  plan,  and  the  years  have  proved  the  correct- 
ness of  the  theory  by  crowning  the  work  with  the  greatest  success. 


JAMES  WILLIAM  CLARK.  M.  D. 

Concentration  of  purpose  and  persistently  applied  energy  rarely  fail 
•of  success  in  the  accomplishment  of  any  task  however  great,  and  in  tracing 
the  career  of  Dr.  James  William  Clark,  a well  known  and  successful  physi- 
cian of  Bois  D'Arc,  Greene  county,  it  is  plainly  seen  that  these  things  have 
been  among  the  main  secrets  of  his  rise  to  a position  of  prominence  and 
respectability.  Moreover,  he  possesses  genuine  love  for  his  work  and  re- 
gards it  as  a privilege  to  carry  comfort  and  aid  to  the  sick  and  suffering. 

Dr.  Clark  is  a scion  of  an  old  Southern  family,  and  himself  was  born 
under  Dixie's  skies,  having  first  seen  the  light  of  day  at  Bowling  Green, 
Kentucky,  March  15,  1874.  He  is  a son  of  Joseph  M.  and  Harriet  H. 
(Shannon)  Clark.  The  father  was  born,  July  25,^  1833,  and  died  March  8, 
1909.  He  was  a son  of  Bowling  McKagy  Clark,  who  was  born,  December 
8,  1777.  The  latter  married  on  June  6,  1831,  Jane  Hagerman,  who  was 
born  November  30,  1808,  Joseph  M.  Clark  grew  to  manhood  in  the  old 
Blue  Grass  state  and  received  a common  school  educatiton,  and  there  he 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1819 

followed  general  farming  and  stock  raising  until  1882,  when  he  moved  to 
near  Halltown,  Lawrence  county,  Missouri,  where  he  purchased  about  four 
hundred  acres  of  land,  where  he  carried  on  general  agricultural  pursuits  on 
an  extensive  scale  until  his  death,  making  a specialty  of  handling  live  stock, 
and  while  living  there  he  shipped  on  the  market  over  five  hundred  head  of 
cattle  and  over  three  thousand  hogs.  He  and  Harriet  H.  Shannon  were 
married,  December  4,  1862.  She  was  bom,  March  30,  1842,  in  Bowling 
Green,  Kentucky,  and  is  a daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (King)  Shan- 
non. Samuel  Shannon  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Kentucky,  August  1, 
1798,  and  was  killed  by  falling  off  a horse  in  1882.  He  followed  farming 
in  Warren  county,  Kentucky,  all  his  active  life.  He  and  Elizabeth  King 
were  married,  February  5,  1822.  She  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Ken- 
tucky, May  21,  1803,  and  her  death  occurred  in  young  womanhood,  June  2, 
1832.  Politically,  Joseph  M.  Clark,  mentioned  above,  was  a Democrat. 
Fraternally,  he  belonged  to  the  Masonic  Order,  and  he  was  an  active  worker 
in  the  Baptist  church,  was  responsible  for  the  Antioch  church,  and  was  a 
deacon  in  his  congregation  for  a number  of  years.  His  wife,  mother  of  our 
subject,  is  still  living,  making  her  home  in  Halltown,  Missouri. 

Five  children  were  born  to  Joseph  M.  Clark  and  wife,  namely:  Arthur 
V.  is  farming  near  Perry  Springs,  Missouri ; Miles  J.  is  cashier  of  a bank 
at  Halltown,  Missouri;  Readie  J.  is  the  wife  of  C.  H.  Johnson,  and  they 
live  near  Halltown;  Dr.  James  W.  of  this  review,  and  Dr.  Samuel  M.,  who 
is  a practicing  physician  at  Halltown. 

Dr.  James  W.  Clark  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father’s  farm.  He  was 
eight  years  old  when  the  family  left  Kentucky  and  settled  in  Lawrence 
county,  Missouri.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools,  and 
he  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  at  Halltown  in  1892.  When  but  a 
boy  he  decided  to  enter  the  medical  profession,  and  with  this  end  in  view  he 
began  reading  medicine  with  Dr.  C.  A.  Wilkerson  as  preceptor,  and  also 
read  with  Dr.  R.  W.  Paris  while  at  home  and  during  vacations.  In  1896 
he  entered  the  St.  Louis  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  where  he  made 
an  excellent  record,  and  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  with  the 
class  of  1899.  Soon  thereafter  he  established  himself  for  the  practice  of 
his  profession  at  Miller,  Lawrence  county,  where  he  remained  two  years, 
then  located  in  Ash  Grove,  Greene  county,  where  he  remained  two  years. 
After  practicing  in  Springfield  three  and  one-half  years  he  came  to  Bois 
D'Arc,  where  he  has  since  remained,  and  here  he  has  built  up  a large  and 
satisfactory  practice  and  is  one  of  the  busiest  of  the  younger  general  prac- 
titioners in  the  county.  He  has  remained  a close  student  of  all  that  pertains 
to  his  science  and  has  met  with  a high  degree  of  success. 

Dr.  Clark  was  married.  May  17,  1899,  to  Pearl  M.  Misemer,  of  Perry 
Springs,  Missouri.  She  was  born,  October  1,  1876,  and  was  a daughter  of 


1 820 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


William  and  Mary  E.  (Berry)  Mesimer,  a highly  respected  family  of  that 
locality.  Mrs.  Clark  was  killed  in  Springfield,  September  26,  1914,  by  a 
runaway  team  that  ran  into  the  automobile  driven  by  our  subject. 

Politically,  Doctor  Clark  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church,  South,  and  fraternally,  belongs  to  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  has  made  a host  of  friends  since 
locating  at  Bois  D’Arc  and  enjoys  the  confidence  and  good  will  of  the  people 
throughout  this  section  of  the  county. 


ALBERT  MARTIN  GLASS. 

This  gentleman  is  another  of  the  old  soldiers  whom  it  is  a delight  to 
honor.  They  are  getting  fewer  and  fewer  in  number  and  their  steps  are 
not  as  quick  and  full  of  meaning  as  they  were  fifty  years  ago  when  they 
were  fighting  for  the  supremacy  of  the  Union.  But  it  thrills  one  to  see 
them  in  their  old  uniforms,  with  their  tattered  flags  flying  and  their  forms 
bent  as  they  hobble  along  on  their  canes  at  reunions,  Memorial  Day  or  the 
Fourth  of  July.  And  how  interesting  it  is  to  listen  to  them  recount  the 
stirring  scenes  of  that  momentous  period  in  our  country’s  history.  Mr. 
Glass,  who  hails  from  the  old  Buckeye  state,  is  now  living  in  retirement 
on  his  fine  farm  near  Bois  D’Arc,  Greene  county,  having  in  his  early  years 
accumulated  a sufficient  competence  to  insure  the  possession  of  all  the  com- 
forts of  life  in  his  old  age. 

Albert  Martin  Glass  was  born  near  Mapleton,  Stark  county,  Ohio,  June 
18,  1843.  He  is  a son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Baker)  Glass.  John  Glass  was 
born  in  Virginia,  October  24,  1815,  and  was  a son  of  William  and  Priscilla 
(Wiley)  Glass,  both  Virginians.  William  Glass  was  bom,  February  2, 
1790,  and  immigrated  to  Stark  county,  Ohio,  in  a very  early  day  and  there 
followed  farming,  later  removing  to  near  White  Pigeon,  Michigan,  where 
he  continued  farming  until  his  death,  at  an  advanced  age.  His  wife  also 
lived  to  a ripe  age.  John  Glass  spent  his  life  on  a farm  in  Stark  county, 
Ohio,  and  died  there,  March  3,  1845.  He  and  Sarah  Baker  were  married 
on  January  2,  1840.  She  was  born  in  Stark  county,  Ohio,  September  30, 
1823,  and  her  death  occurred  in  February,  1901.  The  death  of  John  Glass 
occurred  March  3,  1845.  Politically,  he  was  a Whig,  and  he  belonged  to 
the  Presbyterian  church,  as  did  his  wife. 

To  John  Glass  and  wife  the  following  children  were  born:  Priscilla; 

Albert  Martin,  our  subject,  and  John  B.,  deceased,  a sketch  of  whom  appears 
elsewhere  in  this  work. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1821 


Albert  M.  Glass  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Stark  county, 
Ohio,  and  he  received  the  usual  common  school  education  of  that  period. 
On  August  8,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  One  Hundred  and  Fifteenth 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  spent  several  years  in  the  service  in  the  South. 
He  was  taken  prisoner  in  February,  1864,  by  bushwhackers,  near  Murfrees- 
boro, Tennessee.  The  only  great  battle  he  was  in  was  at  Stone’s  River,  or 
Murfreesboro.  Mr.  Glass  was  mustered  out  and  honorably  discharged, 
July  6,  1865,  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  thereafter  returned  to  the  farm  in  Stark 
county,  Ohio,  and  continued  general  farming  there  until  1871,  when  he  came 
to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  locating  in  Center  township,  purchasing  land 
and  he  now  owns  two  hundred  acres  of  productive  and  well  located  land, 
which  he  has  brought  up  to  a high  state  of  improvement  and  cultivation  and 
which  ranks  among  the  best  and  most  desirable  farms  of  the  county.  He 
has  a large  pleasant  home  and  a substantial  group  of  convenient  outbuild- 
ings. He  still  lives  on  his  farm,  but  merely  oversees  it  in  a general  way, 
having  lived  practically  retired  from  active  life  during  the  past  twenty 
years. 

Mr.  Glass  was  married,  December  13,  1870,  to  Susan  Van  Voorhis, 
who  was  born  in  Stark  county,  Ohio,  on  November  16,  1844,  and  there  she 
grew  to  womanhood  and  received  such  educational  advantages  as  those  days 
afforded.  Mrs.  Glass  was  a daughter  of  Peter  and  Margaret  (Sickman) 
Van  Voorhis.  The  father  was  born  in  Duchess  county,  New  York,  Febru- 
ary 8,  1795,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania,  Feb 
ruary  19,  1805.  There  they  were  married,  and  were  the  parents  of  four- 
teen children,  our  subject’s  wife  being  the  eleventh  in  order  of  birth. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Albert  M.  Glass  and  wife,  namely: 
James  I.,  who  is  operating  the  home  farm,  was  born  September  6,  1871,  and 
was  married,  January  28,  1897,  to  Olive  Tressler,  a native  of  Stark  county, 
Ohio;  they  have  one  boy  living,  Henry  E.,  born  July  14,  1898;  Dwight  P., 
born  April  22,  1901,  died  September  18,  1903.  Earl  C.,  second  son  of  our 
subject,  is  practicing  dentistry  in  Independence,  Kansas;  he  married  Edwena 
Chandler,  a native  of  Illinois,  on  March  23,  1909;  he  graduated  from  the 
Western  Dental  College  at  Kansas  City.  Iva  R.,  third  child  of  our  subject, 
was  born  December  20,  1878,  and  died  February  11,  1914;  she  married 
Marvin  J.  Ross  in  November,  1903,  and  to  their  union  two  children  were 
born,  Florence  and  Edna. 

Politically,  Mr.  Glass  is  a Republican  and  has  been  school  director  for 
many  years.  He  belongs  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  he  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  church.  During  his  residence  here, 
of  over  forty  years,  he  has  been  known  as  an  excellent  citizen  in  every  re- 
spect. 


1 822 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


EDWARD  GARNER  TUCKER. 

There  is  an  inherent  something  in  every  successful  man  that  singles  him 
out  and  sets  him  apart.  He  has  ideas  of  his  own,  and  in  those  ideas  he  has 
faith  that  nothing  can  shake.  He  defies  precedent,  ignores  rules  and  falters 
not  to  do  what  others  have  failed  to  do  before  him.  Edward  Garner 
Tucker,  president  of  the  Tucker-Ferguson  Company,  of  Springfield,  has 
proven  that  he  is  a man  of  individual  ideas  and  the  possessor  of  those 
qualities  which  make  for  success,  such  attributes  as  ginger,  candor,  honesty 
of  purpose  coupled  with  a naturally  optimistic  temperament,  which  has 
been  stimulated  by  actual  observation. 

Mr.  Tucker  is  a scion  of  an  old  Southern  family,  and  his  birth  occurred 
May  11,  1872,  in  Lebanon,  Kentucky.  He  is  a son  of  Creed  H.  and  Row- 
anne  (Riffe)  Tucker.  The  father  was  born  in  Virginia,  July  13,  1832,  and 
when  young  in  years  moved  to  Kentucky  with  his  parents,  where  he  spent 
much  of  his  life,  successfully  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  until  1869,  when, 
owing  to  failing  health,  he  retired  from  active  affairs.  His  death  occurred 
in  1S97.  Politically,  he  was  a Democrat,  and  in  religious  matters  a Baptist. 
He  and  Rowanne  Riffe  were  married  in  Lebanon,  Kentucky,  about  1859. 
She  was  born  in  the  Blue  Grass  state  in  1842  and  there  grew  to  womanhood, 
and,  like  her  husband,  received  her  education  in  the  old-time  common  schools. 
She  is  still  living,  although  past  her  alloted  three  score  and  ten  years. 
She  makes  her  home  among  her  children,  of  whom  there  are:  Mrs.  Verne 
Powell,  Boston,  Massachusetts;  Mrs.  Florence  Tucker,  Doling  City;  and 
Mrs.  A.  H.  Gifford. 

Edward  G.  Tucker  spent  his  boyhood  in  Kentucky  and  moved  with  his. 
parents  to  Sedalia,  Missouri,  when  young.  He  received  a common  school 
education  and  attended  high  school  at  Sedalia,  later  studied  at  Garfield  Uni- 
versity, Wichita,  Kansas.  After  leaving  school,  he  worked  for  the  Adams 
Express  Company  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  for  a period  of  fourteen  years, 
having  come  to  this  city  in  1888.  He  gave  the  company  eminent  satisfac- 
tion in  every  respect  and  was  regarded  as  one  of  their  most  faithful  and 
efficient  employes.  He  was  alert,  prompt,  reliable  and  courteous.  He  went 
to  Pittsburg,  Kansas,  in  1904,  and  engaged  in  coal  mining  for  three  years, 
and  his  ventures  there  as  an  operator  were  quite  successful.  In  1907  he  re- 
turned to  Springfield  and  engaged  in  the  warehouse  business,  enjoying  a 
good  patronage  for  two  years,  and  in  1909  he  and  C.  A.  Ferguson  incor- 
porated the  company  of  which  he  is  now  president  and  manager,  and  which, 
by  his  able  management  and  close  application,  has  grown  to  large  propor- 
tions. They  conduct  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  successful  storage  and 
transfer  businesses  in  this  part  of  the  state. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1823 


A detailed  description  of  the  Tucker-Ferguson  Company  will  be  found 
on  another  page  of  this  volume,  to  which  the  reader  is  respectfully  directed. 

Politically,  Mr.  Tucker  is  a Democrat;  however,  he  votes  independently 
in  local  matters.  Religiously,  he  is  a member  of  the  Christian  church. 

Mr.  Tucker  was  married,  August  15,  1897,  to  Elizabeth  Ferguson, 
who  was  born,  -October  5.  1876,  in  Springfield.  She  received  a good  educa- 
ttion,  and  is  a daughter  of  John  R.,  Sr.,  and  Virginia  Ferguson. 

Five  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tucker,  namely: 
Edward  G.,  Jr.,  born  February  14,  1899,  died  when  seventeen  months  old;. 
Florence  R.,  born  in  1902;  Edna  M.,  born  in  1905;  Anna  E.,  born  in  1907;. 
Alice  B.,  born  in  1911.  The  daughters  are  all  in  school. 


BRIGHT  AND  SALTS. 

Bright  and  Salts  are  today  among  the  enterprising  and  well  known 
business  men  of  Bois  D’Arc,  where  they  are  engaged  in  the  livery  business, 
their  barn  being  one  of  the  best  patronized  in  the  west  part  of  Greene 
county.  They  have  a modernly  equipped  barn,  which  they  keep  in  as  neat  a 
manner  as  possible  and  their  horses  are  always  well  groomed  and  give  good 
service.  Their  vehicles  are  also  well  kept  and  the  firm  tries  to  give  prompt 
and  honest  service  at  all  times,  consequently  it  is  popular  with  the  traveling 
public. 

John  C.  Bright  was  born  in  Benton  county,  Arkansas,  February  10, 
1881.  He  is  a son  of  Alfred  W.  and  Kate  (Maberry)  Bright,  both  long 
since  deceased. 

John  C.  Bright  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  state  and  worked  on 
a farm  when  a boy,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools.. 
He  continued  farming  in  Arkansas,  Oklahoma  and  Missouri,  until  1913, 
having  removed  to  the  last  named  state  in  1905.  He  is  at  this  writing  suc- 
cessfully engaged  in  the  livery  business  at  Bois  D’Arc  with  Robert  A.  Salts. 

Mr.  Bright  was  married  February  22,  1908,  to  Maucl  Salts,  who  was 
born  in  Center  township,  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  December,  1885,  and 
here  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  her  education  in  die  public  schools. 
Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bright,  namely:  Harley  A., 
born  June  19,  1909  ; James  A.,  born  July  28.  1912. 

Robert  Allen  Salts  was  born  in  Center  township,  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, February  19,  1893.  He  is  a son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Walker) 
Salts,  for  years  popular  and  well  known  farmers  of  Center  township. 

Robert  A.  Salts  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  worked 
when  a boy,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  com- 


1824 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


munity.  He  engaged  in  general  farming  until  1914,  when  he  went  in  busi- 
ness with  his  brother-in-law,  John  C.  Bright,  at  Bois  D’Arc,  a member  of 
the  livery  firm  of  Bright  & Salts. 

Mr.  Salts  married  on  January  13,  1912,  Zula  Shumate,  who  was  born, 
September  3,  1895. 

Politically  Mr.  Salts  is  a Progressive,  and  religiously  he  is  a Baptist. 
He  is  a young  man  of  much  energy  and  is  straight-forward  in  his  dealings 
with  the  public. 


AMMON  KNIGHTEN. 

It  is  now  becoming  generally  understood  that  the  life  of  the  man  who 
lives  closest  to  nature  is  the  best  life,  and  no  class  of  men  are  in  better 
position  to  receive  the  benefits  which  are  thus  to  be  derived  than  farmers. 
You  study  the  merchant,  the  professional  man,  the  artist,  the  preacher, 
statesmen  and  inventor  to  find  their  lives  no  more  excellent  than  the  lives 
of  mechanics  or  farmers.  While  the  farmer  stands  at  the  head  of  art  as 
found  in  nature,  the  others  get  but  glimpses  of  the  delights  of  nature  in  its 
various  elements  and  moods.  Ammon  Knighten,  one  of  the  most  progres- 
sive general  farmers  and  stockmen  of  Franklin  township,  Greene  county, 
is  one  of  our  worthy  citizens  who  has  ever  taken  a delight  in  nature  and  exist- 
ence, because  he  has  been  in  touch  with  the  springs  of  life,  having  spent 
his  years  on  the  farm. 

Mr.  Knighten  was  born  on  November  26,  1854,  in  Lawrence  county, 
Arkansas.  He  is  a son  of  William  York  Knighten  and  Sarah  (Archey) 
Knighten,  both  natives  of  that  state  also,  the  father’s  birth  occurring  in 
Lawrence  county,  December  28,  1826,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and 
married.  He  was  a life-long  farmer.  He  remained  in  his  native  state  until 
1873  when  he  came  with  his  family  to  Dade  county,  Missouri,  where  he 
farmed  a year,  then  moved  to  Webster  county,  and  a year  later  took  up  his 
residence  in  Dallas  county,  where  he  bought  a farm  of  eighty  acres  on  which 
he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  there  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-two 
years.  He  was  a successful  general  farmer  and  handled  a great  deal  of  live 
stock.  He  owned  nearly  four  hundred  acres  of  good  land  in  Arkansas.  He 
was  three  times  married,  first  to  a Miss  Phillips,  and  to  this  union  one  child 
was  born,  Mrs.  Sarah  Thorne.  The  second  wife  of  William  Y.  Knighten 
was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Sarah  Archer,  and  to  them  eight  children 
were  born,  namely:  John  Amonet  is  a practicing  physician  of  Springfield: 
Ammon,  subject  of  this  sketch;  William  Thomas  lives  in  Dade  county,  Mis- 
souri; Alice  is  deceased;  William  York,  Jr.,  died  in  Greene  county  in  1901; 
Laura  died  in  infancy;  Mrs.  Radie  West  lives  in  Lebanon,  Laclede  county, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1825 

this  state;  Mrs.  Effie  Le  Hew  lives  in  Wisconsin.  The  mother  of  the  above 
named  children  died  on  the  home  farm  in  Dallas  comity,  Missouri,  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1877.  The  third  marriage  of  William  Y.  Ivnighten  was  to  Sally 
Stever,  a native  of  Webster  county,  Missouri,  and  to  this  union  four  children 
were  born,  namely;  Bogie,  deceased;  Mrs.  Minnie  Williams  lives  in  Dallas 
county,  this  state;  Winfrey  also  lives  in  that  county;  and  Bertram,  who  lived 
on  the  farm  with  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  died  in  1894.  Politically,  Will- 
iam Y.  Knighten  was  a Democrat,  and  he  belonged  to  the  Christian  church. 

Ammon  Knighten  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  where  he  worked 
when  a boy,  and  he  received  a common  school  education.  He  came  to  Greene 
county  in  January,  1891,  locating  at  Hickory  Barrens,  Franklin  township, 
ten  miles  northeast  of  Springfield.  He  learned  the  blacksmith’s  trade  at 
Marshfield,  Webster  county,  and  there  he  maintained  a shop  for  some  time, 
and  also  had  a shop  at  Hickory  Barrens,  where  he  spent  eight  years.  He  was 
regarded  at  both  places  as  an  exceptionally  highly  skilled  workman.  Pie 
also  operated  a store  at  the  latter  place,  which  he  finally  traded  for  a farm, 
and  has  since  followed  farming.  He  located  on  his  present  fine  farm  (The 
Mansel  Putman  homestead)  in  1900.  It  is-  known  as  “The  Prairie  View 
Stock  Farm.”  In  connection  with  general  farming  he  raises  live  stock  in 
large  numbers,  specializing  in  Aberdeen  and  Galloway  cattle,  mostly  the 
latter  breed.  His  registered  pedigree  bull  “Laddie,”  an  Aberdeen,  known 
as  “Prairie  View  Laddie  No.  4,”  was  bred  by  J.  M.  Jones,  of  Everton, 
Missouri.  It  is  the  sire  of  “Laddie  Blanchard,"  and  its  register  number  is 
1 77435.  Mr.  Knighten’s  fine  stock  is  greatly  admired  by  all,  being  superior 
quality.  His  farm  contains  over  four  hundred  acres  of  excellent  land.  It 
is  nearly  all  under  cultivation,  a small  portion  being  in  timber.  It  is  well 
improved  in  every  way,  and  he  has  a substantial  and  convenient  group  of 
buildings.  Everything  about  his  place  denotes  thrift  and  good  management. 
He  also  raises  good  horses,  and  the  many  cattle  that  he  raises  are  sold  to 
local  buyers.  He  is  one  of  the  best  judges  of  live  stock  in  the  county.  He 
built  his  present  handsome  residence  in  1906,  and  has  made  most  of  the 
other  improvements  on  his  farm. 

Mr.  Knighten  was  twice  married,  first,  to  Mary  E.  Dotson,  July  10, 
1873.  She  was  born  in  Polk  county,  Missouri,  but  was  reared  in  Arkansas. 
Her  death  occurred  in  1891.  To  this  union  five  children  were  born,  namely: 
Samuel  Arthur,  who  lives  in  Franklin  township,  near  Fair  Grove;  Ida  died 
when  six  years  of  age;  Lona,  wife  of  Claude  L.  Headlee,  lives  in  Franklin 
township  (a  sketch  of  Mr.  Headlee  and  family  appears  on  another  page 
of  this  work)  ; John  Albert  is  deceased;  Pearl  is  also  deceased. 

On  May  6,  1900,  Mr.  Knighten  married  for  his  second  wife,  Mary  Jane 
Putman,  a daughter  of  Mansel  and  Minerva  ( James)  Putman.  This  sec- 
(ii5) 


1826 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ond  union  has  been  without  issue.  A sketch  of  the  Putman  family  will  be 
found  in  another  part  of  this  volume. 

Politically,  Air.  Knighten  is  a Democrat,  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Fair  Grove.  He  was  reared  in 
the  faith  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  church.  Fie  is  a congenial,  quiet,  plain 
gentleman  and  it  is  a pleasure  to  talk  to  him  and  visit  his  hospitable  home. 
He  is  a man  of  strong  intellectual  endowment,  and  is  deserving  of  much 
credit  for  his  large  success  in  life. 


ANDREW  B.  DUNCAN. 

It  requires  not  only  close  application  and  studious  habits  to  succeed  in 
this  day  and  age  as  a photographer,  but  also  a natural  esthetic  taste.  These 
characteristics  are  undoubtedly  possessed  by  Andrew  B.  Duncan,  one  of  the 
leading  photographers  of  Springfield  and  southwestern  Missouri,  a man 
whose  work  has  kept  well  abreast  of  the  times  and  whose  studio  it  is  a 
pleasure  to  inspect  by  those  who  delight  in  and  appreciate  art  of  a high 
order. 

Air.  Duncan  was  born,  April  20,  1850,  in  Ontario,  Canada.  He  is  a 
son  of  Donald  McDonald  Duncan  and  Dorothy  (Gennett)  Duncan.  The 
father  was  born  near  Grennock,  Scotland,  January  15,  1812,  and  the  mother 
was  a native  of  Ireland,  born  in  1815.  They  grew  up  in  the  British  Isles 
and  received  limited  educations,  were  married  there  and  remained  in  that 
country  until  they  emigrated  to  Canada,  and  there  they  kept  an  inn  until 
the  father's  death  in  the  year  1864.  The  mother  died  in  Ottawa,  Canada, 
in  1873.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  captain  of  the  Coast 
Guards  in  Cork,  Ireland.  His  name  was  Andrew  Bennett.  Nine  children 
were  born  to  Donald  M.  Duncan  and  wife,  only  three  of  whom  survive  at 
this  writing,  namely:  Isabelle,  Andrew  B.,  and  Frederick  T. 

Andrew  B.  Duncan  grew  to  manhood  in  Canada  and  he  received  his 
education  in  the  common  and  high  schools  of  Ottawa.  When  a young  man 
he  took  a position  with  the  Singer  Alanufacturing  Company  in  Montreal, 
which  he  held  for  some  time,  and  was  in  the  sewing  machine  business  for  a 
period  of  twenty  years,  during  which  time  he  became  thoroughly  conversant 
with  every  phase  of  the  business  and  made  a success.  He  came  to  Kansas 
City,  Missouri,  in  1886,  where  he  was  connected  with  the  White  Sewing 
Machine  Company  for  a period  of  five  years.  In  1891  he  began  his  career 
as  photographer  for  which  he  had  not  only  a natural  liking  but  a decided 
innate  ability  and  consequently  was  successful  from  the  start.  For  ten  years 
he  was  official  photographer  for  the  Frisco  railroad,  using  his  own  private 


GREENE  COUNTY^  MISSOURI. 


1827 


car,  which  was  a model  in  every  respect  of  its  kind.  He  traveled  extensively 
and  did  high  grade  work  for  which  he  was  commended  by  the  officials  of 
the  road.  He  came  to  Springfield  in  1903  and  located  at  the  old  Sittler  place 
on  St.  Louis  street.  He  was  burned  out  there  and  he  then  moved  to  his 
present  location.  Since  coming  to  this  city  he  has  enjoyed  a large  and  con- 
stantly-growing business  and  his  neat  and  modernly  appointed  studio  is 
visited  by  people  from  all  over  the  Southwest.  His  work  is  high-grade  in 
every  respect.  He  is  an  expert  at  posing  as  well  as  in  finishing  and  he  is 
never  behind  in  the  changing  styles  in  his  art. 

Mr.  Duncan  was  married  on  December  22,  1873,  Arnprior,  Canada, 
to  Mary  Lyon,  a native  of  that  place,  where  she  was  reared  and  educated. 
The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  been  without  issue. 

Mr.  Duncan  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  including  the  Knights 
Templar  and  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He 
holds  membership  in  the  Calvary  Presbyterian  church. 


HOLLAND  DAIRY  FARM. 

During  the  past  few  years  it  has  been  demonstrated  beyond  a question 
of  a doubt  that  the  best  paying  dairy  is  the  one  that  is  most  sanitary  and 
managed  under  scientific  methods,  although  the  expense  of  proper  equip- 
ment and  maintenance  may  be  large,  in  the  end  the  outlay  is  not  regretted. 
Those  who  own  dairies  nowadays  pay  more  attention  to  the  comfort  of  their 
stock  than  in  former  years.  Barns  are  kept  clean  and  filled  with  light  and 
air,  are  built  with  cement  floors,  windows  for  ventilation,  much  attention 
paid  to  an  adequate  supply  of  fresh  water  and  high-grade  food  ; in  fact,  there 
has  been  as  much  progress  made  in  dairying  as  in  most  other  lines  of  in- 
dustry during  the  past  decade. 

One  of  the  most  up-to-date,  sanitary  and  successful  dairies  in  Greene 
and  surrounding  counties  is  the  Holland  Dairy,  owned  and  operated  by 
Charles  Holland,  on  his  fine  farm  of  four  hundred  and  forty  acres  just 
west  of  Springfield,  and  the  fame  of  this  model  dairy  is  far-reaching.  It 
is  often  visited  by  people  from  other  parts  of  Missouri  and  other  states 
for  the  purpose  of  getting  ideas  for  the  establishment  of  dairies  or  improv- 
ing those  already  established. 

Here  is  to  be  seen  a one-story  concrete  housing  barn,  thirty-six  by  one 
hundred  and  ten  feet,  complete  with  “Star”  equipment;  three  silos  with  a 
capacity  of  five  hundred  tons.  He  keeps  an  average  of  fifty  head  of  high- 
grade  Holstein  cows,  the  best  that  the  market  affords,  and  his  herd  is  given 
the  tuberculosis  test  twice  a year.  The  cows  are  milked  by  Sharpies  milkers. 


1828 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


The  milk  is  never  exposed  to  the  air,  going  direct  from  the  machine  to  the 
cooler,  where  the  temperature  is  reduced  from  one  hundred  and  one  degrees 
to  forty-four  degrees,  and  from  there  to  the  bottling  machine.  All  this 
machinery  is  thoroughly  cleaned  by  steam  and  hand.  One  hundred  and  fifty 
gallons  of  milk  are  produced  daily  in  this  dairy.  The  tubular  coolers  are 
made  of  one  and  one-half  inch  copper  tubes,  which  are  tinned  on  the  inside  as 
well  as  on  the  outside.  The  tubes  are  made  of  sufficient  gauge  to  with- 
stand high  pressure.  Heavy  tinned  brass  strips  fill  up  the  spaces  between 
the  tubes.  The  cooler  represents  a continuous  surface  on  both  sides,  which 
facilitates  the  cleaning.  Brass  plugs  are  provided  so  as  to  be  able  to  clean 
the  inside  of  the  tubes  and  free  them  from  any  sediment.  All  coolers  are 
made  with  double  waterway  connections.  They  are  figured  on  a basis  of 
twenty  square  feet  of  cooling  surface  to  each  one  thousand  pounds  of  milk 
or  cream  cooled.  A double  end  milk  bottle  filler  is  used,  quarts  at  one  end; 
pints,  half  pints  or  quarter  pints  at  the  other.  It  is  installed  in  a regular  bot- 
tling house,  where  four  hundred  and  fifty  bottles  are  prepared  daily  for  the 
trade  and  sent  to  the  Springfield  market  in  attractive  delivery  wagons, 
especially  designed  for  the  purpose.  The  most  approved  stanchions  are  to 
be  seen  in  the  milking  barn. 

The  Holland  Dairy  has  been  frequently  praised  by  leading  dairymen 
of  the  country  and  much  written  of  in  dairy  publications. 

Charles  Holland,  owner  and  manager  of  this  dairy  and  surrounding 
farm,  was  born  on  November  9,  1879,  in  Springfield,  Missouri.  He  is  a son 
of  T.  B.  and  Bertonia  (Hamilton)  Holland,  for  a long  lapse  of  years  one 
of  the  prominent  families  of  this  locality,  and  of  whom  extended  mention 
is  made  on  other  pages  of  this  work. 

Charles  Holland  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  city,  and  after  attending 
the  common  schools,  entered  Drury  College,  where  he  spent  three  years, 
later  was  a student  for  four  years  in  the  Webb  School  at  Bellbuclde,  Ten- 
nesee,  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1902.  He  then  spent  a 
year  in  Vanderbilt  University,  Nashville,  Tennesee,  after  which  he  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Holland  Banking  Company  in  his  native  city,  and  con- 
tinued in  the  same  until  1907,  when  he  went  into  the  live  stock  business, 
importing  Coach  and  Percheron  horses  from  France.  He  continued  suc- 
cessfully in  this  business  until  January  1,  1914,  when  he  sold  out  and  has  dis- 
continued this  line  of  endeavor.  In  1912,  he  began  operating  the  Holland 
Dairy  Farms,  and  this  is  now  claiming  his  chief  attention  and  it  has  been  a 
most  successful  venture  in  every  respect. 

Mr.  Holland  was  married  April  18,  1900,  to  Louise  Massey,  a daughter 
of  Frank  R.  and  Sallie  (Jones)  Massey,  one  of  the  best  known  and  in- 
fluential families  of  Springfield,  in  which  city  Mrs.  Holland  was  born  on 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1829 


April  25,  1879,  and  here  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated.  She 
has  long  been  popular  with  the  best  clubs  and  social  circles  and  is  a lady  of 
many  pleasing  attributes. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holland  has  resulted  in  the  birth  of  four 
children,  named  as  follows:  Colley  B.,  born  on  July  7,  1901;  Charles,  Jr., 
born  in  March,  1903  ; R.  Massey,  born  on  May  7,  1905;  Richard  H.,  born 
on  May  9,  1907.  They  are  all  attending  school,  and  are  lads  of  much 
promise. 

Politically,  Mr.  Holland  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Spring- 
field  Club,  and  fraternally  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order,  in  which  he  has 
attained  the  thirty-second  degree,  and  he  also  belongs  to  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 


ELMER  D.  SQUIBB. 

The  people  of  Bois  D’Arc  and  vicinity  point  to  Elmer  D.  Squibb,  well- 
known  jeweler  and  optician,  as  one  of  their  most  valued  citizens,  admiring 
him  for  his  high  moral  character;  for  his  life  among  them  since  his  birth, 
some  four  decades  ago,  may  well  be  likened  unto  an  open  book.  That 
they  place  implicit  confidence  in  him  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  he  is  re- 
garded as  one  of  the  leaders  in  public  affairs  and  is  now  serving  them  as 
postmaster.  The  duties  of  the  various  positions  of  trust  which  he  has  been 
called  upon  to  fill  have  been  discharged  with  credit. 

Mr.  Squibb  was  born  in  Bois  D’Arc,  Greene  county,  Missouri,  May  11, 
1875.  He  is  a son  of  Joseph  D.  and  Sarah  (Leeper)  Squibb.  The  name 
began  from  the  Spanish  Esquivel,  and  passed  through  France  as  Esquib, 
thence  to  Reading,  Gerkshire,  England,  as  Squibb,  thence  to  Nova  Scotia, 
and  from  there  to  Brooklyn,  New  York,  where  Dr.  Edward  R.  Squibb 
established  what  is  known  today  as  the  oldest  chemical  laboratory  in  the 
world.  William  P.  Squibb  and  descendants  are  at  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana. 
John  W.  Squibb  and  descendants  are  known  in  Greene  county,  Tennessee, 
while  James  Squibb,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  came  and  set- 
tled in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  the  early  forties,  where  eight  sons  and 
one  daughter,  forty  grandchildren  and  seventy  great-grandchildren  survived 
him  in  1914.  Joseph  D.  Squibb,  father  of  our  subject,  is  today  living  in 
Center  township,  carrying  on  general  farming,  operating  about  five  hundred 
acres,  practically  all  of  which  is  under  cultivation.  He  has  reached  the  age 
of  sixty-four  years  and  is  well  preserved  and  can  do  as  much  work  as  ever. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Squibb,  mother  of  our  subject,  died  in  November,  1877. 
She  was  a daughter  of  Andrew  Leeper  and  wife,,  who  were  natives  of  Greene 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


183O 

county,  Tennessee,  and  came  into  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  the  early 
forties  and  were  among  the  first  settlers.  'Here  they  first  established  the 
Leeper  home.  They  have  long  since  passed  over  the  River  of  Time. 

Elmer  D.  Squibb  grew  to  manhood  in  Bois  D’Arc  and  received  his  edu- 
cation m the  public  schools  here,  later  attending  for  one  year  the  Marion- 
ville  Collegiate  Institute  at  Marionville,  Lawrence  county,  then  studied  in 
the  Scarrett  College  at  Neosho,  Missouri,  one  year.  From  1892  to  1899  he 
ran  a drug  store  and  studied  pharmacy,  passing  the  state  board’s  examina- 
tion in  1906.  In  1899  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business.  In  1900  he  at- 
tended the  Horological  school  at  Omaha,  Nebraska,  from  which  he  was  duly 
graduated  as  a jeweler  and  optician,  and  in  1901  established  his  present  store 
in  Bois  D’Arc,  which  he  has  since  conducted  with  much  success,  enjoying 
a large  business  with  the  surrounding  country.  He  carries  a carefully 
selected  line  of  jewelry,  diamonds,  watches,  clocks,  fobs,  chains,  bracelets, 
lockets,  rings,  charms,  eye  glasses,  etc.,  and  he  has  met  with  pronounced 
success  as  an  optician.  His  repair  work  is  regarded  as  high-grade. 

On  December  26,  1902,  Mr.  Squibb  was  appointed  postmaster  at 
Bois  D’Arc  and  has  since  served  in  this  capacity  in  a manner  highly  accept- 
able to  the  people  and  the  department.  Politically,  he  is  a Republican,  and 
has  been  very  active  in  political  affairs  for  some  time.  He  served  one  term 
as  constable  of  his  township  and  in  1912  made  the  race  for  treasurer,  but 
went  down  in  the  general  defeat  of  his  party.  He  was  township  committee- 
man from  1902  to  1908.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  Lodge  No.  449,  Ancient 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  has  been  worshipful  master  for  about  eight 
years;  he  belongs  to  Ash  Grove  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  Zebud 
Council  of  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  of  Springfield;  he  is  also  a member 
of  Ash  Grove  Lodge  No.  422,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the 
Woodmen  of  the  World,  of  which  he  has  been  secretary  for  four  years,  and 
is  also  a member  of  the  Woodmen  of  the  World  Circle.  He  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Mr.  Squibb  was  married,  May  11,  1898,  40  Maude  M.  Frame,  who 
was  born,  April  18,  1879.  She  is  a daughter  of  J.  W.  and  Delilah  (Jones) 
Frame.  Her  father  was  born  September  28,  1855,  and  her  mother  was 
born,  February  12,  1852;  the  latter’s  death  occurred  March  1,  1883.  Mrs. 
Squibb  is  a member  of  the  Order  of  Eastern  Star,  Ash  Grove  Chapter,  No. 
109.  She  is  deputy  postmaster  at  Bois  D’Arc.  She  is  one  of  three  children 
by  her  father's  first  marriage:  Homer  G.,  who  is  a practicing  physician  at 
Cave  Spring;  Mrs.  Squibb  was  next  in  order  of  birth,  and  Rosalee,  who  mar- 
ried Walter  E.  Baker,  a merchant  of  Bois  D’Arc.  Mrs.  Squibb  received  her 
education  in  the  public  schools  in  Bois  D’Arc  and  is  a graduate  of  Omaha 
Optical  Institute,  Omaha,  Nebraska. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


183I 

JOHN  FRANKLIN  MASON. 

While  splendid  success  has  come  to  John  Franklin  Mason,  he  has  ever 
been  actuated  by  the  spirit  of  Lincoln  in  his  sentiment:  “There  is  some- 

thing better  than  making  a living — making  a life.”  He  was  formerly  one 
of  the  enterprising  business  men  of  Ash  Grove,  and  is  now  the  efficient 
recorder  of  Greene  county  and  makes  his  home  in  Springfield.  Beginning 
in  a comparatively  humble  position  in  life  he  has  made  his  way  to  a place  of 
substance  and  honor  entirely  through  his  own  efforts  and  yet  he  has  not  con- 
sidered his  private  interests  only,  but  rather  has  given  greater  consideration 
to  the  public  welfare,  for  which  he  has  ever  been  ready  to  make  sacrifices. 

Mr.  Mason  was  born,  November  26,  1868,  on  a farm  near  Halltown, 
Lawrence  county,  Missouri.  He  is  a son  of  Reuben  B.  and  Mary  E.  (Rich- 
ardson) Mason.  The  father  was  born  in  Lawrence  county,  this  state,  on 
January  13,  1843,  and  was  a son  of  Abraham  and  Hulda  (Bodenhamer) 
Mason.  Abraham  Mason  was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  where  he  spent 
his  earlier  years,  and  removed  to  Indiana  in  1838.  In  1841  he  came  West 
and  settled  in  Lawrence  county,  Missouri,  where  he  entered  a large  tract 
of  land,  which  he  cleared  and  on  which  he  carried  on  general  farming  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1861.  He  was  one  of  the  influential  citizens  in 
that  county  in  pioneer  times.  Politically,  he  was  a Whig.  Flis  wife,  who 
was  also  a native  of  North  Carolina,  died  on  the  home  place  in  Lawrence 
county,  July  25,  1880.  Reuben  M.  Mason  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home 
farm  and  he  received  a common  school  education ; he  followed  farming  all 
his  life,  with  the  exception  of  the  time  he  spent  in  the  Union  army  during 
the  Civil  war  as  a member  of  the  Seventy-fourth  Missouri  Militia,  and  later 
as  a member  of  Company  A,  Sixteenth  Missouri  Cavalry.  He  saw  con- 
siderable active  service  and  made  a good  record  as  a soldier,  and  was  hon- 
orably. discharged  and  mustered  out  of  the  service,  June  30,  1865.  O11 

January  18,  1866,  he  married  Mary  E.  Richardson,  who  was  born  in  Law- 
rence county,  Missouri,  October  26,  1846.  She  was  a daughter  of  John  W. 
and  Maria  L.  (Ferris)  Richardson.  Politically,  Reuben  B.  Mason  was  a 
Republican.  Flis  death  occurred  on  March  27,  1902,  but  his  widow  is  still 
living  on  the  homestead  near  Halltown. 

John  F.  Mason  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Lawrence  county 
where  he  worked  when  a boy,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools.  He  worked  on  the  farm  until  1898,  when  he  went  to  Spencer, 
Missouri,  where  he  spent  four  years  in  the  mercantile  business,  and  in  1902 
moved  to  Halltown,  engaging  in  the  same  line  of  endeavor,  enjoying  an 
excellent  trade  in  both  places.  In  1907  he  went  to  Ash  Grove,  where  he 
conducted  a drug  store  with  success  until  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of 


1832 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


county  recorder,  November  3,  1914.  He  carried  his  township  by  the  largest 
number  of  votes  that  any  candidate  for  county  recorder  ever  received.  He 
was  elected  by  a majority  of  six  hundred  and  ninety-three  votes.  He  is 
filling  the  office  in  a highly  creditable  manner,  being  industrious,  prompt 
and  courteous  in  his  dealings  with  the  public. 

Mr.  Mason  studied  pharmacy  and  passed  the  examination  required  by 
the  state  board  of  pharmacy,  November  25,  1911.  He  had  a neat  and  well 
stocked  store  and  carried  a full  line  of  drugs  and  drug  sundries  and  he  built 
up  a large  trade. 

Mr.  Mason  was  married,  January  23,  1898,  to  Mina  Nickel,  a daughter 
of  James  A.  and  Jane  (Breeden)  Nickel,  and  to  this  union  one  child  was 
born,  James  B.  Mason,  whose  birth  occurred  on  August  10,  1899.  The  death 
of  the  wife  and  mother  occurred  September  8,  1903.  Mr.  Mason  was  again 
married  on  April  10,  1906,  to  Daisy  Smith,  a daughter  of  Gaither  and 
Melvina  (Oldham)  Smith.  To  this  last  union  one  child  has  been  born, 
John  M.  Mason,  whose  birth  occurred  July  24,  1908. 

Politically,  Mr.  Mason  is  a Republican,  and  fraternally,  he  is  a member 
of  the  Masonic  Order,  including  the  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
the  Chapter  and  the  Royal  Arch  Masons,  all  of  Ash  Grove;  he  also  belongs 
to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Woodmen  of  the  World. 


DAVID  MILLER  RITTER. 

We  are  always  glad  to  talk  to  the  aged  veterans  of  America’s  great  Civil 
war,  in  which  nearly  five  million  men  took  part,  but  of  this  vast  number  only 
a comparatively  few  remain  with  us  to  tell  the  interesting  story  of  the  dread- 
ful hardships  they  endured  in  their  winter  camps,  in  the  hospitals,  the  harass- 
ing marches,  in  the  battles  and  skirmishes,  or  in  the  prison  hells.  But  their 
time  is  short  now,  so  all  persons  should  join  in  honoring  them  for  sacri- 
fices they  made  when  they  were  young  and  full  of  the  love  of  life,  but 
which  was  offered  free  on  the  altar  of  their  country.  David  Miller  Ritter 
of  Center  township,  Greene  county,  is  one  of  this  number.  He  has  made 
his  home  in  our  midst  nearly  a half  century  during  which  he  has  progressed 
from  a modest  beginning  as  a farmer  to  one  of  the  largest  agriculturists  in 
the  township. 

Mr.  Ritter  was  horn  near  South  Bend,  St.  Joseph  county,  Indiana, 
February  10,  1842.  He  is  a son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Miller)  Ritter, 
'fhe  father  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  that  county,  having  moved 
there  from  Wayne  county,  Ohio.  Our  subject  traces  his  ancestry  back 
to  the  historical  Boston  “Tea  Party,”  when  Aaron  Miller,  his  maternal 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1833 


great-grandfather,  assisted  in  throwing  the  tea  overboard.  To  Jacob  Rit- 
ter and  wife  twelve  children  were  born,  seven  of  whom  are  living,  namely: 
Aaron  is  a retired  farmer  of  Greene  county;  William  H.  H.  is  a retired 
farmer  of  St.  Joseph  county,  Indiana;  Franklin  is  farming  in  the  last- 
named  county;  Emeline  is  the  wife  of  I.  N.  Miller,  a retired  farmer  of  New 
Carlisle,  Indiana;  Clarinda  B.  is  the  widow  of  John  T.  Buchtel,  of  South 
Bend,  Indiana;  Lorinda  is  the  wife  of  Quinn  Bulla,  a fruit  grower  of 
Pomona,  California,  and  David  M.  of  this  sketch. 

Our  subject  was  reared  in  his  native  county  and  received  a good  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools  and  the  Northern  Indiana  College  at  South 
Bend.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-first  Indiana  Battery  of  Light 
Artillery  and  served  gallantly  in  the  Union  army  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
reaching  the  rank  of  corporal.  After  he  was  honorably  discharged  he 
returned  to  Indiana,  and  after  a term  in  college  came  to  Springfield,  Mis- 
souri, in  the  spring  of  1866,  accompanied  by  H.  E.  Hardman,  a former 
army  comrade.  They  came  overland,  driving  a herd  of  one  thousand  sheep. 
They  were  three  months  on  the  road.  They  first  settled  on  Leeper  Prairie, 
Greene  county,  buying  forty  acres  there,  selling  out  two  years  later  and 
moving  near  Springfield  on  the  Campbell  farm,  where  they  broke  seventy 
acres  of  prairie  for  June  Campbell,  using  ox  teams  for  this  purpose,  having 
traded  their  sheep  for  cattle.  They  remained  with  Mr.  Campbell  three 
years,  then  our  subject  and  Mr.  Hardman  dissolved  partnership  and  Mr. 
Ritter  and  his  brother  Aaron  formed  a partnership  and  bought  forty  acres 
in  the  eastern  part  of  Center  township,  adjoining  our  subject's  present  farm. 
Mr.  Ritter  of  this  sketch  then  homesteaded  eighty  acres  adjoining  on  the 
south  where  he  now  resides,  later  purchasing  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
from  the  Frisco  railroad  in  Campbell  township,  but  adjoining  his  home 
place,  the  property  lying  on  the  eastern  boundary  of  Center  and  western 
boundary  of  Campbell  township.  Later  he  purchased  forty  acres  more, 
making  a total  of  three  hundred  acres,  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of 
which  has  been  set  to  an  apple  orchard,  which  is  one  of  the  largest  producers 
in  this  section  of  the  Ozarks.  His  land  is  all  well  improved  and  he  has  an 
attractive  home  and  numerous  outbuildings.  He  has  been  successful  as  a 
stock  raiser  also,  giving  preference  to  horses  and  mules.  He  is  regarded 
as  being  exceptionally  well  informed  in  general  farming  subjects  as  well  as 
horticulture  and  stock  raising. 

Mr.  Ritter  was  married  on  May  30,  1872,  to  Josephine  Martin,  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Lucinda  (Beets)  Martin,  who  came  from  Anna, 
Union  county,  Illinois,  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  many  years  ago  and  here 
established  their  permanent  home. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  How- 

ard J.,  born  on  July  4,  1873,  was  educated  in  the  Springfield  high  school 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1834 

and  Drury  College,  married,  in  1907,  Ollie  Piper,  a daughter  of  Wesley 
Piper,  of  Ash  Grove,  Missouri ; he  is  engaged  in  farming,  his  place  lying 
beside  that  of  his  father,  our  subject;  Clara  L.,  born  on  January  31,  1876, 
was  educated  in  the  Springfield  high  school,  married  in  September,  1895, 
Robert  L.  Toombs,  a traveling  salesman  of  Springfield,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Robert,  Jr.,  age  eighteen;  and  Ethel  May,  age  sixteen.  Ethel  E., 
our  subject’s  youngest  child*  was  born  on  April  21,  1878,  was  educated  in 
the  Springfield  high  school,  married,  in  1900,  Alfred  O.  Smith,  a travel- 
ing salesman  of  Springfield,  and  they  have  three  children,  Alfred  Ritter, 
who  is  now  thirteen  years  old ; Richard  Ritter,  who  is  now  ten  years  old ; 
and  Helen  Josephine,  who  is  eight  years  old. 

Politically,  Mr.  Ritter  is  a Republican. 


BENJAMIN  B.  COUNTS. 

“Whatever  is,  is  best”  wrote  the  poet  Longfellow.  Evidently  he  did  not 
believe  in  destiny  or  good  fortune ; rather,  any  man  who  blames  destiny 
should  blame  himself.  Good  fortune  simply  means  good  opportunities  that 
come  to  every  man  if  he  has  the  sagacity  to  see  and  accept  that  which  is 
offered.  Providence  rules,  but  not  to  the  advantage  of  the  lazy  and  inef- 
ficient. Every  man  must  be  the  architect  of  his  success.  If  he  has  the  right 
mettle  in  him  he  cannot  be  kept  down.  If  he  is  made  of  inferior  material 
he  cannot  be  kept  up,  though  all  the  world  try  to  elevate  him.  Benjamin 
B.  Counts  knew  at  the  beginning  of  his  career  that  if  he  succeeded  he  would 
have  to  be  industrious,  capable  and  conscientious,  and  so  he  has  forged 
ahead  because  of  these  qualities. 

Mr.  Counts  was  born  on  March  22,  1874,  at  Indianapolis,  Mahaska  county, 
Iowa.  He  is  a son  of  James  Alexander  Counts,  a native  of  West  Virginia, 
where  he  spent  his  boyhood  and  attended  school,  coming  West  before  the 
breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  but  was  in  Ohio  when  Lincoln  called  for 
troops  to  suppress  the  Southern  rebellion,  so  he  at  once  cast  his  lot  with 
the  Union  and  enlisted  in  the  Forty-fifth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which 
he  served  as  a private  for  three  years,  taking  part  in  many  of  the  most 
important  battles  of  the  war.  In  early  life  he  learned  the  blacksmith’s 
trade,  at  which  he  became  an  expert  and  owned  and  operated  a large  shop 
of  his  own  until  three  years  before  his  death,  when  he  retired  from  active 
life.  He  died  at  Afton,  Oklahoma,  in  1910  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years. 
Politically  he  was  a Democrat.  He  belonged  to  the  Masonic  order  and  to 
the  Baptist  church.  Pie  married  Margaret  L.  Houghton,  who  is  living  at 
the  homestead  in  Afton,  Oklahoma,  being  now  sixty-seven  years  of  age. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1835 


To  these  parents  five  children  were  born,  namely:  John  Vester,  formerly 
a section  foreman  on  the  Santa  Fe  road,  is  now  farming  in  Oklahoma; 
Benjamin  B.,  of  this  sketch;  Claudius  is  a printer  by  trade  and  lives  at 
Alhambra,  Colorado ; Erma  is  the  wife  of  Oscar  Byers  and  they  live  at 
Afton,  Oklahoma;  Joat  is  an  electrician  and  lives  at  Bartlesville,  Oklahoma. 

Benjamin  B.  Counts  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  leaving 
school  when  seventeen  years  of  - age  and  went  to  work  for  his  father  at 
blacksmithing,  remaining  with  him  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  then 
married  and  began  working  for  himself,  following  his  trade,  at  Senecca, 
Missouri,  where  he  ran  a shop  two  years,  then  worked  in  the  lead  and  zinc 
mines  at  Webb  City  for  eight  years.  He  came  to  'Springfield  on  October 
5,  1908,  and  began  working  in  the  Frisco’s  south  side  shops  as  fireman, 
later  being  promoted  to  assistant  engineer,  which  position  he  held  until 
the  spring  of  1915,  when  he  resigned  and  moved  to  his  farm  of  forty  acres 
near  Republic. 

Mr.  Counts  was  married  on  February  25,  1893,  to  Sarah  S.  Westfall, 
a daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  F.  (Linger)  Westfall,  of  Afton,  Okla- 
homa. The  father  was  a native  of  West  Virginia.  To  our  subject  and  wife 
six  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Bertha  is  the  wife  of  William  F. 

Hartney,  a machinist  in  the  north  side  Frisco  shops,  Springfield;  the  sec- 
ond child  died  in  infancy  unnamed;  Mildred  lives  in  St.  Louis;  Ralph, 
Cecil  and  Harold  are  deceased. 

Politically  Mr.  Counts  is  a Democrat,  fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America;  he  is  a mem- 
ber eh  the  National  Order  of  Stationary  Engineers  and  religiously  he  holds 
membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


RANSOM  BENTON  WOODWARD. 

Life  primarily  is  designed  for  what  joy  one  can  get  from  it.  Happi- 
ness is  the  thing  we  all  crave,  the  thing  that  we  all  need,  for  it  best  builds 
character ; it  comes  from  several  causes,  one  a fine  state  of  health.  Happily 
the  country  affords  the  ideal  place  for  bodily  health  and  vigor.  Happiness 
comes  from  the  use  of  the  body  in  vigorous  and  successful  endeavor.  Here 
is  where  life  on  the  farm  comes  in  strong;  there  is  chance  to  develop  the 
body  perfectly  in  all  manner  of  healthy  work.  And  there  is  no  need  of 
overworking  in  the  country.  Happiness  comes,  too,  from  having  an  appre- 
ciative mind  able  to  take  in  the  beauty  of  the  world  and  the  delights  of  one's 
own  environment.  This  application  comes  from  training,  largely.  There 
are  men  who  cannot  see  with  any  joy  the  most  serene  landscape  and  even 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1836 

view  with  utter  indifference  the  splendor  of  the  autumn  woods.  Ransom 
Benton  Woodward  is  a farmer  who  fully  appreciates  the  advantages  for 
happiness  in  a rural  life  and  beauty  of  the  outdoors. 

Mr.  Woodward  was  born  two  miles  north  of  Bois  D'Arc,  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  April  3,  1850.  He  is  a son  of  Jacob  and  Susan  Caroline 
(Robinson)  Woodward.  The  father  was  born  on  September  13,  1819,  in 
Calloway  county,  Kentucky,  and  was  a son- of  Edward  Woodward,  who  was 
born  in  Virginia  about  1795.  The  latter’s  father  immigrated  to  America 
from  Scotland  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war,  he  and  his  four  brothers 
working  their  way  across  the  Atlantic  on  board  an  old-fashioned  sailing 
vessel,  the  trip  requiring  several  months,  and  they  fought  under  Washing- 
ton in  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  father  of  our  subject  came  to  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  in  1837  and  bought  a distillery  three  miles  northeast  of 
Ash  Grove,  which  he  operated  until  about  1850.  The  first  farm  on  which 
he  lived  after  locating  in  this  county  was  rented  from  Governor  Polk. 
Early  in  the  fifties  Jacob  Woodward  entered  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
from  the  government  on  the  Leeper  Prairie,  now  known  as  the  Thorn  place, 
and  he  remained  there  until  1857.  In  1859  he  bought  the  farm  now  occu- 
pied by  his  son,  Ransom  B.  of  this  sketch.  It  lies  in  section  2,  and  consists 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  He  erected  the  family  home  here,  which 
was  at  that  time  the  only  dwelling  for  miles  around.  The  building  is  still 
standing  and  is  used  by  our  subject  for  storage  purposes.  During  the  Civil 
war  Jacob  Woodward  enlisted  in  the  state  militia  shortly  after  hostilities 
began,  under  Capt.  F.  S.  Jones,  and  he  remained  in  the  service  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  and,  being  an  excellent  soldier,  rose  to  the  rank  of  orderly 
sergeant  under  Gen.  C.  B.  Holland,  with  whom  he  fought  at  the  battle  of 
Springfield,  January  8,  1863,  when  General  Marmaduke  and  General  Shelby 
attacked  the  place.  After  the  war  he  continued  general  farming  and  stock 
raising.  He  devoted  especial  attention  to  mule  raising,  up  to  the  time  of 
the  war. 

Ransom  B.  Woodward  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  his  schooling- 
was  limited  to  about  fifteen  months  in  the  Kelley  school,  the  only  graded 
school  in  Greene  county  at  that  time.  It  was  under  the  management  of  Major 
E.  P.  Downing  and  Professor  Crane.  Our  subject  lived  at  home  and 
assisted  with  the  general  work  there  until  he  was  twenty-seven  years  old, 
at  which  time  he  married,  on  October  3,  1877,  Margaret  Elizabeth  McOuigg, 
a daughter  of  John  W.  and  Elizabeth  Jane  (Robberson)  McOuigg.  The 
former  died  on  August  16,  1883,  but  the  latter  is  still  living,  having  survived 
her  husband  thirty  years.  She  was  born  on  August  28,  1835.  She  makes 
her  home  with  our  subject,  keeping  house  for  him,  his  wife  having  died 
on  September  27,  1911.  She  was  a woman  of  many  praiseworthy  charac- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


i837 


teristics  and  was  greatly  beloved  by  all  who  knew  her.  She  was  a good 
wife  and  helpmate,  and  no  small  part  of  our  subject’s  success  was  due  to 
her  counsel,  encouragement  and  sympathy. 

Two  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woodward,  namely:  Freddy 
Elbert,  born  in  1881,  died  in  infancy;  Edwin  Deams,  born  on  October  1, 
1882,  was  educated  at  Drury  College,  Springfield,  and  he  returned  to  the 
farm  in  1902;  on  September  16,  1904,  he  married  Jessie  C.  Brower,  a 
daughter  of  Jesse  D.  and  Mary  E.  Brower  of  Center  township,  this  county. 
He  lives  on  a farm  adjoining  that  of  his  father  and  follows  general  farming. 

Our  subject  has  devoted  a large  portion  of  his  time  during  the  past 
thirty-five  years  to  cattle  and  mule  raising  and  has  been  very  successful. 
He  now  owns  two  hundred  acres  in  one  farm  in  sections  2 and  3,  East 
Center  township,  and  eighty  acres  in  section  1,  this  township.  The  former 
place  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  township,  has  good  drainage  into  Clear  creek 
and  is  well  improved  in  every  way.  On  it  is  to  be  found  a substantial  resi- 
dence and  good  outbuildings ; in  fact,  two  comfortable  residences,  one  of 
which  is  occupied  by  his  son. 

In  1909  Mr.  Woodward  and  wife  made  an  extended  trip  through  the 
West  and  Northwest,  including  visits  at  Denver,  Salt  Lake  City,  Portland, 
Seattle,  Spokane  and  Billings.  After  Mrs.  Woodward’s  death  our  subject 
took  another  trip  west  as  far  as  Los  Angeles,  where  he  spent  two  weeks, 
and  then  visited  San  Francisco,  Oakland,  Sacramento,  on  up  the  coast  to 
Seattle  and  Vancouver,  British  Columbia,  remaining  six  weeks  in  Seattle. 

Politically  he  is  a Democrat,  and  his  support  has  never  been  withheld 
from  any  movement  having  for  its  object  the  general  public  good.  He  is 
a member  of  the  Anti-Horse  Thief  Association. 


JAMES  L.  HECKEN LIVELY. 

In  reviewing  the  various  professional  interests  of  Greene  county,  the 
name  of  Janies  L.  Heckenlively  cannot  be  ignored,  for  he  has  long  been  one 
of  the  most  successful  and  best  known  architects  in  the  Southwest.  Although 
it  is  a known  fact  that,  given  the  ordinary  average  education  and  good 
judgment,  any  man  may  niake  a success  in  the  avenues  of  trade,  yet  in 
what  are  known  as  the  fine  arts,  of  which  architecture  is  one,  he  must  be 
endowed  with  superior  natural  attributes  and  have  gone  through  years  of 
careful  study  and  training  to  be  able  to  cope  with  the  brilliant  minds  which 
do  honor  to  this  vocation. 

Mr.  Heckenlively  was  born  on  August  18,  1863,  in  Gentry  county, 
Missouri.  He  is  a son  of  Jacob  and  Martha  J.  (Shisler)  Heckenlively. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1838 

The  father  was  born  in  Crawford  county,  Ohio,  May  9,  1838,  and  the 
mother  was  born  in  Meigs  county,  Ohio,  in  April,  1842.  They  grew  to 
maturity  in  their  native  state;  they  were  educated  in  the  early-day  schools. 
The  death  of  Mrs.  Heckenlively  occurred  on  March  28,  1914.  Mr.  Heck- 
enlively  has  devoted  his  active  life  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and  is  now  living 
in  St.  Joseph,  Missouri.  His  father,  John  Heckenlively,  was  born  in  April, 
1799,  in  Germany,  where  he  grew  up,  was  educated  and  he  became  a Luth- 
eran minister.  He  married  Margaret  Leffier,  who  was  born  in  1803  in 
Germany.  They  immigrated  to  America  in  an  early  day,  located  in  Ohio, 
where  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  his  death  occurring  on  May  10, 
1856.  She  died  on  March  24,  1852.  Their  children  are  all  now  deceased 
except  Jacob,  father  of  our  subject,  he  being  the  youngest  child.  The  family 
name  was  originally  spelled  in  Germany  as  Heckenlaible.  Jacob  Hecken- 
lively remained  in  Ohio  until  about  he  was  about  twenty  years  of  age,  when 
he  removed  to  Iowa,  where  he  resided  until  he  came  to  Gentry  county, 
Missouri,  where  he  was  married,  in  1862.  Barnabas  Shisler,  our  subject’s 
maternal  grandfather,  was  born  in  Ohio.  He  was  an  early  settler  in 
Gentry  county,  Missouri.  His  wife,  Susan  Consolver,  died  near  Warsaw, 
this  state,  as  a result  of  a fall,  when  nearly  one  hundred  years  of  age. 

Politically,  Jacob  Heckenlively  is  a Republican.  During  the  Civil  war 
he  enlisted  from  Gentry  county  in  an  infantry  regiment,  and  served  in  the 
Federal  army  six  months.  His  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  seven 
of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  James  L.,  of  this  sketch;  John  B.,  born 
on  November  8,  1865,  lives  in  St.  Joseph,  Missouri;  Delila  J.,  born  on  Feb- 
ruary 2,  1868,  lives  in  Colorado;  Susan  E.,  born  on  January  4,  1870,  lives 
in  Colorado  City,  Colorado;  Della  C,  born  on  March  4,  1872,  died  at 
Lakin,  Kansas,  September  28,  1911;  Lafayette  IL,  born  on  October  11, 
1874,  lives  in  Columbus,  Montana;  Jefferson  H.,  born  on  March  14,  1878, 
lives  in  Harrison  county,  Missouri;  Orville,  born  on  March  14,  1884,  lives 
in  El  Paso,  Texas. 

James  L.  Heckenlively  received  part  of  his  education  in  Gentry  county, 
Missouri,  and  there  he  taught  school  for  some  time,  later  attending  the 
Normal  College  at  Stanberry,  this  state.  He  had  a decided  natural  bent 
toward  architecture,  which  manifested  itself  when  he  was  a small  boy,  and 
when  he  left  school  he  began  the  study  of  this  profession  with  diligence  and 
devotion,  making  rapid  progress,  serving  an  apprenticeship  in  an  architect's 
office.  He  also  learned  the  practical  end  of  the  business  in  Stanberry. 
Later  he  went  to  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  where  he  continued  draughting, 
studying  and  carpenter  work  as  well.  He  got  his  training  by  persistent 
hard  work,  close  application,  observation  and  practical  experience.  He 
began  life  for  himself  in  1893  at  St.  Joseph  and  Stanberry,  and  in  1894 
came  to  Springfield  and  he  has  remained  here  ever  since,  and  during  this 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1839 

period  of  over  twenty  years  his  career  has  been  marked  by  a steady  growth, 
each  year  finding  him  further  advanced  than  the  preceding.  He  began  on 
a small  scale,  but  worked  up  to  a large  and  lucrative  business  in  a reasonably 
short  time  in  general  architecture,  including  not  only  all  lines  of  the  busi- 
ness, but  also  included  civil  engineering  work.  He  has  become  widely 
known  throughout  this  section  of  the  state  and  his  services  have  long  been 
in  good  demand  in  other  cities  and  towns  besides  Springfield.  Among  his 
more  important  jobs  in  Springfield  may  be  mentioned  the  Carnegie  Public 
Library,  the  high  school,  Masonic  Temple,  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  St.  Paul's  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South,  St.  John’s  Hospital, 
nearly  all  the  ward  school  buildings  and  many  others ; also  three  buildings 
of  the  University  of  Arkansas  at  Fayetteville,  and  Indian  schools  and  dor- 
mitories at  Wagoner,  Oklahoma.  He  has  attractive  offices  on  the  fifth  floor 
of  the  Landers  Building. 

Mr.  Heckenlively  was  married  on  June  5,  1889,  in  Albany,  Gentry 
county,  Missouri,  to  Leanora  E.  Campbell,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky.  She 
is  a daughter  of  John  P.  and  Amanda  L.  (Pelley)  Campbell.  This  was  a 
prominent  old  Kentucky  family,  members  of  which  were  noted  in  various 
walks  of  life.  They  emigrated  here  from  the  Blue  Grass  state  in  an  early 
day  and  became  well  established  in  Missouri  by  their  thrift  and  industry. 
Mrs.  Heckenlively’s  father  devoted  his  active  life  to  general  agricultural 
pursuits.  She  was  given  the  advantages  of  an  excellent  education  and  is  a 
lady  of  many  admirable  characteristics. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely: 
Mepha  May  died  in  infancy;  Lura  F.,  who  is  at  home  with  her  parents,  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools,  the  high  school  and  Drury  College,  ah  of 
Springfield,  and  she  made  a fine  record  in  all  of  them. 

Politically,  Mr.  Heckenlively  is  a Republican,  but  he  has  never  been  an 
office-seeker,  although  taking  much  interest  in  general  public  affairs,  espe- 
cially as  they  affect  the  welfare  of  his  county  and  state.  His  family  attends 
the  South  Street  Christian  church.  He  has  long  been  prominent  in  the 
Masonic  order,  his  record  in  the  same  being  as  follows:  He  was  made  a 

Mason  in  Springfield  in  1901.  Since  then  he  has  been  worshipful  master 
of  the  lodge,  high  priest  of  the  chapter  for  two  terms,  commander  one  term, 
thrice  illustrious  master  two  terms,  grand  master  of  the  grand  council. 
Royal  and  Select  Masters,  in  1914  and  1915;  received  the  Shrine  in  Spring- 
field  in  1903  and  served  in  all  the  offices  but  potentate;  was  deputy  inspector 
of  the  Grand  Commandery  of  the  Second  District  in  1909;  received  the 
honorary  Red  Cross  of  Constantine  in  Joplin  in  1910;  was  consecrated  and 
anointed  into  the  Order  of  High  Priesthood  in  Springfield  in  1908;  is 
grand  representative  of  the  Grand  Council  of  Arkansas  and  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter of  Arizona. 


1840 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


JOHN  BARRETT. 

There  are  farmers  who  might  be  known  as  one  idea  men,  for  they  give 
too  much  attention  to  some  particular  phase  of  their  work  to  the  neglect 
of  the  general  system  required  to  make  farming  a success.  Such  men  may 
have  a bad  influence.  The  man  who  has  a reputation  for  big  crops  should 
study  his  farming  to  see  if  it  will  bear  close  critical  inspection  in  its  various 
details.  John  Barrett,  one  of  the  foremost  farmers  of  East  Center  town- 
ship, Greene  county,  does  this.  He  gives  such  attention  as  is  necessary  to 
produce  large  yields  of  all  his  crops  and  at  the  same  time  keeps  his  place 
attractive  in  every  way,  thus  setting  a good  example. 

Mr.  Barrett  is  a scion  of  one  of  the  earliest  pioneer  families  in  this 
section  of  the  state,  and  for  a period  of  eighty-six  years  the  Barretts  have 
been  well  and  favorably  known  in  Greene  county — good  farmers  and  good 
citizens.  Our  subject  was  born  in  Center  township,  this  county,  December 
22,  1873.  He  is  a son  of  Thomas  Lafayette  Barrett  and  Margaret  A. 
(Binns)  Barrett,  the  mother  a daughter  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Binns. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  on  November  10,  1843,  in  this  county, 
here  grew  to  manhood,  attended  the  early-day  subscription  schools,  and 
spent  his  life  engaged  successfully  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  and 
became  one  of  the  best  known  men  in  the  county.  His  father  came  from 
Hawkins  county,  Tennessee,  early  in  the  nineteenth  century,  and  located  in 
Greene  county  when  this  country  was  wild  and  settlers  were  few,  but  he 
was  a man  of  courage  and  soon  had  a home  established  and  land  under 
cultivation.  The  death  of  Thomas  L.  Barrett  occurred  in  1910,  after  a life 
of  usefulness  and  honor.  He  was  married  on  September  28,  1871,  and 
reared  a family  of  six  sons  and  one  daughter,  namely : Eldorado  married 
W.  H.  Yeakley,  a farmer  of  Stockton,  Missouri;  Walter,  who  is  farming 
in  Center  township,  Greene  county,  married  Bertha  Redfearn  of  Center 
township;  Arthur,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Missouri  State  LIniversity, 
who  is  farming  in  Center  township,  married  Afattie  Sparkman;  Elbert  Lee, 
who  is  also  farming  in  Center  township,  married  Minnie  Sparkman,  a sister 
of  his  brother’s  wife;  Thomas  V.  died  on  October  3,  1913,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-three  years,  after  securing  a good  education  in  the  Missouri  State 
University;  John,  of  this  sketch;  Weldon  L.,  who  is  in  the  state  university 
at  this  writing. 

Mr.  Barrett,  of  this  review,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  homestead,  where 
he  assisted  with  the  work  during  crop  seasons  when  growing  to  manhood 
and  in  the  winter  time  he  attended  the  local  schools,  obtaining  a good  educa- 
tion. He  has  always  followed  general  farming  and  lives  on  the  homestead 
with  his  mother,  the  place  consisting  of  four  hundred  acres  of  valuable 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1841 


and  productive  land,  constituting  one  of  the  choice  farms  of  this  part  of  the 
county.  It  lies  along  the  Carthage  road,  eight  miles  west  of  Springfield. 

Mr.  Barrett  was  married  on  June  4,  1911,  to  Mary  Harris,  a daughter 
of  William  and  Margaret  Harris  of  Republic  township,  Greene  county, 
where  Mrs.  Barrett  was  reared  to  womanhood  and  educated.  To  our  sub- 
ject and  wife  one  child  has  been  born,  Esther  Margaret  Barrett,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  October  1,  1912. 

Fraternally,  Mr.  Barrett  is  a member  of  Bois  D’Arc  Lodge  No.  449, 
Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  also  the  modern  Woodmen  of  America 
and  the  Anti-Horse  Thief  Association.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat,  and 
he  and  his  family  attend  the  Methodist  church.  Like  his  father  and  grand- 
father before  him,  he  takes  keen  interest  in  all  movements  looking  to  the 
general  improvement  of  his  township  and  county. 


RAY  C.  BOYER. 

Ray  C.  Boyer  was  born  at  Meadville,  Crawford  county,  Pennsylvania, 
October  27,  1880.  He  is  a son  of  Lukes  Boyer,  who  was  born  in  Allentown, 
Lehigh  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a carpenter  and  contractor  by  trade, 
and  spent  many  years  of  his  life  at  the  city  of  Meadville,  where  his  death 
occurred  in  1888,  and  he  was  buried  at  Sackerton,  Pennsylvania.  He  was 
about  fifty  years  of  age.  He  was  a member  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  and  also  belonged  to  the  Lutheran  church.  His  widow,  who 
was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Nancy  Beige,  is  now  living  in  Spring- 
field  and  is  the  wife  of  August  Drishaver,  a carpenter  and  contractor.  Our 
subject  is  the  only  child  by  her  first  marriage,  and  there  are  no  children  by 
her  last  marriage. 

Stephen  Boyer,  paternal  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
born  in  Lehigh  county,  Pennsylvania,  later  moving  to  Crawford  county, 
that  state.  He  was  a tanner  by  trade,  but  followed  farming  in  his  later  life, 
owning  a small  farm. 

The  Boyer  family  is  of  German  extraction,  and  upon  immigrating  to 
America,  settled  first  at  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  later  locating  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. Bovertown,  that  state,  was  named  after  members  of  this  old  family, 
which  has  lived  in  the  Lhiited  States  since  before  the  Revolutionary  war,  in 
which  conflict  several  of  the  Boyer  men  fought  under  George  Washington. 

Ray  C.  Boyer  spent  his  boyhood  in  Pennsylvania,  and  was  educated 
in  the  Meadville  public  schools.  Leaving  school  when  seventeen  years  of 
age,  he  began  learning  the  painter’s  trade,  which  he  followed  three  years. 
( 1 16) 


1842 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


In  1898  he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  with  his  mother  and  stepfather, 
and  secured  a position  as  hostler  in  the  shops  of  the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott 
& Memphis  Railroad.  On  June  27,  1909,  he  was  promoted  by  the  Frisco, 
which  company  leased  the  former  railroad  in  1900,  to  engineer,  after  he 
had  been  working  as  fireman  for  some  time,  and  he  is  at  this  writing  night 
engineer  in  the  south  side  shops. 

Mr.  Boyer  was  married  twice,  first,  in  1904  to  Nellie  Massey,  a daugh- 
ter of  Bud  and  Thressa  (Rathbone)  Massey.  Her  death  occurred  in  Decem- 
ber, 1905.  His  second  marriage  was  celebrated  in  1908,  when  he  married 
Eva  Massey,  a sister  of  his  first  wife.  Both  marriages  were  without  issue. 

Mr.  Boyer  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  National  Associa- 
tion of  Steam  Engineers,  the  Modern  Brotherhood  of  American  Engineers 
and  is  also  a member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  lives  on 
Wassola  street,  where  he  built  a cosy  home  a few  years  ago. 


MERTON  CLEANTFIUS  HOUSE. 

Although  Merton  Cleanthus  House  is  a young  man,  at  the  age  when 
most  boys  are  just  getting  started  in  life,  lie  is  holding  a responsible  posi- 
tion, that  of  foreman  of  the  O.  K.  Weld  plant  in  the  north  side  Frisco 
shops,  Springfield.  This  position  was  secured  not  through  any  streak  of 
luck  or  by  the  aid  of  influential  friends  but  through  his  own  merit, . because 
he  was  prepared  and  had  the  right  ideas  of  what  an  employe  should  do, 
namely:  that  he  should  strive  to  do  high-grade,  honest,  conscientious  work 
promptly.  Such  a course,  where  there  is  good  judgment  and  average  abil- 
ity to  begin  with,  always  leads  to  gratifying  results. 

Mr.  House  hails  from  a section  of  the  Union  that  has  not  sent  many 
citizens  to  Greene  county,  having  been  born  on  a farm  in  Steele  county, 
Minnesota,  December  24,  1887.  He  is  a son  of  Lorenzo  Jackson  House, 
a native  of  the  state  of  New  York  where  his  earlier  years  were  spent,  finally 
removing  to  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  later  to  a farm  near  Meriden,  that  state. 
Finally  selling  his  farm  there  he  came  to  Conway,  Missouri,  where  he  con- 
tinued farming  five  years,  then  engaged  in  the  butcher  business  for  awhile. 
As  a result  of  an  accident  while  thus  engaged  which  incapacitated  him  for 
further  physical  work,  he  removed  to  Spring'fielcl  in  1901  and  worked  for 
the  Van  Noy  News  Company  until  1911  in  which  year  his  health  failed  com- 
pletely and  he  was  bedfast  until  his  death  in  December,  1913,  at  the  age  of 
fifty-eight  years.  Politically  he  was  a Republican.  He  belonged  to  the 
Woodmen  of  the  World  and  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Lizzie 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  1843 

Ross.  She  is  now  sixty-four  years  of  age,  and  is  living  with  her  daughter 
Sadie  at  Caney,  Kansas. 

To  Lorenzo  J.  House  and  wife  four  children  were  born,  namely:  Mer- 
ton C.  of  this  sketch  ; Sadie  married  S.  A.  Baclgley,  a painter  by  trade,  of 
Caney,  Kansas;  Annie  B.,  married  O.  M.  Martin,  died  in  November,  1913; 
Raymond  is  a barber  in  Springfield. 

Merton  C.  House  was  reared  on  the  farm  where  he  worked  when 
a boy,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Conway,  Mis- 
souri, but  left  school  when  only  fourteen  years  of  age  to  begin  life  for  him- 
self. He  came  to  Springfield  and  went  to  work  in  the  Eagle  Pencil  Factory, 
where  he  remained  two  years,  then  learned  the  tailor’s  trade,  working  at 
the  same  with  a number  of  Springfield  tailors  for  a period  of  eight  years, 
and  became  quite  expert  in  this  line,  especially  as  presser  and  bushelman, 
but  owing  to  failing  health  was  finally  compelled  to  give  up  the  work.  His 
next  employment  was  in  the  tin  department  of  the  Frisco’s  north  side  shops, 
under  G.  A.  Holder;  where  he  spent  one  year,  then,  on  November  4,  1913, 
he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  O.  K.  Weld  plant  there,  which  position  he  has 
since  held  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  employers,  being  regarded  as  one  of  the 
most  efficient  foremen  this  department  has  ever  had. 

Mr.  Plouse  was  married  on  Easter  Sunday,  1911,  to  Mamie  A.  Molen, 
a daughter  of  John  Molen,  a farmer  in  Arkansas.  Mrs.  House  grew  up  on 
the  farm  and  received  a common  school  education.  The  union  of  our  sub- 
ject and  wife  has  been  without  issue. 

Mr.  House  is  a member  of  the  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Security,  and  he 
belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South. 


EDWARD  J.  DeWITT. 

It  has  not  been  so  very  long  ago  that  a number  of  immigrants  from  our 
older  Eastern  states  coming  to  Missouri  could  procure  good  new  land  and 
thereby  get  a start  with  small  capital.  Now  the  new  lands  of  our  country 
that  can  be  profitably  farmed  are  practically  all  occupied.  The  only  course 
left  for  the  American  farmer  to  pursue  is  to  adopt  a system  of  farming 
that  will  not  only  build  up  and  maintain,  but  will  increase  the  production 
of  the  land.  The  dairy  cow  seems  to  be  the  means  through  which  a part  of 
our  farmers  are  destined  to  do  this.  One  of  the  citizens  of  Center  town- 
ship, Greene  county,  who  secured  new  land  upon  casting  his  lot  with  us  is 
Edward  J.  DeWitt,  and  this  he  developed  intelligently  and  now  has  a good 
farm  and  has  been  making  a comfortable  living  all  the  while. 

Like  many  of  our  worthy  population  he  hails  from  grand  old  Vir- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1844 

ginia,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Bedford  county,  that  state,  January  17, 
1840.  lie  is  a son  of  Elisha  D.  and  Susan  (Coleman)  DeWitt,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Virginia,  where  they  grew  up,  were  educated  and 
married  and  established  their  home.  Their  parents  came  from  Scotland, 
so  our  subject  is  of  Scotch  descent  from  both  sides  of  the  house  and  he 
manifests  many  traits  of  that  excellent  race.  These  two  families  immi- 
grated to  the  United  States  prior  to  the  war  of  1812.  Ten  children  were 
born  to  Elisha  D.  DeWitt  and  wife,  five  of  whom  are  living,  namely: 
Lafayette  is  a tobacco  manufacturer  of  Lynchburg,  Virginia;  Marion  is 
farming  in  Bedford  county,  Virginia;  Mary  is  the  wife  of  John  Thomas- 
son,  a sales  agent  for  a carriage  manufacturing  concern  of  Lynchburg,  Vir- 
ginia; Eliza  is  the  wife  of  William  Owens,  a farmer  of  Bedford  county, 
Virginia;  and  Edward  J.  of  this  sketch.  /Ml  three  of  these  sons  served 
through  the  Civil  war  in  the  same  company. 

Edward  J.  DeWitt  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  his  native 
county  in  the  Old  Dominion  and  there  he  worked  during  vacations,  attend- 
ing the  common  schools  in  the  winter  time.  He  remained  at  home  until 
he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Tenth  Virginia 
Artillery,  Lee’s  army,  at  the  commencement  of  the  Civil  war  and  remained 
in  the  service  until  Lee’s  surrender,  April  16,  1865.  He  proved  to  be  a 
faithful  soldier  and  rose  to  the  rank  of  sergeant.  He  took  part  in  many  of 
the  important  battles  and  campaigns  of  the  war.  After  being  mustered 
out  he  returned  home  where  he  remained  until  October  26,  1866,  when  he 
married  Mollie  Coleman,  a daughter  of  William  and  Amelia  (Wooley) 
Coleman  of  Bedford  county,  Virginia.  Upon  his  marriage  he  moved  to 
near  Kiser,  West  Virginia,  where  he  rented  a farm  and  resided  until  1873 
in  which  year  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  locating  in  Campbell 
township  where  he  lived  four  years,  then  bought  his  present  farm  of  eighty 
acres  in  Section  12,  Township  29,  Range  23,  Center  township,  the  same 
having  been  formerly  the  property  of  the  St.  Louis  & San  Francisco  Rail- 
road Company,  and  Mr.  DeWitt  was  the  first  person  to  secure  a deed  to  the 
property.  He  cleared  it  up  and  placed  it  under  good  improvements  and 
cultivation. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  DeWitt  two  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Willit 

J.,  born  on  August  13,  1874,  received  a public  school  education  and  lived  at 
home  until  his  death.  January  13,  1907;  Monnie  P.,  born  on  December  14, 
1882,  married  on  November  22,  1905,  to  Elmer  Reynolds  of  Springfield, 
he  being  in  the  service  of  the  Frisco  lines  at  that  place;  they  have  three  chil- 
dren, May  who  is  eight  years  old,  Clarence  who  is  five  years  old,  and  Ernest 
who  is  one  year  old. 

Mrs.  DeWitt’s  family  has  a commendable  war  record.  Two  of  her 
brothers  were  killed  in  battle  during  the  Civil  war,  another  was  wounded, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  1 845 

and  one  served  out  his  enlistment  without  accident.  They  were  all  in  the 
Southern  army. 

Our  subject  and  wife  have  been  lifelong  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  South.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat. 


MADISON  ANDREW  BROWER. 

The  man  who  produces  double  the  customary  crop  assumes  a leadership 
that  brings  responsibilities.  His  farm  is  an  object  of  interest.  When  his 
work  becomes  known  and  his  methods  discussed  he  is  called  a model  farmer. 
Others  want  to  see  and  learn,  and  then  do  likewise.  One  of  the  farmers  of 
Center  township,  Greene  county,  who  not  only  raises  big  crops,  but  who 
keeps  his  farm  in  an  attractive  condition,  everything  well  cared  for,  thus 
presenting  to  the  visitor  a pleasing  appearance,  is  Madison  Andrew  Brower. 

Mr.  Brower  was  born  in  the  above  named  township  and  county  on 
December  2,  1869.  He  is  a son  of  John  Robinson  Brower  and  Sarah  Ann 
(Spoon)  Brower.  The  father  came  from  North  Carolina  before  the  Civil 
war  and  located  in  Center  township,  this  county ; the  mother  also  came  here 
from  North  Carolina  about  the  same  time,  and  here  they  were  married  and 
spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  on  a farm,  the  father  dying  in  1899  and  the 
mother  passing  away  in  1908.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children, 
seven  of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing,  namely : Louise  married  Daniel 
Henley,  a farmer  of  Oklahoma;  James  is  farming  in  Center  township. 
Greene  county  ; Calvin  H.  is  teaching  school  in  Center  township  ; Etta  mar- 
ried L.  G.  Reynolds,  who  is  employed  by  the  International  Harvester  Com- 
pany and  stationed  at  Springfield;  Ella  married  John  Cook,  a farmer  of 
Oklahoma;  Lizzie  married  Edward  Miner,  a farmer  of  Center  township; 
and  Madison  A.,  of  this  sketch. 

Mr.  Brower  of  this  review  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  where 
he  worked  when  a boy  during  vacations,  and  he  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  community.  He  has  always  followed  farming. 
He  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  was  married  when  twenty-six  years 
old.  He  moved  to  his  present  excellent  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixtv 
acres  in  section  13,  East  Center  township,  in  1904,  which  he  purchased  at 
that  time.  He  also  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  section  23  of  the 
same  township.  His  farm  is  one  of  the  best  improved  and  best  kept  in  the 
township  and  it  lies  on  the  Carthage  road,  five  miles  west  of  Springfield, 
occupying  one  of  the  highest  points  in  this  part  of  the  Ozarks.  It  is  well 
drained  and  very  productive,  having  produced  a number  of  record  crops. 
In  connection  with  general  farming  he  pays  considerable  attention  to  hog 


1846 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


raising,  making  a specialty  of  pure  bred  Poland-China  hogs,  and  has  been 
more  than  ordinarily  successful  in  this  line.  His  dwelling  and  other  build- 
ings are  substantial  and  neat  in  appearance,  and  everything  denotes  good 
management  about  his  place. 

Mr.  Brower  was  married  on  May  10,  1895,  to  Mrs.  Mary  Ann  ( John- 
son) Wilson,  widow  of  J.  H.  Wilson  and  a daughter  of  Ellis  and  Rachel 
Johnson,  early  settlers  of  West  Center  township,  where  she  grew  to  woman- 
hood and  received  her  education. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Lillian, 
born  on  July  13,  1897,  and  Claude,  born  on  June  19,  1900.  They  are  both 
at  home  with  their  parents. 

Fraternally,  Mr.  Brower  is  a member  of  Elwood  Lodge  No.  278, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  also  the  Elwood  Lodge  of  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat,  and  he  has  always 
manifested  a good  citizen's  interest  in  local  public  affairs.  He  attends  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South. 


GREEN  IRWIN  BLANCHARD. 

There  is  a recess  in  every  man’s  brain  that  answers  to  the  call  of  the 
wilderness,  a heritage  of  pre-historic  origin  which  will  be  with  us  always. 
If  given  the  opportunity,  it  will  respond  at  once  to  nature’s  beauty  and 
depth.  What  is  more  natural  than  man’s  love  for  the  conditions  and  envi- 
ronment that  gave  him  food  and  shelter,  enabling  him  to  live  during  the 
dawn  of  his  existence?  Thus  it  is  easy  to  understand  why  many  of  us 
prefer  the  country  and  life  on  the  farm  to  that  of  the  city.  One  such 
family  is  the  Blanchards  of  whom  Green  Irwin  Blanchard,  of  Center  town- 
ship, Greene  county,  is  a creditable  representative.  For  generations  they 
have  tilled  the  soil,  made  a good  living  and  been  happy.  The  older  members 
knew  what  it  was  to  fight  the  wilderness  in  order  to  live,  but  this  they  did 
courageously  and  successfully,  and  never  complained  that  their  lot  was  hard. 

Mr.  Blanchard  was  born  on  December  17,  1838,  at  Russelville,  Logan 
county,  Kentucky.  He  is  a son  of  Henry  Hudson  Blanchard  and  Mary 
(Patton)  Blanchard,  both  of  whom  were  born,  reared  and  educated  in  that 
county  and  state  and  there  they  were  married  and  established  their  home. 
Their  parents  were  from  North  Carolina,  immigrating  to  the  Blue  Grass 
state  in  an  early  day.  The  family  is  of  English  origin  but  for  the  last  four 
generations  they  have  lived  in  the  United  States.  When  our  subject  was 
one  year  old  he  was  brought  by  his  parents  in  1839  to  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, the  family  locating  in  Center  township  on  what  is  known  as  Leeper’s 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1847 

Prairie  and  theirs  was  the  first  house  built  in  that  neighborhood,  their  near- 
est neighbor  being  over  three  miles  away.  When  Henry  H.  Blanchard 
landed  in  the  wilds  of  this  locality  his  worldly  possessions  consisted  of  a 
broken  down  wagon,  a team  of  ponies  in  the  same  condition  and  five  dollars 
in  money;  but,  being  a man  of  enterprise,  he  forged  ahead  and  at  the  time 
of  his  death  in  1862  he  had  acquired  over  three  hundred  acres  of  good  land, 
several  hundred  head  of  live  stock  and  a competency,  besides  a comfortable 
home.  This  was  considered  quite  an  achievement  for  those  days  and  proves 
the  sterling  mettle  from  which  the  Blanchards  are  made.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  but  two  sons.  Green  I.  of  this  sketch  and  John  A.,  who  was  born 
in  1836.  The  latter  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Greene 
county  and  here  worked  on  the  home  farm  when  a boy,  and  he  devoted  his 
active  life  to  general  farming.  Pie  took  a deep  interest  in  public  affairs  and 
in  1872  was  elected  recorder  of  deeds  of  Greene  county,  the  duties  of  which 
office  he  ably  discharged  for  four  vears,  then  moved  back  to  the  farm,  and 
later  he  served  fourteen  years  as  justice  of  the  peace  and  was  a member  of 
the  school  board  for  several  years,  giving  satisfaction  as  a public  servant 
in  every  respect;  in  fact,  he  was  a strong  personality  and  influential  in  his 
locality.  His  death  occurred  in  1895. 

Green  1.  Blanchard  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Center 
township  where  he  worked  when  a boy  and  he  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  his  community,  attending  subscription  schools  until  he  was  fifteen 
years  old,  after  which  the  public  schools  being  established  he  attended  them 
until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  He  was  twelve  years  old  when  the 
family  moved  to  within  a mile  of  Elwood  and  there  our  subject  lived  until 
his  marriage  in  i860  to  Mary  Eaton,  who  died  in  1884.  For  his  second 
wife  he  married  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Lawdermilk,  nee  Craven,  a daughter  of 
Thomas  G.  and  Mary  Craven,  of  Center  township,  in  September,  1886. 
The  first  marriage  resulted  in  the  birth  of  seven  children,  six  of  whom  are 
still  living,  namely : Dora  A.,  born  on  September  26,  1865,  married  in 

1883  A.  A.  Vaughan,  a cabinet  maker  in  the  Frisco  shops  at  Springfield, 
and  they  have  one  child,  Earl,  born  on  July  24,  1895;  he  was  graduated 
from  the  Springfield  public  schools,  and  is  now  a teacher  in  a manual  train- 
ing school  there.  Delia  A.,  born  April  2,  1867,  married  in  1884,  B.  E. 
Chastain,  a contractor  of  Springfield;  Henry  W.,  born  on  December  23, 
1868,  is  a conductor  on  the  Rock  Island  railroad,  lives  in  Kansas  City,  mar- 
ried Cora  O’Neil  in  1890  and  they  have  one  child,  Irwin,  who  was  born  in 
1911.  Fannie,  born  on  November  9,  1870,  married  on  May  30,  1893,  Mil- 
lard Brady,  a railroad  man  of  Parsons,  Kansas ; they  have  one  child,  Grace, 
who  is  now  eleven  years  old;  Robert  Lee,  born  on  August  12,  1874,  who 
is  a conductor  on  the  Missouri  Pacific  railroad ; he  lives  in  Kansas  City,  and 
he  married  Bernice  Gilty  of  that  place.  Virginia,  born  on  September  3, 


i848 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1877,  married  F.  E.  Blockman,  a farmer  living  near  Elwood,  Center  town- 
ship, and  they  have  two  sons,  Robert  and  June,  fifteen  and  thirteen  years 
old,  respectively.  John  M.,  born  on  June  25,  1880,  was  a railroad  man  and 
died  in  Nevada,  April  8,  1914;  he  married  Della  Kindrix,  of  Center  town- 
ship, this  county,  who,  with  one  child,  Geraldine,  eleven  years  old,  sur- 
vives him. 

Our  subject’s  second  wife  was  born  on  May  27,  1855,  in  Randolph 
county,  North  Carolina;  she  was  first  married  to  Dr.  A.  A.  Lowdermilk, 
who  died  in  1884.  She  spent  her  girlhood  in  North  Carolina  and  there 
she  was  educated.  When  nineteen  years  of  age  she  removed  with  her  par- 
ents to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  the  family  locating  near  Springfield  where 
she  lived  until  her  marriage. 

Our  subject  has  made  a success  as  a general  farmer.  He  moved  to 
his  present  farm  of  fifty-five  acres  in  Section  11,  Center  township,  in  1892 
and  here  he  has  a neat  home. 

Mr.  Blanchard  was  a soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  having  enlisted  in  May, 
1863,  in  the  Sixth  Missouri  Provisional  Militia  and  served  faithfully  until 
August,  1864,  with  the  rank  of  corporal. 

Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of  United  Lodge  No.  5,  Ancient  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons.  He  belongs  to  the  Baptist  church.  Politically,  he  is  a 
Democrat. 


SAMUEL  HERRICK. 

Not  too  often  can  be  cited  to  the  discouraged  young  man  starting  out 
in  life's  serious  battle,  the  lessons  to  be  found  in  the  records  of  such  self- 
made  men  as  Samuel  Herrick,  well  known  transfer  and  storage  man  of 
Springfield.  For  the  life  histories  of  such  men  are  not  only  interesting  but 
instructive,  showing  what  may  be  done  in  this  free  land  of  ours  despite 
unfavorable  early  environment  if  one  has  the  courage,  the  will  and  the  grit 
to  do  and  dare. 

Mr.  Herrick  was  born  in  Cole  county,  Missouri,  June  10,  1862.  He 
is  a son  of  Ebenezer  and  Annie  (Truble)  Herrick.  The  father  was  a 
farmer,  and  his  death  occurred  when  our  subject  was  twelve  years  of  age. 
The  death  of  the  mother  occurred  in  1899. 

Samuel  Herrick  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Cole  county, 
where  he  worked  hard  when  a boy  and  there  he  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools.  Although  but  a boy  when  his  father  died,  he  found  it 
necessary  to  shoulder  heavy  responsibilities,-  and  this  early  necessity  for 
doing  his  own  thinking  and  earning  his  way  in  the  world,  while  hard  at  the 
time,  has  doubtless  been  responsible  for  his  success  in  later  life,  such  train- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1849 

ing-  often  being  of  more  value  to  the  youth  than  where  they  are  protected  in 
every  respect  and  have  some  one  to  plan  and  work  for  them,  taking  all 
responsibility  off  their  shoulders.  He  began  supporting  himself  when  six- 
teen years  old  and  has  “hoed  his  own  row”  ever  since.  He  has  adapted 
himself  to  every  new  condition  that  he  has  found  necessary  to  meet  and 
has  made  a success  of  his  business  career. 

Coming  to  Springfield  when  but  a boy,  Mr.  Herrick  here  worked  at  a 
number  of  different  things,  including  nearly  two  years  in  the  employ  of  the 
G.  D.  Milligan  wholesale  grocery  house,  then  worked  for  eighteen  months 
with  the  Hadley  Wholesale  Grocery  Company  as  order  clerk,  which  was 
also  his  position  with  the  former  firm.  He  then  went  with  the  Keet-Roun- 
tree  Dry  Goods  Company,  where  he  worked  as  packing  and  shipping  clerk 
for  a period  of  eight  and  one-half  years.  He  was  an  alert,  capable,  wide- 
awake and  trustworthy  employe,  and  gave  all  these  firms  eminent  satisfac- 
tion. While  working  for  the  last  named  he  purchased  a span  of  three-year- 
old  horses  and  gave  a man  half  what  the  horses  earned  by  hauling  on  the 
streets.  He  saved  his  earnings  from  both  sources  until  1904,  when  he 
began  a transfer  and  storage  business  in  a very  small  way.  He  managed 
his  affairs  judiciously  and  his  business  grew  steadily  until  it  has  now  reached 
very  large  proportions,  and  in  addition  he  sells  automobiles,  being  agent 
for  the  well-known  Hudson,  the  Regal  and  Grant  pleasure  cars  and  in 
trucks  he  is  agent  for  the  General  Motor  Truck  and  Dart  Trucks.  In  con- 
nection with  being  agent  for  above  named  cars  he  has  a general  repair 
shop  and  sells  tires  and  sundries.  He  now  owns  an  attractive  and  modernly 
appointed  home,  also  three  good  storage  buildings  and  other  properties  and 
is  in  independent  circumstances.  One  of  his  rules  is  to  pay  cash  for  every- 
thing he  buys  and  for  all  labor  performed  for  him. 

Mr.  Herrick  was  married  on  March  4,  1888,  to  Mary  E.  Philpott,  a 
daughter  of  David  A.  Philpott,  a resident  of  Servis  Point,  Webster  county, 
Missouri.  He  is  a veteran  of  the  Civil  war.  The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Herrick  has  resulted  in  the  birth  of  the  following  children:  Ira  Manley, 

born  in  Webster  county,  April  26,  1889,  was  educated  in  the  Springfield 
ward  and  high  schools,  also  a business  college  here ; he  married  a Miss 
Wood.  Maude,  born  in  Springfield,  March  11,  1891,  died  in  1899;  Nona, 
born  in  Springfield,  March,  4,  1895,  was  educated  in  the  Springfield  ward 
and  high  schools,  and  business  college ; she  is  single  and  living  at  home. 
Samuel,  Jr.,  born  in  Springfield,  January  21,  1897,  was  educated  in  the 
ward,  high  schools,  and  the  State  Normal  of  this  city.  Neoma,  born  in 
Springfield,  December  5,  1898,  was  educated  in  the  ward  schools  and  is 
now  attending  business  college;  Otto,  born  on  August  15,  1900;  Everett, 
born  May  7,  1907. 

While  Mr.  Herrick  realizes  the  fact  that  he  has  made  splendid  advance- 


1850 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ment  in  life's  affairs,  he  does  not  take  all  the  credit  to  himself,  admitting 
that  the  counsel  and  sympathy  of  his  good  wife  has  been  of  great  assist- 
ance to  him,  and  his  children  have  also  aided  him  in  many  ways;  in  fact, 
here  is  a mutually  helpful  and  happy  family.  He  has  built  a nice  home 
for  his  eldest  son,  costing  three  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  and  gave  it 
to  him.  He  has  never  neglected  to  do  all  possible  for  the  welfare  of  his 
children  and  he  is  a great  lover  of  his  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Herrick  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Modern  Woodmen,  and  religiously 
the  family  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church. 


HOWARD  STRUNK  GLASSMOYER. 

There  is  something  in  the  wilderness  of  nature  that  seems  to  appeal  to 
one  in  a subconscious  way,  something  in  the  forests,  the  streams  and  all 
the  natural  nakedness  of  the  lakes,  winding  waters,  trees  and  grasses  that  is 
irresistible.  The  solitude  is  attractive.  We  go  to  the  forest  to  glory  in  the 
silence  of  its  intricacies,  yet  we  care  not  for  silence  and  solitude,  although 
it  is  pleasant  all  around  us.  We  do  not  feel  alone.  There  are  living  things 
here  that  speak  through  their  very  silence,  a medium  which  makes  us  feel. 
There  are  families  who  are  not  satisfied  away  from  nature,  away  from  the 
farm  and  these  not  only  enjoy  existence  but  also  make  a comfortable  living, 
being  satisfied  without  the  huge  earnings  that  so  many  city  dwellers  crave. 
Such  is  the  Glassmoyer  family,  who  have  from  generation  to  generation 
been,  for  the  most  part,  tillers  of  the  soil. 

Howard  Strunk  Glassmoyer,  a farmer  of  Center  township',  Greene 
county,  was  born  near  Reading,  Pennsylvania,  December  22,  1867.  He  is 
a son  of  Peter  M.  and  Caroline  (Strunk)  Glassmoyer,  both  of  whom  were 
born  and  reared  in  the  neighborhood  of  Reading,  our  subject  being  born  in 
the  same  house  in  which  his  mother  first  saw  the  light  of  day.  His  grand- 
parents were  also  born  in  the  neighborhood  of  Reading.  The  family,  for 
generations,  were  “Pennsylvania  Dutch"  and  were  characterized  with  the 
usual  thrift  and  steady  habits  of  that  type  of  our  citizens.  There  the  par- 
ents of  our  subject  grew  up,  attended  the  district  schools  and  were  married 
and  spent  their  active  lives  engaged  in  farming,  the  father  dying  in  his 
native  locality  in  1887,  but  the  mother,  now  advanced  in  years,  is  still  living 
at  Reading.  They  became  the  parents  of  four  children,  two  sons  and  two 
daughters,  a son  and  a daughter  being  now  deceased,  a daughter  is  living 
at  Reading. 

Howard  S.  Glassmoyer  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  community  in 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1851 

the  old  Keystone  state  and  there  he  worked  on  the  farm  and  attended  the 
common  schools.  He  has  followed  farming  ever  since  he  was  fourteen 
years  of  age.  He  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1887,  and  went  to 
work  for  his  uncle,  Samuel  Strunk,  now  of  Kansas  City,  Kansas,  and  his 
old  farm  is  now  owned  by  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  he  having  purchased 
it  in  1907.  It  consists  of  four  forties  and  was  at  one  time  owned  by  the 
St.  Louis  & San  Francisco  Railroad  Company,  and  it  lies  partly  in  Section 
12  and  partly  in  Section  13.  He  is  carrying  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising  and  has  a comfortable  home. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  1892  to  Anna  Johnson,  a daughter  of 
Samuel  C.  and  Lucy  Johnson,  and  to  this  union  six  children  have  been  born, 
namely:  Margaret  E.,  born  in  1894  lives  at  home  and  is  at  this  writing 

teaching  in  Center  township;  Earl,  born  on  March  5,  1896,  died  on  March 
5,  1901,  on  his  fifth  birthday;  Otto,  born  in  November,  1897,  lives  at  home 
and  assists  his  father  with  the  work  on  the  place;  Ira  S.,  born  in  January, 
1900;  Oren,  born  in  May,  1902;  and  John,  born  in  April,  1904,  are  all  three 
attending  school. 

Politically,  Mr.  Glassmoyer  is  a Democrat,  but  has  never  been  active 
in  political  affairs. 


JESSE  O.  REDFEARN. 

One  farmer  may  develop  particular  skill  in  feeding  cattle;  another  has 
great  success  in  raising  horses;  another  has  a special  knack  for  planning 
crops,  still  another  farmer  can  make  fruits  and  vegetables  do  exceptionally 
well.  Such  farmers  are  experts  in  these  lines  of  work.  They  ought  to  be 
made  the  experts  for  the  community  so  their  skill  can  be  brought  on  to  all 
the  farms  in  the  locality.  If  this  could  be  carried  out  the  production  of  the 
farms  in  any  section  would  be  greatly  increased.  While  Jesse  O.  Redfearn, 
of  Center  township,  Greene  county,  does  not  seem  to  have  specialized  on  any 
one  phase  of  agriculture  he  has  studied  all  carefully  and  has  made  a success 
as  a general  farmer.  His  neighbors  might  do  well  to  observe  his  methods 
in  many  lines. 

Mr.  Redfearn  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  April  10,  1856. 
He  is  a son  of  Josiah  F.  and  Lucy  K.  (Bennett)  Redfearn,  the  mother  being 
a daughter  of  Perminter  Bennett,  of  Tennessee.  However,  she  was  born  in 
South  Carolina.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Tennesese  and  was 
a son  of  Townlev  Redfearn.  The  latter  was  a farmer  and  stock  man  and 
he  migrated  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  the  early  thirties  among  the 
first  settlers,  worked  hard  developing  a farm  from  the  wilderness  and  spent 
the  rest  of  his  life  here  as  did  his  wife,  both  being  buried  in  the  Yeakley 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I 85 2 

cemetery.  Their  six  children  were  named  as  follows:  Josiah,  Jesse,  Henry, 

Louisa,  Polly  and  Susan.  They  are  all  deceased. 

Josiah  Redfearn  grew  up  on  the  home  farm,  assisting  his  father  clear 
up  the  land,  and  he  received  a meager  education  in  the  old-time  subscription 
schools.  His  family  consisted  of  five  sons  and  four  daughters,  namely: 
Mrs.  Harriet  E.  Hoyal  lives  at  Bois  D’Arc,  this  county;  Mary  is  deceased; 
Sarah  died  in  infancy;  Leonidas  died  in  infancy;  Jesse  O.,  of  this  sketch; 
George  IT.  is  teaching  school  at  Republic;  William  E.  is  engaged  in  mer- 
chandising at  Bois  D’Arc;  John  Perminter  is  deceased;  Redella  A.  lives 
in  Bois  D’Arc.  Politically  Josiah  Redfearn  was  a Democrat  and  during 
the  Civil  war  he  was  a member  of  the  State  Militia.  His  death  occurred 
on  August  13,  1902,  at  an  advanced  age.  His  wife  preceded  him  to  the 
grave  on  July  17,  1896.  They  were  buried  in  the  Yeakley  cemetery. 

Jesse  O.  Redfearn  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  where  he 
assisted  with  the  work  when  a boy  and  he  received  a limited  education  in 
the  country  schools.  On  December  21,  1876,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Catherine  IT.  Johnson,  a daughter  of  Richard  and  Cecilia  (Morris) 
Johnson.  The  father  was  a farmer  and  a native  of  Greene  county,  Ten- 
nessee, from  which  state  he  came  to  this  county  in  an  early  day  and  here  our 
subject’s  wife  grew  to  womanhood  and  attended  the  public  schools.  Twelve 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson,  namely:  Mary  P.,  deceased; 

Barton  F.,  deceased;  James  William,  deceased;  Mrs.  Susan  Jane  Baker  is 
the  wife  of  a farmer  in  this  county;  Mrs.  Martha  C.  Harrelson  is  also  the 
wife  of  a Greene  county  farmer;  George  C.  is  deceased;  Catherine  H.,  wife 
of  our  subject;  Benjamin  B.  lives  on  a farm  in  this  county;  Alexander  S. 
lives  in  Greene  county;  Julia  Ann  is  deceased;  Joseph  Ross  lives  on  a farm 
in  this  county;  Mrs.  Emma  D.  Dyer  lives  in  California. 

The  following  children  have  been  born  to  Jesse  O.  Redfearn  and  wife: 
Mrs.  Bertha  C.  Barrett  is  the  wife  of  a Greene  county  farmer;  Mrs.  Carrie 
Jane  Sweeney  lives  at  Willard,  this  county;  William  Ross  died  when  thirty- 
two  years  of  age ; Melvin  Floyd  has  remained  unmarried  and  lives  in  Los 
Angeles,  California;  James  IT.  lives  at  home;  John  Carlos  married  Neva 
Mayes,  November  25,  1914;  she  is  a daughter  of  J.  A.  Mayes;  J.  Clives 
lives  on  a farm  near  the  home  place;  Mrs.  Lucy  M.  Elson  is  the  wife  of  a 
Greene  county  farmer. 

Mr.  Redfearn  has  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming.  He  located  on 
his  present  place  in  1878,  which  at  that  time  consisted  of  sixty-three  acres, 
but  he  prospered  with  advancing  years  by  hard  work  and  good  management 
and  is  now  owner  of  a good  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  This 
land  was  formerly  owned  by  his  father.  Our  subject  has  made  practically 
all  the  present  improvements  on  the  place.  In  connection  with  general  farm- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  1 853 

ing  he  makes  a specialty  of  raising  blooded  live  stock,  in  which  he  is  very 
successful. 

Mr.  Redfearn  is  a Republican.  He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  South.  In  1882  he  joined  Masonic  Blue  Lodge  No.  449 
at  Bois  D'Arc.  He  is  active  in  church  work,  being  at  this  writing  a trustee 
in  the  church  where  he  holds  membership,  and  he  has  been  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday  school  for  a period  of  twenty  years.  He  has  also  been  clerk 
of  the  school  board  in  his  district  for  some  time.  He  has  assisted  in  fur- 
thering any  movement  calculated  to  be  of  general  benefit  to  his  community. 


LEWIS  F.  PIPKIN. 

The  gentleman  of  whom  the  biographer  now  writes  is  known  as  one 
of  the  progressive  men  of  affairs  of  the  city  of  Springfield,  having  been 
actively  identified  with  the  industrial  world  in  this  locality  for  many  years. 
Mr.  Pipkin's  well  directed  efforts  in  the  practical  affairs  of  life,  his  capable 
management  of  his  own  business  interests  and  his  sound  judgment  have 
brought  to  him  prosperity,  and  his  life  demonstrates  what  may  be  accom- 
plished by  the  man  of  energy  who  is  not  afraid  of  work  and  has  the  ambi- 
tion to  continue  his  labors,  even  in  the  face  of  seemingly  discouraging 
circumstances.  Our  subject  has  been  content  to  spend  his  active  and  useful 
life  in  his  native  county,  and  he  is  a product  of  one  of  our  honored  pioneer 
families,  having  been  born  here  over  a half  century  ago,  he  has  lived  through 
the  wonderful  changes  that  have  taken  place  in  this  vicinity,  his  boyhood 
having  been  spent  in  an  epoch  when  practically  everything  was  different 
from  what  it  is  today — when  Springfield  was  little  more  than  a village. 

Lewis  L.  Pipkin,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Springfield  Grocer}' 
Company,  was  born  at  Fair  Grove,  Greene  county,  Missouri,  September  14, 
1861.  He  is  a son  of  William  H.  and  Christina  (Hoover)  Pipkin.  The 
father  was  a native  of  Tennessee  and  the  mother  was  born  in  North  Caro- 
lina, the  birth  of  the  former  occurring  in  the  year  1833.  These  parents 
spent  their  earlier  lives  in  the  South,  attended  the  early-day  schools  and 
migrated  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  frontier  days  and  spent  the  rest 
of  their  lives  in  this  locality,  Mr.  Pipkin  dying  here  in  1893.  He  became  a 
successful  and  well-known  business  man  and  was  postmaster  of  Springfield 
during  President  Cleveland’s  administration,  during  his  first  term.  At  one 
time  he  was  a candidate  for  county  collector,  and  was  defeated  by  only 
eight  votes.  His  friends  believed  that  he  had  been  elected  and  endeavored 
to  induce  him  to  contest  the  election,  but  he  refusd  to  do  so.  While  he  took 
much  interest  in  public  affairs  he  was  not  an  office-seeking  politician,  how- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1854 

ever,  was  always  willing  to  do  his  duty  as  a good  citizen,  having  at  heart 
the  welfare  of  his  city  and  county.  He  was  known  as  a man  of  excellent 
business  ability,  broad-minded,  well-informed,  scrupulously  honest  and  a 
true  friend  and  genteel  gentleman.  He  was  an  active  church  worker  and 
was  a delegate  to  the  general  conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
South,  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  in  1890,  also  in  1892.  He  served  for  years 
as  a member  of  the  board  of  stewards  of  the  local  church  of  this  denomina- 
tion and  was  very  prominent  in  church  affairs.  The  death  of  his  wife 
occurred  in  the  year  1899.  They  were  the  parents  of  one  son  and  five 
daughters,  all  of  whom  survive  at  this  writing,  namely  : Lewis  F.,  of  this 

sketch;  Cyntha  Jane,  Margaret  Alice,  Rosina  Ida,  Carrie  Bell  and  Mary 
Etta. 

Lewis  F.  Pipkin  spent  his  boyhood  at  Fair  Grove  where  he  attended 
school  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  when  he  began  working  in  his 
father's  general  store  at  that  place.  He  had  a natural  bent  for  mercantile 
pursuits,  and,  having  ambition  to  forge  to  the  front  in  this  line,  he  soon  gave 
evidence  of  unusual  ability.  He  remained  in  the  store  with  his  father,  until 
the  latter  removed  his  family  to  Springfield  in  1879,  and  here  founded  the 
firm  of  Doling  & Pipkin,  general  merchants,  which  venture  was  successful 
from  the  first  and  grew  to  large  proportions  with  advancing  years.  The 
firm  retained  the  services  of  our  subject  until  1882,  when  he  accepted  a posi- 
tion in  a book  store  in  this  city,  which  business  be  bought  out  in  1884,  and 
continued  to  conduct  it  with  very  gratifying  results  for  a period  of  nearly 
twenty  years  or  until  1903,  when  he  sold  out.  During  the  following  year 
he  was  connected  with  the  Springfield  Traction  Company,  and  in  1904 
became  associated  with  the  Springfield  Wholesale  Grocery  Company  as  book- 
keeper, and  in  1909  was  elected  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  company, 
which  responsible  position  he  is  still  holding  in  a manner  that  reflects  much 
credit  upon  his  business  ability  and  to  the  eminent  satisfaction  of  all  concerned. 

Mr.  Pipkin  is  thoroughly  informed  upon  all  details  in  connection  with 
the  grocery  business  and  is  one  of  the  prime  factors  in  this  great  institu- 
tion, which  does  an  enormous  annual  business,  covering  a vast  territory  in 
the  Southwest.  He  has  a capacity  for  detail  and  has  introduced  new  systems 
which  have  greatly  increased  the  volume  of  the  business  to  a large  degree. 
In  all  his  transactions  he  has  proven  himself  worthy  of  the  trust  reposed 
in  him  and  is  faithful  to  all  obligations  in  every  relation  of  life. 

Mr.  Pipkin  was  married  in  Springfield,  May  6,  1886,  to  Lillie  Y.  Mur- 
ray, a daughter  of  Lilburn  H.  and  Asenath  L.  (Anderson)  Murray,  one  of 
Springfield’s  most  prominent  families,  Mr.  Murray  having-  been  one  of  the 
leading  business  men  here  during  a past  generation.  Here  Mrs.  Pipkin 
grew  to  womanhood  and  received  an  excellent  education,  and  here  she  has 
long  been  a favorite  with  the  circles  in  which  she  moves. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1855 


The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pipkin  has  been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  the 
following  children:  Eula  Lillian,  Louise  M.,  Marguerite,  William  H.,  and 

Lilburn  Murray  Pipkin. 

The  family  are  members  of  St.  Paul's  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
South,  and  are  regular  attendants.  Politically  Mr.  Pipkin  is  a Democrat, 
and  he  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  party,  par- 
ticularly as  regards  its  local  affairs,  and  his  influence  has  been  most  potent 
for  the  general  good.  For  three  terms  he  has  served  as  city  collector,  dis- 
charging his  duties  faithfully  and  with  circumspection.  He  is  a member 
of  the  Springfield  Club,  the  James  River  Club,  and  the  Young  Men’s  Busi- 
ness Club,  and  is  thoroughly  in  sympathy  with  the  aims  of  the  last  named 
organization,  collaborating  with  the  members  in  order  to  increase  the  com- 
mercial importance  of  the  Queen  City  of  the  Ozarks.  Fraternally,  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Royal  Arcanum. 

Mr.  Pipkin  has  risen  to  his  present  commanding  position  in  the  busi- 
ness world  solely  through  his  individual  efforts,  his  industry,  fidelity,  hon- 
esty and  because  he  has  from  the  first  been  an  adherent  of  correct  principles 
and  lofty  ideals,  and  his  career  is  most  creditable  in  every  respect. 


JOHN  P.  WILLIAMSON. 

It  is  a pleasure  to  see  a farm  like  that  of  John  P.  Williamson,  of  Jack- 
son  township,  Greene  county,  in  which  vicinity  he  has  lived  for  over  sixty- 
one  years  and  where  he  is  well  known.  He  has  seen  this  community  develop 
from  its  pioneer  environment  to  its  present  thriving  condition  and  he  has 
taken  a lively  interest  in  this  development. 

Mr.  Williamson  was  born  in  Bedford  county,  Tennessee,  April  14, 
1848.  He  is  a son  of  Robert  H.  and  Sophia  A.  (Stevens)  Williamson. 
The  father  was  also  born  in  Bedford  county,  Tennessee,  in  October,  1818, 
and  there  he  was  reared  on  a farm  and  attended  the  early-day  subscription 
schools,  and  there  he  began  life  as  a farmer,  remaining  in  his  native  locality 
until  in  1853  when  he  brought  his  family  overland  to  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri. He  located  on  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  He  was  a hard  worker 
and  good  manager  and  he.  later  became  owner  of  a valuable  farm  of  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres.  During  the  Civil  war  he  served  in  the  Missouri 
State  Militia  and  was  in  a number  of  engagements — skirmishes,  but  no  real 
battles.  He  was  married  in  his  native  state  in  1847.  He  was  a member  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church.  His  death  occurred  on  his  farm  here 
in  1902,  honored  and  respected  by  the  entire  community.  His  wife  was  a 
native  of  Bedford  county,  Tennessee,  and  there  she  was  reared  on  a farm 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1856 

and  attended  the  local  schools.  Her  death  occurred  on  the  farm  here  sev- 
eral years  ago.  She  was  a member  of  the  Baptist  church. 

John  P.  Williamson  was  live  years  old  when,  in  1853,  he  accompanied 
his  parents  from  Tennessee  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  here  he  grew 
to  manhood  on  the  old  homestead  where  he  worked  when  a boy,  and  he 
received  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  He  remained  with  his  parents 
until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  then  started  out  in  life  for  himself, 
buying  forty  acres  on  which  he  worked  hard  and  got  a good  start.  Being 
industrious  and  prospering  he  added  to  his  original  purchase  until  he  became 
owner  of  an  excellent  place  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-three  acres — the 
farm  he  now  occupies.  He  has  a well-kept  and  neat  appearing  place,  which 
produces  well  and  on  which  he  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
He  has  dealt  extensively  in  live  stock  in  the  past  and  no  small  portion  of  his 
competence  has  been  thus  obtained. 

Mr.  Williamson  was  married  on  November  27,  1874,  to  Malinda  Davis, 
who  was  born  in  Dallas  county,  Missouri,  April  15,  1853,  and  there  she  grew 
to  womanhood  on  a farm  and  received  her  education  in  the  rural  schools. 
She  is  a daughter  of  Woodford  1.  and  Netty  (Highfield)  Davis,  both  par- 
ents being  now  deceased. 

To  our  subject  and  wife  five  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Robert 

I.,  Charles,  Mrs.  Flora  Cole,  Floy  H.,  and  John  I. 

Politically,  Mr.  Williamson  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  to  the  Center  Christian  church. 


ELISHA  DeBOARD. 

The  true  western  spirit  of  progress  and  enterprise  is  strikingly  exem- 
plified in  the  lives  of  such  men  as  Elisha  DeBoard,  one  of  Greene  county’s 
most  progressive  citizens,  whose  energetic  nature  and  laudable  ambition 
have  enabled  him  to  conquer  many  adverse  circumstances  and  advance  stead- 
ily. He  has  met  and  overcome  obstacles  that  would  have  discouraged  many 
men  of  less  determination  and  won  for  himself  not  only  a comfortable  com- 
petency, together  with  one  of  the  very  choice  farms  of  this  favored  locality, 
but  also  a prominent  place  among  the  enterprising  men  of  this  section  of 
our  great  commonwealth,  and  no  man  is  worthier  of  conspicuous  mention 
in  a volume  of  the  province  of  the  one  in  hand. 

Mr.  DeBoard,  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Republic,  and  president  of 
the  State  Bank  of  that  city,  is  of  Huguenot  descent,  his  more  immediate 
forebears  being  of  the  Blue  Grass  state.  His  birth  occurred  at  Mt.  Ver- 
non, Kentucky,  January  5,  i860.  He  is  a son  of  Abner  C.  and  Susan  (Souel) 


HOME  OF  ELISHA  DkBOARD. 


t 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1857 

DeBoard,  and  is  one  of  twelve  children,  five  sons  and  seven  daughters.  The 
father  was  a native  of  Kentucky  where  he  spent  his  life,  he  and  his  wife 
dying  in  that  state  a number  of  years  ago. 

Elisha  DeBoard  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  state  and  there  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools,  adding  to  this  foundation  in  later 
years  by  contact  with  the  business  world  and  by  wide  home  reading.  Leav- 
ing Kentucky  when  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, and  took  up  farming  for  his  life  work.  Saving  his  earnings  he  pur- 
chased a farm  of  his  own  when  twenty-five  years  old,  and  by  close  appli- 
cation and  good  management  prospered  with  advancing  years.  He  pur- 
chased the  fine  farm  on  which  he  now  lives  near  Republic  in  1896,  and  this 
he  has  brought  up  to  a high  state  of  cultivation  and  improvement.  It  con- 
sists of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  and  on  it  stands  a commodious 
home  in  the  midst  of  pleasant  surroundings  and  numerous  substantial  barns 
and  other  buildings.  He  has  been  a general  farmer  and  has  paid  special 
attention  to  raising  good  grades  of  live  stock  and  preparing  them  for  the 
markets.  In  the  year  1912  he  became  interested  in  the  Republic  State  Bank 
and  is  a heavy  stockholder  in  the  same,  and  since  1912  has  been  president 
of  this  popular,  sound  and  safe  institution,  one  of  the  best  banks  in  this 
section  of  the  state  and  one  of  the  most  ably  and  conservatively  managed. 
Its  rapid  growth  and  increased  prestige  of  recent  years  has  been  due  for 
the  most  part  to  the  wise  management  and  popularity  of  its  president,  who 
Las  ever  been  a man  in  whom  the  people  of  this  locality  have  reposed  the 
utmost  confidence.  It  was  organized  in  1912,  with  a capital  stock  of  ten 
thousand  dollars.  A general  banking  business  is  carried  on  under  the  state 
laws  of  Missouri.  The  other  officers  of  the  bank,  besides  our  subject  are, 
Jim  Decker,  vice-president;  Lon  Edmondson,  cashier;  Ray  Grove,  assistant 
cashier  ; directors,  William  Pierce,  Ed  Gammon,  Jack  Davis,  William  Beard. 
The  bank  has  a modern  equipment  in  every  respect,  safety  vault  and  all 
conveniences  and  has  a substantial  building. 

Mr.  DeBoard  was  married  in  July,  1884,  to  Mary  Harlason,  who  was 
born,  reared  and  educated  in  Greene  county.  She  is  a daughter  of  James 
Harlason  and  wife,  and  is  one  of  five  children,  three  sons  and  two  daughters. 
Mr.  Harlason  was  one  of  the  earliest  pioneers  of  Greene  county,  having 
come  here  in  the  year  1825  and  developed  a good  farm  and  became  well 
known.  His  death  occurred' in  1901  at  an  advanced  age. 

Eight  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  DeBoard,  namely: 
Ralph  is  married  and  farming  in  Republic  township,  this  county;  Roxie 
married  Milton  Paulson,  a farmer,  and  they  have  two  children;  Susie  is  still 
with  her  parents;  Ruby  married  Lawrence  Britton,  a farmer,  and  they  have 
one  child,  Don;  Glynn  is  married,  lives  in  Aurora,  Missouri,  where  he 

(11 7) 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1858 

worked  for  the  Shendon-Robinson  hardware  firm;  Lucy,  William  and  Fay 
are  all  three  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  DeBoard  is  a Republican,  but  he  has  never  sought  to 
be  a leader  in  public  affairs.  He  and  his  family  attend  the  Christian  church. 


HARRIS  K.  DALE. 

The  soil  is  a great  conservator  of  health,  not  a menace;  its  life  and 
death  processes  are  among  the  most  wonderful  in  nature.  “Back  to  the 
soil”  needs  to  be  a health  slogan  as  well  as  an  economic  one.  But  what 
kind  of  soil?  The  best  answer  is  that  of  modern  scientific  farming,  which 
conserves  the  soil  as  well  as  man.  Science  was  long  a very  artificial  thing; 
but  it  is  now  being  naturalized,  and  the  encouraging  thing  is  that  science 
pays  in  efficiency  and  dollars  and  cents.  Scientific  farming  is  not  only  the 
most  profitable,  but  it  is  one  of  the  greatest  conservators  of  public  health. 
Harris  K.  Dale  is  a scientific  farmer  of  Center  township,  and  by  reason  of 
his  long  career  as  tiller  of  the  soil  he  has  enjoyed  the  best  of  health.  He 
has  spent  nearly  a half  century  in  Greene  county,  where  he  has  worked  his 
own  way  up  from  a modest  beginning  to  a position  of  independence  and 
comfort. 

He  is  of  German  and  Welsh  descent  and  up  to  some  seventy-five  years 
ago  the  name  was  spelled  Dahle,  it  being  simplified  at  that  time  to  conform 
to  the  Anglo-Saxon  way  of  spelling.  Our  subject  was  born  in  Clarion 
county,  Pennsylvania,  March  29,  1854.  He  is  a son  of  Solomon  and  Kath- 
erine B.  (Zink)  Dale.  The  father  was  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  October,  1819.  His  mother  was  of  Welsh  descent  and  the  fath- 
er’s parents  were  both  natives  of  Germany,  from  which  country  they  emi- 
grated to  America  in  an  early  day  and  established  their  home  in  the  old 
Keystone  state.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Clarion  county, 
Pennsylvania,  January  6,  1820.  The  Zink  family  was  of  Welsh  extraction. 
These  parents  grew  up  in  Pennsylvania  and  there  attended  the  early-day 
schools  and  were  married  there.  Solomon  Dale,  however,  received  more 
than  the  ordinary  amount  of  education  for  his  day,  and  he  became  a suc- 
cessful teacher.  He  was  well  informed  on  a great  diversity  of  subjects  and 
could  speak  seven  different  languages.  Lie  devoted  many  years  to  educa- 
tional work  in  his  native  state,  but  finally  took  up  farming,  which  he  fol- 
lowed during  the  latter  part  of  his  life.  He  removed  with  his  family  from 
Pennsylvania  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  in  1867,  reaching  here  on  Octo- 
ber 16.  They  lived  a year  on  a farm  a few  miles  west  of  the  place  now 
owned  by  the  subject  of  this  sketch  in  Center  township.  In  1868  Solomon 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1859 

Dale  bought  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  son  Harris  K.  from  the  Atlantic 
& Pacific  Railroad  Company  (now  the  Frisco).  It  consisted  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  and  now  lies  on  the  Carthage  road  just  west  of  Spring- 
field.  He  improved  the  land  by  hard  work  and  persistent  application  and 
here  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  When  the  above  named  railroad  was  built 
through  Greene  county  he  was  employed  by  the  company  as  interpreter,  as 
many  of  the  gangs  of  workmen  could  not  speak  English  and  they  repre- 
sented many  different  nationalities.  Politically  he  was  first  a Whig,  and 
later  a Republican  after  this  party  was  launched  back  in  the  fifties.  He  took 
an  active  interest  in  public  affairs  and  was  influential  in  politics  in  his  lo- 
cality. Before  leaving  Pennsylvania  he  served  as  tax  collector  and  as  school 
director,  also  filling  the  latter  office  after  coming  to  Greene  county.  He  was 
a member  of  the  German  Lutheran  church  in  his  native  .state,  but  joined 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  when  he  came  to  this  county.  His  death 
occurred  on  August  3,  1874.  His  widow  survived  him  over  thirty  years, 
dying  March  3,  1906,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-six  years.  They  were 
both  buried  in  the  Brookline  cemetery. 

To  Solomon  Dale  and  wife  ten  children  were  born,  named  ane  follows: 
Margaret  E.,  Isaiah  K.,  Mary  M.  and  Sarah  Ann  are  all  deceased;  Mrs. 
Edith  Best  lives  in  Kansas  City,  Kansas;  Harris  K.,  of  this  sketch;  Mrs. 
Emma  A.  Parker  lives  in  Springfield;  Katie,  Ceora  and  Walter  Monroe  are 
all  three  deceased. 

Harris  K.  Dale  was  thirteen  years  of  age  when  he  came  with  his  par- 
ents to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  from  Pennsylvania.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  state  and  this  county.  His  brothers 
and  sisters  received  good  educations,  mostly  in  Pennsylvania,  and  some  of 
them  made  teachers  and  taught  school  in  Greene  county  many  years.  Our 
subject  worked  on  the  farm  when  a boy  and  he  has  followed  general  farm- 
ing all  his  life,  and  for  some  time  he  has  made  a specialty  of  raising  fruit 
and  livestock.  He  began  operating  a threshing  machine  of  his  own  in  1878, 
and  followed  this  work  continuously,  with  the  exception  of  about  two  years, 
during  the  threshing  season  to  the  present  time,  and  is  one  of  the  best  known 
men  in  this  line  of  endeavor  in  this  part  of  the  state.  He  has  also  operated 
a clover  huller  and  corn  shredder  for  some  time.  He  holds  the  record  for 
threshing  the  greatest  number  of  bushels  of  wheat  of  any  man  in  Greene 
county.  He  has  worked  hat'd,  managed  well,  been  economical  and  is  now  a 
man  of  easy  circumstances  financially,  all  due  to  his  own  efforts  along  hon- 
est lines. 

Mr.  Dale  was  married  in  Greene  county  on  October  17,  1877,  to  Sarah 
J.  Robertson,  a daughter  of  William  R.  and  Mary  (Saline)  Robertson.  She 
was  born,  reared  and  educated  in  this  county,  where  her  father  was  long 


i86o 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


widely  known  as  a prosperous  farmer  and  stock  man,  having  handled  for 
many  years  more  Shorthorn  cattle  than  any  man  in  the  county. 

The  following-  children  have  been  born  to  William  R.  Robertson  and 
wife:  Isabell  is  the  wife  of  E.  R.  Shipley,  a Greene  county  farmer;  Wil- 

liam Wesley  married  Rody  World  and  he  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  busi- 
ness in  Springfield;  Sarah  J.,  wife  of  our  subject;  Cordelia  is  the  wife  of 
F.  G.  Cowen,  who  is  connected  with  a dry  goods  firm  in  Kansas  City,  Kan- 
sas; John  Green  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  Springfield;  James 
L.  is  a wholesale  groceryman  in  Springfield;  Florence  married  Charles  Bax- 
ter, for  many  years  a baker  of  Kansas  City,  Kansas,  but  is  now  deceased; 
Nanny  died  in  infancy;  Leonidas  E.  is  engaged  in  business  with  his  brother 
under  the  firm  name  of  the  Robinson  Grocery  Company,  of  Springfield. 

To  Elarris  K.  Dale  and  wife  one  child  has  been  born,  Mawdy  Irene 
Dale,  who  has  received  an  excellent  education  in  the  Springfield  high  school 
and  the  old  Normal  in  that  city. 

Politically,  Mr.  Dale  is  a Republican  and  has  always  been  a loyal  sup- 
porter of  his  party.  He  has  served  his  community  as  road  commissioner 
and  also  as  school  director.  Fraternally,  he  is  a member  of  the  Independ- 
ent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  having  joined  the  Elwood  lodge  eighteen  years 
ago;  he  also  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  to  the  Re- 
bekahs.  He  has  done  much  to  promote  general  public  and  material  inter- 
ests and,  like  his  father  before  him,  his  character  has  always  been  unassail- 
able. 


JAMES  G.  MAGILL. 

Some  people  seem  to  forget  that  a fertile  soil  is  a living,  breathing 
thing,  well  fed  by  nature  or  by  the  hand  of  man,  with  the  natural  mineral 
elements  and  the  organic  matter  necessary  for  the  use  of  the  soil  bacteria 
in  the  manufacture  of  plant  food,  and  for  a delightful  environment  in 
which  they  can  live  and  work.  James  G.  Magill,  a farmer  of  Center  town- 
ship, Greene  county,  has  not  overlooked  this  fact,  and  consequently  he  is 
making  his  farm  produce  good  crops  annually  and  is  living  comfortably  as 
a result  of  his  able  management. 

Mr.  Magill  was  born  in  Carroll  county,  Arkansas,  March  31,  1853. 
He  is  a son  of  Hugh  and  Rebecca  (Scott)  Magill,  and  as  the  name  would 
indicate,  the  family  is  of  Irish  descent.  Hugh  Magill  was  born  in  Greene 
county,  Tennessee,  where  he  spent  his  boyhood  and  attended  school,  re- 
moving to  Arkansas  when  a young  man,  and  lived  in  Carroll  county  a num- 
ber of  years,  and  there  he  died.  The  family  came  to  Greene  county  dur- 
ing the  latter  part  of  the  Civil  War.  Hugh  Magill  served  in  a militia  regi- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1861 


ment  in  the  early  part  of  the  war,  but  was  discharged  on  account  of  dis- 
ability, and  died  as  a result  of  the  sickness  he  contracted  while  in  the  serv- 
ice, his  death  occurring  on  White  river  in  1862,  and  he  was  buried  there. 
His  widow  is  still  living,  having  thus  survived  him  over  a half  century,  be- 
ing now  ninety-two  years  of  age;  she  is  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  of  Greene 
county,  and  makes  her  home  with  her  son,  our  subject.  Politically,  Hugh 
Magill  was  a Republican  and  he  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  His  family  consisted  of  seven  children,  namely:  John,  who  was 

a member  of  Company  I,  First  Missouri  Volunteer  Infantry,  served  three 
years  in  the  Union  army  and  died  before  the  close  of  the  war;  Mrs.  Ema- 
line  Redfearn  is  deceased;  Mrs.  Rachel  Wade  lives  in  Christian  county,  her 
husband  being  now  deceased;  Frances  died  in  early  life;  James  G.,  subject 
of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Nancy  Carter  lives  on  a farm  in  Greene  county;  Hes- 
ter is  the  wife  of  George  West  and  they  reside  a mile  west  of  the  village 
of  Plano,  this  county. 

John  Scott,  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Tennessee, 
where  he  spent  his  early  life,  and  from  there  removed  to  Arkansas,  thence 
to  Missouri.  He  was  living  in  Springfield  at  the  time  of  the  Civil  war. 
He  devoted  his  active  life  to  general  farming.  He  enlisted  in  the  Pinion 
army  and  died  while  in  the  service.  His  family  consisted  of  eight  children, 
four  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  Mrs.  Rebecca  Magill,  mother  of  the 

subject  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Susan  Laslay  lives  in  Christian  county;  Samuel 
is  a carpenter  and  resides  in  Springfield;  Mrs.  Polly  Moncly  lives  in  Monett. 

James  G.  Magill  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  worked 
hard  when  a boy,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools.  He 
was  married  in  Greene  county,  in  January,  1882,  to  Sarah  West,  a daughter 
of  Josiah  J.  West,  a native  of  Tennessee.  His  wife  was  known  in  her  maid- 
enhood as  Angeline  M.  Mason.  Mr.  West  devoted  his  life  to  farming.  He 
emigrated  to  Missouri  in  the  early  forties,  being  among  the  first  settlers  in 
Greene  county,  and  here  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  on  a farm,  his  death 
occurring  on  March  18,  1905,  at  an  advanced  age.  He  was  buried  in  the 
cemetery  at  Prospect  church.  He  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church.  His  wife’s  father,  Josiah  Mason,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  where 
he  resided  until  about  1837,  when  he  immigrated  to  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, among  the  pioneers.  He  was  a blacksmith  by  trade,  also  following 
farming.  He  spent  the  rest  of  his  long  life  in  this  county,  dying  in  1900, 
and  was  buried  in  the  Squibb  cemetery. 

The  following  children  were  born  to  Josiah  J.  West  and  wife:  Mrs. 

Ellen  Mills  is  living  five  miles  north  of  Republic,  this  county ; James  lives  at 
Milton,  Oregon,  where  he  holds  the  office  of  deputy  sheriff;  William  is 
farming  in  Greene  county;  Sarah,  wife  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Rosa- 
lia, who  married  a Mr.  Hendrix,  is  now  deceased;  John  is  engaged  in  farm- 


1 862 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ing  in  Greene  county ; Mrs.  Lou  Redfearn  lives  in  Greene  county ; three 
other  children  died  in  infancy. 

James  G.  Magill  was  twelve  years  of  age  when  he  removed  with  the 
rest  of  the  family  to  Greene  county.  He  has  devoted  his  active  life  to 
farming.  His  father  dying  when  he  was  young,  he  had  to  assume  part  of 
the  responsibilities  of  supporting  the  family,  and  he  knew  what  hard  work 
meant  from  the  time  he  was  large  enough  to  wield  a hoe  or  axe  or  hold  the 
plow  handles.  He  located  on  his  present  farm  in  1910,  and  has  made  many 
good  improvements  since  buying  it.  He  is  carrying  on  general  farming 
and  stock  raising  successfully.  He  has  charge  of  the  Magil  Central  Tele- 
phone switchboard.  He  has  no  children.  Politically,  he  is  a Republican, 
and  he  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  church. 


PETER  KLINGENSMITH. 

A properly  managed  farmers’  organization  can  be  used  to  secure  the 
farmers  the  benefits  that  “big  business”  secures  from  doing  things  on  a big 
scale.  Many  have  the  idea  that  nothing  can  be  done  in  this  line  unless 
there  is  a powerful  organization,  but  this  is  a mistake — the  successful  co- 
operative enterprises  have  come  from  small  beginnings.  One  of  the  pro- 
gressive farmers  of  Center  township,  Greene  county,  who  is  always  ready 
to  adopt  the  advanced  methods  of  farming,  is  Peter  Klingensmith. 

He  was  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  15, 
1844.  He  is  a son  of  Gasper  and  Barbara  (Bush)  Klingensmith,  and  a 
grandson  of  Andrew  and  Susanna  Klingensmith.  Ancestors  on  both  sides 
of  the  house  originated  in  Bavaria,  Germany.  Andrew  Klingensmith’s 
father  emigrated  from  that  country  to  America  in  an  early  day  and  here 
spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  Pennsylvania  on  a farm.  Several  gen- 
erations of  the  family  have  been  farmers.  Andrew  Klingensmith  was  a 
member  of  the  old  Lutheran  church.  His  family  consisted  of  eleven  chil- 
dren, eight  boys  and  three  girls,  all  now  deceased.  Gaspar  Klingensmith 
was  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  24,  1820.  He 
was  a shoemaker  by  trade.  Upon  leaving  Pennsylvania  he  located  in  Trum- 
bull county,  Ohio,  where  he  followed  his  trade  for  a short  time.  Leaving 
that  locality  in  1865,  he  located  in  Daviess  county,  Indiana,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  farming,  and  there  his  death  occurred  November  5,  1885.  His 
wife  had  preceded  him  to  the  grave  January  19,  1865.  Before  moving  to 
Ohio  they  were  members  of  the  old  Lutheran  church,  but  at  that  time  they 
joined  the  United  Brethren  church.  Politically,  he  was  a Republican. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1863 


Peter  Bush,  father  of  Mrs.  Klingensmith,  devoted  his  life  to  farming. 
Pie  was  twice  married;  twelve  children  were  born  by  his  first  wife  and  four 
by  his  second  marriage,  hie  was  a Democrat  and  a member  of  the  Lutheran 
church. 

Peter  Klingensmith,  our  subject,  was  five  years  old  when  his  parents 
removed  with  him  to  Ohio.  There  he  grew  up  and  attended  the  public 
schools,  and  when  a young  man  learned  the  carpenter’s  trade.  From  Ohio 
he  moved  to  Daviess  county,  Indiana,  and  there,  on  June  17,  1868,  he  mar- 
ried Sarah  Rodarmel,  a daughter  of  Friend  Rodarmel,  a native  of  Indiana, 
and  a son  of  Joseph  Rodarmel,  a native  of  Pennsylvania,  but  whose  father 
was  a native  of  Germany,  from  which  country  he  emigrated  to. the  United 
States  in  an  early  day  and  settled  in  the  old  Keystone  state.  Friend  Ro- 
darmel was  the  father  of  twelve  children,  four  of  whom  died  in  infancy, 
three  of  them  still  living,  namely:  William  lives  in  Knox  county,  Indiana, 

where  he  is  engaged  in  farming;  Sarah,  wife  of  our  subject,  and  Marcellus, 
a farmer  of  Knox  county,  Indiana.  Politically,  Friend  Rodarmel  was  a 
Republican,  and  he  was  road  commissioner  for  some  time  in  his  commun- 
ity. He  belonged  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church.  Idis  death  oc- 
curred April  29,  1870.  His  wife  survived  him  twenty-five  years,  dying  De- 
cember 23,  1905,  at  an  advanced  age. 

Seven  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Charles, 
a carpenter  at  Bristow,  Oklahoma,  is  married  and  has  seven  children.  He 
is  a Modern  Woodman.  Gasper,  the  second  son,  who  lives  at  Washington, 
Indiana,  is  a carpenter  and  contractor.  He  is  noble  grand  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  also  belongs  to  the  Improved  Or- 
der of  Red  Men.  He  is  married  and  has  five  children.  Jesse  is  a carpenter 
by  trade,  lives  in  Greene  county,  and  has  a wife  and  five  children.  Mrs. 
Lucy  Ginn  is  the  wife  of  a Greene  county  farmer  and  they  have  three  chil- 
dren. Anna  Augusta  died  when  three  years  of  age.  Edwin  Ray  is  farming- 
in  Greene  county,  is  married  and  has  two  children.  Amanda  is  the  wife  of 
Clarence  Kindrick,  of  Elwood,  this  county,  and  they  have  one  child. 

Peter  Klingensmith  left  Indiana  in  1888  and  came  to  Cowley  county, 
Kansas,  where  he  resided  until  1891,  when  he  moved  to  Greene  county,  Mis- 
souri, locating  on  his  present  farm,  buying  fifty  acres,  which  he  has  placed 
under  excellent  improvements  and  one  on  which  he  has  made  a comfortable 
living.  He  has  done  a great  deal  of  the  work  in  building  and  keeping  re- 
paired the  famous  Carthage  road. 

Politically,  he  is  a Republican,  religiously  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  and  fraternally  a member  of  the  Masonic  blue  lodge  No. 
449,  of  Bois  D’Arc,  but  he  first  became  a Mason  in  Indiana;  he  also  belongs 
to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Elwood,  to  Encampment  No. 


1864 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


42  in  Springfield,  and  to  Lodge  No.  512  Rebekahs,  in  which  he  has  held 
several  offices.  His  wife  is  a member  of  the  Ladies’  Aid  Society  of  the  Cen- 
ter Grove  Methodist  church,  there  being  thirty-two  members  in  the  society, 
and  she  is  one  of  the  most  active. 


AARON  M.  RITTER. 

'Few  men  live  to  the  advanced  age  of  Aaron  M.  Ritter,  a venerable 
citizen  of  Campbell  township,  who  has  passed  his  eightieth  birthday,  with- 
out having  changed  his  life  work  several  times,  but  it  seems  that  he  has 
been  wise  in  sticking  to  agricultural  pursuits.  For  it  takes  a farmer  to  suc- 
ceed at  farming,  just  as  it  takes  a clerical  man  to  make  a success  of  office 
work,  an  engineer  with  a locomotive,  an  architect  in  architecture,  or  a mu- 
sician in  music.  That  man  is  indeed  fortunate  who,  when  young  and  start- 
ing out  in  life,  chooses  his  work  wisely,  selects  the  thing  for  which  nature 
has  best  adapted  him  and  in  which  he  can  make  the  greatest  success  in  his 
immediate  environment,  for  both  innate  ability  and  one’s  surroundings  must 
be  taken  into  consideration.  No  matter  how  strong  a natural  bent  one 
might  have  for  agricultural  pursuits,  he  could  not  display  that  faculty  to 
advantage  on  the  banks  of  the  Red  Sea.  Our  subject  has  made  a success 
of  his  chosen  life  work  because  he  was  fitted  for  it  and  because  he  located 
in  a country  propitious  for  general  farming.  Lie  has  been  a resident  of 
Greene  county  forty-five  years. 

Mr.  Ritter  was  born  May  25,  1834,  in  St.  Joseph  county,  Indiana,  near 
the  city  of  South  Bend.  He  is  a son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Miller)  Rit- 
ter, and  a grandson  of  John  and  Mary  (Gauver)  Ritter.  John  Ritter  was 
born  in  Ohio,  but  his  father  was  a native  of  Germany,  from  which  country 
he  came  to  the  United  States  when  young,  in  the  old  Colonial  period,  and 
he  was  living  in  Massachusetts  at  the  time  of  the  famous  Boston  “tea 
party,”  in  which  he  participated.  He  lived  to  be  eighty-seven  years  of  age. 
John  Ritter  grew  up  in  Ohio  and  married  there,  later  establishing  his  home 
in  Wayne  county,  subsequently  removing  to  Portish  Prairie,  thence  to  Iowa, 
in  which  state  he  died.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneers  in  the  last  named  state. 
He  devoted  his  life  to  farming.  His  family  consisted  of  ten  children.  Po- 
litically, he  was  a Whig,  and  religiously  a Dunkard.  His  oldest  son,  Jacob 
Ritter,  father  of  our  subject,  was  probably  born  in  Ohio.  He  went  to 
Wayne  county  when  a young  man,  being  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  that  part 
of  the  state  of  Indiana.  He  resided  there  about  twenty  years,  or  until  his 
death.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  Miller,  was  a daughter  of  Daniel  and  Sarah 
(Hardman)  Miller.  Her  father  was  a minister  in  the  Dunkard  church. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1865. 

To  Jacob  Ritter  and  wife  twelve  children  were  born,  seven  of  whom  are 
still  living.  Aaron  M.,  of  this  sketch,  was  the  fourth  child  in  order  of  birth. 
The  father  was  a Whig  in  politics  in  his  earlier  life,  but  finally  became  a 
Democrat.  He  was  a member  of  the  Universalist  church.  He  belonged  to 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  devoted  his  active  life  to  farm- 
ing in  St.  Joseph  county,  Indiana,  and  for  a number  of  years  was  justice 
of  the  peace  there. 

Aaron  M.  Ritter  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father’s  farm  in  Indiana,  and 
there  he  worked  when  a boy.  He  received  a district  school  education,  also 
spent  one  term  in  Mercantile  College,  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  He  has  been  mar- 
ried three  times.  First,  in  the  spring  of  1869,  in  Lawrence  county,  Mis- 
souri, he  was  united  with  Martha  A.  Johns,  who  died  in  early  life.  One 
child  born  to  this  union  is  also  deceased.  Our  subject’s  second  marriage 
took  place  in  1872,  to  a Mrs.  Isabelle  Gray,  nee  Landreth,  and  to  this  union 
three  children  were  born,  all  of  whom  are  deceased,  and  the  mother  passed 
away  in  1898.  Mr.  Ritter  was  subsequently  married  to  Emma  J.  Perry- 
man, a daughter  of  John  J.  and  Cassey  (Griffen)  Perryman.  This  last 
union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  two  sons,  Miller  and  Howard  Ritter. 

Mr.  Ritter  came  to  Missouri  in  the  sixties.  He  served  a short  time 
as  a volunteer  soldier  in  the  West  for  the  government  in  assisting  to  protect 
mining  towns.  In  1870  he  located  on  a farm  in  Greene  county,  and  has  since 
resided  here,  engaged  successfully  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
He  owns  a productive  and  well  improved  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sev- 
enty-six acres  in  Campbell  township. 

Politically,  he  is  a Socialist,  is  well  read  and  a man  of  progressive  ideas. 
Fraternally,  he  is  a Master  Mason.  He  has  been  regarded  as  one  of  the 
leading  -citizens  in  his  part  of  the  county  for  nearly  a half  century. 


EDWARD  FORREST  RACE. 

Some  farmers  who  have  cropped  their  soils  from  year  to  year,  taking 
everything  off  and  returning  nothing,  when  their  crops  fall  off  until  there 
are  no  profits,  sometimes  conceive  the  idea  that  they  can  have  their  soils 
analyzed  and  have  a fertilizer  mixed  for  them  that  will  furnish  all  the 
needed  elements  of  plant  food,  so  that  by  applying  that  fertilizer  to  their 
lands  they  should  grow  bumper  crops.  They  are  doomed  to  disappointment. 
The  chemist  can  tell  the  amount  of  plant  food  in  a sample  of  soil,  but  he 
cannot  tell  how  much  of  it  is  in  available  form  for  plant  food,  and  another 
sample  a few  yards  away  would  in  all  probability  show  a very  different 
amount  of  plant  food.  Knowing  this,  Edward  Forrest  Race,  a successful 


1 866 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


fanner  of  Campbell  township,  has  always  tried  to  keep  his  land  up  to  the 
standard  of  fertility  by  employing  the  best  modern  methods,  therefore  ren- 
dering an  analysis  of  his  soil  unnecessary. 

Mr.  Race  is  a native  of  Greene  county,  Missouri,  born  on  November  6, 
1869.  He  is  a son  of  Alfred  P.  and  Sarah  C.  (Greenwade)  Race,  the  latter 
a daughter  of  Moses  Greenwade  and  wife,  whose  family  consisted  of  ten 
children,  six  sons  and  four  daughters.  Alfred  P.  Race  was  born  in  Hamp- 
shire county,  Virginia,  and  was  of  Scotch  descent.  He  was  probably  the 
eldest  in  a family  of  ten  children.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the 
district  schools  and  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming.  He  was  married 
in  Maryland,  in  which  state  his  wife,  mother  of  our  subject,  was  born  and 
reared.  To  this  union  ten  children  were  born,  five  of  whom  are  deceased. 
Those  living  are:  Mrs.  Laura  Moore,  who  resides  at  Willard,  this  county; 

Edward  F.,  of  this  sketch;  Sarah  M.  lives  in  Nebraska;  William  T.  makes 
his  home  in  Polk  county,  Missouri ; Albert  lives  in  Kansas.  Tbe  parents  of 
these  children  left  Maryland  not  long  after  their  marriage  and  located  in 
Illinois,  subsequently  coming  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  purchasing  a farm, 
which,  however,  they  later  sold  and  moved  back  to  Illinois,  and  after  a 
year’s  residence  returned  to  this  county  and  bought  back  the  farm  near  the 
village  of  Willard  which  they  had  previously  owned,  and  here  they  con- 
tinued to  reside,  engaged  successfully  in  general  farming  until  Mr.  Race’s 
death,  in  the  fall  of  1909,  and  there  Mrs.  Race  still  makes  her  home.  Po- 
litically, Alfred  P.  Race  was  a Democrat,  but  was  never  active  in  public  life. 
He  stood  high  in  his  community  and  was  well  liked  by  all  who  knew  him. 

Edward  F.  Race  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father’s  farm,  and  he  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Greene  county.  Pie  has  farmed 
all  his  life,  and  has  been  very  successful  in  general  agricultural  pursuits  and 
stock  raising.  He  located  on  his  present  well  improved  farm  of  one  hun- 
dred and  forty-two  acres  in  1904.  Plis  residence  and  outbuildings  are  sub- 
stantial and  convenient,  and  he  has  made  the  excellent  improvements  now  to 
be  seen  on  bis  place.  He  takes  much  pride  in  his  home  and  farm,  and  every- 
thing denotes  close  attention  to  details. 

Mr.  Race  was  married  on  March  1,  1899,  to  Lular  Gillespie,  a daugh- 
ter of  William  S.  and  Martha  M.  (Horn)  Gillespie,  natives  of  North  Caro- 
lina, in  which  state  they  grew  to  maturity,  were  educated  and  married,  and 
soon  after  the  latter  event  they  moved  to  Tennessee,  and  from  there  to  Mis- 
souri about  thirty-five  years  ago,  and  bought  a farm  in  Greene  county,  near 
the  town  of  Strafford.  After  living  there  five  years  they  moved  to  a good 
farm  near  Willard,  where  the  family  still  resides.  There  are  seven  children 
of  this  family,  named  as  follows : C.  Plato,  of  Willard ; S.  Ciscero,  of  Wil- 
lard; O.  Sular,  the  wife  of  D.  C.  Knox,  of  Willard;  Lular  C.,  wife  of  our 
subject;  O.  Dexter  lives  at  Willard;  Willie  T.,  of  Springfield;  R.  Eddie,  of 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1867 

Willard.  William  S.  Gillespie,  father  of  these  children,  served  all  through 
the  Civil  war  in  the  Confederate  army,  taking  part  in  many  important  en- 
gagements, including  the  battle  of  Richmond  and  those  in  the  vicinity  of 
that  city.  He  was  only  sixteen  years  of  age  when  he  enlisted. 

To  Edward  E.  Race  and  wife  four  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Pearl  Madalene  is  attending  the  Willard  high  school;  Ester  Naomi,  Lloyd 
Franklin  and  Orville  Edward. 

Politically,  Mr.  Race  is  a Democrat,  but  he  has  never  been  an  aspirant 
for  political  office.  He  is  a member  of  the  Grand  Prairie  Presbyterian 
church  at  Willard  and  is  an  elder  in  the  same  and  an  active  church  worker. 


THOMAS  W.  PRICE. 

One  would  find  it  necessary  to  search  long  and  far  to  find  a farm  kept 
m better  condition  or  managed  under  more  up-to-date  methods  than  that 
of  Thomas  W.  Price  of  Taylor  township,  Greene  county — the  place  on 
which  he  has  spent  his  life.  He  has  not  only  worked  hard  and  persistently 
in  keeping  everything  in  its  proper  place,  but  has  been  a student  of  local 
conditions  and  has  read  such  literature  as  pertains  to  twentieth  century 
methods  of  husbandry,  so  that  he  has  been  enabled  to  reap  just  reward 
for  his  pains  and  labors  from  year  to  year. 

Mr.  Price  was  born  here  on  July  14,  1871.  He  is  a son  of  John  H. 
and  Mary  (Calwell)  Price.  The  father  was  born  in  Russell  county,  Vir- 
ginia, July  19,  1822,  and  was  reared  there  on  a farm  and  received  a com- 
mon school  education.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Tazewell 
county,  Virginia,  December  17,  1830.  She  was  brought  to  Missouri  when 
a young  girl  by  her  parents,  the  family  locating  in  Greene  county,  where 
she  attended  school,  and  here  she  married  Mr.  Price  in  1868  Her  death 
occurred  on  the  home  farm  in  Taylor  township,  July  13,  1899.  John  H. 
Price  was  fourteen  years  of  age  when,  in  1836,  he  immigrated  with  his 
parents  from  the  Old  Dominion  to  Greene  county,  Missouri.  His  father 
entered  a farm  from  the  government  which  he  developed.  Here  John  H. 
Price  worked  amid  pioneer  environments,  and  in  1853,  during  the  gold 
fever  days,  he  and  his  brbther  drove  five  hundred  and  twenty-five  head  of 
cattle  overland  to  California,  reaching  their  destination  with  four  hundred 
and  ninety  head.  A loss  of  only  thirty-five  head  from  this  large  herd  over 
the  wild  plains  of  the  vast  west  and  during  a trip  of  some  six  months  was 
indeed  a remarkable  feat.  He  was  successful  in  his  venture  to  the  far 
West,  and  returned  home  in  due  time  and  turned  his  attention  to  general 
farming.  When  the  Civil  war  came  on  he  joined  the  Home  Guards  in 


1 868 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1861,  and  was  made  assistant  inspector  general  of  General  McBride’s  bri- 
gade of  the  Federal  army,  and  in  September,  1861,  he  was  commissioned 
lieutenant-colonel  for  meritorious  services.  He  had  command  of  the  post 
at  Lebanon  until  October  of  that  year.  He  was  in  command  of  the  State 
Guards  at  Springfield  when  Gen.  John  C.  Fremont  marched  his  great  army 
to  that  place,  and  it  was  against  Colonel  Price’s  men  that  Major  Zagonyi 
made  his  famous  charge  in  October,  1861,  just  west  of  the  city.  Colonel 
Price  was  captured  in  Taney  county  and  for  a brief  period  was  held  a pris- 
oner at  the  government  arsenal  in  St.  Louis,  finally  being  exchanged  and 
rejoining  the  army  under  Gen.  Sterling  Price  at  Osceola,  St.  Clair  county. 
He  saw  considerable  hard  service  and  was  an  efficient  and  brave  officer. 
He  fought  at  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge  and  was  captured  again  and  sent  to 
the  Union  prison  at  Alton,  Illinois,  where  he  was  held  for  six  months.  In 
June,  1863,  he  rejoined  the  Confederate  army  and  was  made  adjutant  of 
Colonel  Cornell’s  Missouri  regiment.  In  August,  1863,  he  was  appointed 
inspector  general  of  Freeman’s  brigade  of  Marmaduke’s  division,  which 
position  he  held  with  honor  and  success  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Return- 
ing home  after  his  brilliant  military  career  he  resumed  farming  and  was 
owner  of  two  hundred  and  fifteen  acres,  on  which  he  carried  on  general 
farming  and  stock  raising  in  an  able  manner.  He  was  well  known  and 
influential  in  his  locality,  and  was  a man  of  fine  personal  character.  His 
death  occurred  on  April  7,  1889,  in  Henderson,  Missouri.  He  had  but 
two  children,  namely:  Mrs.  Lydia  Foster,  who  lives  in  Springfield,  and 
Thomas  W.,  of  this  sketch. 

Thomas  W.  Price  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  worked  hard 
when  growing  up,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools. 
He  worked  the  farm  for  his  father  until  the  latter’s  death.  • He  has  remained 
on  the  home  place,  which  consists  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  acres 
at  the  present  time,  this  being  his  part  of  the  original.  Fie  has  kept  it 
well  improved  and  carefully  cultivated  and  the  buildings  in  good  repair. 

Mr.  Price  was  married  on  October  15,  1902,  to  May  Wells,  who 
was  born  in  Webster  county,  Missouri,  December  4,  1880,  and  was  reared 
on  a farm  there  and  received  her  education  in  the  common  schools.  She  is 
a daughter  of  John  D.  and  Elizabeth  (Compton)  Wells,  both  of  whom  still 
live  in  Webster  county  and  are  actively  engaged  in  farming.  Four  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Mary,  John  H., 

Marion  and  Mildred. 

Politically,  Mr.  Price  is  a Democrat.  Lie  has  been  justice  of  the 
peace  in  Taylor  township  for  four  years,  giving  eminent  satisfaction.  He 
belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1869 


ISAAC  T.  TRACY. 

It  is  a pleasure  to  farm  if  one  manages  like  Isaac  T.  Tracy,  of  Jackson 
township,  Greene  county.  On  his  farm  of  large  acreage  it  is  doubtful  if  you 
could  find  anything  materially  out  of  its  place.  The  owner  has  even  been 
his  own  manager  and  carefully  looks  after  details.  Nothing  is  done  in  a 
haphazard  manner,  everything  being  carefully  planned  and  methodically 
carried  out. 

Mr.  Tracy  was  born  in  Webster  county,  Missouri,  April  15,  1858,  and 
the  fact  that  he  has  spent  his  life  in  this  section  of  the  Ozark  Mountains 
indicates  that  he  has  been  contented  with  local  conditions.  He  is  a son  of 
Evans  and  Sarah  (Kinselo)  Tracy,  the  father  born  near  Glasgow,  Barren 
county,  Kentucky,  in  1814,  was  reared  on  a farm  there  and  received  the 
usual  limited  education  in  the  subscription  schools  of  those  frontier  days. 
He  remained  in  the  Blue  Grass  state  until  1840  when  he  emigrated  to  Mis- 
souri and  settled  in  Greene  county  in  1841,  entered  a farm  from  the  gov- 
ernment, owning  a good  place  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  which  he 
cleared  and  developed.  His  wife  was  also  born  in  Kentucky  in  1817,  and 
her  death  occurred  on  the  homestead  in  Webster  county,  Missouri,  Decem- 
ber 16,  1888.  She  was  reared  on  a farm  in  her  native  vicinity  and  attended 
the  early-day  schools.  These  parents  were  married  in  their  native  state. 
The  father  died  on  his  farm  in  Webster  county,  where  he  removed  from 
Greene  in  an  early  day,  the  date  of  his  death  being  May  17,  1891. 

To  Evans  Tracy  and  wife  nine  children  were  born,  namely:  Mrs. 

Nellie  Hill  is  the  eldest;  Erasmus  lives  in  Fair  Grove,  Greene  county;  Mrs. 
Mary  Debbis,  Mrs.  Amanda  Burgone;  James  is  deceased;  Mrs.  Mealy  Brit- 
ton, Mr-s.  Sarah  Wommack,  Isaac  T.  of  this  sketch;  Samantha  is  the 
youngest. 

Isaac  T.  Tracy  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  Webster  county, 
where  he  did  his  full  share  of  the  work  about  the  place  when  not  in  school. 
He  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  home  district,  and  assisted  his  father 
with  the  work  on  the  place  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  then 
started  in  life  for  himself,  buying  a farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Webster  county 
on  which  he  got  a good  start.  Finding  this  too  small  for  the  proper  exer- 
cise of  his  talents  as  a husbandman,  he  sold  it  and  purchased  an  excellent 
place  in  Jackson  township',  Greene  county,  consisting  of  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres,  which  he  still  owns.  He  has  made  many  substantial  improve- 
ments with  the  advancing  years  until  he  now  has  one  of  the  most  up-to-date 
farms  in  this  part  of  the  county  as  well  as  one  of  the  most  productive,  and 
he  has  been  very  successful  as  a general  farmer  and  stock  raiser.  He  has 
a commodious  home  and  numerous  substantial  outbuildings.  A good  grade 


1870 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


of  live  stock  is  always  to  be  seen  in  his  fields  and  about  his  barns  and  no 
small  portion  of  his  annual  income  has  been  derived  from  this  source.  His 
boys  now  operate  the  place  for  the  most  part,  he  merely  planning  and  over- 
seeing the  work. 

Mr.  Tracy  was  married  in  1888  to  Lucretia  Wommack,  who  was  born 
in  Greene  county,  October,  1861,  and  here  she  was  reared  on  a farm  and 
attended  the  rural  schools  in  her  neighborhood. 

Six  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Mrs. 

Lodena  Bass,  Everett,  Henry,  Emmitt,  Avery  and  Casper. 

Politically,  Mr.  Tracy  is  a Republican  and  while  he  has  remained  loyal 
to  his  party  through  both  defeat  and  victory  he  has  never  sought  to  be  a 
leader  in  public  affairs.  Fraternally  he  is  a member  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Modern  Woodmen.  Religiously,  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  church. 


JOHN  A.  WALLIS. 

Although  the  twentieth  century  farmer  is  of  necessity  a very  busy  man 
he  can  nevertheless  keep  on  equipping  himself  with  such  information  as 
advancing  times  make  necessary.  John  A.  Wallis,  a farmer  of  Jackson 
township,  Greene  county,  is  a man  who  has  kept  abreast  of  the  times  in  a 
fairly  commendable  manner,  being  both  a wide  reader  and  a close  observer 
and  he  is  therefor  succeeding. 

Mr.  Wallis  was  born  near  Ebenezer,  Greene  county,  Missouri,  May  16, 
1867.  He  is  a son  of  Allen  and  Mary  E.  (Bedell)  Wallis,  both  natives  of 
North  Carolina,  the  father  born  on  October  1,  1823,  and  the  mother  on 
November  18,  1832.  They  were  young  in  years  when  they  emigrated  with 
their  parents  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  each  family  being  early  settlers 
here.  These  parents  of  our  subject  grew  to  maturity  on  farms  in  this 
locality  and  were  educated  in  the  district  schools,  which  they  attended  a few 
months  each  winter  for  a few  years,  and  here  they  were  married  on  Janu- 
ary 21,  1849.  Allen  Wallis  became  a very  successful  farmer,  owning  a 
farm  of  four  hundred  acres.  He  lived  in  different  parts  of  this  county. 
Llis  death  occurred  on  December  23,  1898,  and  two  years  later,  on  June  10, 
1900,  his  wife  followed  him  to  the  grave.  They  were  worthy  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  were  great  charity  workers  and  kind  to 
their  neighbors,  especially  in  sickness,  and  were  greatly  beloved  by  all  who 
knew  them.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  namely:  Mrs. 

Malissa  J.  Cowden,  Mrs.  Sara  E.  Cowden — these  gentlemen  being  brothers; 
Luther  E.  is  engaged  in  farming  in  this  county;  Mrs.  Nettie  Q.  Brackett  is 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1871 


deceased;  Charles  L.  is  farming;  John  A.  of  this  sketch;  and  Allen  M., 
a farmer. 

John  A.  Wallis  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  where  he  worked  until 
his  marriage,  having  meanwhile  received  a good  common  school  education. 
On  September  23,  1888,  he  married  Ella  Huff,  who  was  born  in  Greene 
county,  April  23,  1869,  on  the  farm  where  she  now  lives,  and  here  she  was 
reared  and  she  was  educated  in  the  public  schools.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Charles  W.  and  Missouri  (Whitlock)  Huff,  both  natives  of  Greene  county, 
the  father  born  on  July  16,  1830  and  the  mother  was  born  on  June  21,  1834. 
Mr.  Huff  was  one  of  the  successful  farmers  of  this  county,  owning  seven 
hundred  acres  at  the  time  of  his  death,  June  15,  1886.  His  wife  died  on 
October  7,  1911.  He  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  she  belonged  to  the  Presbyterian  church.  They  were  well  known  and 
highly  respected.  To  these  parents  eight  children  were  born,  namely: 
Thomas  A.,  Charles  C.,  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Gridges,  a widow;  Samuel,  de- 
ceased; Annie  E.,  deceased;  Mrs.  Lulu  N.  Brown;  Etta  A.,  wife  of  our 
subject,  and  Marvin,  deceased. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wallis  has  been  without  issue. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Wallis  bought  a farm  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty-five  acres.  He  at  present  lives  on  his  father-in-law’s  farm,  owning 
two  hundred  and  fifteen  acres  of  the  same,  and  in  ail  he  owns  three  hundred 
and  five  acres.  He  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  in  a 
successful  manner  and  keeps  his  land  well  cultivated  and  well  improved  and 
has  a pleasant  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Wallis  is  a Democrat,  and  he  is  a member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


WILLIAM  ELIJAH  ALBRIGHT,  M.  D. 

Dr.  William  E.  Albright  was  born  in  Polk  county,  Missouri,  May  20, 
1865.  He  is  a son  of  William  Franklin  Albright,  who  was  born  in  Georgia 
in  1822.  He  spent  his  youth  in  his  native  state  and  there  received  his  edu- 
cation, in  part,  but  was  still  a lad  when,  in  1843,  ^ie  removed  to  Missouri,  in 
which  state  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  engaged  in  farming  and  in  the  min- 
istry of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church,  and  did  an  incalculable  amount 
of  good  in  the  work  of  the  same  in  various  ways.  He  was  of  the  hospitable, 
kind  and  courteous  type  of  Southerner,  and  was  greatly  beloved  by  all  who 
knew  him.  He  did  not  live  for  self  alone,  but  was  constantly  on  the  lookout 
for  some  way  whereby  he  might  benefit  others.  He  married  Millie  Jane 
Fullerton,  who  was  horn  in  Tennessee,  from  which  state  she  came  to  Mis- 


1872 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


souri  in  her  girlhood;  she,  too,  was  a fine  Christian  character;  she  died  at 
the  age  of  sixty-two  years,  but  the  doctor's  father,  truly  a “grand  old  man  of 
Israel,"  was  not  summoned  to  his  reward  until  he  had  reached  the  ripe  old 
age  of  eighty-nine  years.  Of  their  children  two  sons  and  one  daughter  are 
living  at  this  writing,  namely:  Dr.  William  E.,  of  this  sketch;  Sterling  Price 
(named  after  the  great  Confederate  general)  lives  at  Purdy,  Missouri,  where 
he  owns  and  operates  a drug  store;  Anna  Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  William  D. 
Laney,  also  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  and  lives  at  Thayer,  this  state.  The 
maternal  grandfather,  James  Fullerton,  died  many  years  ago  in  Polk  county, 
Missouri,  whither  he  had  moved  from  Tennessee  in  an  early  day,  and  spent 
the  rest  of  his  life  in  farming.  His  wife,  Anna  Elizabeth,  has  also  been 
deceased  a number  of  years.  One  sister  of  the  doctor’s  mother  survives, 
Mrs.  Hannah  Kerr,  of  Polk  county,  where  her  husband,  James  Kerr,  a 
farmer,  died  more  than  thirty  years  ago. 

Doctor  Albright  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Polk  county 
and  there  found  plenty  of  hard  work  to  do  when  a boy.  In  the  winter  time 
he  attended  the  public  schools.  He  is  a fine  sample  of  the  self-made  man. 
After  entering  his  teens  he  earned  his  own  way  by  engaging  in  various 
kinds  of  business,  principally  farming,  and  he  has  seen  life  on  its  hardest 
side,  but  with  indomitable  energy  and  perseverance  he  has  forged  ahead 
and  may  be  justly  proud  of  the  large  success  which  has  attended  his  efforts. 
After  attending  the  public  schools  he  entered  the  Pleasant  Hope  Academy, 
near  his  boyhood  home,  completed  the  course  and  was  graduated.  Then  he 
entered  the  Kansas  City  Medical  College  in  1900,  from  which  institution 
he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1904.  Soon  thereafter  he  began  the 
practice  of  his  profession  at  Carterville,  Kansas,  where  he  remained  two 
years,  then  came  to  Springfield.  He  was  successful  from  the  first,  and  is 
now  enjoying  a large  and  constantly  growing  practice. 

Doctor  Albright  is  a member  of  the  Greene  County  Medical  Society 
and  the  Woods  County  Medical  Society  (Oklahoma).  Fraternally,  he 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  order,  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
also  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat,  and  in  relig- 
ious matters  is  a Methodist. 

Doctor  Albright  married  Rosa  Ellen  Sullivant,  a daughter  of  Jackson 
Sullivant,  a native  of  Pleasant  Hope,  Missouri.  He  formerly  engaged  in 
farming  in  Polk  county,  but  is  now  retired  and  makes  his  home  with  our 
subject  and  wife.  His  wife,  who  was  Sarah  Elizabeth  Edmondson,  died 
in  1903.  Mrs.  Albright  is  the  only  child  and  is  very  fond  of  her  father, 
who  is  a fine  old  gentleman,  highly  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 

One  child  has  been  born  to  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Albright,  Claud  Welling- 
ton Albright,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Polk  county,  this  state,  in  March, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1873 

1891;  he  received  his  earlier  education  in  the  ward  schools  of  Springfield, 
was  later  graduated  from  Drury  Academy,  and  expects  to  complete  the 
regular  course  in  Drury  College,  then  take  up  the  study  of  medicine;  he  is 
making  an  excellent  record  as  a student  and  is  a lad  of  much  promise.  He 
is  a natural  musician,  and  is  also  educating  himself  on  the  violin  as  a side 
issue  of  his  more  serious  life  work. 


DR.  THOMAS  V.  B.  CRANE. 

It  must  be  true  that  an  honest,  faithful,  capable  life,  considered  even 
in  its  temporal  relations,  is  not  lived  in  vain ; that  its  influence  is  not  as 
transient  and  evanescent  as  mere  physical  vitality,  but  that  the  progress  of 
mankind,  in  all  that  is  virtuous  and  ennobling,  is  accelerated  by  it;  that 
although  the  life  of  one  man  may  be  a small  factor  in  the  aggregate  lives  of 
the  race,  yet  if  well  spent,  its  after  influence  is  perceptible  and  continues  to 
endure  for  the  good  of  mankind.  One  such  life  in  Greene  county  is  that 
of  Dr.  Thomas  Y.  B.  Crane,  one  of  the  best  known  general  physicians  of 
the  city  of  Springfield,  a man  who  has  always  guarded  well  his  conduct  in 
all  the  relations  which  he  has  sustained  to  the  world,  and  while  advancing 
his  individual  interests  has  not  neglected  his  general  duties  as  a neighbor 
and  citizen,  and  “while  living  in  a house  by  the  side  of  the  road,  has  been 
a friend  to  man.” 

Doctor  Crane  was  born  on  June  1,  1869,  in  Phelps  county,  Missouri, 
in  the  midst  of  the  beautiful  verdure  of  the  Gasconade  river.  He  is  a son 
of  A.  W.  .and  Roda  A.  (McDaniel)  Crane.  The  former  devoted  his  active 
life  to  farming  and  he  died  in  July,  1914.  The  mother,  who  is  now  seventy- 
eight  years  old,  is  living  with  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  he  taking  a delight 
in  ministering  to  her  every  want  in  her  declining  years.  Josiah  Crane,  the 
paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  born  on  the  Hudson  river  in  the 
state  of  New  York,  in  the  year  1800.  During  young  manhood  he  moved 
to  Pennsylvania,  where  he  met  and  married  Prudence  Bates,  and  finally 
moved  to  Cannon  county,  Tennessee.  To  Josiah  Crane  and  wife  six  sons 
and  one  daughter  were  born,  Allison  Woodville  Crane,  the  youngest,  being 
the  father  of  the  subject  01  this  sketch.  He  was  born  in  the  year  1841. 
His  family  consisted  of  six  children,  named  as  follow:  Mattie,  deceased; 

Thomas  V.  B.,  our  subject;  George  A.  is  a Presbyterian  minister  in  Texas; 
Melissa  is  deceased;  Mrs.  Maggie  E.  Belcher  is  living  in  Florida;  Henry  D. 
lives  in  Little  Rock,  Arkansas. 

The  Crane  family  is  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry. 

(118) 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1874 

Soon  after  Doctor  Crane’s  birth  his  father  moved  with  him  to  Salem, 
Dent  county,  Missouri,  where  he  lived  two  years,  the  family  then  moving 
to  Kentucky.  In  the  fall  of  1874  his  father  moved  back  to  the  old  Josiah 
Crane  home  in  Tennessee.  Meeting  with  reverses,  the  most  notable  being 
the  destruction  of  his  home  by  fire  in  the  winter  of  1874-75,  A.  W.  Crane 
moved  with  his  family  to  Kentucky  again,  thence  to  Illinois,  and  in  the 
fall  of  1880,  moved  to  near  Mountain  Home,  Arkansas,  where,  although 
then  eleven  years  of  age,  our  subject  entered  school  for  the  first  time.  The 
terms  averaged  from  three  weeks  to  three  months  that  he  spent  in  school 
each  winter  during  the  four  years  that  he  lived  in  Arkansas.  In  the  fall 
of  1884  his  father  moved  to  Missouri,  locating  in  Ripley  county,  where 
about  three  months  of  schooling  out  of  each  of  the  next  two  years  were  all 
he  could  embrace  on  account  of  assisting  with  the  farm  work.  In  the  fall 
of  1886  his  father  moved  to  Bushton,  Cole  county,  Illinois,  where  young 
Crane  worked  on  the  farm  in  summer  and  attended  public  school  in  winter 
during  the  succeeding  five  years.  In  June,  1891,  our  subject  came  back 
to  Ripley  county,  Missouri,  where  he  began  teaching  and  farming.  He  took 
the  literary  course  in  Abbott  College,  at  Maynard,  Randolph  county, 
Arkansas;  then,  in  the  year  1899,  he  entered  the  St.  Louis  College  of  Phy- 
sicians and  Surgeons,  where  he  spent  two  years,  then  transferred  to  Barnes’ 
Medical  College,  St.  Louis,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  with 
the  class  of  1903.  Soon  thereafter  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession 
in  Washington,  where  he  remained  one  year  ; then  came  to  Springfield, 
where  he  opened  an  office  on  July  19,  1904,  and  here  he  has  remained  to 
the  present  time,  enjoying  all  the  while  a growing  and  satisfactory  patron- 
age. He  is  deserving  of  a great  deal  of  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished 
in  view  of  the  fact  that  he  is  purely  a self-made  man,  having  .educated 
himself. 

Doctor  Crane  was  married  on  September  18,  1892,  to  Amanda  A. 
Marlin,  of  Osceola,  Mississippi  county,  Arkansas,  where  she  was  born  on 
February  26,  1871.  She  is  a daughter  of  David  M.  and  Elmira  (Casey) 
Marlin.  Mr.  Marlin,  who  devoted  his  life  to  farming,  died  in  May,  1909, 
his  wife  having  preceded  him  to  the  grave  several  decades,  dying  when 
Mrs.  Crane  was  a small  child. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Doctor  Crane  and  wife,  namely: 
Marvin  Elsie,  born  in  Ripley  county,  Missouri,  in  1893,  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  that  county  and  the  ward  schools  of  Springfield;  she 
was  graduated  from  the  high  school  here,  after  which  she  spent  two  years 
in  Drury  College.  Bryan  D.,  the  second  child,  was  born  on  October  30, 
1896,  was  graduated  from  the  ward  schools  in  Springfield,  after  which  he 
spent  two  years  in  high  school  here,  then  entered  Scarritt-Morrisville  Col- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1875 


lege  at  Morrisville,  Missouri,  where  he  was  making  an  excellent  record 
when  he  met  an  untimely  death.  Adolphus  H.,  the  youngest  child,  was 
born  in  Ripley  county,  this  state,  October  24,  1898;  he  was  graduated  from 
the  ward  schools  in  Springfield  and  at  this  writing  is  in  his  third  year  in  the 
local  high  school. 

It  must  not  be  forgotten  that,  although  our  subject  was  deprived  of 
the  privilege  of  attending  the  common  schools  in  early  life,  his  education 
was  not  neglected  altogether,  for  both  his  father  and  mother,  especially 
the  latter,  were  painstaking  in  the  tutoring  of  their  children ; and  many 
were  the  nights,  although  tired  and  weary  from  the  cares  and  toils  of  the 
day,  by  the  light  of  the  tallow  candle,  grease  lamp  or  pine  knot  fires,  and 
other  means  for  artificial  light,  the  parents  and  the  children  might  have  been 
seen  as  tutors  and  pupils,  searching  for  those  things  which  go  to  build 
character  and  fit  boys  and  girls  for  future  usefulness.  This  is  a tribute 
which  will  not  be  paid  to  the  average  father  and  mother  of  today. 

Doctor  Crane  is  a stanch  Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Blue 
Lodge,  Council  and  Chapter,  of  the  Masonic  Order;  also  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Royal  Neighbors.  He  is  also  a member  of 
the  Greene  County  Medical  Society,  the  State  Medical  Society,  the  Ameri- 
can Medical  Association  and  the  Southwest  Medical  Society.  The  family 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  South. 


ADDISON  BROWN. 

Addison  Brown  has  achieved  marked  success  as  a lawyer  while  yet  a 
young  man,  for  the  vocation  he  selected  is  one  of  the  most  exacting  of  all 
professions  and,  too,  he  has  had  to  win  his  way  in  the  face  of  opposition 
in  various  ways  and  in  a community  long  noted  for  the  high  order  of  its 
legal  talent.  He  throws  his  whole  soul  into  his  work.  As  a citizen,  he 
stands  for  the  highest  ideals  in  all  the  relations  of  life. 

Mr.  Brown  was  born  on  January  19,  1874,  in  Ozark,  Christian  county, 
Missouri.  He  is  a son  of  E.  B.  and  Sarah  A.  (Clapp)  Brown;  the  father 
was  born  on  December  5,  1845;  the  mother  was  born  on  July  15,  1856. 
These  parents  received  good  educations,  and  the  father  attended  the  Keokuk 
Medical  College,  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  from  which  institution  he  was  grad- 
uated in  April,  1872.  He  first  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Ozark, 
Missouri,  where  he  remained  until  1889,  when  he  removed  to  Billings,  this 
state,  and  there  he  is  still  actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine,  hav- 
ing built  up  a large  patronage.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs 


i8;6 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


to  the  Masonic  order,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  other 
fraternal  organizations. 

To  E.  B.  Brown  and  wife  nine  children  were  born,  all  of  whom  are 
still  living,  named  as  follow:  Mollie  L.,  born  on  August  28,  1872,  is  single 

and  she  has  been  teaching  in  the  public  schools  of  Dallas,  Texas,  for  the 
past  seven  years;  Addison,  of  this  sketch;  Fred  FI.,  born  on  November  16, 
1876,  is  single,  and  he  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Billings, 
Missouri;  Ross  B.,  born  on  June  20,  1879,  married  Elizabeth  Berry,  and 
they  live  in  Branson,  Missouri,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  real  estate  busi- 
ness; Frank  IT.,  born  on  July  15,  1883,  married  Lucy  Garroutte,  and  they 
are  living  in  Billings,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business ; Min- 
nie V.,  born  in  1886,  is  single,  and  is  teaching  in  the  public  schools  of 
Dallas,  Texas;  Ned  R.,  born  on  November  3,  1888,  married  in  1909;  he  is 
a traveling  salesman  and  resides  in  Colorado  Springs;  Joseph  D.,  born  on 
January  11,  1893,  is  a pharmacist  and  lives  in  Billings,  Missouri;  Alta  L., 
born  on  December  8,  1896,  lives  in  Billings;  she  is  a student  in  the  State 
Normal  school  at  Springfield,  Missouri. 

John  D.  Brown,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  married  Jean 
Bray,  and  to  them  five  sons  and  three  daughters  were  born,  all  of  the  boys 
being  made  physicians.  Joseph  Addison  Brown  was  the  father  of  Dr. 
William  McFarland  Brown,  a physician  and  surgeon  of  Springfield,  Mis- 
souri, a complete  sketch  of  whom  appears  on  another  page  of  this  work, 
in  which  will  be  found  a complete  genealogy  of  the  Brown  family.  Dr. 
G.  P.  S.  Brown,  of  Nixa,  Missouri,  is  also  a physician;  he  is  an  uncle  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Addison  Brown  received  a common  school  education,  being  graduated 
from  the  high  school  at  Billings,  Missouri,  in  1893.  He  became  a regis- 
tered pharmacist  in  Texas  on  July  15,  1893,  and  for  a number  of  years 
engaged  in  the  drug  business  in  the  city  of  Dallas  with  much  success.  Fie 
was  manager  of  a number  of  drug  stores  there.  Finally  he  decided  to  enter 
the  legal  profession  and  began  studying  law  during  spare  moments.  Pro- 
gressing rapidly,  he  entered  the  law  department  of  Washington  University, 
at  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  on  June 
20,  1901,  having  made  an  excellent  record.  From  1901  to  1905  he  was 
engaged  as  manager  of  drug  stores  in  Dallas,  Texas. 

On  September  1,  1905,  Mr.  Brown  located  in  Springfield  for  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession.  Fie  has  been  very  successful  from  the  first  and  his 
clientage  has  constantly  increased  since  coming  to  this  city.  During  the 
past  seven  years  he  has  been  attorney  for  a number  of  wholesale  merchants 
here.  He  has  long  ranked  among  the  leaders  of  the  Greene  county  bar. 

Mr.  Brown  was  married  on  December  22,  1910,  to  Lydian  D.  Berry, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  1877 

of  Nevada,  Missouri.  She  is  a daughter  of  J.  H.  Berry.  She  received  a 
good  education. 

Politically,  Mr.  Brown  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
order,  the  Young  Men’s  Business  Club,  and  the  Christian  church. 


GAYLARD  DOUGLASS. 

Among  the  enterprising  business  men  of  Springfield  and  Greene  county 
of  the  present  day  is  Gaylard  Douglass,  widely  known  dealer  in  farm  loans, 
with  offices  in  the  Landers  Building,  suite  No.  934-36,  a man  who  has  suc- 
ceeded in  life  partly  because  he  has  inherited  commendable  traits  from  his 
sterling  Buckeye  ancestors,  and  partly  because  he  has  dealt  honorably  with 
his  fellow  men,  thereby  winning  and  retaining  their  good  will  and  confi- 
dence, and  his  reputation  in  the  several  localities  where  he  has  lived  has 
ever  been  above  idle  cavil. 

Mr.  Douglass  was  born  near  Ft.  Wayne,  Indiana,  February  16,  1851. 
He  is  a son  of  Samuel  and  Diana  (Edgington)  Douglass,  both  natives  of 
the  state  of  Ohio,  the  father’s  birth  occurring  near  Mansfield.  These  par- 
ents grew  up  and  were  married  in  their  native  locality  and  established  their 
home  on  a farm  in  Allen  county,  Indiana,  where  they  were  known  as  honest, 
industrious  and  neighborly  people,  and  they  spent  their  lives  on  a farm 
and  both  died  there,  the  mother  passing  away  when  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  but  a child.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  our  sub- 
ject being  the  only  survivor. 

Gaylard  Douglass  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  he  did  his 
full  share  of  the  work  there  when  a boy.  He  received  a limited  education 
in  the  public  schools,  but  this  lack  of  learning  has  later  been  supplied  by 
wide  miscellaneous  reading  and  by  contact  with  the  world,  until  he  may 
well  be  called  a successful  self-made  man.  In  1876  he  left  his  native  state 
and  came  to  Bates  county,  Missouri,  where  he  spent  ten  years  engaged  in 
general  farming  and,  working  hard  and  managing  well,  he  got  a good  start. 
He  took  much  interest  in  live  stock  and  handled  a good  grade.  Although 
liking  the  farm  and  live  stock  business,  he  finally  decided  that  the  city  held 
greater  attractions  and  opportunities  for  him  and  removed  to  Clinton, 
Henry  county,  this  state,  where  he  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  for 
some  time,  then  went  to  California  and  remained  in  that  state  two  years, 
after  which  he  returned  to  Clinton,  Missouri,  and  went  into  the  loan  busi- 
ness, and  made  his  first  loan  at  Schell  City,  Vernon  county,  this  state.  Pie 
was  successful  in  this  line  of  endeavor  and,  seeking  a larger  field  for  his 
operations,  he  came  to  Springfield  in  1904,  where  he  continued  to  the  pres- 


i8;8 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ent  time,  building  up  a large  business  in  farm  loans  and  real  estate.  He 
maintains  an  up-to-date  office  in  the  Landers  Building,  and  is  regarded  as 
one  of  the  best  posted  men  in  the  value  of  Missouri  farm  property  or  in 
the  city.  He  is  assisted  by  his  son,  J.  M.  Douglass,  and  enjoys  a constantly 
growing  business. 

Mr.  Douglass  was  married  on  December  21,  1872,  to  Catherine  Lovinia 
Dolley,  who  was  born  and  reared  near  Ft.  Wayne,  Indiana.  She  died  in 
Red  Bluff,  California,  February  12,  1898,  leaving  two  sons,  namely:  James 
M.,  who  married  Nellie  N.  Danley,  lives  in  Springfield;  Clark,  who  married 
Mary  Lee,  of  Mountain  Grove,  Missouri ; later  they  moved  to  Seymour, 
Webster  county,  where  they  now  live.  Mr.  Douglass  was  married  a second 
time  to  Alice  Davis,  a native  of  Missouri  and  a daughter  of  Wilbur  Davis 
and  wife.  This  second  union  has  been  without  issue. 

Mr.  Douglass  has  been  very  successful  in  a business  way,  and  he  has 
a beautiful  home  at  724  East  Walnut  street,  Springfield.  Politically,  he 
is  a Republican,  and  religiously  he  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian  church. 


JOHN  S.  OWEN. 

The  name  of  the  late  John  S.  (Sol)  Owen  needs  no  introduction  to  the 
readers  of  this  history,  for  he  was  widely  known  in  Greene  county  for  many 
years,  being  a worthy  representative  of  one  of  our  best  pioneer  families,  and 
he  was  highly  regarded  by  all  who  knew  him. 

Mr.  Owen  was  born  September  22,  1857,  near  Wilson’s  Creek,  this 
county.  He  was  a son  of  Capt.  C.  Baker  and  Ellen  (Yarbrough)  Owen. 
He  was  a grandson  of  Col.  Sol  Owen,  who  settled  the  old  Owen  farm  in 
1837,  on  which  place  our  subject’s  death  occurred.  The  parents  of  our  sub- 
ject were  both  born  in  Tennessee,  from  which  state  they  came  to  Greene 
county,  Missouri,  in  an  early  day,  when  they  were  children,  the  father  being 
twelve  years  of  age  when  he  came  here.  Here  he  grew  up  and  helped  de- 
velop the  farm.  When  the  Civil  war  came  on  he  enlisted  in  the  Federal 
army  and  became  captain  of  Company  D,  Twenty-fourth  Missouri  Volunteer 
Infantry,  which  he  commanded  in  a praiseworthy  manner  for  three  years. 
Later  he  served  four  years  as  sheriff  of  Greene  county.  He  was  a farmer 
and  stock  raiser.  He  was  a strong  Democrat  and  a leader  in  his  party. 

Captain  Owen  was  twice  married,  first  to  Ellen  Yarbrough,  mother  of 
our  subject.  The  only  other  child  by  this  union  was  Stephen  A.  Douglas 
Owen,  who  died  in  January,  1915,  on  his  farm  on  the  James  river,  this 
county.  The  mother  of  our  subject  died  when  he  was  a small  boy.  Later 
Captain  Owen  married  Caroline  McCroskey,  an  aunt  of  C.  W.  McCroskey, 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1879 

the  present  superintendent  of  schools  of  Greene  county.  A sketch  of  Pro- 
fessor McCroskey  appears  in  this  volume.  Eight  children  were  born  to 
Captain  Owen  and  his  second  wife,  all  of  whom  are  living  but  one. 

John  S.  Owen  of  this  sketch  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  and  he  was 
educated  in  the  rural  schools,  however,  educating  himself  for  the  most  part, 
and  was  an  excellent  example  of  a self-made  man.  When  twenty-four  years 
of  age  he  started  in  life  for  himself  on  a farm  of  one  hundred  acres,  which 
was  a part  of  the  old  Owen  homestead.  He  prospered  and  at  the  time  of 
his  death  owned  two  hundred  eighty-seven  and  one-half  acres,  which  val- 
uable place  is  now  in  possession  of  our  subject’s  widow  and  children.  Mr. 
Owen  carried  on  general  farming  in  a very  successful  manner.  He  was 
never  much  of  a trader,  for  being  a great  home  man,  did  not  like  to  be 
absent  from  his  family.  However,  he  handled  many  mules,  of  which  he 
was  an  excellent  judge.  This  farm  is  known  as  the  “Old  Judge  ‘Sol’  Owen 
place.” 

Mr.  Owen  of  this  sketch  married,  on  April  28,  1881,  Sarah  M.  Rose. 
She  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  near  the  Wilson’s  Creek  battle- 
ground, on  October  16,  1859.  She  is  a daughter  of  Reuben  O.  and  Lucy 

A.  (McElhaney)  Rose.  Mr.  Rose  was  born  in  Tennessee,  from  which  state 
he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  devoted  his  active  life  to  general  farm- 
ing and  died  on  his  farm  near  Wilson’s  creek  in  March,  1880.  His  wife 
was  also  born  in  Tennessee,  and  she  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead  here, 
and,  although  now  advanced  in  years,  is  well  preserved — in  fact,  looks  many 
years  younger.  She  has  always  looked  for  the  silver  lining  in  life’s  clouds 
and  is  the  possessor  of  many  admirable  characteristics.  Mr.  Rose  was  owner 
of  the  old  Rose  flouring  mill,  well  known  in  the  former  generation  in  this 
part  of  the  country.  To  Reuben  O.  Rose  and  wife  fourteen  children  were 
born,  ten  of  whom  are  still  living.  Mrs.  Owen  received  her  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  her  community. 

Eleven  children  were  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Charles 

B. ,  born  April  5,  1882,  married  Evelena  Murray,  a farmer  and  stock  man 
of  Polk  county,  Missouri;  Jerome  B.,  born  November  22,  1883,  married 
Olive  Murray,  and  they  live  on  a farm  in  Greene  county;  Abbie  E.,  born 
April  13,  1885,  died  September  10,  1886;  Rose  PI.,  born  December  3,  1886, 
married  Charles  Reichle,  a machinist  in  the  Frisco  shops,  and  they  live  in 
Springfield;  Joseph  C.,  born  March  1,  1889,  married  Amelia  Helbig,  and 
they  reside  on  the  home  farm;  Robert  F.,  born  October  1,  1890,  died  July 
24,  1891;  Wilda  (Nora)  A.,  born  April  8,  1892,  lives  at  home;  Sarah  E., 
born  January  10,  1894,  married  Clarence  Robertson,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
banking  business,  and  who  resides  at  468  South  Grant  street,  Springfield ; 
Savanna  F.,  born  February  3,  1896,  is  living  at  home;  John  Sol,  Jr.,  born 


i88o 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


August  I,  1897,  is  living  at  home;  Hollie  M.,  born  February  5,  1899,  is  liv- 
ing at  home. 

Mr.  Owen  was  a public-spirited  man,  always  ready  to  give  his  support 
to  any  good  movement  in  his  community.  Fie  was  a deputy  sheriff  of  this 
county,  serving  under  Sheriff  John  Day,  serving  the  full  two  years  very 
creditably.  In  1896  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  Greene  county  on  the  Demo- 
cratic ticket,  and  served  two  years  in  a very  creditable  manner.  Like  his 
father  before  him,  he  was  loyal  to  the  Democratic  party.  Fraternally,  our 
subject  was  an  active  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  was  buried  by 
that  order.  Fie  also  belonged  to  the  Modern  Woodmen,  the  Woodmen  of 
the  World  and  the  Royal  Arcanum.  Fie  was  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  South.  Flis  wife  and  children  also  belong  to  this  church. 
The  death  of  Mr.  Owen  of  this  review  occurred  October  24,  1899. 


GEORGE  E.  RAYMOND. 

Perhaps  as  much  suffering  has  been  caused  in  this  world  of  ours  from 
inadequate  heating  facilities  as  from  any  other  cause.  This  was  especially 
true  in  the  earlier  ages  before  mankind  had  evolved  modern  methods.  Even 
what  we  now  call  old-fashioned  fireplaces  were  not  thought  of  until  com- 
paratively recent  epochs  in  history.  For  centuries  they  were  very  crude 
affairs;  even  the  chimneys  of  the  log  cabins  built  by  the  first  settlers  of  our 
country  less  than  a century  ago  were  made  of  poles  and  clay  or  mud,  and 
later,  when  houses  contained  several  rooms,  all  but  one  of  them  were  without 
any  method  of  heating,  for  but  one  fireplace,  as  a rule,  was  to  be  found  in 
a home,  some  of  the  wealthier  classes  having  two,  perhaps.  Then  stoves 
became  generally  used,  but  many  rooms  were  still  left  without  heat,  few 
caring  to  go  to  the  expense  and  trouble  of  keeping  the  entire  house  properly 
warmed  during  the  winter  months.  So  mankind  has  undergone  a great  deal 
of  physical  discomfort  and  downright  suffering,  especially  among  the  poor 
of  nearly  all  countries  for  lack  of  heat  in  their  dwelling  places.  But  with 
modern  methods,  such  as  are  installed  by  the  Raymond  Heating  Company, 
of  Springfield,  people  are  now  making  themselves  more  comfortable  dur- 
ing the  cold  months,  entire  buildings,  no  matter  how  large,  being  kept  warm 
continuously  from  one  central  source,  so  that  the  rigors  of  the  long  north- 
ern winters  are  now  without  their  terrors,  even  farmers  throughout  the 
country  enjoying  their  furnace  heat,  which  is  distributed  over  their  mod- 
ernly  appointed  houses  in  the  form  of  hot  air,  steam  or  warm  water. 

George  E.  Raymond,  head  of  the  above  named  company,  has  long  been 
engaged  in  this  line  of  endeavor  and  understands  thoroughly  every  phase 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


of  modern  heating,  and  he  is  one  of  the  well  known  and  successful  business 
men  of  Springfield,  where  he  has  resided  nearly  a half  century.  He  was 
born  in  Pekin,  New  York,  July  8,  1861,  and  is  a son  of  Joseph  P.  and 
Elizabeth  (Bromley)  Raymond,  both  natives  of  New  York  state,  the  father 
born  in  1820  and  the  mother  in  1818.  They  grew  to  maturity  in  their  na- 
tive state,  received  limited  educations  in  the  common  schools  and  were  mar- 
ried there.  When  a young  man  Joseph  P.  Raymond  learned  the  shoemak- 
er’s trade,  which  he  always  followed  for  a livelihood.  He  removed  from 
New  York  with  his  family  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  the  fall  of  1868,  and 
here  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  1887,  and  here  his  wife  died  in  1880. 
They  were  parents  of  five  children,  namely : Emmett  B.  lives  in  Los  An- 

geles, California;  Bedten  S.,  deceased;  Mary  J.,  deceased;  William  B.  lives 
in  Springfield,  Mo.,  and  George  E.,  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Mr.  Raymond  of  this  review  was  seven  years  of  age  when  he  came  with 
the  family  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood  and  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools.  When  a young  man  he  went  to  Ohio  and 
served  an  apprenticeship  in  a tinshop  at  Dayton,  returning  to  Springfield 
a few  years  later,  where  he  finished  learning  his  trade,  and  here  he  worked 
at  the  same  until  1887,  when  he  went  into  business  for  himself  on  South 
street,  establishing  a heating  and  sheet  metal  works,  continuing  to  the  pres- 
ent time  with  ever  increasing  success  until  he  enjoys  a very  extensive  and  lu- 
crative business  as  a result  of  his  close  application  and  good  judgment  and 
his  fair  dealings  with  the  public.  In  1900  his  son,  Clyde,  formed  a partner- 
ship with  him  and  the  firm  name  became  the  Raymond  Heating  Company, 
and  their  plant  at  2 19-221  West  Walnut  street  is  one  of  the  best  of  its  kind 
in  the  Southwest,  equipped  with  up-to-date  appliances  of  all  kinds,  and 
skilled,  work  is  promptly  done,  a specialty  being  made  of  warm  air  heating 
and  ventilating  and  sheet  metal  work. 

Mr.  Raymond  was  married  July  12,  1881,  in  Springfield  to  Milicient 
Ewers,  who  was  born  in  Knox  county,  Ohio,  October  4,  1861.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Orrilla  and  William  G.  Ewers,  both  natives  of  Ohio,  where 
they  grew  up.  were  married  and  educated  and  established  their  home.  Thev 
are  both  now  deceased.  Mrs.  Ravmond  was  nine  vears  old  when,  in  1870. 
her  parents  removed  with  her  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  here  she  grew 
to  womanhood  and  received  a common  school  education.  The  Ewers  home 
was  established  on  the  north  side. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Raymond  only  one  child  was  born,  G.  Clyde  Raymond, 
whose  birth  occurred  April  11,  1883,  in  this  city,  and  here  he  grew  up  and 
was  educated.  He  married  Georgia  Davis.  He  is  in  business  with  his 
father,  as  before  stated,  and  is  a young  man  of  enterprise  and  ability. 

Politically,  Mr.  Raymond  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and 
the  Royal  Arch  Masons.  He  is  an  associate  member  of  the  Springfield 
Club.  He  has  always  borne  an  excellent  reputation  in  local  business  circles. 


FREDERICK  W.  ARMSTRONG. 

Mr.  Armstrong  was  born  in  Hillsboro,  Illinois,  January  13,  1868.  He 
is  a son  of  William  F.  and  Minerva  P.  (Simmons)  Armstrong,  the  former 
born  in  Ireland,  April  11,  1830,  and  the  latter  in  Hillsboro,  Illinois,  January 
7,  1837.  In  that  state  she  grew  to  womanhood,  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  and  she  and  Mr.  Armstrong  were  married  in  the  town  of 
Hillsboro.  Her  death  occurred  December  17,  1901.  William  F.  Arm- 
strong spent  his  early  years  in  his  native  land  and  there  attended  school, 
and  when  a young  man  he  set  sail  across  the  broad  Atlantic  for  American 
shores  and  located  in  Hillsboro,  Illinois.  He  was  a carpenter  and  con- 
tractor, which  line  of  endeavor  he  followed  during  his  active  life,  except 
when  in  military  service.  Upon  the  first  call  for  troops  by  President  Lin- 
coln to  put  down  the  Southern  Confederacy  in  April,  1861,  Mr.  Armstrong 
enlisted  in  Company  E,  Ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  he  proved  to 
be  such  a brave  and  excellent  soldier  that  he  was  promoted  from  private 
through  the  various  subordinate  ranks  to  that  of  major,  and  was  a success- 
ful and  dashing  officer,  taking  part  in  many  important  campaigns,  battles 
and  skirmishes.  He  was  many  times  wounded,  receiving  a severe  wound 
at  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  and  he  carried  five  bullets  to  the  grave  in  his  body. 
He  served  not  only  in  the  Civil  war,  but  in  some  of  the  campaigns  against 
the  hostile  Indians  of  the  West,  and  was  in  the  United  States  army  in  all 
nearly  five  years.  After  leaving  the  army  he  returned  to  Hillsboro,  where 
his  death  occurred  April  17,  1868.  Politically,  he  was  a strong  Republican. 
He  belonged  to  the  Masonic  Order  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows. His  family  consisted  of  four  children,  namely:  Tom  W.,  a Spring- 

field  plumber,  a sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume;  Eliza- 
beth is  deceased;  Samuel,  the  eldest,  lives  in  Hillsboro,  Illinois,  and  Fred- 
erick W.,  of  this  sketch. 

Mr.  Armstrong  of  this  sketch  grew  to  manhood  in  Hillsboro,  Illinois, 
and  there  he  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  working  at  odd 
times  in  a grocery  store  before  leaving  school,  and  when  fourteen  years  old 
he  began  working  at  the  carpenter’s  trade,  but  after  following  it  for  one 
summer  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  plumbing  business,  serving  an  ap- 
prenticeship and  became  an  efficient  workman  in  due  course  of  time.  He 
remained  in  his  native  town  in  this  work  until  1899,  when  he  came  to 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1883 


Spring-field,  Missouri,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was  in  partnership 
with  his  brother,  Tom  W.  Armstrong.  He  has  done  a great  deal  of  work 
of  this  nature  throughout  the  city,  often  turning  out  large  contracts.  He 
has  kept  well  up  in  his  line  in  every  respect  and  employed  capable  assist- 
ants so  that  his  jobs  have  always  been  satisfactory.  He  has  been  the  of- 
ficial plumbing  inspector  of  the  city  of  Springfield  during  the  past  four 
years  and  discharged  the  duties  of  this  important  post  in  a manner  highly 
satisfactory  to  all  concerned.  He  retired  from  this  office  April  15,  1915,  and 
at  the  present  time  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  for  himself  at  the 
corner  of  National  boulevard  and  Kearney  street,  where  he  is  enjoying  a 
good  trade. 

Mr.  Armstrong  was  married  in  Hillsboro,  Illinois,  December  29,  1895, 
to  Minnie  B.  Follis,  who  was  born  in  that  city  January  24,  1872.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Rachael  (Roach)  Follis,  the  father  a native  of  Ken- 
tucky and  the  mother  of  Illinois.  Mrs.  Armstrong  is  one  of  three  children. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Tom, 

Jr.,  born  October  18,  1897,  and  Minnie  M.,  born  May  5,  1906. 

Politically  our  subject  is  a Republican.  lie  is  a member  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias,  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Security,  the  Woodmen,  and  the  Tribe 
of  Ben-Hur.  He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


BENJAMIN  F.  TEGARDEN. 

In  studying  the  life  record  of  Benjamin  F.  Tegarden  it  will  be  seen  that 
he  is  the  possessor  of  those  attributes  which  never  fail  to  win  success  if 
persistently  and  properly  directed,  as  has  evidently  been  done  in  his  case, 
for  he  has  accomplished  definite  results  in  many  lines  of  human  endeavor, 
including  extensive  mining  operations,  a large  meat  packing  business  and  at 
present  he  ranks  among  the  most  progressive  agriculturalists  and  stockmen 
of  Greene  county,  being  proprietor  of  beautiful  “Clover  Leaf  Hereford 
Farm”  in  Murray  township,  where  he  is  carrying  on  farming  under  the 
most  approved  and  advanced  twentieth  century  methods  and  is  making  a 
specialty  of  handling  a high-grade  of  live  stock. 

Mr.  Tegarden  was  born  December  15,  1857,  in  Orange  county,  Indiana. 
He  is  a son  of  Andrew  and  Sarah  (Fisher)  Tegarden.  The  father  was 
born  in  Kentucky  in  1802,  where  he  spent  his  boyhood,  and  located  in 
Indiana  in  1818,  when  sixteen  years  of  age,  with  his  parents,  Basil  Te- 
garden and  wife,  and  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  Orange  county, 
that  state,  on  the  farm  where  he  first  located.  He  made  many  visits  to  Mis- 
souri but  never  established  his  home  in  this  state.  He  devoted  his  active 


1884 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


life  to  general  farming  and  made  live  stock  raising  a specialty.  He  pros- 
pered through  his  able  management  and  judicious  dealings  with  his  fellow 
men,  and  became  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Orange  county,  owning 
seven  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  valuable  land  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He 
was  well  informed  on  general  topics  and  an  influential  man  in  the  affairs 
of  his  community.  He  was  very  successful  in  a business  way  and  accumu- 
lated considerable  wealth  all  through  his  individual  efforts,  for  he  started 
out  in  life  without  a dollar.  His  death  occurred  November  8,  1872,  at  the 
age  of  seventy  years.  He  was  known  as  a man  of  public-spirits,  charitably 
inclined  and  a true  friend  to  those  worthy  of  his  friendship,  and  he  was 

widely  known  and  highly  esteemed  for  his  many  fine  qualities.  Andrew 

Tegarden  was  three  times  married,  first  to  a Miss  Lee,  by  which  union  four 
children  were  born,  namely  : William  Henry,  Abraham,  John  and  Jane,  all 

now  deceased.  His  second  wife,  Mrs.  Finley,  bore  him  five  chil- 

dren, namely:  Joseph,  Polly  Ann,  Sally,  Amanda,  all  four  deceased;  and 
Preston,  who  lives  in  Fort  Scott,  Kansas.  His  third  wife,  Sarah  Fisher, 
was  born  in  Orange  county,  Indiana,  in  1822,  and  her  death  occurred  Jan- 
uary 16,  1877,  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years.  Ten  children  were  born  to 
this  last  union,  named  as  follows:  Benjamin  F.,  of  this  sketch;  David  An- 

drew lives  in  Kansas;  Winfield  Scott  lives  in  Arkansas;  Elijah  Elsworth 
lives  in  Kansas ; Ulysses  Grant  lives  in  Springfield,  Missouri ; Robert  Basil 
makes  his  home  in  Arkansas;  Mrs.  Cora  Dell  Carr,  of  Indiana,  and  John 
Reed,  of  California,  were  twins;  Elmer  J.  is  a resident  of  Louisiana;  the 
youngest  child  died  in  infancy. 

Benjamin  F.  Tegarden  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  his  father’s  farm  in 
Orange  county,  Indiana,  and  there  he  learned  the  various  phases  of  agri- 
cultural pursuits  which  stood  him  so  well  in  hand  in  later  life,  and  he  received 
his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  community,  but  left 
school  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years,  when  his  father  died,  continuing  to 
assist  with  the  work  on  the  home  place  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age, 
when  he  struck  out  in  life  for  himself,  and  he  is  today  a fine  example  oh  a 
successful  self-made  man.  He  began  his  career  by  working  in  a brick  yard, 
keeping  his  eyes  open  the  meanwhile  and  learning  thoroughly  the  brick 
making  business,  spending  three  years  in  the  same  yard.  He  also  learned 
the  carpenter’s  trade,  which  he  followed  two  years.  For  some  time  he 
devoted  his  attention  to  well  drilling  in  western  Kansas.  He  has  traveled 
extensively,  having  been  in  twenty-seven  states.  Farming  has  formed  no 
small  portion  of  his  life  work.  He  is  entitled  to  rank  with  the  progressive, 
scientific,  well-informed  husbandmen  who  is  doing  much  to  place  this  coun- 
try on  an  equal  basis  with  the  best  as  an  agricultural  country.  For  ten 
years  he  engaged  in  the  mining  business  at  Joplin,  Missouri,  Arkansas,  and 
what  was  then  the  Indian  Territory.  He  also  followed  the  show  business 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


0 


for  three  years  and  the  meat  packing  business  for  eight  years,  in  partner- 
ship with  his  brother,  Ulysses  Grant  Tegarden,  they  having  founded  the  Te- 
garden  Packing  Company  of  Springfield,  Missouri,  -which  has  long  been  a 
successful  and  well-known  concern  throughout  this  section  of  the  country. 
Our  subject  is  no  longer  connected  with  this  splendid  and  well-equipped 
plant,  but  it  is  still  operated  by  the  Welsh  Packing  Company.  Our  subject 
also  followed  the  meat  packing  business  in  Fort  Scott,  Kansas,  for  some 
time.  He  at  present  has  interests  in  mines  in  California.  It  was  in  1904 
that  he  came  to  Springfield  and  he  resided  there  until  1913,  when  he  bought 
his  present  fine  farm  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Murray  township, 
which  is  one  of  the  best  and  most  desirable  farms  in  Greene  county,  none  be- 
ing more  highly  improved  or  more  productive,  however,  it  was  badly  “run 
down”  when  he  took  possession  of  it,  but  by  hard  work,  the  expenditure  of 
ample  funds  and  the  application  of  modern  ideas  of  farming  he  has  trans- 
formed it  into  an  estate  of  which  he  should  be  justly  proud  and  which 
is  one  of  the  show  places  of  the  township.  He  has  remodeled  the  barns 
and  painted  them  an  attractive  red  and  made  such  other  improvements  as 
were  necessary.  He  has  a feed  mill,  and  his  residence  is  commodious  and 
nicely  furnished.  The  general  surroundings  are  beautiful,  and  everything 
about  the  place  indicates  thrift,  good  management  and  excellent  taste.  In 
connection  with  general  farming  he  is  making  a specialty  of  handling 
Percheron  horses  and  Hereford  cattle,  being  a breeder  of  the  latter.  At 
this  writing  he  has  seventy  head  of  cattle  and  nine  head  of  horses,  and  is 
also  an  extensive  raiser  of  a good  grade  of  hogs.  He  has  worked  hard 
to  make  his  place  a model  farm  in  every  respect  and  is  realizing  the  ac- 
complishment of  his  ambition. 

Mr.  Tegarden  was  married  on  December  18,  1890,  to  Margaret  Craw- 
ford, who  was  born  in  Iowa,  a daughter  of  Harvey  and  Mary  (Riley) 
Crawford,  both  natives  of  Indiana  and  both  now'  deceased.  They  spent 
their  early  days  in  their  native  state,  finally  establishing  their  home  in  Iowra, 
where  they  became  comfortably  located  and  wTere  well  known  and  highly 
respected  and  there  Mrs.  Tegarden  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated. 
She  has  proved  to  be  a fit  helpmeet  to  her  energetic  husband  in  every  way 
and  no  little  amount  of  his  success  has  been  due  to  her  encouragement  and 
counsel. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Teagarden  has  been  blessed  by  the  birth 
of  three  children,  namely:  Hazel  Dorothy,  wrho  married  George  Bolds,  who 
is  nowr  connected  with  the  Kansas  City  Star,  and  he  is  also  a vaudeville 
sketch  and  song  writer  of  some  note  and  has  placed  tvro  benefit  shows  on 
in  Kansas  City  which  were  a success;  this  marriage  has  been  without  issue. 
Harvey  married  Nellie  Harrison,  a native  of  Greene  county;  he  lives  with 
his  father,  whom  he  is  assisting  on  the  home  farm;  he  and  his  ivife  have 


1 886 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


one  child,  Benjamin  F.,  Jr.,  Bernice,  the  youngest  of  our  subject’s  children, 
is  at  home  with  her  parents. 

Politically,  Mr.  Teagarden  is  a Progressive,  is  a man  of  liberal  views 
on  civic,  religious  and  other  questions,  and  while  he  takes  much  interest  in 
public  matters  has  never  sought  or  held  office  and  has  no  fraternal  affilia- 
tions. He  is  essentially  a business  man  and  a home  man,  never  better 
contented  than  when  by  his  own  cheerful  fireside  with  his  mutually  happy 
family.  Mrs.  Tegarden  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  church.  They  are 
both  known  to  their  neighbors  as  hospitable,  helpful  and  kindly  disposed. 


WILLIAM  DELANGE. 

Although  William  DeLange,  now  engaged  in  farming  in  Wilson  town- 
ship, Greene  county,  has  lived  but  thirty-two  years,  he  has  crowded  into  that 
brief  span  more  than  the  average  man  experiences  in  the  full  Biblical  allot- 
ment of  three  score  and  ten,  and  it  would  require  a good-sized  volume  to 
set  forth  his  life  record  in  detail.  Mr.  DeLange  was  born  in  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  October  14,  1882.  Lie  is  a son  of  Eugene  and  Rose  DeLange. 
The  father  was  a native  of  Germany,  from  which  country  he  emigrated  to 
America  when  young,  but  he  had  previously  traveled  all  over  Europe  as 
valet  to  a wealthy  Frenchman,  with  whom  he  also  visited  the  Far  East  and 
the  Mediterranean  countries,  and  while  in  Russia  had  difficulty  with  a party 
of  Nihilists,  one  of  whom  fired  a shot  that  wounded  Mr.  DeLange,  the  bul- 
let entering  his  leg,  and  our  subject  is  now  the  possessor  of  this  leaden  pel- 
let, which  was  successfully  extracted  from  the  wound.  Upon  reaching  the 
New  World  the  elder  DeLange  settled  in  Philadelphia,  and  was  in  the  em- 
ploy of  the  immigration  bureau  in  that  city  for  the  government  for  a num- 
ber of  years.  He  was  a highly  educated  man,  was  able  to  speak,  read  and 
write  several  languages,  and  could  speak  seven  different  tongues  and  read 
and  write  four  of  them,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1908  he  was  man- 
ager of  the  Continental  Hotel  in  New  York  City.  He  was  married  after 
coming  to  Philadelphia,  and  to  this  union  nine  children  were  born,  eight  of 
whom  survive  at  this  writing,  namely:  Charles;  Joseph;  Mrs.  Laura  Freed- 

man, who  lives  in  Pennsylvania ; Archibald  is  deceased ; Anthony,  Theresa, 
William,  Harry  and  John,  who  lives  in  New  York  City. 

William  DeLange  spent  his  early  days  in  the  City  of  Brotherly  Love, 
up  to  his  eighth  year,  and  he  attended  the  public  schools  there  two  years. 
When  but  a small  boy  he  was  left  an  orphan,  and  was  taken  care  of  by  his 
maternal  grandmother,  who  found  a home  for  him  in  Kent  county,  Dela- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  1 887 

ware,  on  a farm,  where  he  remained  until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  and 
while  there  he  attended  the  district  schools  two  months  out  of  each  year. 
At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  ran  away,  returning  to  Philadelphia,  but  remained 
there  only  a few  months,  then  went  to  New  York  City  and  began  working 
as  a messenger  boy  and  at  other  similar  work,  such  as  a boy  his  age  could 
find  in  a great  city,  remaining  there  about  two  years.  He  then  went  to  work 
on  a truck  farm  at  ten  dollars  per  month  and  board  and  spent  two  years  in 
this  manner.  Later  he  enlisted  in  the  Eleventh  United  States  Cavalry,  in 
Troop  M,  for  three  years’  service,  during  which  time  his  regiment  sailed 
from  New  York  for  the  Philippine  Islands,  by  way  of  the  Suez  canal,  and 
was  on  the  water  sixty-eight  days,  and  the  regiment,  after  its  service  in  the 
antipodes  had  expired,  returned  to  the  United  States  by  way  of  Nakisaki, 
Japan,  and  the  Sandwich  Islands,  stopping  at  Hawaii,  landing  at  San  Fran- 
cisco after  a long  voyage  across  the  Pacific  Ocean.  From  the  city  by  the 
Golden  Gate  the  regiment  was  sent  to  Jefferson  Barracks,  Missouri,  and 
after  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service  in  the  army  Mr.  DeLange  went 
to  New  York  City,  thus  completing  the  circuit  of  the  globe.  In  1905  he 
came  to  St.  Louis  and  took  a business  course  in  the  Jones  & Henderson 
Business  College,  completing  the  course  as  stenographer,  and  he  worked  at 
that  vocation  in  various  positions  in  St.  Louis,  Kansas  City  and  Chicago. 
In  June,  1910,  he  was  appointed  to  a position  in  the  civil  service  under  the 
Isthmian  Canal  Commission,  and  was  accordingly  sent  to  the  Panama 
canal,  where  he  spent  two  and  one-half  years,  resigning  his  position  there 
in  January,  1913,  and  returning  to  Missouri.  Desiring  to  lead  a quieter 
and  simpler  life,  he  purchased  a farm  in  Wilson  township,  Greene  county, 
ten  miles  southwest  of  Springfield,  near  the  historic  battlegrounds,  and 
now  owns  the  old  Thomas  Phillips  homestead,  located  on  the  old  “wire 
road,”  and  which  place  consists  of  fifty-nine  acres,  and  here  he  is  engaged 
in  general  farming  and  has  a well  located  and  productive  place. 

Mr.  DeLange  was  married  January  20,  1913,  to  Bertha  E.  Moody,  a 
daughter  of  Nathan  E.  and  Martha  Jane  (Cooke)  Moody,  who  formerly 
lived  at  Viroqua,  Wisconsin,  later  coming  to  Missouri  and  locating  at  Jerico 
Springs,  Cedar  county,  Mr.  Moody  coming  to  the  Ozark  Mountains  for  his 
health.  He  was  a successful  farmer  in  the  North  and  accumulated  consid- 
erable wealth. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moddy  were  born  four  children,  namely:  Bertha  E., 

wife  of  Mr.  DeLange,  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Jessie  Whitsitt;  Mrs.  Helen 
Graff,  and  Mrs.  Ethel  McKenney. 

Politically,  Mr.  DeLange  has  leaned  toward  the  Republican  party  in 
national  affairs.  His  wife,  who  is  an  exceptionally  well  educated  woman, 
is  a member  of  the  Methodist  church. 


1 888 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


LUTHER  M.  CLAYPOOL. 

The  old-fashioned  notion  that  hard  work,  patient  industry  and  far- 
sightedness make  for  success  in  the  various  avenues  of  life,  seems  yet  to 
hold  good,  although  not  perhaps  so  universally  accepted  in  our  day,  the 
spread  of  pessimism  engendered  by  many  phases  of  our  complex  life  being 
in  a great  measure  responsible  for  some  lack  of  faith  in  the  old  ideas. 
However,  if  we  observe  conditions  closely  we  will  find  that  the  intelligent 
individual  who  leads  a practical  and  industrious  life,  will  reach  a point 
of  success  commensurate  with  his  efforts.  The  career  of  Luther  M.  Clay- 
pool,  well  known  insurance  man  of  Springfield,  will  afford  us  an  instance 
of  this,  for  he  is  an  advocate  of  persistency,  honesty  and  the  adoption  of 
new  ideas  and  in  having  system  in  his  work,  and  these  elements  have  re- 
sulted in  success. 

Mr.  Claypool  was  born  in  Bell  county,  Texas,  August  16,  1884.  He  is 
a son  of  C.  W.  and  Sarah  ( Hall)  Claypool,  both  reared  in  Missouri,  the 
former  of  Scotch-Irish  and  the  latter  of  Irish  extraction.  C.  W.  Claypool 
grew  up  a farmer  boy  and  was  educated  in  the  rural  schools  of  his  com- 
munity. His  wife  was  born  in  Tennessee,  from  which  state  she  came  tb 
Missouri  in  her  girlhood  and  received  her  education  in  the  common  schools. 
These  parents  were  married  in  1876  and  two  years  later  removed  to  Bell 
count)'',  Texas,  where  Mr.  Claypool  engaged  in  farming.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  five  children,  namely:  Nettie,  Charles  O.,  Luther  M.,  Elza  V.,  and 
Lonnie  B.  C.  W.  Claypool  remained  in  the  Lone  Star  state  with  his 
family  until  1902,  when  he  returned  to  Missouri,  locating  on  a farm  in 
Greene  county,  which  has  been  his  chief  life  work  and  which  he  has 
been  successful  in.  He  was  justice  of  the  peace  for  several  years  at  Phoenix. 
During  the  past  two  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business 
there,  handling  boots  and  shoes,  and  has  built  up  a good  trade.  He  has  been 
a loyal  Republican  since  reaching  his  majority,  and  he  and  his  wife  have 
been  members  of  the  Baptist  church  for  many  years. 

Luther  M.  Claypool  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm.  After  at- 
tending the  public  schools  he  spent  two  years  in  Central  Texas  Institute, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  June,  1902,  with  honors,  having  made  an 
excellent  record  for  scholarship. 

He  began  life  for  himself  as  a farmer  for  one  year,  then  followed 
stationary  engineering  for  five  years  at  Phoenix,  Missouri,  during  which 
time  he  took  a course  in  stationary  engineering  and  steam  fitting.  He 
became  an  expert  in  this  field  of  endeavor  and  followed  it  successfully 
until  1909,  when  he  accepted  a position  in  the  Heer  Department  Store  in 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1889 


Springfield,  remaining  there  until  the  fall  of  1910,  when  he  took  up  the 
insurance  business  which  he  has  continued  ever  since  with  increasing  suc- 
cess. In  January,  1915,  he  accepted  an  agency  for  the  Central  Life  In- 
surance Company,  having  agencies  covering  twenty  counties.  Eleven  men 
are  working  under  his  direction.  He  is  not  only  a good  judge  of  men  but 
is  a splendid  salesman  and  is  one  of  the  most  successful  insurance  men  in 
Springfield. 

Mr.  Claypool  was  married  March  7,  1909,  to  Maud  V.  Brady,  a daughter 
of  John  and  Maryland  (Keer)  Brady.  The  father  was  born  in  Ireland, 
from  which  country  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States  in  early  life  and  for 
a number  of  years  followed  farming.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Claypool  was 
born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri.  Both  these  parents  are  of  Scotch-Irish 
extraction. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Claypool  one  son  has  been  born,  Denziel  Leon  Clay- 
pool. 

Mr.  Claypool  is  a Republican,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows.  His  wife  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
They  have  made  many  warm  friends  since  taking  up  their  residence  in 
Springfield. 


HENRY  B.  JONES. 

A gentleman  who  has  been  considered  one  of  the  best  farmers  and 
stock  raisers  in  the  vicinity  of  Elwood,  Greene  county,  is  Henn^  B.  Jones, 
who,  as  a citizen  is  intelligent  and  enterprising,  combining  with  himself 
those  sterling  qualities  of  manhood  that  make  not  only  a useful  member  of 
society,  but  a leader  in  whatever  he  undertakes.  He  has  been  contented  to 
spend  his  life  in  his  native  county,  rightly  concluding  that  for  the  tiller  of 
the  soil  and  the  live  stock  grower  no  better  place  could  be  found. 

Mr.  Jones  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  March  21,  i860.  Lie 
is  a son  of  Isaac  and  Martha  (McClure)  Jones,  both  natives  of  Monroe 
county,  Tennessee,  where  they  spent  their  childhood  and  received  a common 
school  training,  which,  according  to  the  times,  was  meager.  Isaac  Jones 
was  twenty-three  years  old  when  he  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  and 
by  home  study  he  had  added  to  his  education  sufficiently  to  teach  school, 
which  he  followed  for  some  time  in  this  county  or  until  the  commencement 
of  the  Civil  war.  The  latter  part  of  his  life  was  devoted  to  general  farming 
here.  During  the  Civil  war  he  was  deputy  sheriff  under  Elisha  White.  His 
death  occurred  in  1883.  His  widow  survived  nineteen  years,  dying  in  1902. 
They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  four  sons  and  four  daughters. 

(1 19) 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


189O 

named  as  follows:  Sarah  E.,  Jas.  L.,  Henry  B.,  the  subject;  Effie  K.,- Alice, 
Dora,  J.  Lyman,  and  Geo.  B.  W. 

Henry  B.  Jones  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  place  and  there  worked 
during  the  crop  seasons  when  a boy,  and  attended  the  district  schools  during 
the  winter.  When  a young  man  he  began  farming  for  himself,  which  he 
has  continued  to  the  present  time,  and  is  now  owner  of  a well-improved 
and  productive  place  of  two  hundred  acres  near  Elwood.  He  has  always 
been  a very  careful  general  farmer,  rotating  his  crops  at  the  right  time,  and 
he  has  made  livestock  raising  and  feeding  a specialty,  always  keeping"  good 
grades  and  sparing  no  pains  in  their  care.  He  has  a good  set  of  buildings 
and  modern  farming  implements. 

Mr.  Jones  was  married  on  August  12,  1885,  to  Florence  Pickering,  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Margaret  (Gray)  Pickering.  She  was  born  on 
her  father's  farm  in  Greene  county,  Tennessee,  and  here  grew  to  woman- 
hood and  received  her  education  in  the  country  schools.  Mrs.  Jones  had 
two  brothers,  both  deceased,  namely:  Charles  B.  and  James  B;  also  one 
sister,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Graham. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones,  namely:  Fred, 
born  July  17,  1886,  owns  a ranch  in  New  Mexico  and  intends  devoting  his 
life  to  farming;  Bert  II  horn  November  18,  1888,  owns  a farm  in  Republic 
township,  Greene  county,  where  he  carries  on  general  farming;  he  married 
Ora  E.  Coggin,  a native  of  this  county,  and  they  have  one  child,  Ruth  Mil- 
dred. 

Politically,  Mr.  Jones  is  a Republican,  and  he  and  his  family  attend 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


ERNEST  N.  FERGUSON. 

Step  by  step  along  the  path  of  orderly  progression  Ernest  N.  Ferguson 
proceeded  until  he  reached  a prominent  position  as  a representative  of  the 
industrial  interests  of  Springfield,  becoming  cashier  of  the  Holland  Banking 
Company  and  president  of  the  State  Savings  Trust  Company.  The  initial 
step  toward  these  ends  was  made  when  he  was  but  a boy  when  he  began 
careful  preparation  for  a business  career,  and  he  has  left  no  stone  unturned 
anywhere  along  the  highway  of  life  whereby  he  might  legitimately  advance 
himself.  His  influence  has  always  been  on  the  side  of  progress,  improve- 
ment and  advancement.  He  is  a dependable  man  under  any  condition  and 
in  any  emergency.  His  cpiietucle  of  deportment,  his  easy  dignity,  his  frank- 
ness and  cordiality  of  address,  with  the  total  absence  of  anything  sinister  or 
anything  to  conceal,  foretoken  a man  who  is  ready  to  meet  any  obligation 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1891 


of  life  with  the  confidence  and  courage  that  come  of  conscious  personal  abil- 
ity, right  conception  of  things  and  an  habitual  regard  for  what  is  best  in 
the  exercise  of  human  activities. 

Springfield  is  his  native  city,  his  birth  having  occurred  June  23,  1870. 
His  parents  are  John  R.  and  Virginia  C.  (Smith)  Ferguson.  The  former, 
a native  of  Missouri,  was  born  in  February,  1842,  and  soon  after  the  Civil 
war  settled  in  Springfield,  where  he  still  makes  his  home.  He  engaged  in 
the  drug  business  for  a number  of  years,  afterward  filled  the  office  of  circuit 
clerk  for  eight  years  and  was  recorder  of  deeds  for  four  years,  during  which 
period  his  son,  Ernest,  acted  as  his  deputy.  He  made  an  excellent  record 
in  official  circles,  his  course  being  characterized  by  the  utmost  fidelity  to  duty 
and  capability  in  meeting  the  demands  of  the  business  connected  with  the 
office.  For  three  years  he  served  his  country  as  a soldier  in  the  Union 
army  and  has  at  all  times  been  actuated  by  a public-spirited  devotion  to 
the  general  good.  He  enlisted  at  Louisiana,  Pike  county,  Missouri,  March 
29,  1862,  and  was  mustered  into  service  as  a private  of  Company  E,  Third 
Regiment  of  Cavalry,  Missouri  State  Militia,  for  three  years,  on  the  8th 
of  April,  1862.  The  following  year  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  cor- 
poral and  in  1864  became  sergeant.  He  continued  with  his  command  until 
mustered  out,  April  14,  1865,  at  Macon  City,  Missouri,  on  the  expiration 
of  his  term  of  enlistment.  While  the  Third  Regiment  was  not  sent  to  the 
front,  it  did  arduous  and  dangerous  duty  in  Missouri  and  northern  Arkansas. 
Mr.  Ferguson  was  almost  constantly  in  a saddle  from  the  spring  of  1862 
until  the  winter  of  1864-5,  pursuing  and  fighting  the  bushwhackers,  guer- 
rillas and  outlaws  who  infested  the  territory  in  large  numbers,  especially 
in  the  central,  southwestern  and  southeastern  portion  of  this  state,  using 
every  opportunity  to  ambush  and  bushwhack  the  Third  Regiment,  ignoring 
all  rules  of  civilized  warfare.  In  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1864  no 
prisoners  were  taken  by  either  side.  Mr.  Ferguson  participated  in  the  en- 
gagements at  Kirksville,  Missouri,  in  August,  1862,  and  in  the  fight  near 
Patterson,  Missouri,  in  the  spring  of  1863.  He  was  also  in  the  severe  en- 
gagement in  September,  1864,  at  Goslings  Lane,  Boone  county,  Missouri, 
where  he  was  in  command  of  the  advanced  guard,  which  was  formed  of  a 
detachment  from  his  regiment  for  protecting  a wagon  train  of  army  sup- 
plies. The  attack  was  made  on  the  wagon  train  and  guard  by  the  notorious 
guerrilla  band  of  three  hundred  of  the  most  desperate  and  cruel  guerrillas, 
commanded  by  the  equally  desperate  Bill  Anderson,  a noted  guerrilla  chief, 
who  burned  the  wagon  train  and  killed  without  mercy  the  teamsters  and 
soldiers  who  were  unable  to  escape.  As  Mr.  Ferguson  says,  service  at  the 
front  under  the  rules  of  civilized  warfare  was  a much  less  dangerous  and 
arduous  service  than  that  which  he  experienced.  He  has  been  equally  true 
and  loyal  to  his  country,  in  times  of  peace  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the 


1892 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


most  public-spirited  men  of  Greene  county.  His  wife  is  a daughter  of 
Captain  Jared  E.  Smith,  a native  of  Tennessee. 

In  the  public  schools  of  Springfield  Ernest  N.  Ferguson  pursued  his 
early  education  and  afterward  attended  a business  college  there.  On  leaving 
school  he  entered  the  office  of  the  circuit  clerk  and  subsequenlty  was  in  the 
recorder's  office,  being  so  employed  for  about  five  years.  His  identification 
with  financial  interests  dates  from  the  19th  of  May,  1890,  when  he  entered 
upon  a position  in  the  Springfield  Savings  Bank,  becoming  bookkeeper. 
There  he  remained  until  February,  1906,  when  he  became  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  Springfield  Trust  Company,  with  which  he  was  thus  asso- 
ciated for  eighteen  months.  He  next  became  vice-president  of  the  National 
Exchange  Bank  and  after  ten  months  went  to  the  State  Savings  Bank  as 
cashier.  Eventually  he  was  elected  its  president  and  continued  as  such 
until  September,  1913,  when  the  bank  was  consolidated  with  the  Holland 
Banking  Company,  of  which  Mr.  Ferguson  is  now  cashier.  During  his  ad- 
ministration of  the  affairs  of  the  State  Savings  Bank  the  deposits  were  in- 
creased from  sixty  thousand  dollars  to  more  than  a million  and  a quarter 
and  when,  with  his  assistance,  the  consolidation  with  the  Holland  Banking 
Company  took  place,  the  new  institution  became  the  strongest  in  this  part 
of  the  state.  His  long  and  varied  experience  in  different  clerical  and  offi- 
cial positions  has  given  him  intimate  and  comprehensive  knowledge  of  the 
banking  business  in  all  of  its  phases  and  enables  him  to  speak  with  authority 
upon  many  of  the  complex  problems  of  banking.  The  spirit  of  enterprise 
actuates  him  in  all  that  he  undertakes  and  he  has  the  ability  to  unify  seem- 
ingly diverse  elements  and  coordinate  forces  into  a harmonious  and  re- 
sultant whole.  One  of  the  older  bankers  of  Springfield,  who  years  ago  em- 
ployed Mr.  Ferguson  in  a humble  position  said  of  him:  “He  always  had  the 
faculty  of  making  and  holding  friends  and  still  never  allowed  friendship  to 
affect  his  judgment  in  business  transactions.  He  is  looked  upon  as  one  of 
the  county’s  leading  men,  but  has  not  nearly  reached  his  place  he  eventually 
will  take  in  financial  circles.”  He  is  very  forceful,  displays  keen  sagacity 
and  almost  immediately  makes  up  his  mind  when  any  proposition  is  brought 
before  him. 

On  the  24th  of  April,  1894,  at  Springfield,  Mr.  Ferguson  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Margaret  B.  Pinkerton,  a daughter  of  Rev.  J.  P.  Pink- 
erton, and  their  children  are  James  P.,  Katherine,  Ernest  N.  and  Margaret  B. 

Mr.  Ferguson  has  been  a member  of  Company  F,  Second  Regiment, 
Missouri  National  Guard,  with  which  he  served  for  two  years,  holding  the 
rank  of  second  lieutenant.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  Republican 
party  and  he  is  identified  with  several  fraternal  and  social  organizations. 
He  is  a Royal  Arch  Mason,  a Knight  of  Pythias,  a Red  Man,  Royal  Ar- 
canum and  Modern  Woodmen.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Benevolent  and  Pro- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1893 


tective  Order  of  Elks,  is  identified  with  the  Springfield  Club,  the  Young 
Men’s  Business  Club,  the  Country  Club  and  the  James  River  Club — asso- 
ciations which  indicate  much  of  the  nature  of  his  interests  and  of  his  recrea- 
tion. In  manner  he  is  modest  and  unassuming,  but  he  has  friends  among  all 
classes  of  people.  He  is  a member  of  the  South  Street  Christian  church  and 
has  been  its  treasurer  since  1894.  Through  his  energy  and  personal  as- 
sistance the  affairs  of  the  church  have  been  put  on  a sound  financial  basis 
and  he  deserves  great  credit  for  his  efforts  in  that  direction.  He  is  also  a 
trustee  of  Drury  College  and  is  the  local  treasurer  of  the  Pythian  Home. 
His  activities  outside  of  business  are  perhaps  most  pronounced  in  the  church 
and  in  its  teachings  are  found  the  motive  springs  of  his  life  in  all  of  his 
relations  with  his  fellowmen.  His  ideals  are  high  and  he  grasps  eagerly 
every  opportunity  for  raising  himself  to  their  level. 


CHARLES  B.  PICKERING. 

The  late  Charles  B.  Pickering  was  a worthy  representative  of  that  type 
of  American  character  and  of  that  progressive  spirit  which  promotes  pub- 
lic good  in  advancing  individual  prosperity  and  conserving  popular  inter- 
ests. Members  of  the  Pickering  family  have  long  been  identified  with  the 
affairs  of  Greene  county. 

Mr.  Pickering  was  born  at  Greeneville,  Greene  county,  Tennessee,  Sep- 
tember 28,  1854.  He  was  a son  of  Samuel  and  Margaret  (Gray)  Pickering, 
the  father  born  March  22,  1820,  and  the  mother  on  June  9,  1819,  both  in 
Tennessee,  and  there  they  grew  to  maturity  and  were  married,  and  they 
were  young  when  they  came  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  located  on  a farm 
and  here  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  the  father  dying  in  1908  and  the 
mother’s  death  occurred  May  17,  1907.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine 
children. 

Charles  B.  Pickering  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  he 
worked  hard  when  a boy,  and  in  the  winter  he  received  his  education  by  at- 
tending the  district  schools.  Early  in  life  he  began  fanning  for  himself, 
which  he  continued  along  general  lines  the  rest  of  his  life  and  was  one  of 
the  successful  tillers  of  the  soil  in  Republic  township,  owning  over  two  hun- 
dred acres  of  well  improved  and  productive  land.  He  had  a good  home  and 
numerous  convenient  buildings  for  his  live  stock,  which  he  always  managed 
to  keep  a good  grade  of  and  carefully  prepare  for  the  market. 

Mr.  Pickering  was  married  October  29,  1884,  to  Sarah  M.  Summer,  a 
native  of  Greene  county,  Tennessee,  born  July  16,  1861,  and  she  was  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Julia  (Harris)  Summer,  both  natives  of  Virginia, 


1 894 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


in  which  state  they  spent  their  earlier  years,  finally  removing  to  Missouri, 
and  locating  on  a farm  in  Greene  county.  Mr.  Summer  was  also  a carpenter. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pickering*  two  children  were  born,  namely:  Leota, 

now  about  twenty-four  years  of  age,  married  Ardo  D.  Anderson,  a farmer 
of  this  county,  and  Samuel  Bruce,  who  is  now  about  twenty-two  years  of 
age,  lives  on  the  home  farm  with  his  widowed  mother  and  is  successfully 
operating  the  place. 

Politically,  Mr.  Pickering  was  a Republican,  and  in  his  church  affilia- 
tions was  a Protestant  Methodist,  although  he  was  raised  a Quaker.  Fra- 
ternally, he  belonged  to  the  Woodmen  of  the  World. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Pickering  occurred  on  October  22,  1908,  at  the  age 
of  fifty-four  years.  Pie  was  industrious,  strictly  honest  and  reliable  and  was 
highly  respected  by  his  neighbors  and  acquaintances. 


FRANCIS  MARION  DONNELL. 

Francis  Marion  Donnell,  born  in  Polk  county,  just  over  the  line  of 
Greene,  December  22,  1846,  has  lived  the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  south- 
west Missouri,  and  is  one  of  the  best  known  men  in  Greene  county.  His 
father,  John  M.  Donnell,  came  to  Missouri  in  1832,  stopping*  first  at  a place 
near  the  old  Plodge,  later  known  as  the  Union  grave  yard,  on  the  road  be- 
tween Spring-field  and  Buffalo,  two  years  later  removing  to  Upshaw  Prairie 
in  Greene  county.  He  was  of  Irish  descent,  his  grandfather  being  an  Irish 
emigrant  named  O’Donnell,  who  changed  his  name  after  coming  to  Tennes- 
see. His  father,  James  M.  Donnell,  accompanied  him  to  Missouri.  He  mar- 
ried, near  Nashville,  Tennessee,  in  1811,  Miss  Jane  McClain,  who  was  of 
Scotch  lineag-e.  He  was  a fanner  and  stock  raiser,  dealing  extensively  in 
mules  after  he  came  to  Missouri,  making  many  drives  through  to'  New  Or- 
leans, which  was  customary  in  those  days.  He  had  eleven  children  by  his 
first  wife,  the  youngest  of  whom  was  Francis  Marion.  After  her  death  he 
married  Miss  Jane  Wills,  one  child  being  born  to  them.  The  children  by 
the  first  marriage  were:  Sons,  James  M.,  G.  W.,  William  M.,  Robert, 

C.  W.,  Francis  Marion;  daughters,  Mary  Ann,  Margaret,  Jane,  Caroline 
and  Sarah.  He  had  one  child  by  his  second  marriage,  Winfield  S.  Don- 
nell. Most  of  their  lives  were  spent  in  this  county.  C.  W.  Donnell  is  still 
living  near  Grand,  Oklahoma.  Sarah,  who  married  James  M.  Armstrong, 
a farmer,  is  also  living  in  Polk  county.  The  father  died  in  i860,  at  the 
ag*e  of  fifty-two  years, 

Francis  Marion  grew  up  on  the  Donnell  farm  near  Fair  Grove,  work- 
ing during  the  busy  season  and  attending  the  district  school  in  winter  until 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI.  1 895 

he  reached  the  age  of  sixteen,  when  he  enlisted,  in  1863,  in  Company  E, 
Sixteenth  Missouri  Cavalry,  under  Capt.  S.  W.  Headley  and  Lieut.  A.  J. 
Potter.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  the  Big  Blue,  in  which  the  enemy  were 
under  command  of  General  Marmaduke,  and  a number  of  minor  engage- 
ments. After  the  war  he  returned  to  Greene  county  and  fanned  a number 
of  years  near  Fair  Grove  and  also  in  Saline  and  Taney  counties,  in  this 
state,  and  in  California.  Returning  to  Springfield  in  1880,  he  became  a 
member  of  the  police  force  under  Marshal  Nat  Turner,  and  afterward  a 
deputy  under  Sheriff  Jack  Potter.  He  then  served  as  a policeman  under 
Marshall  Hollet  Snow,  after  which  he  was  elected  constable  of  Campbell 
township  in  1882.  He  was  elected  sheriff  of  Greene  county  in  1883,  serv- 
ing two  years,  after  which  he  spent  six  years  more  in  farming,  on  a place 
two  miles  east  of  Springfield,  after  which  he  removed  to  the  city  and  engaged 
in  the  livery  business  until  he  was  again  elected  sheriff,  to  fill  the  unexpired 
term  of  Dan  Stewart,  who  had  died  after  serving  a few  months.  Since  then 
he  has  engaged  by  turns  in  different  kinds  of  commercial  business.  He  is 
now  living  comfortably  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Atlantic  streets  in  this 
city  in  the  elegantly  finished  mansion  built  by  G.  A.  Ramsey,  a number  of 
years  ago.  The  interior  wood  work  is  of  walnut  and  poplar.  There  are 
four  fine  stone  mantels,  one  of  them  being  of  marble  inlaid  with  onyx.  It 
is  one  of  the  most  substantial  frame  structures  in  the  city  and  may  shelter 
generations  of  Donnells  for  many  years  to  come. 

One  of  the  tragedies  of  Greene  county  history  occurred  during  Sheriff 
Donnell’s  first  term  of  office.  This  was  the  lynching  of  George  Graham,  for 
the  alleged  murder  of  his  wife  at  the  Molloy  farm.  Much  time  was  spent 
in  preliminary  examinations  and  various  motions  until  rumors  of  intended 
mob  violence  were  heard.  Sheriff  Donnell  kept  close  watch  until,  worn  out 
with  long  vigils,  he  was  surprised  by  vigilantes  who  gained  admittance  to 
the  jail  on  the  night  of  April  22,  1886,  by  telling  an  assistant  that  they  had 
a prisoner  to  deliver  to  him,  pretending  to  be  a posse  from  some  out-lying 
district.  The  man  opened  the  door  to  find  himself  surrounded  by  the  night 
riders,  who  shoved  revolvers  into  his  face  and  made  him  keep'  silence  while 
they  crowded  into  the  bedroom  of  the  sheriff,  who  was  sound  asleep.  When 
he  arose  half  awake  and  started  to  dress  there  were  weapons  jabbing  him 
from  all  sides  and  loud  demands  for  the  keys  of  the  jail.  These  he  had 
deposited  in  a drawer,  the  key  of  which  he  had  managed  to  throw  unobserved 
behind  a log  in  the  fireplace.  But  his  wife  had  another  bunch,  which  she 
was  compelled  to  drop.  They  were  picked  up  by  a member  of  the  mob,  the 
drawer  opened,  the  jail  keys  procured,  and  then  the  jail  door  was  opened 
and  the  prisoner  taken  out  while  the  sheriff  and  his  assistant  and  everybody 
else  in  sight  were  guarded.  Strangers  were  halted  and  made  to  hold  up 
their  hands  as  the  wagon  conveying  the  prisoner  moved  away  from  the  jail 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1896 

and  out  Boonville  street  to  the  place  of  execution  in  the  northwest  part  of 
the  city.  Sheriff  Donnell  went  out  and  cut  the  body  down  as  soon  as  he 
got  a chance. 

Mr.  Donnell  married  Miss  Mary  Ann  Hall  at  Fair  Grove  in  1865.  They 
have  four  children,  all  born  in  Missouri : George  Sylvester,  near  Fair  Grove 
on  December  10,  1866;  Charles  C.,  near  Forsyth,  June  6,  1869;  Rose  Isabel 
and  James  Milton,  at  Marshall,  Saline  county,  the  former,  February  26, 
1871,  the  latter  February  5,  1873.  Of  these  three  there  are  two  living, 
Rosa,  now  Mrs.  De  Camp,  at  Long  Angeles,  California;  and  James  Milton, 
at  Stockton,  California. 

After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Mr.  Donnell  married  Miss  Mattie  J. 
Williams  in  Springfield,  September  7,  1882.  They  have  six  children:  Fran- 
cis M.,  Jr.,  born  in  Springfield,  July  11,  1883;  Cordy,  in  Springfield,  Oc- 
tober 1,  1884;  Carrie  F,  in  Springfield,  October  13,  1887;  Lee  A.,  in  Spring- 
field,  April  12,  1890;  Roy  E.,  in  Springfield,  August  2,  1892;  Helen  L., 
Springfield,  August  30,  1899.  Frank  is  a druggist  in  this  city;  Cordy  is 
the  wife  of  Lee  F.  Johnson,  Carrie  the  wife  of  William  Wallace,  both  of 
Springfield;  Lee  is  in  the  water  service  of  the  Frisco;  Roy  is  working  for 
the  Heer  Dry  Goods  Company;  Helen,  the  youngest,  is  living  at  home. 

Mr.  Donnell  is  a member  of  the  Woodland  Heights  Presbyterian  church. 
He  was  chairman  of  the  Democratic  city  and  county  committees  twenty- 
five  years,  having  always  been  a zealous  worker  in  the  interest  of  the  party. 
His  son,  Frank,  is  chairman  of  the  Democratic  city  committee. 


JAKE  ALBERT. 

'1  he  career  of  Jake  Albert  of  Springfield  has  been  a varied  one,  as 
will  be  seen  by  a perusal  of  the  following  paragraphs.  But  he  has  been  a 
man  who  has  made  stepping-stones  of  his  adversities,  and  has  succeeded 
in  his  life  work.  He  has  for  many  years  devoted  a great  deal  of  attention 
to  fruit  growing,  and  is  one  of  the  best  informed  men  on  horticultural 
subjects  in  Greene  county.  He  is  also  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business. 
Mr.  Albert  was  born  in  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois,  October  16,  1863.  He 
is  a son  of  Jake  and  Maggie  ( Coffenberger ) Albert,  both  natives  of  Ger- 
many, and  there  they  spent  their  early  childhood,  emigrating  to  the  United 
States  about  the  same  time,  the  father  being  about  thirteen  years  of  age 
when  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  our  shores.  He  had  received  a com- 
mon school  education  in  his  native  land.  The  family  located  in  Illinois, 
coming  direct  to  that  state,  and  there  Jake  Albert,  Sr.,  grew  to  manhood 
and  married.  Idis  wrife  died  when  our  subject  was  fourteen  years  old,  in 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1897 

Illinois,  but  the  father  of  our  subject  survived  many  years  and  died  in 
Springfield,  Missouri.  He  was  a farmer  and  gardener.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  eight  children,  namely:  Maggie,  deceased;  Jake,  of  this  review; 
Peter,  deceased ; Daniel  is  living ; Henry,  deceased ; Annie,  deceased ; the 
next  two  died  in  infancy  unnamed. 

Jake  Albert,  of  this  sketch,  grew  to  manhood  in  Illinois  and  he  received 
a common  school  education;  however,  may  be  classed  with  the  self-educated 
men  of  our  country,  for  he  has  been  a great  reader  along  varied  lines.  He 
followed  farming  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  then  went  to  Welling- 
ton, Kansas,  and  worked  at  the  stone  mason's  trade.  He  came  to  Spring- 
field  in  1887,  and  has  made  his  home  here  ever  since.  From  time  to  time 
he  worked  for  the  Frisco  system  for  many  years,  also  followed  farming  and 
fruit  growing,  the  latter  being  his  principal  vocation,  and  he  is  still  active 
in  the  same,  in  connection  with  which  he  deals  in  real  estate.  He  had  an 
addition  of  twelve  acres  in  the  edge  of  Springfield,  and  still  owns  a part  of 
it.  He  built  his  own  pleasant  home  on  West  Atlantic  street  three  years  ago, 
which  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  and  desirable  in  that  part  of  the  city.  He 
has  long  been  enthusiastic  on  the  subject  of  fruit  growing  and  is  well 
informed  on  the  various  phases  of  the  same.  He  has  been  a man  of  energy, 
never  afraid  of  hard  work,  and,  possessing  sound  judgment,  has  acquired 
a very  comfortable  competence. 

Mr.  Albert  was  married  in  September,  1886,  to  Dolly  R.  Davis,  who 
was  born  in  Illinois  in  1872,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  edu- 
cated, and  they  were  married  in  that  state.  She  was  a daughter  of  John 
and  Emma  (Kimmel)  Davis,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Illinois,  respec- 
tively. Mr.  Davis  has  devoted  his  active  life  to  farming,  and  he  and  his 
wife  are  still  living,  having  for  some  time  resided  in  Greene  county. 

Mr.  Albert  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of  his  faithful  life  com- 
panion, who  was  summoned  to  her  reward  on  August  2,  1900,  at  the  farm 
of  our  subject,  about  two  and  one-half  miles  west  of  Springfield.  She 
was  a worthy  member  of  the  Christian  church  and  was  a fine  type  of  the 
refined  home-loving  Christian  woman. 

Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Albert,  named  as  follow  : 
Otis,  born  on  October  15,  1887,  died  October  15,  1905;  Nettie,  born  in 
1889,  died  in  1904;  Emma,  born  in  April,  1895,  died  in  1913;  William, 
born  on  July  18,  1897,  fives  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Albert  is  a Democrat  and  has  long  been  more  or  less 
active  in  public  affairs.  He  was  at  one  time  road  overseer  and  commis- 
sioner here,  and  was  for  three  years  a school  director  in  his  district.  Fra- 
ternally he  belongs  to  the  Eagles,  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  also  the  Ger- 
man Brotherhood,  and  religiously  he  is  a member  of  the  Christian  church. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1898 


CLYDE  L.  HAMMOND. 

It  is  a matter  of  doubt  which  is  the  greater  heritage,  a distinguished 
name  or  a goodly  estate.  Some  persons  would  choose  one  and  some  the 
other,  depending  wholly  on  their  feelings  and  judgment  combined;  but  when 
the  two  are  handed  down  to  descendants  together,  the  permanent  standing 
of  such  descendants  in  the  community  will  never  be  questioned,  so  far  as 
the  heritage  is  concerned.  The  average  citizen  of  the  United  States  can 
hand  no  greater  heritage  to  his  children  than  an  unblemished  reputation, 
as  was  done  in  the  case  of  Clyde  L.  Hammond,  manager  and  chief  engi- 
neer of  the  Hammond  Brothers  Ice  and  Cold  Storage  Company  of  Spring- 
field. 

Mr.  Hammond  was  born  on  June  14,  1888,  at  Parkerville,  Morris 
county,  Kansas.  He  is  a son  of  Lycurgas  L.  Hammond,  also  a native  of 
that  place,  the  son  of  John  Hammond,  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  the 
Sunflower  state,  whither  he  removed  from  Kentucky.  There  the  father 
of  our  subject  grew  to  manhood,  received  his  education  and  spent  his  earlier 
years  as  a farmer,  later  engaging  in  the  contracting  business,  and  he  did 
a great  deal  of  contract  work  for  the  state  at  Harrington,  also  had  the 
contract  there  for  furnishing  ice  and  fuel  for  the  Rock  Island  Railroad 
Company.  He  is  at  present  located  in  Kansas  City,  where  he  handles  coal 
and  ice  and  furnishes  these  materials  to  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  & St.  Paul 
Railroad  Company,  also  to  the  Rock  Island  and  the  Northwestern  roads. 
For  some  time  he  was  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  John  R.  Hammond. 
His  record  is  that  of  an  honorable  and  successful  business  man.  His  wife, 
who  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Maggie  Rider,  died  in  1884,  and  was 
buried  at  Parkerville,  Kansas.  To  these  parents  two  children  were  born, 
namely:  Clyde  L.,  of  this  sketch;  and  Helen,  who  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  Glen 
Clark,  of  Kansas  City. 

Clyde  L.  Hammond  grew  to  manhood  in  Kansas  and  there  he  received 
a common  school  education,  but  left  school  when  sixteen  years  of  age,  and 
began  clerking  in  a grocery  store,  later  learned  the  butcher  business,  which 
he  followed  three  years.  In  his  early  life  he  also  worked  as  a farm  hand 
for  some  time,  also  ran  on  the  road  for  his  father  between  Colorado,  Kan- 
sas City,  Chicago  and  Milwaukee.  He  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in 
1908  and  became  superintendent  of  construction  of  buildings  and  installed 
ice  machines,  etc.  He  became  something  of  a mechanic  and  took  the  elec- 
tric course  of  one  of  the  Eastern  correspondence  schools  and  became  well 
qualified  for  his  present  position.  The  plant  of  the  Hammond  Brothers 
was  built  in  the  spring  of  1908,  and  is  three  hundred  and  fifty  by  one 
hundred  feet.  The  property  was  leased  from  the  Frisco.  It  is  modern  in 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1899 

every  detail  and  well  equipped  for  prompt,  high-grade  and  sanitary  service. 
It  has  a capacity  of  seventy  tons  of  ice  daily  and  employs  twelve  hands. 
The  Frisco  and  a number  of  small  dealers  are  constantly  supplied,  the  road 
icing  its  cars  from  this  plant,  not  only  passenger  coaches  but  meat  and 
vegetable  cars  are  supplied,  the  road  having  tracks  on  each  side  of  the  plant. 
The  Hammonds  have  their  own  electric  plant,  three  ice  machines,  two  trans- 
script machines,  each  machine  having  a capacity  of  one  hundred  and  five 
tons.  The  plant  is  operated  from  April  until  November.  L.  L.  Hammond 
is  president  and  J.  R.  Hammond  is  treasurer. 

Mr.  Hammond  was  married  in  1910  to  Hazel  Phiffer,  a daughter  of 
Charles  Phiffer,  of  Kankakee,  Illinois. 

Politically,  he  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Eagles  and  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Catholic  church. 


WALTER  P.  GUSTIN. 

To  the  average  mortal  success  in  material  things  in  this  world  comes 
as  a result  of  persistant  striving  and  grim  determination.  Walter  P.  Gustin, 
general  yard  master  for  the  Frisco  at  Springfield,  has  succeeded  in  his  life 
work  as  a result  of  applying  right  principles. 

Mr.  Gustin  was  born  at  Picjua,  Ohio,  October  31,  1871.  He  is  a son 
of  Joseph  E.  Gustin,  who  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Ohio,  and  there  he 
grew  to  manhood  and  attended  the  common  schools.  Early  in  life  he  took 
up  the  butcher  business,  which  he  continued  to  follow  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1911  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  He  first  engaged  in 
business  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  finally  coming  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he 
operated  a large  butcher  shop  on  Main  street  for  a number  of  years.  Dur- 
ing the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  an  Ohio  infantry  regiment  and  for  gallantry 
was  promoted  to  lieutenant.  He  saw  much  hard  service  and  fought  in  a 
number  of  important  engagements,  including  Bull  Run.  He  was  a member 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  His  wife  was  known  in  her 
maidenhood  as  Harriet  Holt,  a daughter  of  Phillamon  Holt,  of  Dayton, 
-Ohio.  She  makes  her  home  on  North  Jefferson  street,  Springfield,  being- 
now  seventy-one  years  of  age. 

Walter  P.  Gustin  spent  his  early  boyhood  in  Ohio,  where  he  attended 
school,  finishing  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Springfield.  How- 
ever, he  left  school  when  sixteen  years  of  age  and  went  to  work  for  his 
father  in  the  butcher  business.  Returning  to  Ohio,  he  began  working,  in 
1890,  in  the  shops  of  the  Little  Miami  Railroad  Company,  later  did  yard 
work  at  Dayton  until  1892,  then  returned  to  Spring-field  and  went  to  work 
for  the  Kansas  City,  Ft.  Scott  and  Memphis  Railroad  Company,  in  the  yards, 


i goo 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


where  he  worked  until  1894,  then  went  back  to  Ohio,  and  entered  the  train 
service  of  the  Pennsylvania  and  Columbus  Railroad  Company,  as  brakeman, 
later  being  promoted  to  conductor,  which  position  he  held  until  March,  1902, 
when  he  came  to  Springfield  and  took  a position  as  foreman  in  the  engine 
yards,  then  became  night  yard  master  and  finally  general  yard  master.  He 
was  train  master  of  terminals  at  Newberg,  Missouri,  for  eighteen  months 
or  until  July  4,  1910,  then  was  yard  master  at  Monett,  this  state,  until 
September,  1912,  then  came  back  to  Springfield  as  general  yard  master  of 
terminals,  which  position  he  now  holds.  He  has  under  him  seventy-five 
hands.  He  has  given  eminent  satisfaction  in  all  the  various  positions  he 
has  held  since  entering  railroad  service. 

Mr.  Gustin  was  married  in  1903  to  Elsie  Fisher,  a daughter  of  David 
Fisher,  of  Xenia,  Ohio.  To  this  union  four  children  have  been  born, 
namely:  Charles,  Francis,  Walter  P.,  Jr.,  and  Rachael.  Our  subject  owns 
his  own  home  on  North  Jefferson  street. 

Politically,  Mr.  Gustin  is  a Republican.  He  has  been  a member  of  the 
Order  of  Railway  Conductors  for  the  past  fifteen  years.  He  belongs  to 
the  Benton  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


STANLEY  K.  KAUFFMAN. 

One  of  the  broad-minded  farmers  of  Wilson  township,  Greene  county, 
who  is  a believer  in  not  only  keeping  his  soil  properly  built  up  but  also  pre- 
venting it  from  becoming  thin,  and  who  pays  close  attention  to  what  the 
agricultural  experts  say,  is  Stanley  K.  Kauffman,  and  he  is  therefore  suc- 
ceeding admirably  as  a general  farmer. 

Mr.  Kauffman  was  born  near  Reading,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania, 
May  20,  1864.  He  is  a son  of  William  W.  and  Emma  (Hahn)  Kauffman, 
both  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  also,  and  there  they  grew  to  maturity,  were 
educated  in  the  old-time  common  schools,  were  married  and  established  their 
home  on  a farm.  To  them  six  children  were  born,  namely:  Mrs.  Martha 

Montfort  lives  in  Texas;  Stanley  K.,  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Katherine  Tharp 
lives  in  Greene  county,  Missouri ; Mrs.  Caroline  Payne  lives  in  Springfield ; 
William  H.  and  Grover  C.  both  reside  in  Wilson  township,  this  county.  The 
parents  of  these  children  left  their  native  state  in  1872  and  removed  to 
Greene  county,  Missouri,  and  the  first  three  months  were  spent  in  Spring- 
field,  during  which  time  the  father  looked  over  the  country  with  a view  of 
locating  permanently  in  the  Ozarks.  He  selected  Taney  county  and  there 
purchased  two  hundred  and  ten  acres,  to  which  he  removed  his  family,  and 
there  conducted  a farm  along  general  lines  and  became  a prominent  citizen 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1901 


in  his  community.  He  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  the  duties  of  which 
office  he  discharged  in  an  able  and  satisfactory  manner  for  a period  of  ten 
years.  Late  in  life  he  removed  to  Greene  county,  where  he  bought  a farm 
and  here  he  and  his  wife  spent  their  last  days,  his  death  occurring  April  3, 
1902,  having  been  preceded  to  the  grave  by  his  wife  and  mother  of  our  sub- 
ject on  June  7,  1901. 

Stanley  K.  Kauffman  was  seven  years  of  age  when  he  removed  with 
his  parents  from  his  native  state  to  Springfield.  He  grew  to  manhood  on 
the  home  farm  in  Taney  county,  and  there  assisted  his  father  with  the  gen- 
eral work,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  that  vicinity,  when 
the  slab  benches  and  other  rustic  furnishings  were  in  vogue  and  school  lasted 
only  three  months  in  midwinter.  His  teacher  was  Judge  Thomas  Compton, 
who  is  now  living  in  Lawrence  county.  Early  in  life  our  subject  turned  his 
attention  to  general  farming,  and  this  has  remained  his  vocation  to  the  pres- 
ent day.  He  owns  a well-kept  and  well  cultivated  farm  in  Wilson  township, 
Greene  county,  where  he  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  ac- 
cording to  twentieth  century  methods. 

Mr.  Kauffman  was  married,  November  26,  1893,  to  Emma  Moore,  a 
daughter  of  Rev.  W.  B.  and  Drucilla  (Payne)  Moore,  formerly  of  Arkan- 
sas. The  father,  who  is  a minister,  is  living  in  Republic,  this  county,  where 
he  is  actively  engaged  in  his  calling.  The  death  of  the  mother  of  Mrs. 
Kauffman  occurred  in  1911. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kauffman,  Howard  K. 
and  Herman  L. 

Politically,  our  subject  is  a Republican,  and  religiously  he  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Christian  church. 


CHARLES  C.  CHAVOSE. 

It  should  be  impressed  upon  the  minds  of  youth  that  at  an  early  age 
they  should  practice  introspection  and  should  seriously  study  the  famous 
Delphic  oracle,  “Know  thyself.”  At  an  early  age  Charles  C.  Chavose,  yard 
and  lumber  foreman  at  the  Springfield  Wagon  Works,  began  to  determine, 
if  possible,  what  he  was  “cut  out  for,"  to  use  a common  expression,  and 
he  thus  became  acquainted  with  his  abilities  and  weaknesses  and  began  to 
form  his  plans  for  the  future  accordingly,  with  the  result  that  he  has  been 
successful  in  his  chosen  life  work. 

Mr.  Chavose  was  born  on  July  31,  1873,  at  Lexington,  Kentucky.  He 
is  a son  of  John  Franklin  Chavose,  whose  birth  occurred  on  a farm  near 
Lexington,  representing  an  old  Southern  family  of  that  section  of  the  Blue 


igo2 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Grass  state.  There  our  subject’s  father  grew  up  on  the  homestead,  at- 
tended the  rural  schools  and  later  was  a student  in  the  schools  of  Lexing- 
ton, including  a course  in  the  law  college  there.  He  was  accordingly  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  and  subsequently  came  to  southeastern  Missouri,  and  prac- 
ticed his  profession  at  Caruthersville,  Pemiscot  county,  ranking  among  the 
foremost  members  of  the  bar  of  that  county  for  many  years.  He  con- 
tinued the  practice  of  his  profession  until  his  death  at  the  early  age  of  forty 
years,  in  1882,  and  was  buried  at  Memphis,  Tennessee.  During  the  Civil 
war  he  served  as  bugler  and  staff  officer  under  Gen.  John  Morgan,  serving 
throughout  the  conflict  in  the  Southern  army.  He  was  taken  prisoner  and 
after  being  held  for  some  time  was  sent  to  the  Federal  prison  at  Alton,  Illi- 
nois, and  there  was  exchanged,  after  which  he  returned  home.  Politically, 
he  was  a Democrat,  and  he  was  a member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  also  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  married  Mary  R.  Colley, 
a daughter  of  Charles  and  Annie  (Allman)  Colley,  of  Mecklenburg  county, 
Virginia,  the  Allmans  having  been  among  the  first  families  of  the  Old 
Dominion.  Mrs.  Chavose  now  resides  with  her  son,  our  subject,  and  is 
seventy-two  years  of  age.  She  is  a type  of  the  old-time  Southern  aristoc- 
racy, hospitable  and  with  pleasing  personal  address. 

Five  children  were  born  to  John  F.  Chavose  and  wife,  namely:  Annie 
is  the  wife  of  O.  Peterson,  a stockman,  who  is  engaged  in  furnishing 
live  stock  to  feed  the  smelter  people  at  Omaha,  Nebraska,  where  he  makes 
his  home;  Charles  C.  of  this  sketch;  Lillie  is  the  wife  of  W.  H.  Day,  who 
is  connected  with  the  Springfield  Furniture  Company;  Louis  E.,  who  was 
a painter  by  trade,  died  in  1911  at  the  age  of  thirty-four  years;  Tex  L.  is 
foreman  at  the  Moore  Manufacturing  Company’s  plant  in  Springfield. 

Louis  Edward  Chavose,  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  born 
in  France,  from  which  country  he  was  brought  to  America  by  his  parents 
when  about  six  years  of  age,  the  family  locating  in  North  Carolina.  He 
grew  up  in  the  South  and  devoted  his  active  life  to  farming. 

Charles  C.  Chavose  was  a child  when  his  parents  brought  him  to  Caru- 
thersville, Missouri,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  early  edu- 
cation; however,  he  left  school  when  thirteen  years  of  age  and  went  to  work 
in  a general  mercantile  establishment  at  Hartfield,  this  state,  being  employed 
as  clerk  for  some  time  by  Gorman-Mansfield  & Company.  Later  he  en- 
gaged in  farming,  also  worked  in  the  coal  mines,  then,  in  1898,  he  came 
to  Springfield  and  found  employment  in  the  Springfield  Wagon  Works  as 
laborer  in  the  lumber  yard.  His  ability  and  faithfulness  was  at  once  noted 
by  the  management  and  he  was  rapidly  promoted,  going  through  all  de- 
partments of  both  the  yard  and  factory  proper,  and  now  holds  the  position 
of  foreman  and  inspector  of  the  lumber  department,  having  twenty  men 
under  his  direction.  He  has  been  continually  in  the  employ  of  this  plant  for 


GREENE  COUNTY^  MISSOURI. 


1903 


over  sixteen  years.  He  also  owns  and  operates  a roller  skating  rink  on 
South  street.  He  has  remained  unmarried,  preferring  to  devote  his  atten- 
tion to  the  care  of  his  mother  during  her  old  age,  which,  indeed,  is  a most 
commendable  act. 

Politically,  Mr.  Chavose  is  a Democrat,  and  he  is  a member  of  the 
First  Baptist  church.  Fraternally  he  is  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias, 
in  which  he  was  for  some  time  vice  chancellor ; he  is  also  a member  of 
the  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Honor,  and  the  Woodmen  Circle.  Loyal  Order 
of  Moose  and  the  Woodmen  of  the  World. 


JOSEPH  STL I) LEY. 

A few  years  ago  it  was  predicted  by  a learned  man  who  should  have 
a good  knowledge  of  conditions  as  they  exist,  that  under  the  present  system 
of  farming'  the  time  was  not  far  distant  when  the  wheat  lands  would  become 
exhausted  of  their  fertility  and  the  population  of  the  world  would  want  for 
bread,  and  this  through  the  thriftless  farming  of  what  was  once  the  richest 
of  soils.  If  everyone  farmed  with  as  much  caution  and  pains  as  Joseph 
Studley,  of  Brookline  township,  Greene  county,  such  conditions  as  referred 
to  above  would  not  exist;  for  Mr.  Studley  has  tilled  the  same  farm  over 
three  decades  and  it  is  just  as  productive  today  as  it  was  the  first  crop  he 
raised  on  it. 

Mr.  Studley  was  born  near  Chard,  England,  December  22,  1836,  and 
there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  attended  school,  and  there,  in  1859,  he  mar- 
ried Ann  Vincent,  whose  father  was  a native  of  France.  She  was  born 
in  England,  reared  and  educated  there.  She  proved  to  be  an  excellent  help- 
meet, and  when  she  was  called  to  her  eternal  rest  on  March  7,  1912,  her 
loss  was  distinctly  felt  in  her  neighborhood,  for  she  was  a woman  of  lofty 
character,  a sympathetic  and  helpful  neighbor,  always  ready  to  wait  on  the 
sick  and  the  suffering  and  to  extend  a helping  hand  to  the  needy.  She  was 
a devout  Christian,  and  her  piety  is  reflected  in  the  lives  of  her  children,  of 
whom  she  was  justly  proud. 

Mr.  Studley  remained  in  his  native  land  until  1870,  when  he  emigrated 
with  his  family  to  the  United  States  and  located  near  Pittsburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania. Before  leaving  the  old  country  he  had  followed  the  trade  of  Hurdle 
maker,  and  after  coming  to  the  New  World  he  engaged  in  the  carpenter’s 
trade  for  a short  time,  then  took  up  the  occupation  of  mining,  working  in 
the  anthracite  mines  around  Pittsburgh  and  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  con- 
tinuing in  this  work  until  about  1882,  when,  longing  for  the  freedom  of  a 
western  farmer,  he  moved  to  Greene  county,  Missouri  and  rented  a farm 


1904 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


the  first  year,  then  bought  one  hundred  acres,  lying  a half  mile  south  of  the 
village  of  Brookline,  in  section  3,  Brookline  township,  on  which  he  has  since 
resided  and  where  he  has  made  a comfortable  living  and  has  a cozy  home. 
He  is  now  seventy-eight  years  old  but  still  looks  after  his  farm  in  a general 
way. 

Mr.  Studley  is  the  father  of  eleven  children;  the  following  living: 
Lydia  married  H.  B.  McDonald,  of  Plainsville,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania; Elizabeth  married  Dan  Jones  and  they  live  in  Columbus,  Kansas; 
Jane  married  John  Potter,  agent  for  the  Frisco  railroad  at  Brookline; 
Hester  married  John  McCarty,  of  Junction  City,  Ohio;  Thomas  lives  in 
Springfield;  Leah  married  Jess  Keller,  of  Dallas  county,  Missouri;  Joseph 
lives  in  Brookline.  He  also  has  about  twenty  grandchildren  and  about  ten 
great-grandchildren  living. 


CHARLES  W.  McCROSKEY. 

“Earn  thy  reward  ; the  gods  give  naught  to  sloth,”  said  the  old  Greek 
sage,  Epicharmus,  and  the  truth  of  the  admonition  has  been  verified  in 
human  affairs  in  all  the  ages  which  have  rolled  their  course  since  his  day. 
Charles  W.  McCroskey,  county  superintendent  of  public  schools  of  Greene 
county,  and  a scion  of  an  old  family  of  the  Ozarks,  has,  by  ceaseless  toil 
and  endeavor,  attained  a large  degree  of  success,  while  yet  young  in  years, 
in  his  chosen  calling  and  has  gained  the  confidence  and  respect  of  those  who 
know  him. 

Professor  McCroskey  is  a native  of  Christian  county,  Missouri,  where 
his  birth  occurred  on  the  12th  day  of  July,  1878.  He  is  a son  of  Matthew 
Duff  McCroskey  and  Sarah  E.  Barnett  McCroskey  and  is  one  of  ten  chil- 
dren, an  equal  number  of  sons  and  daughters,  all  still  surviving  but  two. 
The  father,  M.  D.  McCroskey,  was  born,  reared  and  has  always  lived  on 
the  old  homestead  in  Christian  county,  Missouri,  which  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  our  subject  entered  from  the  government  in  1846  and  which  he 
developed  from  the  wilderness  by  hard  work  and  persistent  efforts,  and 
there  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  through  many  trying  scenes  of  the  early 
days  in  that  county.  His  death  occurred  in  1869.  The  farm  consists  of 
three  hundred  acres,  and  there  the  father  of  our  subject  is  carrying  on  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock  raising  on  an  extensive  scale,  raising  and  shipping 
to  the  markets  probably  as  much  live  stock  as  any  other  farmer  of  his 
county.  He  has  long  been  known  as  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  that 
county,  where  his  influence  has  been  exerted  all  his  life  for  the  general 
good.  His  wife  came  from  Tennessee  in  her  youth,  her  family  locating 


C.  W.  McCROSKEY. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1905 


in  Christian  county.  She  received  a good  education  and  taught  school  tor 
a while.  She  is  not  only  a woman  of  strong  mind  but  a devoted  worker  in 
the  interest  of  her  family. 

Professor  McCroskev  spent  his  childhood  and  youth  on  his  father’s 
farm  amid  the  stimulating  influences  of  nature,  which  are  conducive  to  a 
well-rounded  physical  development.  Here  he  learned  the  habits  of  industry 
and  matured  plans  for  the  future  with  the  object  in  view  of  becoming  some- 
thing more  than  a mere  passive  agent  in  the  world  which  calls  for  men  of 
strong  will  and  well-defined  purposes  to  direct  and  control  its  affairs.  Pos- 
sessing a keen  and  naturally  inquisitive  mind  and  a jibing  almost  akin  to 
passion  for  books  and  study,  he  made  rapid  progress  in  the  country  schools 
he  first  attended.  His  rural  school  work  was  supplemented  with  high  school 
work  at  Ozark.  Mr.  McCroskey  then  decided  to  teach,  so  he  entered  the  old 
Springfield  Normal  and  finished  the  teachers'  course  there.  Desiring  further 
training  he  entered  the  Warrensburg  State  Normal  for  two  years,  at  the 
close  of  which  the  Springfield  State  Normal  was  established,  so  he  entered 
this,  his  home  institution,  and  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Pedagogy 
in  1907.  He  then  attended  the  Wisconsin  University  for  a short  time,  and 
spent  two  summers  in  Chicago  University,  and  one  year  in  Drury  College, 
Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in 
I9I3- 

During  all  these  years  he  continued  teaching  at  intervals.  Professor 
McCroskey  taught  in  a number  of  rural  schools,  and  in  1907  became  prin- 
cipal of  the  schools  at  Willard,  Missouri,  where  he  stayed  only  one  year, 
being  promoted  to  the  head  of  the  schools  at  Walnut  Grove,  Greene  county. 
His  work  in  these  two  towns  caused  the  board  at  Republic,  Missouri,  to 
call  him  to  head  its  schools,  and  he  served  as  superintendent  for  four  years, 
during  which  time  he  inaugurated  a modern  system  of  education,  which 
was  admirable  and  effective.  From  Republic  he  was  called  to  the  superin- 
tenclencv  of  the  Ash  Grove,  Missouri,  schools,  where  he  labored  with  the 
same  zeal  and  courage,  boosting  the  schools  to  the  front  rank  in  this  part 
of  the  country.  At  the  close  of  his  first  year  of  work  in  Ash  Grove,  in 
1915,  he  was  elected  to  head  the  schools  of  Greene  county  as  superintend- 
ent, in  which  position  he  is  now  serving.  Professor  McCroskey’s  work  as  a 
student  and  as  a teacher  has  largely  been  in  Greene  county,  and  here  he  is 
doing  a work  that  will  long  be  remembered  and  felt.  Although  a well- 
rounded  man  and  scholar,  history  and  science  are  his  favorite  lines. 

Professor  McCroskey  owns  and  operates  a valuable,  well-improved  and 
productive  farm,  ten  miles  south  of  Springfield,  paying  particular  attention 
to  the  raising  of  live  stock  and  grain.  He  believes  in  scientific  farming,  as 
(120) 


1906 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


was  indicated  most  forcefully  in  1912,  when  he  took  the  first  premium  in 
the  corn  exhibit  at  Columbia,  for  southern  Missouri. 

Politically,  Professor  McCroskey  is  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  be- 
longs to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  the  Masons.  Religiously,  he  affiliates  with  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church. 


WILLIAM  M.  STEPHENS. 

Among  the  old  and  honored  families  of  Springfield  was  the  Stephenses, 
who  cast  their  lot  here  nearly  seventy  years  ago  when  this  was  a mere  vil- 
lage on  the  frontier  and  the  country  round  about  practically  a wilderness, 
only  an  improved  place  here  and  there,  and  from  that  remote  day  to  the 
present,  members  of  this  family  have  played  no  inconspicuous  role  in  the 
local  drama  of  civilization,  having  led  upright  and  helpful  lives,  assisting 
in  the  general  development  of  the  community  in  every  way  practicable. 
One  of  the  best  known  of  the  family  is  William  H.  Stephens,  who  has  been 
content  to  spend  his  life  in  his  native  locality,  forty  years  of  which  have 
been  spent  in  the  piano  business,  during  which  time  he  has  become  widely 
known  in  his  special  vocation. 

Mr.  Stephens  was  born  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  September  22,  1848. 
He  is  a son  of  John  A.  and  Pamelia  C.  Stephens,  and  is  one  of  a family  of 
six  children,  four  of  whom  survive  at  this  writing.  John  A .Stephens  was 
born  in  Ohio.  He  received  a good  education  and  was  graduated  from 
Princeton  College  in  Kentucky.  He  removed  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in 
1845.  He  taught  school  for  some  time,  was  a civil  engineer  of  ability,  but 
he  devoted  most  of  his  active  life  to  mercantile  pursuits,  operating  a drug 
store,  hardware  store  and  dry  goods  store.  He  was  a good  business  man 
and  had  rare  mental  gifts  ; was  an  honest  and  industrious  man,  and  did  much 
toward  the  early  development  of  this  city.  During  the  Civil  war  he  joined 
the  home  guards,  and  met  death  by  accident,  in  1862,  being  killed  by  his 
own  men,  who  mistook  him  for  one  of  the  enemy.  His  wife  was  a native 
of  Henderson,  Kentucky,  and  they  were  married  in  that  state. 

William  M.  Stephens,  oldest  of  the  children,  was  reared  in  his  native 
city  and  educated  here.  During  the  Civil  war  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the 
government,  then  worked  in  the  local  postoffice  four  years,  then  worked  in 
the  office  of  the  circuit  clerk,  then  turned  his  attention  to  the  piano  busi- 
ness, which  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time,  a period  of  forty  years, 
during  which  he  sold  pianos  and  employed  a piano  salesman  for  several 
years,  and  he  has  also  been  regarded  as  an  expert  piano  tuner ; in  fact,  being 
musically  inclined,  mastered  the  various  phases  of  this  business  in  a few 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I907 


years,  and  has  long  been  one  of  the  best  known  piano  men  in  southwest 
Missouri. 

Mr.  Stephens  was  married  on  September  22,  1870,  to  Eva  C.  Sawyer, 
a daughter  of  Thomas  L.  Sawyer,  a school  teacher,  whose  family  consisted 
of  five  children. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stephens  seven  children  have  born,  namely:  George 
A.  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-eight  years;  Maud  married  Dr.  A.  P.  Evans; 
they  reside  in  Concord,  New  Hampshire,  and  have  one  child;  William  A. 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight  years,  leaving  a widow;  Margaret  married 
H.  A.  Thompson,  a merchant  of  Beatrice,  Nebraska,  and  they  have  one 
daughter  and  one  son;  Laura  is  married  and  lives  in  Beatrice,  Nebraska, 
and  has  one  child ; two  children  died  in  infancy. 

Politically,  Mr.  Stephens  is  a Democrat,  and,  while  never  active  in 
politics,  has  always  been  loyal  in  his  support  of  the  party.  He  attends  the 
Christian  Science  church. 


ST.  DE  CHANTAL  ACADEMY  OF  THE  VISITATION. 

Greene  county  has  long  stood  among  the  foremost  of  the  one  hundred 
and  fourteen  divisions  of  the  Missouri  commonwealth  in  point  of  education, 
her  many  and  high-grade  schools  being  known  throughout  the  Middle  West. 
Indeed,  the  city  of  Springfield  has  been  frequently  alluded  to  as  the  “Athens 
of  the  Ozarks"  and  the  “Athens  of  the  Southwest,”  the  latter  term  embrac- 
ing a vast  section  of  the  American  Union.  Of  our  praisworthy  institutions 
of  learning,  that  of  St.  de  Chantal  Academy,  although  among  the  newest 
of  the  county,  occupies  a prominent  position  in  the  list. 

There  is  no  doubt  but  that  the  location  of  an  institution  of  learning 
has  a great  influence  in  its  success.  The  immediate  environment  has  much 
to  do  with  its  prestige  and  general  results.  Young  minds  are  plastic,  and 
if  students  are  placed  in  pleasant  surroundings  their  progress  will  unques- 
tionably be  more  rapid,  and  they  will  take  more  interest  in  their  work.  It 
would  be  difficult  to  find  an  institution  of  learning  throughout  the  nation 
more  fortunately  situated  in  respect  to  its  topographical  environment  than 
that  of  St.  de  Chantal  Aca'demy  at  “Elfindale,”  which  is  beautifully  situated 
on  the  highest  plateau  of  the  Ozark  Mountains,  and  lies  just  outside  of 
the  city  limits  of  Springfield.  An  inspiring  panorama  of  hill,  valley,  forest 
and  field  may  be  had  over  a vast  stretch  of  interesting  country  from  these 
heights.  Its  pure  air  and  clear  spring- water  supply,  its  unrivaled  climate 
and  beauty  of  scenery  at  all  seasons,  make  it  an  ideal  site  for  an  educational 
home.  The  naturally  magnificent  grounds  of  one  hundred  acres,  softened 
and  beautified  by  the  aid  of  man's  art  into  blending  land  and  waterscapes, 


1908 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


give  a refining  harmonious  environment  and  invite  to  outdoor  exercise  and 
nature  study. 

Both  the  academy  proper  and  chapel  buildings  are  models  of  elegant 
modern  architecture,  substantial,  imposing,  serviceable,  and  in  every  way 
suitable  for  school  purposes.  The  former  is  four  stories  in  height,  of  fine 
gray  Carthage  stone,  and  the  latter  is  three  stories  high  and  built  of  glazed 
brick,  with  numerous  artistic  windows.  Near  by  is  a spacious  and  well- 
kept  greenhouse,  where  flowers  and  shrubs  of  many  varieties  are  grown. 
The  elegant  manor-house  abounds  in  spacious  halls  and  cheerful  rooms, 
all  of  which  are  furnished  with  the  latest  conveniences  of  light,  heat  and 
ventilation  to  insure  health  and  comfort. 

“Elfindale”  has  been  well  named,  for  one  does  not  need  much  poetic 
fancy,  when  wandering  over  its  delightful  grounds,  with  its  arched  stone 
gateway  and  its  graceful  and  stately  forest  trees,  to  picture  elfs  of  the  in- 
fant world  gamboling  among  these  fairy-like  bowers  surrounding  the  little 
crystal  lake  a short  distance  from  the  academy,  a bit  of  water  which  the 
Indians  would  doubtless  have  named  “the  smile  of  the  Great  Spirit’’  had 
they  seen  it,  for  it  was  their  custom  to  give  fitting  names  to  Nature’s  beauty 
spots.  This  lake,  with  its  banks  embowered  with  overhanging  trees  and 
vines  of  many  varieties  common  to  this  latitude,  with  its  little  island,  stone 
bridges,  pavilion,  boat-house  and  canoes,  to  say  nothing  of  the  gay  water- 
lillies  that  rest  on  its  bosom  in  summer,  must  be  seen  to  be  fully  appreciated. 

The  Order  of  Visitation  was  founded  at  Annecy,  Haute-Savoie,  by 
St.  Francis  de  Sales  and  St.  Jane  Frances  de  Chantel,  in  1610,  and  was  in- 
troduced into  this  country  in  1709,  at  Georgetown,  District  of  Columbia. 

St.  de  Chantal  Academy,  opened  in  1887  by  the  Sisters  of  the  Visitation 
Order  in  one  of  the  fine  residence  parts  of  St.  Louis,  was,  in  1906,  enabled, 
through  the  munificence  of  Mrs.  Alice  O'Day,  to  remove  to  “Elfindale,” 
Springfield,  Missouri. 

The  life  and  work  at  “Elfindale’  have  for  their  single  purpose  the  full 
and  thorough  training  of  its  children  for  the  mission  that  awaits  them. 
To  this  end,  the  school  seeks  by  a judicious  combination  of  physical,  mental 
and  moral  training,  to  develop  harmoniously  their  entire  nature,  and  by 
the  refining  influences  of  a happy  Christian  home  to  mould  their  character, 
in  order  thus  to  make  them  not  only  accomplished  and  edifying  members 
of  society,  but  also  sensible  and  practical  women. 

The  government  of  the  school  assumes  self-respect  and  self-restraint 
on  the  part  of  the  pupils;  consequently  the  discipline  is  mild  though  firm, 
and  the  pupils  are  expected  to  conform  cheerfully  to  the  established  rules 
and  regulations.  The  scholastic  year  is  divided  into  two  sessions,  beginning 
respectively  the  second  Monday  of  September  and  the  first  day  of  February, 
but  pupils  are  received  any  time  and  charged  from  date  of  entrance.  Dif- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I909 


ference  of  religion  is  no  obstacle  to  the  reception  of  pupils,  provided  they 
conform  to  the  discipline  of  the  school,  but  they  must  come  with  proper 
references. 

The  curriculum  comprises  primary,  preparatory  and  academic  depart- 
ments. An  elective  course  of  studies  may  be  arranged  for  pupils  whose 
health  or  time  advises  against  the  full  curriculum.  French,  history,  litera- 
ture, art  and  music  are  the  branches  ordinarily  preferred.  A post-graduate 
course  enables  the  pupils  to  continue  the  study  of  philosophy,  literature,  his- 
tory and  other  branches.  The  school’s  diploma  and  gold  medal  are  awarded 
to  the  pupils  who  satisfactorily  complete  the  full  course.  The  school  di- 
ploma is  given  to  those  who  successfully  complete  an  elective  course.  The 
school's  certificate  of  honor  will  be  given  to  those  who  successfully  pursue 
the  post-graduate  course.  In  the  preparatory  department  the  pupils  are 
thoroughly  grounded  in  English,  geography,  grammar  and  the  elements 
of  English  composition  and  other  studies,  preparatory  to  the  academic  course. 
In  the  academic  course  the  languages,  sciences,  philosophies  and  ancient  his- 
tories are  taught,  and  running  through  each  department  Bible  history  and 
Christian  doctrine. 

The  school  of  music  at  Elfindale,  while  it  enjoys  the  great  advantage 
of  being  incorporated  with  an  academy  eminent  for  its  instruction  in  all 
branches  of  a liberal  education,  offers  at  the  same  time  a complete  and  inde- 
pendent course  for  those  who  wish  to  devote  their  time  especially  to  music. 
Girls  of  tender  years,  with  exceptional  talent  for  music,  will  find  at  Elfin- 
dale the  best  conservatory  methods,  combined  with  careful  guardianship 
and  a regular  English  curriculum.  Conducted  by  Sisters  whose  studies  un- 
der the  best  professors  have  been  supplemented  by  many  years  of  experience, 
this  school  is  prepared  to  carry  its  students  through  a graded  course  to 
thorough  musicianship.  The  course  of  musical  instruction  embraces  in  ad- 
dition to  the  chief  departments  of  voice  and  piano,  classes  in  theory,  harmony, 
history  of  music,  chorus  and  sight  singing,  also  ensemble  playing.  There 
are  two  departments — the  academic  course  and  the  general  music  school. 
The  latter  is  intended  for  those  who,  not  having  time  or  talent  for  the 
academic  course,  yet  wish  to  add  the  accomplishment  of  music  to  their 
studies  in  the  regular  curriculum.  A diploma  and  gold  medal  are  awarded 
for  the  completion  of  the  academic  course  for  voice,  piano  or  violin. 

The  art  course  is  founded  upon  the  methods  employed  in  the  National 
Leagues.  It  comprises  perspective,  modeling,  drawing  and  painting  from 
casts  and  life  and  history  of  art.  The  studio  is  furnished  with  all  the  ap- 
pliances of  modern  art,  and  the  pupils  are  regularly  informed  of  the  cur- 
rent events  of  the  art  world. 

Before  leaving  St.  Louis,  in  June,  1906,  the  Alumnae  Association  was 
established.  The  first  meeting  was  held  on  October  21,  1905,  when  the 


igio 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


graduates  of  eighteen  years  assembled  at  the  academy  and  organized  into 
an  association,  with  Mrs.  Alonzo  C.  Church,  its  first  graduate,  as  presi- 
dent. The  association  was  organized  for  the  purpose  of  maintaining  and 
of  promoting  the  interests  of  their  alma  mater  in  every  manner  that  may 
contribute  to  her  prosperity  and  reputation  as  a leading  institution  of  learn- 
ing. Besides  Mrs.  Church  the  other  officers  of  the  alumnae  are  vice-presi- 
dents, Mrs.  J.  F.  McDermott  and  Mrs.  H.  F.  Woods;  recording  secretary, 
Mrs.  Gerald  B.  O'Reilly;  treasurer,  Mrs.  J.  Dillon. 


WILLIAM  H.  SCHREIBER. 

Each  man  who  strives  to  fulfill  his  part  in  connection  with  human 
life  and  human  activities  is  deserving  of  recognition,  no  matter  what  mav 
be  the  field  of  his  endeavor,  for  it  is  interesting  to  note  the  varying  con- 
ditions that  have  compassed  those  whose  careers  are  brought  to  the  atten- 

tion of  the  readers  of  history. 

William  H.  Schreiber,  a well  known  civil  engineer  of  Springfield,  has 
had  a career  worthy  of  attention  by  the  biographer.  He  was  born  on  May 
1 6,  1874,  in  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  and  is  a son  of  Rudolph  and  Augusta 

(Manegold)  Schreiber,  both  natives  of  Germany,  from  which  country  they 

emigrated  to  America  when  young.  The  death  of  the  father  occurred  in 
Denver,  Colorado,  about  six  years  ago,  and  the  mother  is  living  in  that  city 
at  this  writing.  These  parents  were  married  in  Wisconsin,  in  which  state 
they  resided  until  1905,  when  they  removed  to  Denver.  Rudolph  Schreiber 
was  in  the  wholesale  wine  and  whiskey  business  during  his  active  life.  His 
family  consisted  of  six  children,  two  of  whom  are  deceased.  Those  living 
are,  Mrs.  Charles  J.  Starke,  of  Denver,  Colorado;  William  H.,  of  this  sketch; 
Rudolph.  Jr.,  of  Denver;  and  Mrs.  Augusta  Hartman,  also  of  Denver. 
Politically,  the  father  was  a Democrat,  and  belonged  to  the  Lutheran  church. 

William  H.  Schreiber  received  his  education  partly  in  the  schools  of 
Milwaukee,  attending  Markham  Academy  there,  later  the  School  of  Tech- 
nology in  Massachusetts.  In  1893  he  was  assistant  superintendent  of  the 
Columbian  Exposition  in  Chicago,  under  A.  T.  Atwood,  with  offices  in  the 
Manufacturers’  building.  He  went  with  the  surveying  crew  of  the  North- 
ern Pacific  Railroad  through  the  West,  then  came  to  St.  Louis,  and  there 
had  charge  of  the  Missouri  Valley  Trust  Company’s  maps  and  plats.  Later 
he  went  with  the  Iron  Mountain  Railroad  Company  as  assistant  engineer 
for  the  elimination  of  grades,  then  was  promoted  to  assistant  chief  engineer 
of  the  Little  Rock  & Northern  Railroad  Company,  and  during  the  con- 
struction of  its  White  river  line  he  was  appointed  chief  topographer,  and 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


191  I 


remained  in  this  capacity  until  the  work  was  completed.  He  came  to  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  and  was  city  engineer  here  under  the  administration  of 
Mayor  B.  E.  Meyer,  and  part  of  the  administration  of  Mayor  James 
Blaine.  Since  then  he  has  been  doing  supervision  work  for  the  Anheuser- 
Busch  Brewing  Company  at  Springfield,  Neosho  and  other  cities,  supervis- 
ing the  construction  of  this  firm’s  reinforced  concrete  buildings. 

On  Aprl  14,  1901,  Mr.  Schreiber  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Lee  Sullenger  at  Taneyville,  Missouri.  She  is  a daughter  of  J.  M.  and 
Louise  Sullenger.  To  our  subject  and  wife  the  following  children  have  been 
born:  Augusta,  Bernice,  Delores  and  William,  Jr. 

Mr.  Schreiber  is  a member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks.  His  family  are  members  of  the  German  Evangelical  Lutheran  church. 


JOSEPH  G.  ANDERSON. 

Death  is  always  regarded  by  the  masses  as  a visitor  to  our  homes  to 
be  dreaded,  but  before  whose  merciless  power  we  are  helpless,  and  his 
crossing  our  thresholds  seems  doubly  deplorable  when  he  summons  the 
young  and  promising  from  the  family  circle,  as  he  did  in  the  case  of  the 
late  Joseph  G.  Anderson,  a young  business  man  of  Springfield  who  was 
apparently  starting  on  a successful  and  brilliant  career. 

Mr.  Anderson  was  born  in  Wichita,  Kansas,  on  December  8,  1885. 
He  was  a son  of  William  John  and  Rachel  (Gilbert)  Anderson.  The 
father  was  born  in  New  York  and  he  came  west  to  Kansas  when  a young 
man  and  learned  the  trade  of  designing  and  decorating,  which  he  followed 
most  of  his  life.  He  had  been  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  New 
York.  His  death  occurred  in  November,  1906,  in  Springfield,  Missouri, 
at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  a native  of 
Kansas,  and  she  is  living  in  Springfield  at  this  writing.  Three  children 
were  born  to  these  parents,  namely:  Joseph  G.,  our  subject;  Christ,  who 

lives  in  Springfield ; and  Maude,  who  makes  her  home  in  St.  Louis. 

Joseph  G.  Anderson  came  to  Springfield  with  his  parents  at  the  age  of 
eight  years,  and  here  he  attended  the  ward  and  high  schools,  also  the  South- 
west Business  College,  taking  advantage  of  his  spare  hours  at  night  to  ad- 
vance his  business  education.  He  worked  a year  for  Otto  Holmes, 
the  decorator,  and  learned  this  trade  in  the  meanwhile,  and  he 
devoted  the  rest  of  his  life  to  decorating  and  sign  painting,  building  up 
a lucrative  and  successful  business.  He  first  started  a shop  on  Boonville 
street,  paying  only  five  dollars  a month  rent,  but  he  gradually  worked  up 
a large  business,  handling  most  of  the  extensive  sign  work  and  bill-poster 


1912 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


work,  also  pictorial  sign  work,  under  the  firm  name  of  the  Anderson  Sign 
Company,  and  was  thus  actively  engaged  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1914, 
at  his  home  on  North  Campbell  street.  Politically,  he  was  a Republican. 
He  belonged  to  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men  and  to  the  Master  Paint- 
ers’ organization. 

Mr.  Anderson  was  married,  April  10,  1910,  to  Edna  McCartney,  a 
daughter  of  John  William  and  Alice  (Crail)  McCartney.  The  father  was 
horn  on  April  24,  1844,  in  Cumberland  county,  Illinois,  from  which  state 
he  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  1893,  where  he  still  resides.  He  is  a 
son  of  John  and  Susanna  (Powell)  McCartney.  John  McCartney,  Sr.,  was 
born  and  reared  in  Virginia,  and  he  came  to  Ohio  with  his  parents,  Daniel 
and  Polly  Ann  McCartney,  at  the  age  of  twenty  years,  the  family  locating 
in  Lawrenceville  county.  He  operated  a flatboat  on  the  Ohio  to  New  Or- 
Orleans  and  back.  He  moved  to  Illinois  in  1836,  where  he  followed  farm- 
ing until  his  death.  He  entered  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  at  twelve  and 
one-half  cents  per  acre,  and  later  added  another  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  government  land;  for  which  he  paid  one  dollar  and  twenty-five 
cents  per  acre.  Later  he  bought  forty  acres  from  the  Illinois  Central  Rail- 
road Company,  for  which  he  paid  twelve  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  acre, 
making  him  a total  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  He  carried  on  gen- 
eral farming  in  a successful  manner  until  his  death,  August  5,  1888,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years,  on  the  farm  which  he  cleared  and  de- 
veloped. He  took  an  interest  in  public  affairs  and  served  his  community 
as  justice  of  the  peace  for  many  years.  He  was  a stanch  Democrat  and 
was  a member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  church.  His  family  consisted  of 
nine  children,  only  three  of  whom  are  now  living,  namely:  George  and 

Nancy,  both  of  Cumberland  county,  Illinois;  and  John  W.,  who  lives  in 
Springfield,  Missouri.  The  last  named  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
in  Illinois,  studied  medicine  and  practiced  his  profession  in  Cumberland 
county,  that  state,  also  at  Toledo  and  Newton,  Illinois.  He  came  to  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  in  1893,  where,  owing  to  failing  health,  he  has  lived  prac- 
tically retired.  He  was  mayor  of  Toledo,  Illinois,  for  one  term,  and  was 
chairman  of  the  Democratic  Central  Committee  of  Cumberland  county,  that 
state,  for  four  years,  and  was  a member  of  the  city  council  of  Toledo  for  a 
period  of  fifteen  years.  Pie  was  a prominent  man  in  public  life  there.  He 
has  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  since  1873.  He 
was  manager  of  a sanitarium  for  two  years  in  Springfield,  Missouri.  After 
discontinuing  the  practice  of  medicine  he  entered  the  secret  service  depart- 
ment of  the  government  under  E.  G.  Rathburn,  chief  of  the  service.  He 
remained  in  this  work  seven  years,  resigning  before  coming  to  Missouri. 
He  is  a member  of  the  Grant  Street  Baptist  church.  Mrs.  Alice  (Crail) 
McCartney  was  born  in  Shelby  county,  Indiana,  is  still  living  at  the  family 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1913 


home  on  North  Campbell  street.  She  is  an  active  member  of  the  Baptist 
church.  Ten  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs  John  McCartney, 
three  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  The  others  are  Frank,  who  lives  in  Kan- 
sas; Mrs.  Mattie  Dodds,  of  Springfield;  Walter,  of  Springfield;  Clarence, 
of  Springfield;  Mrs.  Ethel  Emmons  lives  in  Arkansas;  Edna,  widow  of 
Mr.  Anderson,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Mrs.  Pauline 
Lodge,  of  Springfield.  Mrs.  Anderson  received  a good  common  school 
education.  She  is  a member  of  the  Grant  Street  Baptist  church. 


THOMAS  E.  WILLIER. 

One  of  the  best  known  and  most  efficient  railway  builders  of  the  West 
during  the  past  generation  was  the  late  Thomas  E.  Wilder,  a most  success- 
ful man  in  his  line,  and  a man  whose  career  indicates  how  perseverance, 
self-reliance,  tact,  honesty  and  genuine  worth  will  win  in  the  battle  of  life. 

Mr.  Willier  was  born  on  the  6th  day  of  August,  1864,  in  Peoria,  Illi- 
nois, and  was  the  eldest  of  three  sons  of  Joseph  W.  and  Hanora  Willier. 
His  father  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  railway  construction,  and  at  an  early 
age  the  son,  too,  took  up  the  same  business,  and  was  identified  with  his 
father  in  the  building  of  a number  of  roads  in  the  eastern  states.  Mr. 
Willier  came  to  Springfield  in  the  year  1887  and  was  connected  with  many 
of  the  most  important  railroad  projects  in  the  West  and  Southwest  from 
that  time  until  his  death.  His  labors  also  extended  to  Jamaica  and  Costa 
Rico  and  about  twelve  years  before  his  death  he  completed  several 
important  contracts  in  that  section  of  the  country.  The  last  im- 
portant work  in  which  he  was  engaged  was  the  building  of  the  Iron 
Mountain  railroad  from  Crane  to  Springfield,  a part  of  which  was  through 
some  of  the  most  rugged  sections  of  the  Ozarks.  For  a number  of  years 
Mr.  Willier  was  at  the  head  of  the  Willier  Construction  Company,  but  dur- 
ing the  last  three  years  of  his  life  he  was  not  actively  engaged  in  business. 
He  was,  however,  preparing  to  again  take  an  active  part  in  railroad  con- 
struction when  he  was  suddenly  summoned  from  the  scene  of  his  earthly 
labors. 

On  September  9,  1902,  Mr.  Willier  was  married  to  Anna  E.  Arnold, 
daughter  of  George  W.  and  Louisa  (Buissart)  Arnold.  Five  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Willier,  namely:  Catherine  E..  Thomas  E.,  Georee 

J.  Margaret  Louise  and  Robert  A.,  all  of  whom,  except  the  eldest,  are 
living.  Two  brothers  and  three  sisters  also  survive  Mr.  Willier — Joseph, 
Dr.  A.  F.,  Nellie,  Mrs.  Frank  O'Hara  and  Sister  Marie  Theresa,  of  the 
Benedictine  Convent. 


1914 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


Mr.  Willier’s  death  occurred  on  the  19th  day  of  April,  1910,  as  the 
result  of  an  operation  for  appendicitis,  performed  at  the  St.  John’s  Hos- 
pital in  Springfield.  Mr.  Willier  was  widely  known  to  the  railroad  world, 
and  everyone  familiar  with  his  methods  pronounced  him  a most  efficient 
and  progressive  builder  of  transportation  lines.  He  was  a persistent  student 
of  all  that  pertained  to  his  work,  and  was,  consequently,  a master  in  his 
line,  and  one  whose  services  were  in  great  demand.  He  left  behind  him  the 
record  of  a life  well  spent  in  every  particular,  and  will  long  be  sadly  missed 
from  the  circles  in  which  he  moved. 


FRANK  R.  MASSEY. 

The  prosperity  and  substantial  welfare  of  a town  or  community  are 
in  a large  measure  due  to  the  enterprise  and  wise  foresight  of  its  business 
men.  It  is  progressive,  wide-awake  men  of  affairs  that  make  the  real  his- 
tory of  a community,  and  their  influence  in  shaping  and  directing  its  varied 
interests  is  difficult  to  estimate.  Frank  R.  Massey,  a representative  of  one 
of  the  most  prominent  families  of  southwestern  Missouri  during  the  past 
quarter  of  a century  or  more,  and  for  a number  of  years  one  of  Spring- 
field’s most  progressive  merchants  and  business  men,  who  is  now  engaged 
in  mining,  is  one  of  the  enterprising  gentlemen  of  the  Queen  City  of  the 
Ozarks. 

Mr.  Massey  was  born  in  Jasper  county,  Missouri,  April  12,  1850.  Fie 
is  a son  of  Benjamin  F.  and  Mirah  (Withers)  Massey,  the  former  being 
one  of  the  sterling  early  pioneers  of  Missouri.  He  was  born  at  Massey’s 
Cross  Roads,  Kent  county,  Maryland,  near  Chestertown,  in  1811,  and  was 
a son  of  Benjamin  Massey.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  state  and 
received  a common  school  education  at  Baltimore,  where  his  boyhood  days 
were  spent.  Having  a desire  to  investigate  the  then  little  known  country 
west  of  the  Mississippi  river,  in  1831,  when  about  twenty-one  years  of  age, 
he  made  the  prolix  and  somewhat  hazardous  overland  journey  from  the 
Monument  City  to  Mound  City  (St.  Louis),  and  embarked  in  business,  but 
subsequently  went  to  Fayette,  Howard  county,  Missouri,  where  he  engaged 
in  mercantile  pursuits  from  1837  to  1839,  but  in  the  last  mentioned  year  he 
moved  to  what  is  now  the  city  of  Sarcoxie,  Jasper  county,  this  state,  and 
there  laid  out  the  town,  and  continued  to  reside  there  until  1856,  being  the 
principal  guardian  of  Sarcoxie’s  interests  during  that  period,  and  doing 
more  than  any  other  man  for  her  general  development.  He  engaged  suc- 
cessfully in  business  there  until  he  entered  politics,  being  elected  secretary 
of  state  in  1856,  becoming  one  of  the  efficient  and  popular  officers  of  the 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1915 


state  of  Missouri  in  that  troublous  period.  Prior  to  that  time  he  had  served 
his  district  as  state  senator.  He  was  occupying  the  office  of  secretary  of 
state  when  the  Civil  war  broke  out,  when  he  went  South  with  Governor 
Claiborne  Jackson  and  the  other  officers  of  the  state  government,  and  served 
four  years  in  a gallant  and  faithful  manner  in  the  Confederate  army.  After 
the  war  he  returned  to  Missouri  and  published  a newspaper,  The  Jeffer- 
sonian at  Pierce  City,-  which  became  one  of  the  most  influential  and  widely 
known  newspapers  in  southern  Missouri.  He  was  not  only  a good  business 
man  and  made  this  a successful  venture  from  a financial  standpoint,  but 
was  a trenchant  and  versatile  writer  and  most  capable  editor  in  every  way. 
He  continued  in  the  newspaper  business  until  his  retirement  from  the  active 
affairs  of  life,  whereupon  he  came  to  Springfield  to  spend  his  last  years  with 
his  son,  Frank  R.,  of  this  sketch,  at  whose  home  he  passed  from  earthly 
scenes  a few  years  later,  in  1887,  after  a useful,  industrious  and  honorable 
career.  His  name  will  go  down  in  the  history  of  the  state  as  one  of  the 
most  prominent,  able  and  enterprising  citizens  of  southwestern  Missouri 
a half  century  ago. 

Benjamin  F.  Massey  and  Mirah  Withers  were  married  in  Boonville, 
Cooper  county,  Missouri,  in  1838.  She  was  born  in  Fauquier  county,  Vir- 
ginia, in  which  state  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  educated,  and  from 
that  state  emigrated  with  her  parents  to  Missouri  during  the  latter  thirties, 
the  family  locating  in  Boonville.  She  was  a woman  of  fine  mind  and  charm- 
ing personality,  a true  type  of  that  fine  Southern  womanhood  of  ante-bellum 
days.  Her  death  occurred  in  1864.  Benjamin  F.  Massey  and  wife  were 
the  parents  of  ten  children. 

Frank  R.  Massey  is  a fine  type  of  the  successful  self-made  American, 
and  this  title  is  the  proudest  that  anyone  can  bear  in  our  great  Republic  of 
the  west.  He  never  went  to  school  a day  in  his  life,  but  be- 
ing a man  of  natural  strong  endowments  and  ambitions  he  has 
become  a well-informed  man  through  actual  contact  with  the  world, 
and  by  wide  home  reading.  When  a child  he  went  to  Virginia,  where  he 
was  reared  to  manhood,  leaving  there  in  1866,  he  came  back  to  Missouri 
and  began  his  splendid  business  career  as  a merchant,  in  which  line  of  en- 
deavor he  was  successful  from  the  first.  He  organized  what  is  now  known 
as  the  Springfield  Grocery  Company,  one  of  the  most  successful  concerns  of 
its  kind  in  the  great  Southwest.  It  paid  one  hundred  per  cent,  the  first  six 
years  of  its  existence  under  the  able  management  of  Mr.  Massey,  who  man- 
aged it  for  seven  years,  then  he  retired  two  years,  and  then  organized  the 
Massey-Herndon  Shoe  Company  in  Springfield,  which  partnership  continued 
fairly  successful  for  five  years,  when  Mr.  Massey  purchased  Mr.  Herndon’s 
interests  and  merged  the  concern  with  the  Keet-Rountree  Shoe  Company, 
of  which  large  establishment  our  subject  was  general  manager  for  five  years. 


1916 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


during  which  time  the  company  did  a very  extensive  wholesale  business  all 
over  this  section  of  the  country;  but  on  account  of  failing  health  Mr.  Massey 
was  forced  to  retire  from  the  firm,  and  he  later  went  into  the  mining  busi- 
ness at  Granby,  Missouri,  and  is  still  actively  engaged  there,  being  general 
manager  of  extensive  mining  interests  at  that  place,  and,  as  usual,  this 
venture  has  been  a highly  successful  one  from  a business  standpoint. 

Politically,  Mr.  Massey  is  a loyal  Democrat  and  influential  in  the 
party.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Order. 


ANDERSON  T.  MOORE. 

One  of  Springfield's  representative  business  men  of  a past  generation 
was  the  late  Anderson  T.  Moore,  for  many  years  a well  known  traveling- 
salesman,  later  a successful  mercant  on  Commercial  street.  He  was  a busy 
and  enterprising  man,  one  of  the  kind  that  can  be  relied  upon  as  a helpful 
citizen.  His  was  a kind  of  life  that  does  not  attract  especial  attention  for 
any  picturesque  quality  or  daring  deeds,  having  been  led  along  prosaic  lines 
of  useful  endeavor,  but  was  of  the  kind  that  goes  to  make  up  the  continuous 
achievements  of  humanity,  and  his  example  was  no  doubt  imitated  by  others, 
for  many  admire  a life  like  his  in  preference  to  a quiet,  unobtrusive,  yet 
withal,  useful  and  successful  one,  and  when  he  passed  away  regret  was 
freely  expressed  on  every  hand  by  the  many  who  knew  and  admired  him 
as  a man  of  affairs,  a neighbor  and  citizen. 

Mr.  Moore  was  born  in  Waterloo,  Monroe  county,  Illinois,  June  5, 
1857,  where  he  was  reared  and  received  a good  practical  education  in  the 
public  schools.  He  came  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  in  the  early  eighties,  and 
for  twenty-eight  years  he  was  a commercial  traveler,  giving  the  firms  which 
he  represented  every  degree  of  satisfaction  and  becoming  popular  with  the 
trade  in  his  territory ; in  fact,  few  traveling  men  were  better  known  in 
southwestern  Missouri,  for  nearly  three  decades  is  a long  time  for  one  to 
travel,  and  during  such  a long  period  one  would  necessarily  meet  a great 
number  of  people,  and,  being  a good  mixer  and  genial,  our  subject  neces- 
sarily made  many  acquaintances  and  friends  everywhere  he  went.  He  finally 
retired  from  the  road,  in  1911,  and  went  into  the  dry  goods  business  on 
Commercial  street,  Springfield,  but  shortly  thereafter  he  was  disabled  and 
was  not  in  his  usual  health  for  some  three  years.  He  understood  thor- 
ougly  every  phase  of  his  business  and  had  he  not  been  somewhat  handi- 
capped by  ill  health  would  have  made  a great  success  as  a dry  goods  mer- 
chant. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1917 


Mr.  Moore  was  married  on  October  8,  1894,  to  Aetna  Risser,  who  was 
born  in  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa,  in  1875.  She  is  a daughter  of  Daniel  and  Mar- 
tha Risser.  The  father  was  born  in  Germany,  from  which  country  he  emi- 
grated to  America  when  a child,  with  his  parents,  and  the  family  settled 
in  Ohio,  but  soon  came  on  to  Iowa,  establishing  their  future  home  at  Mt. 
Pleasant,  where  Mrs..  Moore  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  her  educa- 
tion. She  is  the  youngest  of  a family  of  eleven  children. 

Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore,  named  as  follows: 
Martha,  born  on  July  10,  1900:  Helen  E.,  born  on  August  25,  1907;  and 
Thomas,  born  on  February  12,  1911.  They  are  all  at  home  and  attending 
school. 

Mr.  Moore  was  a member  of  the  First  Baptist  church  of  Springfield 
for  many  years.  His  widow  belongs  to  the  Episcopal  church  here.  He  was 
a member  of  the  Travelers’  Protective  Association  and  a director  of  the 
same  for  a number  of  years:  Politically  he  was  a Republican  all  his  mature 

years. 

Mr.  Moore  was  summoned  to  his  eternal  rest  on  December  22,  1913, 
at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years,  and  after  a protracted  illness. 


JEREMIAH  FENTON. 

Among  the  men  of  sterling  attributes  of  character  who  have  impressed 
their  personality  upon  the  community  of  their  residence  and  have  borne  their 
full  share  in  the  upbuilding  and  development  of  the  Queen  City  of  the 
Ozarks  during  its  recent  period  of  phenomenal  growth,  mention  must  not 
be  omitted  of  Jeremiah  Fenton,  prominent  citizen  of  Springfield  during  the 
past  cpiarter  of  a century,  for  he  has  exerted  a strong  influence  for  the  good 
of  the  city,  being  a man  of  upright  principles,  industrious  in  business  affairs 
and  public  matters,  always  desirous  of  seeing  the  advancement  of  the  city 
and  county  along  moral,  civic  and  material  lines.  He  is  too  well  known 
to  need  extended  notice  here,  his  career  as  business  man,  postmaster,  mayor 
and  citizen  being  familiar  to  the  readers  of  this  work.  And  now  as  the 
twilight  of  his  years  gather  about  him  he  can  look  back  over  a life  of  hard 
toil,  some  parts  somewhat  thrilling,  especially  that  relating  to  his  splendid 
career  in  the  Union  army  and  his  life  in  the  wild  Southwest;  but  this  Irish 
lad  had  in  him  the  qualities  that  make  for  success  and  when  he  began  his 
career  in  the  New  World  he  was  in  a way,  exceptionally  well  equipped,,  and 
he  has  well  deserved  the  success  he  has  attained. 


1918 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


CHARLES  F.  LaBOUNTY. 

Charles  F.  LaBounty,  assistant  machine  foreman  and  assistant  brass 
foreman  in  the  north  side  shops,  Springfield,  was  born  on  January  14,  1871, 
at  Murphysboro,  Jackson  county,  Illinois.  He  is  a son  of  Alfred  F.  La- 
Bounty, a native  of  the  city  of  Paris,  France,  from  which  place  he  was 
brought  to  Canada  as  a child,  and  he  was  reared  to  manhood  at  Rochester, 
New  York.  His  parents  died  when  he  was  a small  boy,  but  he  managed 
to  secure  a practical  education  and  get  a start  in  life,  engaging  in  the  dairy 
and  cheese  business  in  New  York  state,  also  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits, 
operating  for  a number  of  years  a large  store  near  Rochester.  He  subse- 
quently removed  to  Murphysboro,  Illinois,  where  he  continued  in  mercantile 
pursuits,  then  came  to  Willow  Springs,  Missouri,  and  engaged  in  the  brick 
manufacturing  business  for  himself  until  his  death  in  1893,  at  the  age  of 
sixty  years.  He  was  a successful  business  man,  doing  well  in  whatever 
line  he  engaged  in.  Politically,  he  was  a Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  be- 
longed to  the  Masonic  Order,  and  he  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church. 

The  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  known  in  her  maidenhood 
as  Melissa  Bower,  a representative  of  an  old  Knickerbocker  family  of  New 
York.  She  was  a daughter  of  Harvey  Bower.  Her  death  occurred  Novem- 
ber 3,  1914,  at  Los  Angeles,  California,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years. 

Three  children  were  born  to  Alfred  F.  LaBounty  and  wife,  namely: 
Cora  married  Henry  Balfour,  a lawyer  of  Jonesboro,  Arkansas;  Hattie, 
who  took  care  of  her  mother  in  her  declining  years,  married  H.  A.  Ismond, 
formerly  a locomotive  engineer  on  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad,  but  is 
now  living  in  retirement  in  Los  Angeles;  and  Charles  F.,  of  this  sketch. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools, 
but  left  school  when  sixteen  years  old,  and  he  began  his  railroad  career  when 
a small  boy.  He  first  went  to  work  for  the  Missouri  Pacific  at  St.  Louis 
as  machinist  apprentice,  and  after  serving  out  his  time  in  this  capacity  he 
left  that  city  as  journeyman  in  1890,  and  went  to  Pine  Bluff,  Arkansas,  as 
machinist  with  the  Cotton  Belt  road,  remaining  there  nine  or  ten  months, 
then  returned  to  St.  Louis  and  resumed  his  old  position  with  the  Missouri 
Pacific,  later  was  promoted  from  machinist  to  foreman,  which  position  he 
held  two  years.  He  has  worked  for  the  Missouri  Pacific  at  various  times 
for  a period  of  fifteen  or  sixteen  years.  Some  time  he  worked  for  the 
Pneumatic  House  Cleaning  Company  in  St.  Louis;  this  firm  manufactured 
chairs,  and  Mr.  LaBounty  was  the  first  man  that  ever  assembled  one  of  the 
firm’s  famous  chairs.  In  1902  our  subject  went  to  El  Paso,  Texas,  where 
he  worked  as  machinist  for  the  Southern  Pacific  Railroad  Company  for  two 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1919 


years.  In  October,  1904,  he  began  working  in  the  north  side  Frisco  shops, 
Springfield,  Missouri,  as  machinist,  later  being  promoted  to  assistant  ma- 
chinist foreman,  which  position  he  now  holds,  having  fifteen  men  under 
his  direction;  he  is  also  assistant  foreman  of  the  brass  department  in  the 
same  shops,  and  his  two-fold  duties  keep  him  busy  but,  being  a man  of 
industry  and  good  executive  ability  he  discharges  the  duties  devolved  upon 
him  in  a manner  that  is  highly  pleasing  to  his  employers.  He  is  an  expert 
in  his  line  and  has  kept  well  up-to-date  in  the  same. 

Mr.  LaBounty  was  married  in  1893  to  Emma  Grassman,  a daughter  of 
John  and  Elsie  (Grundum)  Grassman,  of  St.  Louis.  To  this  union  one  child 
has  been  born — Elise  LaBounty,  who  was  educated  in  the  ward  and  high 
schools,  and  is  now  teaching  in  the  Robberson  school,  Springfield;  she  is 
also  musically  inclined  and  is  organist  at  St.  John’s  Episcopal  church. 

Politically,  Mr.  LaBounty  is  a Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 
the  Order  of  Eagles,  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Security,  Loyal  Order  of 
Moose,  and  was  formerly  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  a 
member  of  St.  John’s  Episcopal  church,  and  sang  in  the  choir  there  many 
years.  He  owns  a comfortable  home  on  Clay  street. 

Mr.  LaBounty  has  found  time  during  his  work-a-day  life  to  develop  a 
natural  esthetic  nature.  He  has  become  a well-informed  man  along  general 
lines  by  wide  home  reading.  He  has  always  been  a great  lover  of  floricul- 
ture and  has  a practical  knowledge  of  botany.  He  has  a small  hothouse 
on  the  rear  of  his  lot  at  1320  Clay  street,  thirty-two  by  twelve  feet,  and  he 
devotes  his  spare  time  to  the  culture  of  flowers,  now  making  a specialty 
of  asters  and  dahlias.  Courteous  and  genial,  he  is  a pleasant  gentleman 
to  meet. 


JERRY  W.  OWENS. 

Although  we  are  prone  to  rail  at  our  environments  and  lack  of  early 
opportunities,  blaming  these  for  our  failures  along  the  road  toward  the 
“heights,"  yet  the  contemplative  mind  must  conclude  that  life  is,  after  all, 
about  what  we  make  it.  When  but  a boy  Jerry  W.  Owens,  of  Springfield, 
Missouri,  general  agent  of'  the  Penn  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company,  of 
Philadelphia,,  realized  that  man  is  master  of  his  fate;  that  he  is  the  captain 
of  his  own  soul,  and  he  set  about  in  a laudable  manner  to  shape  his  destiny 
on  “these  banks  and  shoals  of  time." 

Mr.  Owens  was  born  on  September  6,  1875,  011  a farm  eight  miles 
northwest  of  Carthage,  Missouri,  in  one  of  the  best  farming  sections  of 
Jasper  county,  and  resided  on  this  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age.  He  is  a son  of  David  D.  and  Frances  M.  (Stout)  Owens.  The  father 


1920 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


was  born  in  Wales,  July  15,  1834,  and  moved  to  Newark,  Licking  county, 
Ohio,  with  his  parents  when  a mere  boy,  and  the  mother's  birth  occurred 
near  Newark,  Licking;  county,  Ohio,  September  9,  1842.  Her  death  oc- 
curred at  Santa  Cruz,  California,  July  17,  1913,  and  in  that  city  the  father 
is  still  making  his  home.  David  D.  Owens  received  a fairly  good  education 
in  the  rural  schools.  His  wife  was  well  educated  and  she  spent  her  earlier 
years  in  educational  work,  teaching  about  twenty  terms  in  Ohio  and  Illi- 
nois. Mr.  Owens  has  devoted  his  active  life  to  farming  and  stock  raising, 
but  is  now  living  in  retirement,  but  still  owns  his  fine  farm  of  two  hundred 
acres  in  Jasper  county,  Missouri.  During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  an 
Ohio  regiment  and  served  in  the  Union  army,  participating  in  several  en- 
gagements in  Maryland  and  Virginia.  He  is  a member  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic,  and  politically  he  is  a Republican.  His  family  consists  of 
four  children,  namely:  Edwin  J.  lives  in  Canon  City,  Colorado,  where  he 

is  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business;  David  A.  lives  in  Santa  Cruz,  Cali- 
fornia, where  he  is  engaged  in  the  transfer  and  storage  business;  James  B. 
also  lives  in  Santa  Cruz,  being  in  partnership  with  his  brother  in  business. 

Jerry  W.  Owens  spent  his  boyhood  on  the  farm  in  Jasper  county  and 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  later  attending  college  in 
Carthage,  then  came  to  Springfield  and  took  a course  in  the  Springfield 
Business  College.  He  began  life  for  himself  by  doing  clerical  work  for  a 
number  of  different  firms  in  Springfield.  He  subsequently  became  official 
court  reporter  for  the  Circuit  Court  and  the  Criminal  Court,  discharging 
the  duties  of  this  important  trust  for  a period  of  eight  years  in  a manner 
that  was  highly  satisfactory  to  all  concerned.  He  reported  all  civil  cases  in 
Division  No.  2 and  reported  all  criminal  cases.  While  incumbent  of  this 
office  he  found  time  to  engage  to  some  extent  in  the  insurance  business,  and 
about  ten  years  ago  he  was  made  general  agent  for  the  Penn  Mutual  Life 
Insurance  Company,  of  Philadelphia,  his  territory  comprising  about  twenty- 
five  counties  in  southwestern  Missouri.  He  has  offices  at  826  Landers 
Building.  He  is  one  of  the  best  known  insurance  men  in  this  section  of  the 
state. 

Mr.  Owens  was  married  on  March  10,  1909,  in  Springfield,  to  Minnie 
Clyde  Umbarger,  who  was  born  in  Saline  county,  Missouri,  June  21,  1877. 
She  is  a daughter  of  Thomas  A.  and  Mary  Jane  (Spates)  Lhnbarger.  The 
father  was  born  on  July  5,  1846,  near  Bloomington,  Indiana,  and  died  on 
October  8,  1910,  his  death  being  the  result  of  an  accident.  The  mother  of 
Mrs.  Owens  was  born  on  February  16,  1837,  near  Louisville,  Kentucky, 
and  her  death  occurred  on  March  5,  1903.  To  these  parents  six  children 
were  born,  five  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  William  W.  is  engaged 

in  farming  near  Marshall,  Saline  county,  Missouri ; Walter  A.,  who  lives  in 
Springfield,  is  a member  of  the  firm  of  Boehn  & Umbarger,  fire  insurance 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1921 


agents;  Dr.  Thomas  T.  is  practicing  dentistry  in  Springfield;  Maggie,  who 
married  William  W.  Naylor.  He  was  killed  in  a train  wreck  near  Lebanon, 
Missouri,  September  15,  1914;  Minnie  C.,  who  became  the  wife  of  Mr. 
Owens,  of  this  sketch.  She  attended  the  country  schools,  and  the  Missouri 
Valley  College  at  Marshall,  Missouri. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Jerry  W.  Owens  and  wife,  namely: 
Mary  Frances,  born  January  10,  1911;  David  Allen,  born  January  1,  1913. 

Politically,  Mr.  Owens  is  a Republican  and  is  active  in  party  affairs. 
Fie  is  at  this  writing  chairman  of  the  county  committee  of  his  party  and 
has  done  much  for  the  success  of  the  candidates  of  his  party.  He  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Illinois  Commercial  Men’s  Association, 
of  Chicago.  The  family  belongs  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church. 


CHARLES  WESLEY  MORCKEL. 

We  are  told  by  the  ancient  philosophers  that  all  in  this  world  is  in 
ordained  form,  some  maintaining  that  in  nature  nothing  develops  with  the 
help  of  man’s  hands.  The  charm  that  is  charm  is  that  which  has  become 
an  existing  object  by  an  unhampered,  ungoverned  process  in  a natural  man- 
ner. While  many  who  love  to  spend  their  lives  close  to  the  soil,  with  the 
sustaining  touch  of  nature  on  every  hand,  may  not  understand  her  workings, 
but  they  feel  a kinship  nevertheless  which  renders  the  life  of  the  outdoor 
person  better  in  every  way  than  that  of  his  city  brother.  Some,  of  coutse, 
not  feeling  that  sense  of  harmony,  do  not  think  so.  The  Morckel  family,  of 
whom  Charles  Wesley  Morckel,  a farmer  of  east  Center  township,  Greene 
county,  is  a creditable  representative,  have  preferred  to  spend  their  lives  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  getting  both  pleasure  and  profit  from  the  close  contact 
with  Mother  Nature. 

Mr.  Morckel  was  born  March  11,  1869,  in  Cooper  county,  Missouri, 
near  Boonville.  He  is  a son  of  John  Christian  and  Rosanna  (Bandy)  Mor- 
ckel. The  father  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany.  The  mother  was  of 
French  parentage,  but  was  born  in  Switzerland.  These  parents  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  about  1834,  before  their  marriage  ; the  father  first  located 
in  Stark  county,  Ohio,  and  the  mother  in  Columbiana  county,  that  state,  and 
they  were  married  in  the  latter  county  about  1858,  and  some  two  years 
later  they  moved  to  Marshall  county,  Indiana,  remaining  there  six  years, 
then  went  to  Illinois  for  two  years,  and  from  that  state  went  to  Cooper 
county,  Missouri,  locating  on  a farm  near  Boonville,  where  they  made  their 
home  for  a period  of  eighteen  years.  After  spending  a few  years  each  in 
Vernon  and  Jasper  counties,  this  state,  they  established  their  home  in  Greene 
(121) 


1922 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


county  on  the  farm  where  our  subject  now  lives,  in  section  1 and  2,  east 
Center  township,  in  1892,  and  here  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  the 
father  dying  on  August  9,  1908,  and  the  mother's  death  occurred  on  April 
2,  1908.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  still 
living,  namely:  John  Wesley  is  farming  in  New  Mexico;  William  Edward  is 
farming  in  Idaho;  Mary  Louise  is  the  wife  of  Paton  Gallagher  and  they 
live  in  Tipton,  Missouri;  and  Charles  W.  of  this  sketch. 

The  subject  of  this  review  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  worked  thereon 
when  he  became  of  proper  age,  and  he  received  a common  school  education 
in  Cooper  and  Jasper  counties.  He  remained  on  the  farm  with  his  parents 
until  his  marriage  on  December  25,  1895,  to  Belle  Young,  a daughter  of 
Charley  and  Kittie  Young,  of  Murray  township,  this  county.  After  his  mar- 
riage he  bought  eighty  acres  adjoining  his  father’s  farm  and  lived  on  this 
place  one  and  a half  years,  when,  upon  the  death  of  his  wife  on  July  23, 
1899,  he  returned  to  the  home  of  his  parents  and  has  since  remained  on  the 
homestead.  He  again  married  in  1901,  his  last  wife  being  Francisca  Mel- 
kesswan.  To  the  first  union  two  children  were  born:  Almeda,  born  on 
November  14,  1896;  and  Harry,  born  on  May  7,  1899. 

In  addition  to  carrying  on  general  farming  Mr.  Morckel  devotes  con- 
siderable attention  to  raising  and  handling  live  stock,  and  no  small  portion 
of  his  success  has  been  derived  from  this  source.  His  farm  is  one  of  the 
best  in  the  township.  It  consists  of  two  hundred  acres,  all  under  a high 
state  of  cultivation  and  improvements,  including  good  drainage  into  a 
spring  branch.  The  bottom  land  is  of  a soil  known  as  black  loam,  the  higher 
portions,  red  limestone  land.  In  addition  to  the  homestead  he  owns  thirty 
acres  of  timber,  not  far  away. 

Politically  he  is  a Republican,  but  is  not  a seeker  after  political  honors, 
but  is  a booster  for  the  general  good  of  his  community. 


ULYSSES  F.  KERR,  M.  D. 

Prominent  among  the  successful  medical  men  of  Springfield  and  Greene 
county  is  Dr.  Ulysses  F.  Kerr,  formerly  a well-known  general  practitioner 
of  Christian  county.  During  his  fourteen  years  of  practice,  his  punctuality 
in  keeping  appointments  with  his  patients  has  been  religiously  adhered  to, 
never  having  disappointed  anyone  except  in  cases  of  the  most  urgent  neces- 
sity. Privately,  as  well  as  professionally,  his  life  has  been  an  exemplary 
one,  and  no  proper  help  to  worthy  enterprises,  public,  charitable  or  other- 
wise, has  he  withheld,  and  he  is  honored  and  respected  by  all  as  a true  type 
of  the  sympathetic,  broad-minded  Christian  physician. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I923 


HUBERT  H.  HAYWARD. 

Many  appellations  have  been  applied  to  the  present  epoch  or  cycle  of 
the  world’s  history,  such  as  the  electric  or  steam  age,  none  of  the  terms,  it 
seems  being  broad  enough,  but  if  we  should  christen  it  the  age  of  invention, 
we  would  evidently  not  go  far  amiss,  as  any  contemplative  mind  will 
readily  agree.  If  we  look  at  the  far-reaching  effects  of  the  inventions  of 
only  a few  such  wizards  as  Edison,  Tesla,  Bell  and  Maxim,  we  would  see  the 
appropriateness  of  the  last  named  phrase  to  this  the  greatest  age  since  the 
dawn  of  the  world’s  history.  But  as  in  other  walks  of  life,  not  all  the 
inventions  that  have  blessed  the  race  have  been  made  by  men  bearing  names 
which  have  become  household  words  the  world  over.  Here  and  there,  in 
every'  civilized  nation,  may  be  found  some  one  outside  of  “fame’s  eternal 
camping  ground”  who  has  by  his  genius  or  talent  or,  perchance,  by  merely 
commonplace  hard  work  produced  some  device  that  has  lightened  or  facili- 
tated man’s  work,  and  therefore  added  his  little  quota  to  the  great  aggregate 
force  that  is  lifting  from  humanity’s  shoulders  “the  burden  of  the  world,” 
of  which  the  poet,  Markham,  wrote  in  “The  Man  with  the  Hoe.”  Belonging 
to  this  class  of  minor  inventors  who  have  accomplished  definite  results  is 
Hubert  H.  Hayward,  president  of  the  Hayward  Wrench  Company,  of  Spring- 
field,  and  skilled  machinist  and  talented  inventor. 

Mr.  Hayward  was  born  on  June  22,  1882,  in  Sac  township,  Dade 
county,  Missouri.  He  is  a son  of  Albert  Clinton  and  Harriet  A.  (Rector) 
Hayward'.  The  father  was  born  in  Sac  township,  Dade  county,  on  July 
27,  1841,  his  parents  being  among  the  pioneer  settlers  there.  The  paternal 
grandfather  was  Edwin  Clinton  Hayward.  He  was  born  in  New  York 
and  served  as  apprentice  in  the  shipyard  for  several  years ; also  worked  in  the 
United  States  navy  yard.  He  was  born  in  1811,  and  died  at  the  age  of 
seventy-eight  years.  Grandmother  Hayward’s  maiden  name  was  Caroline 
Smith.  She  was  born  in  Roane  county,  east  Tennessee  in  1824,  and  died 
at  the  age  of  sixty  years.  The  maternal  grandmother  was  Angeline  Butler, 
who  was  born  on  May  14,  1829,  in  Anderson  county,  east  Tennesee,  and  is 
still  living,  and  enjoying  good  health  for  one  of  her  age. 

Albert  C.  Hayward,  father  of  our  subject,  grew  to  manhood  in  Dade 
county,  and  in  early  life. learned  the  carpenter’s  trade,  which  he  followed 
in  his  vicinity  in  connection  with  farming.  He  prospered  with  advancing 
years  and  became  owner  of  a fine  farm  of  about  five  hundred  acres  there. 
He  has  spent  the  major  part  of  his  life  in  his  native  county,  where  he  now 
lives  retired  and  is  one  of  the  most  widely  and  favorably  known  men  in 
that  county.  He  was  for  three  terms  assessor  of  Dade  county,  which 
position  he  filled  with  credit  and  efficiency.  He  has  always  been  a loyal 
.Republican,  and  is  a stanch  member  of  the  Christian  church  at  Bona,  Mis- 


1924 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


souri.  His  wife,  Harriet  A.  Rector,  was  born  on  May  21,  1848,  in  eastern 
Tennessee,  but  when  only  six  years  of  age  she  made  the  long  overland 
journey  in  wagon  from  that  country  to  Missouri,  the  family  locating  in 
Dade  county.  She  was  fairly  well  educated  for  that  period  and  she  taught 
school  several  years  in  Dade  county  before  her  marriage.  She  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Church  of  Christ  at  Bona,  near  which  village  the  parents  of 
our  subject  are  spending  their  declining  years  in  their  pleasant  home.  To' 
them  six  children  were  born,  namely:  Mrs.  Ina  Perkins  lives  in  Cedar 
county,  Missouri;  Albert  C.  is  an  attorney  and  lives  in  Springfield,  Missouri; 
Ada  is  teaching  school  in  Dade  county;  Hubert  H.,  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Henry  is  operating  the  old  home  farm;  Homer  lives  in  Springfield  and  is 
treasurer  of  the  Hayward  Wrench  Company. 

Hubert  H.  Hayward  spent  his  boyhood  days  in  Dade  county  with  his 
parents  on  the  farm,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  township  schools- 
and  the  high  school  at  Everton,  Missouri.  Having  natural  inclination  to 
the  machinist’s  trade  he  learned  the  same  in  the  school  of  practical  experi- 
ence and  hard  knocks,  and  he  followed  his  trade  in  Dade  county  and  in 
Springfield  for  a number  of  years.  He  also  learned  the  carpenter’s  trade,  at 
which  he  worked  for  some  time  in  his  native  county  and  other  places  with 
the  highest  honors  of  his  trade  in  Dade  county.  He  moved  to  Springfield 
in  1914,  where  he  has  since  resided.  His  practical  knowledge  of  the  ma- 
chinist’s trade  enabled  him,  by  careful  and  well  laid  plans  and  thoughtful 
diagrams  to  invent  a new  wrench  on  which  he  secured  a United  States 
patent  on  November  4,  1913,  and  for  the  manufacture  of  which  he  organized 
a $100,000  stock  company,  which  has  been  incorporated  as  the  Hayward 
Wrench  Company,  of  which  he  is  president,  and  his  brother  Homer,  vice- 
president.  They  have  offices  at  505  Woodruff  Building,  Springfield,  Mis- 
souri, and  they  are  making  the  wrench  in  large  numbers  in  Chicago,  Illinois, 
and  placing  it  on  the  market,  which  is  finding  a very  ready  sale,  as  its 
merits  are  made  known  over  the  United  States  and  Canada.  It  is  an  auto- 
matic combination  wrench  of  which  the  mechanism  and  advantages  over 
all  other  wrenches  speak  for  themselves,  and  is  the  only  combination  nut 
and  pipe  wrench  made  that  is  self-adjustable.  It  will  fit  any  bolt,  nut  or 
pipe  without  having  to  be  adjusted.  It  is  invaluable  as  a ratchet  wrench. 
It  works  on  the  same  principle  as  rachet,  and  many  places  where  there  is 
little  room  to  work  it  is  indispensable.  It  will  not  crush  pipe,  but  the  tighter 
one  pulls,  the  tighter  the  jaws  clamp  the  nut  or  pipe  with  equal  force  on 
each  side.  It  is  also  most  desirable  as  a pipe  wrench,  being  so  constructed 
that  it  will  not  mash  or  crush  the  pipe,  although  holding  it  very  tightly. 
Most  pipe  wrenches  slip  after  hold  breaks,  but  this  wrench  will  not  slip,  for 
the  tighter  one  pulls  the  better  the  wrench  holds.  The  jaws  come  together 
with  equal  force  and  the  teeth  in  each  one  go  straight  in  when  the  operator 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1925 


pulls  on  it,  so  that  it  is  impossible  for  it  to  slip.  It  is  a handy,  automatic 
combination,  all-purpose  wrench  for  the  machinist,  engineer,  plumber,  chauf- 
feur and  farmer.  It  is  simple,  handy  and  always  ready.  It  is  made  of 
80  to  90  carbon  drop  forged  tool  steel  and  constructed  with  links  like  the  chain 
of  a bicycle,  and  withal,  is  strong,  durable  and  inexpensive,  and  is  one  of  the 
most  wonderful  inventions  of  its  kind  in  the  history  of  the  world.  The 
construction  and  mechanism  of  its  different  parts  are  so  perfectly  arranged 
and  fitted  together  that  each  function  has  part  of  the  work  to  do.  There 
is  no  mechanical  science  or  mathematical  rule  discovered  by  which  to  figure 
out  how  to  get  the  strength,  length  and  size  in  the  double-compound,  balance 
leverage  connection,  in  the  different  sized  wrenches. 

Hubert  H.  Hayward  was  married  on  February  17,  1902,  to  Ora  Frieze, 
daughter  of  Richard  Denton  Frieze  and  Emily  (Perkins)  Frieze,  both  na- 
tives of  Dade  county,  Missouri,  where  they  grew  to  maturity,  were  edu- 
cated, married  and  established  their  home,  Mr.  Frieze  becoming  a prominent 
farmer  there,  owning  a fine  farm  of  over  two  hundred  acres,  in  fact  he 
spent  his  life  on  the  farm  on  which  he  was  reared,  dying  in  April,  1908. 
Politically  he  was  a Democrat,  and  he  belonged  to  the  Church  of  Christ,  to 
which  his  widow  also  belongs,  she  having  remained  on  the  home  place. 
To  these  parents  seven  children  were  born,  namely : Ora,  wife  of  Mr.  Hay- 
ward of  this  sketch;  Claude  lives  in  Dade  county;  Maude  is  the  wife  of 
Flavin  Davis ; Macy  L.  is  the  wife  of  A.  R.  Lee,  who  lives  in  Dade  county ; 
Jessie  is  the  wife  of  C.  E.  Martin,  who  lives  in  Jasper  county,  Missouri; 
Ernest,  who  at  this  time  is  a young  man  of  eighteen  years  of  age,  lives 
with  his  mother  on  the  homestead  in  Dade  county;  Norma,  wife  of  J.  C. 
Tygart,  lives  in  Dade  county,  Missouri. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hayward  eight  children  have  been  born,  named  as 
follow:  La  Vernice,  Cleo,  Theta,  Clinton  and  Denton,  twins;  Wilbur,  Ray- 
mond and  Maude. 

Politically  Mr.  Hayward  is  a hard-working  Republican.  He  belongs  to 
Lodge  No.  9160,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  at  Dadeville,  Missouri. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Church  of  Christ  at  Bona,  Dade  county. 


CAPT.  JOHN  HALSTEAD. 

Everybody  in  the  western  part  of  Greene  county  knows  Capt.  John 
Halstead,  real  estate  agent  and  general  manager  of  the  Brookline  Inn  and 
feed  barn.  He  has  long  been  a resident  of  this  locality,  whose  interests  he 
has  had  at  heart  and  sought  to  promote,  and  as  a booster  for  his  town  and 
township  he  has  done  as  much  as  any  other  man  and  is  deserving  of  the 
high  esteem  in  which  he  is  universally  held. 


1926 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


T UCKER-FER GUSON  WAREHOUSE  & TRANSFER  COMPANY. 

One  of  the  thriving  business  firms  of  Springfield  which  is  worthy  of 
specific  mention  in  this  volume  is  the  Tucker-Ferguson  Warehouse  and 
Transfer  Company.  They  maintain  three  large  warehouses,  located  as  fol- 
low: Office  building,  a one-story  concrete  building  with  30,000  square  feet  of 
floor  space,  at  666  East  Chestnut  street;  a three-story  brick  building,  corner 
Summit  and  Chestnut  streets.  It  is  equipped  with  electric  elevator,  con- 
taining 400,000  square  feet;  a three-story  brick  building,  corner  Phelps 
avenue  and  Grant  street,  containing  300,000  square  feet  of  floor  space,  with 
electric  elevator.  There  is  five  hundred  feet  of  private  trackage,  and  there 
is  also  a large  barn  for  live  stock,  accommodating  twenty-five  head  of 
draft  horses.  The  company  operates  three  solid,  enclosed,  padded  moving 
vans,  and  all  household  goods  is  guaranteed  not  to  be  soiled  by  bad  weather, 
dust  or  scratched  in  transit.  Three  stake  wagons  are  also  kept  for  freight- 
ing and  ordinary  moving;  also  two  curtain  vans  for  household  goods,  other 
equipment,  such  as  floats,  trunk  and  delivery  wagons  and  a special  wagon 
for  safes  and  heavy  hauling.  Eighteen  experienced,  skilled  and  reliable 
men  and  drivers  are  constantly  employed,  and  prompt  and  first-class  service 
is  the  aim  of  the  firm  at  all  times.  Special  carload  consignments  are  given 
prompt  attention,  and  they  handle  about  four  hundred  carloads  annually. 
Household  goods  are  packed  for  shipment  by  experts.  Their  slogan,  “The 
quality  service  merchants  of  Springfield.” 

The  firm  was  incorporated  in  1909,  for  twenty-thousand  dollars,  fully 
paid  up.  E.  G.  Tucker,  a complete  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this 
work,  is  president  and  manager,  and  E.  A.  McKay  is  secretary  and  treas- 
urer. Some  estimate  of  the  reliablity  and  efficient  management  of  the  firm 
may  be  obtained  by  the  mention  of  the  fact  that  one  sugar  company  alone 
entrusts  them  with  $500,000  of  sugar  for  storage  and  distribution. 

Elmer  Alexander  McKay  was  born  in  Knox  county,  Missouri,  July  25, 
1881.  He  is  a son  of  James  G.  and  Clara  J.  (Bryson)  McKay.  The  father 
was  born  in  Lafayette  county,  Indiana,  May  13,  1845,  and  when  fourteen 
years  of  age  came  with  his  parents  to  Knox  county,  Missouri,  where  he 
followed  farming  for  nearly  forty  years,  and  at  this  writing  he  is  presi- 
dent of  the  Home  Bank  in  Knox,  Missouri,  and  is  one  of  the  prominent 
citizens  of  Knox  county.  Politically  he  is  a Republican.  Pie  belongs  to  the 
Presbyterian  church  and  is  a member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Clara  J. 
Bryson,  mother  of  E.  A.  McKay,  was  born  in  Knox  county,  this  state, 
October  28,  1858,  and  there  grew  to  womanhood,  received  her  education, 
and,  in  fact,  has  lived  there  all  her  life. 

Elmer  A.  McKay  was  reared  in  his  native  community  and  obtained 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1927 


a good  education;  he  was  graduated  from  the  Knox  high  school  in  1895, 
from  the  Kirksville  State  Normal  in  1901,  and  from  the  University  of 
Missouri  at  Columbia  in  1906.  After  leaving  the  university  he  took  a posi- 
tion in  the  Home  Bank  at  Knox,  where  he  remained  until  in  June,  1911, 
when  he  came  to  Springfield  and  bought  an  interest  in  the  Tucker-Fer- 
guson  Company,  of  which  he  is  secretary  and  treasurer,  and  the  large  suc- 
cess of  the  same  has  been  due  in  no  small  measure  to  his  industry  and  fore- 
sight. 

Mr.  McKay  was  married  on  June  20,  1907,  to  Mary  Asbury,  who  was 
born  in  Farmington,  Missouri,  February  12,  1883,  and  there  grew  to 
womanhod  and  received  her  education  at  Elmwood  Seminary  and  Uni- 
versity of  Missouri.  Mrs.  McKay  is  a member  of  the  Saturday  Club,  the 
Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  and  state  treasurer  of  the  Missouri 
Parent-Teachers’  Association. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McKay  one  child  has  been  born,  James  Asbury  Mc- 
Kay, whose  birth  occurred  September  14,  1912. 

Politically  Mr.  McKay  is  a Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Presby- 
terian church,  and  fraternally  is  well  known  in  Masonic  circles,  being  a 
member  of  Edina  Lodge  No.  219,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  at  Edina, 
Missouri;  Edina  Chapter  No.  61,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  also  at  Edina;  and 
Zabud  Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters.  He  is  a member  of  the  Young 
Men’s  Business  Club,  and  is  secretary  of  the  same. 


RICHARD  MASSEY. 

The  Massey  family  is  one  of  those  who  cast  their  fortunes  in  the 
locality  of  which  this  history  treats  when  it  was  little  better  than  a wilder- 
ness, but  being  courageous  and  resourceful  people,  they  forged  to  the  front 
ranks  and  have  been  well  and  favorably  known  in  Greene  county  since  the 
pioneer  epoch.  One  of  the  best  known  of  the  family  is  Richard  Massey, 
a contractor  of  Springfield,  who  has  spent  his  life  of  over  fifty-seven  years 
here  and  is  therefore  a connecting  link  between  the  first  period  of  develop- 
ment of  this  vicinity  and  the  present. 

Mr.  Massey  was  born  September  15,  1857,  just  east  of  Springfield,  on 
the  old  homstead.  He  is  a son  of  Capt.  James  and  Martha  (Anderson) 
Massey.  The  father  was  born  in  Ireland,  where  he  spent  his  boyhood  and 
attended  school,  and  when  eighteen  years  of  age  he  ran  away  from  home 
and  sailed  on  the  broad  Atlantic  toward  the  United  States  to  seek  his 
fortune.  He  first  settled  in  Knox  county,  Tennessee,  at  the  foot  of  the 
Cumberland  Mountains,  regarding  whose  picturesque  inhabitants  so  much 


1928 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


has  been  written,  and  in  that  locality  he  was  married  and  made  his  home 
until  the  year  1832,  when  he  made  the  tedious  and  somewhat  hazardous 
overland  trip  to  Greene  county,  Missouri,  bringing  his  family  in  a primitive 
wagon,  and  thus  the  Masseys  were  among  the  earliest  pioneers  of  this 
locality.  He  secured  a tract  of  land  just  east  of  what  is  now  the  thriving 
city  of  Springfield,  hut  which  was  at  that  time  an  encampment  of  the 
Ivickapoo  Indians.  He  set  to  work  with  a will,  cleared,  broke  and  fenced 
his  land,  erected  a log  cabin  and  by  perseverance  and  hard  work  became 
very  comfortably  fixed  in  due  course  of  time,  and  was  a man  of  influence 
among  the  early  frontiersmen,  his  neighbors  being,  however,  very  few  and 
most  of  them  some  miles  distant,  until  more  Tennesseeans  followed  him, 
the  Fulbrights,  the  Freemans  and  others.  Although  he  devoted  the  major 
portion  of  his  life  to  farming,  he  was  a mechanic  by  trade  and  a skilled 
workman.  He  made  the  first  separator,  or  “ground-hog”  thresher,  ever 
seen  in  this  part  of  the  country.  During  the  War  of  1812,  he  enlisted  in 
defense  of  his  adopted  country,  gladly  fighting  against  the  flag  under  which 
he  was  born,  and  for  meritorious  conduct  on  the  field  of  battle  he  was 
promoted  from  a private  to  a captain,  and  served  with  distinction  through- 
out the  war.  Politically  he  was  first  a Whig,  then  a Republican  after  that 
party  was  organized  in  the  fifties.  Flis  death  occurred  on  his  farm  here  in 
1863.  Flis  wife  was  a native  of  Tennessee,  where  she  grew  up  and  received 
a limited  education.  She  lived  to  an  advanced  age,  dying  in  Stone  county, 
Missouri,  in  February,  1899.  To  these  parents  nine  children  were  born, 
only  four  of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing : Robert,  Richard  of  this  sketch, 
Sally  and  Emma. 

Richard  Massey  grew  to  manhood  on  the  old  homestead,  where  he 
helped  with  the  general  work  when  a boy,  and  he  received  his  education 
mostly  by  home  study.  When  his  father  died  he  was  a small  boy,  and 
as  soon  as  he  could,  he  was  compelled  to  work  and  assist  in  supporting  the 
family.  He  followed  farming  for  some  time,  then  took  up  carpenter  work, 
then  railroad  grade  contracting  and  at  the  present  time  he  is  engaged  in 
general  contracting.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  his  line  and  has  handled 
some  large  jobs,  among  which  was  the  Valley  water  falls,  the  Grant  street 
subway,  did  the  work  for  the  filtering  plant  at  the  pump  station  for  the 
Springfield  water  works,  and  he  built  the  first  piece  of  special  road  that  was 
ever  seen  in  Greene  county.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  a business  way, 
and  owns  a commodious  home  on  South  Campbell  street,  surrounded  by  a 
lot  containing  five  acres. 

Mr.  Massey  was  married,  first  on  April  14,  1874,  in  Stone  county, 
Missouri,  to  Hannah  Price,  who  was  born  in  Henry  county,  Iowa.  Her 
death  occurred  in  Stone  county.  She  was  a daughter  of  Allen  and  Mary 
(Brown)  Price,  who  were  pioneer  settlers  in  Henry  county,  Iowa.  By  this 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


I929 


first  union  of  our  subject  seven  children  were  born,  namely:  Clara,  Guy, 
James  Allen,  Robert  E.,  Ernest,  Laura  and  Sally.  Mr.  Massey  was  mar- 
ried a second  time  in  Stone  county,  to  Mary  J.  Price,  a sister  of  his  first 
wife,  and  to  this  union  five  children  have  been  born,  namey : Floyd  Glenn, 

Zella,  Percy,  Carrol  and  Kenneth. 

Politically  Mr.  Massey  is  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Knights  and 
Ladies  of  Security,  and  is  a charter  member  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Honor.  The  Massey  family  are  members  of  the  Christian  church. 


CHARLES  LEE  LLOYD. 

One  of  Greene  county’s  farmers  who  evidently  saw  long  ago  that  mind 
is  superior  to  matter  is  Charles  Lee  Lloyd,  of  Brookline  township,  for  he 
has  made  and  is  making  a pronounced  success  as  a general  farmer,  not  only 
producing  good  general  crops  but  specializing  also  in  fruits  and  breeding 
and  raising  a superior  grade  of  live  stock.  He  was  bom  September  22, 
1864,  near  Weston,  Platte  county,  Missouri.  He  is  a son  of  Manlius  B. 
and  Martha  (Pence)  Lloyd,  who  emigrated  from  near  Georgetown,  Scott 
county,  Kentucky,  about  i860,  to  Platte  county.  The  paternal  grandfather, 
Littleton  Lloyd,  was  born  near  Roanoke,  Virginia,  and  his  wife,  Naomi 
Burton,  was  born  in  Virginia.  Their  parents  were  from  Scotland,  having 
emigrated  to  America  shortly  after  the  Revolutionary  war. 

Our  subject  has  two  brothers  living  and  two  who  died  in  infancy; 
four  sisters  are  living  and  three  died  in  infancy.  The  brothers  are : Will- 
iam Ernest,  a farmer  of  Brookline  township,  this  county;  Edgar  B.,  a well 
known  veterinary  surgeon,  lives  at  Brookline.  The  sisters  are : Ollie,  who 

married  E.  B.  Boland  and  they  live  at  Dallas,  Texas;  Fannie  married  F.  M. 
Parson  and  they  are  now  living  in  Brookline ; Zadie  married  W.  H.  Pen- 
nington, of  Springfield;  Alta  is  single  and  lives  in  Dallas,  Texas;  Minnie 
married  A.  M.  Crabb,  of  Stone  county,  Missouri,  and  she  died  in  1888 ; 
Eddie  married  W.  T.  Parsons,  of  Paragould,  Arkansas,  and  she  died  in 
1898.  Her  son,  Clifford,  now  sixteen  years  old,  is  making  his  home  with 
the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Charles  L.  Lloyd  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Platte  count)'',  and 
there  he  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  He  has  always  fol- 
lowed farming  and  dealing  in  live  stock,  starting  out  on  his  own  account 
before  he  became  of  age.  His  present  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  in  Brookline  township  is  situated  on  the  main  highway  between 
Springfield  and  Republic  on  one  of  the  highest  points  in  this  section  of  the 
Ozarks,  from  which  a commanding  panorama  may  be  had  of  the  surround- 


1930 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


ing  country  for  many  miles,  and  the  place  is  appropriately  named  “High- 
land Farm.”  His  residence  is  an  attractive  eight-room  house,  surrounded 
by  a fine  grove  of  walnuts  and  elms,  and  his  convenient  and  substantial  out- 
buildings include  two  large  barns,  machine  shop,  garage  and  a concrete 
chicken  house.  No  better  farm  buildings  are  to  be  found  in  the  county,  and 
everything  about  the  place  is  well  kept.  Mr.  Lloyd  has  become  interested 
in  fruit  culture,  showing  decided  preference  for  cherries,  and  has  over  one 
hundred  trees  just  coming  into  bearing.  He  is  a well  known  Shorthorn 
cattle  breeder  and  is  also  a breeder  of  a big  type  of  Poland-China  hogs,  and 
is  very  successful  with  both,  his  fine  stock  being  greatly  admired  by  all  in- 
terested in  such,  owing  to  their  superior  quality.  He  has  frequently  ex- 
hibited at  various  fairs,  and  has  never  failed  to  carry  away  the  blue  ribbons, 
although  contending  with  the  best  exhibits  the  county  affords. 

Mr.  Lloyd  was  married  in  February,  1893,  to  Delilah  McElhany,  a 
daughter  of  Warham  and  Stella  Jane  (Robertson)  McElhany. 

Fraternally,  Mr.  Lloyd  is  a member  of  Republic  Lodge  No.  570,  An- 
cient Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  Zabud  Council,  Royal  Arch  Chapter 
No.  25,  of  Springfield.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  of  Brookline.  Religiously,  he  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  church.  Politically,  he  is  a stanch  Democrat  and  is  influential 
in  the  affairs  of  his  party.  He  has  been  elected  to  serve  in  several  township 
offices,  including  school  director  and  road  commissioner,  holding  the  latter 
office  at  present.  He  has  given  satisfaction  in  all  positions  of  trust. 


SAM  M.  WEAR. 

It  is  not  so  much  the  different  things  which  men  do  as  the  way  and 
spirit  in  which  they  do  them,  that  makes  the  greatest  difference  between  men. 
The  man  whose  daily  work  is  simple  drudgery,  is,  in  spirit,  a serf.  He 
regards  himself  as  only  a means  to  the  end  of  accomplishing  certain  fixed 
tasks.  It  is  the  very  bitterness  of  serf’s  condition  that  he  is  a mere  instru- 
ment, a tool,  and  that  he  cannot  rise  above  that  relation  to  his  work.  Hence, 
there  can  be  for  him  but  small  delight  in  his  employment.  His  labor  can 
possess  no  dignity  for  him,  because  he  possesses  none  in  himself.  Labor 
and  service  are  invested  with  dignity  only  when  the  individuals  who  per- 
form them  are  brought  into  a true  and  responsible  relation  to  them.  It 
is  the  person  who  dignifies  the  work.  If  he  exists,  or  supposes  himself  to 
exist,  only  for  his  drudging  tasks,  they  share  in  his  degradation.  Only  as 
the  individual  is  lifted  into  something  of  the  dignity  of  true,  responsible, 
personal  life,  can  his  duties  and  work  assume  new  and  higher  meanings. 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1931 


-This  is  true  just  because  it  is  not  the  simple  performing  of  the  duties  which 
impart  to  them  their  meaning,  but  the  purpose,  spirit,  and  way  of  doing 
them.  In  the  instance  of  this  word-setting  to  Sam  M.  Wear,  the  present 
popular  and  able  prosecuting  attorney  of  Greene  county,  it  may  be  recorded 
of  him  that  during  his  career  he  has  given  dignity  to  his  profession,  the 
law,  although  he  is  a plain,  unassuming  gentleman,  but  he  communicates 
dignity  to  every  duty  he  performs.  He  infuses  the  new  and  higher  mean- 
ings into  all  his  work,  and  his  purpose,  spirit  and  way  of  doing  it,  is  what 
addresses  our  attention.  In  his  relations  with  his  fellowmen  there  has 
ever  beeen  the  evident  purpose  and  spirit  of  an  honest  personality.  This 
spirit  and  purpose  are  illustrated  along  his  private  path-ways  as  well  as  in 
his  career  at  the  bar,  his  uniform  integrity  and  fairness  impressing  all 
with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact. 

Mr.  Wear  was  born  at  Cassville,  Barry  county,  Missouri,  January  14, 
1880.  He  is  a son  of  A.  H.  and  Ona  (McConnell)  Wear,  both  born, 
reared,  educated  and  married  in  Missouri.  For  a number  of  years  they 
made  their  home  in  Barry  county,  from  which  county  they  removed  in 
1886  to  Greene  county,  locating  in  Springfield.  The  elder  Wear  was  at 
that  time  appointed  receiver  of  the  United  States  land  office  here,  filling 
this  responsible  position  with  credit  and  satisfaction  to  all  concerned  for  a 
period  of  four  years.  He  was  a lawyer  by  profession,  and  practiced  with 
success  in  Barry  and  Greene  counties  for  many  years.  In  1894  he  was 
elected  prosecuting  attorney  of  the  latter  county,  the  duties  of  which  office 
he  discharged  faithfully  and  well  until  1898.  His  death  occurred  in  Novem- 
ber, 1910,  at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years,  his  wife  having  preceded  him  to  the 
silent  land  in  1896.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian church,  and  were  highly  respected  by  all  who  knew  them,  and  polit- 
ically he  was  a Democrat  and  was  long  influential  in  local  public  affairs. 
To  these  parents  one  other  child  besides  our  subject  was  born,  Madeline 
Wear,  an  accomplished  young  lady  who  makes  her  home  in  Springfield. 

Sam  M.  Wear  was  six  years  old  when  the  family  moved  to  Springfield, 
and  here  he  grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  education,  attending  the 
public  schools  when  he  became  of  proper  age  until  1895,  when  he  entered 
Drury  Academy  here,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1898,  then  entered 
Drury  College  proper,  made  a good  record  for  scholarship  and  was 
graduated  with  the  class  of  1902.  When  a mere  boy  he  determined  to 
follow  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father  in  a professional  way  and  began  the 
study  of  law,  which  he  continued  at  spare  moments  until  completing  his 
college  course,  whereupon  he  entered  the  Cumberland  View  Law  School  at 
Lebanon,  Tennesee,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1904,  and  was  at  once 
admitted  to  the  bar  and  began  practice  in  Springfield  with  his  father,  with 
whom  he  remained  for  two  years,  then  entered,  as  a partner,  the  well- 


1932 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


established  firm  of  Farrington  & Pepperdine,  the  firm  then  becoming  Far- 
rington, Pepperdine  & Wear,  which  continued  thus  successfully  for  two 
years,  then  Mr.  Wear  and  Mr.  Farrington  formed  a partnership,  which 
continued  until  both  were  elected  to  office,  our  subject  being  elected  prose- 
cuting attorney  of  Greene  county  in  the  fall  of  1912,  and  he  is  filling  the 
same  in  a manner  that  reflects  much  credit  upon  his  ability,  fidelity  and 
courage  and  to  the  eminent  satisfaction  of  all  concerned,  irrespective  of 
party  alignment.  He  is  fearless  and  energetic  in  the  performance  of  his 
duties  and  has  proven  himself  to  be  thoroughly  grounded  not  only  in  the 
basic  principles  of  jurisprudence,  but  also  with  the  statutes  of  Missouri. 
He  always  goes  into  court  well  prepared  and  he  has  great  weight  with  juries 
and  the  bench  by  his  earnestness,  clarity  of  his  statements  of  facts  and 
interpretation  of  the  law.  In  view  of  his  eminent  success  at  the  bar  so 
early  in  life,  the  future  must  needs  be  replete  with  greater  honors  and  suc- 
cesses for  him. 

Politically  Mr.  Wear  is  a Democrat  and  loyal  in  his  support  of  the 
party.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Improved 
Order  of  Red  Men  and  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  Re- 
ligiously he  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Mr.  Wear  married  Susan  McClellan,  a lady  of  many  commendable 
characteristics.  She  is  a native  of  Claremore,  Oklahoma,  where  she  was 
reared  to  womanhood  and  educated  and  where  her  family  has  long  been 
prominent.  The  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  has  been  blessed  by  the  birth 
of  two  children. 


SAMUEL  A.  HOOPER. 

Nearly  eighty-nine  years  have  dissolved  in  the  mists  of  the  irrevocable 
past  since  Samuel  A.  Hooper,  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  in  Greene  county,  a 
well-known  and  venerable  farmer  of  Clay  township,  first  saw  the  light  of 
day.  He  has  lived  through  one  of  the  most  remarkable,  and  in  many  respects 
the  most  wonderful,  epochs  in  the  world’s  history.  There  will  never  be  an- 
other like  it,  for  it  embraced  the  period  when  the  strong-armed  homeseekers 
from  the  Eastern  states  invaded  the  great  West  ( he  being  among  the  number) 
and  redeemed  it  from  the  wilds,  bringing  it  up  through  various  stages  to 
the  present  high  state  of  civilization.  It  was  nearly  sixty-four  years  ago 
that  our  subject  took  up  his  abode  in  this  locality,  which  he  has  helped  de- 
velop and  where  he  has  seen  wonderful  changes  take  place,  of  which  he 
talks  interestingly,  for  the  pioneer  days  were  altogether  different  from  those 
of  the  present;  and,  we  agree  with  him,  that  they  were  in  some  respect  bet- 
ter than  these  advanced  times.  It  seems  at  least  that  people  were  then  hap- 


GREENE  COUNTY,  MISSOURI. 


1933 


pier;  they  neither  wanted  nor  needed  so  much;  they  were  more  helpful, 
neighborly  and  less  selfish. 

Mr.  Hooper  was  born  in  Caswell  county,  North  Carolina,  February 

28,  1826.  He  is  a son  of  Samuel  and  Susan  (Alford)  Hooper.  The  father 
was  born  in  Virginia  in  1769,  and  was  reared  and  educated  about  eight  miles 
from  the  city  of  Richmond,  and  he  spent  most  of  his  life  in  that  locality. 
Finally  he  moved  to  North  Carolina,  where  our  subject  was  born,  and  from 
there  to  Tennessee,  in  1833.  After  remaining  in  that  state  until  1851,  he 
moved  to  Missouri,  and  settled  in  Greene  county,  where  our  subject  rented 
a farm  on  which  he  and  his  father  lived  until  the  latter's  death,  in  1862. 
The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Caswell  county,  North  Carolina, 
where  she  was  reared  and  educated.  She  spent  her  declining  years  at  the 
home  of  our  subject,  dying  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-eight. 

Samuel  A.  Hooper  grew  to  manhood  in  Robertson  county,  Tennessee, 
and  he  received  such  educational  advantages  as  those  early  times  afforded. 
He  made  the  overland  trip  from  that  state,  with  his  parents,  in  1851,  in 
ox  wagons,  locating  in  Greene  county,  Missouri,  on  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres,  most  of  which  he  cleared  and  put  under  culitvation,  in  Washington 
township,  and  there  engaged  successfully  in  general  farming  until  fourteen 
years  ago,  when  he  sold  out.  For  some  time  he  has  been  living  in  Clay 
township  in  retirement. 

Mr.  Hooper  was  married  November  18,  1852,  to  Martha  Jane  Smith. 
She  was  born  in  Washington  township,  Greene  county,  Missouri,  August 

29,  1837,  and  was  here  reared  on  a farm  and  educated  in  the  country  schools 
She  was  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church.  Her  death 
occurred  in  1877.  After  this  event  our  subject  went  to  live  with  one  of  his 
children,  and  at  this  writing  makes  his  home  with  one  of  his  sons.  Before 
coming  to  Missouri,  he  made  a trip  to  Texas  in  1847,  returning  to  Tennesee 
the  following  year.  Since  coming  to  Greene  county  he  has  made  a trip  to 
California.  He  is  one  of  five  children,  namely:  Henry,  who  is  far  advanced 
in  years,  lives  in  Texas;  Pleasant,  Allen  and  Dabner  are  all  deceased;  Samuel 
A.,  our  subject,  is  the  youngest. 

Thirteen  children  were  born  to  Mr.  Hooper  and  wife,  namely:  William 
lives  in  Greene  county ; Milton  lives  on  a farm  in  Clay  township,  and  our 
subject  is  living  with  him;  Mrs.  Mary  Jane  Kinser  lives  in  this  county; 
d homas  makes  his  home  in  Springfield ; Mrs.  Deniza  McDaniel,  Robert, 
John  and  David  all  live  in  Greene  county;  Donald  is  living  with  his  father, 
our  subject;  Albert  lives  on  the  adjoining  farm;  Mrs.  Margaret  Ann  Snyder 
lives  in  Kansas  City;  Abner  Morris  is  deceased. 

Politically  Mr.  Hooper  is  a Republican,  and  has  always  been  loyal  in 
the  support  of  the  party.  He  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
church. 


